New video: Ave Maria

Say A Little Prayer

In 1972 Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin, recorded an album of the gospel songs she learned growing up as the daughter of a preacher. She’d already won five Grammy’s for hits like Respect, I Say A Little Prayer and Chain of Fools but this was something different. The sessions were recorded in a church in front of a live (and very lucky) audience over two remarkable days. It went on to be the best selling gospel album of time.The sessions were filmed and the documentary was released in 2018 called Amazing Grace. I am not a religious man - I’m a Humanist - but oh my, if anything could make me believe it’s Miss Franklin and the Southern California Community Choir singing I’m Climbing Higher Mountains. Let’s face it, she could sing Happy Birthday and you’d believe someone had made you a cake. The film is a great celebration of faith, community and the power of music.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-rJEzuKz_A[/embed]And so to my humble offering: Ave Maria. Filmed at the Pool studios in London as we recorded my next Christmas album (which will be released for Christmas 2020) and though I wasn’t bathed in a celestial light, I can tell you it was sung from the heart.Piano: Clive DunstallBass: Joe PettittDrums: Elliot HenshawGuitar: Justin QuinnRecorded at The Pool Studios, LondonEngineer: James MellorProducer: Chris TravesVideography: Alex Bourne with Alan Wareham