Tina Arena

[rael1983]

Now we know that "Downtown" will finally be included in the new album "SONGS OF LOVE & LOSS vol.2", at least in the digital version available to pre-order on iTunes Australia:

 

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9434/itunessk9.th.jpghttp://img253.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif

 

We also can confirm that the only new original track will be called "Living A Lifetime (Together)". I really can't wait to have this album.

[rael1983]

Songs Of Love & Loss – Volume 2 follows on from it’s hugely successful predecessor and is a broader, more evolved continuation of the ‘Songs of Love & Loss’ theme. The album includes 12 unique interpretations of songs that have influenced Tina and was recorded LIVE alongside the London Studio Orchestra in a series of sessions at Air Studio and Angel studios in London across July 2008.

 

Tina once again teamed up with the same winning combination of producers including; Paul Guardiani and Duck Blackwell (aka Sharks Productions), Paul Gordon Manners and Greg Fitzgerald , however this album features more of the Orchestral arrangements of arranger/conductor Simon Hale who praised Tina saying:

 

“Tina took on a 30 piece orchestra in a live sound stage, with all mics and cameras rolling. It was an awesome event. She’s amazing,.. she is not intimidated by the live set up or the orchestra and rises to the challenge of having everything going to straight tape. Many artists would crumble in these conditions but Tina seems to shine. Nobody records like this anymore. This is how it should be done!”

 

The song selection on Volume 2 is wider and less generic of the ‘60-70s female artist’ theme that framed volume 1. Tina has reached out for more obscure interpretations and has chosen tracks that would seem almost outside the Love and Loss genre.

“For my part, I think Volume 2 is more about stripping things back” Tina said. “I wanted to find the essence, the appeal of the original, and then feature that rather than just rework an old classic”

 

"Every Breathe You Take" being case-in-point. Gone is the guitar riff and the backbeat snare that drove the original, replaced by double bass, muted piano and an accordion.

 

“The sentiment behind Stings vocal performance and those dark lyrics was what attracted me to that song.” Tina said “It’s strangely beautiful and almost claustrophobic. It comes from a place where love and obsession cross over.”

 

Other songs such as Lulu’s "Oh Me Oh My" or the Carpenter´s "Close to You" are perhaps truer to the original recordings but have been given a more modern edge, maintaining the basic musical elements but allowing Tina’s inspired vocal performances to make them her own.

 

Interestingly, many of the songs chosen for Volume 2 were both written and performed by the original recording artists.

 

Tina said.

“You have to bare your sole when you are singing lyrics you penned yourself. Often that gives a song more personality because there’s a self consciousness in that performance".

 

Tim Finn’s "I Hope I Never" is exactly that.

“What Tim may have lacked in execution on the original was certainly made up for in sentiment and the lyrics are nothing short of modern poetry.”

 

There are also some less obvious interpretations on the album, like the Alice Cooper original "Only Women Bleed".

 

Tina: “Only Women Bleed may have appeared to have been a fairly left-field choice but I always loved that song and I was so intrigued by Alice Coopers ability to capture the thoughts and feelings of a beaten, down trodden woman who continues to love her man regardless."

 

But the inclusion of Nik Kershaw’ s "Wouldn’t it be Good" is probably the albums most inspired and obscure moment.

 

Tina said. “Greg Fitzgerald, the tracks producer, and I went out of our way to try and come up with a song that was appeared to be a 180 degree turn on itself. To make the lyrics reflect the inverse of what the original seemed to personify. I think we did that on this version".

 

Other tracks on the album include sturdy reproductions like the first single "Oh Me Oh My" and the Elton John/Bernie Taupin ballad "Your Song" however the orchestration of Nights in White Satin is probably the albums musical high point courtesy of a brilliant arrangement by Simon Hale.

 

"It was an idea that I had wanted to do for a long time and it didn’t feel completed with only one CD so it was inevitable and natural to go into Volume 2 and continue the story".

Tina Arena - on making Volume 2

 

“Once you’ve sung a few takes and Tina goes out in front of the orchestra , everybody will be warmed up and ready to rock and it will be .. an event”

Duck Blackwell/Producer - preparing for the recording

 

“People go see Tina live and say ‘wow she’s so amazing!’ so ..lets try and get that amazing thing into the record as well”

Bruce Pawsey /Manager - in pre production

 

“She the opposite of a lot of performers because she excels when she’s put under pressure and she’s having to perform in front of an audience.”

Paul Guardiani / Producer - start of the recording session

 

“This album is a lot more like .. on the day, orchestra, Tina sings the song, press record… BANG”

Duck Blackwell - ready for the first take

 

It’s pretty simple for me - they are great songs and they have got great melodies..

Tina Arena - taking a break between songs

 

“ It’s always a pleasure working with Tina but … she’s kicking arse… she has really delivered.”

Paul Guardiani / Producer - end of session 1

 

“We were looking for something completely different that we could do a ‘deeper’ version of and bring out the essence of the song. When we played around with ‘Wouldn’t It Be Good’ we knew immediately that the melody was there and lyrically it was just right for Tina on this record.”

Greg Fitzgerald/Producer - on song selection of the album

 

"She’s amazing,.. she is not intimidated by the live set up or the orchestra and rises to the challenge of having everything going straight to tape. Many artists would crumble in these conditions but Tina seems to shine..."

Simon Hale -Arranger/conductor - end of the day

 

"You can change the shape of something, disfigure it, and still retain it’s beauty".

Tina Arena - on the spirit behind Songs of Love & Loss - Volume 2.

 

PREVIEW THE ALBUM HERE (JUST WAIT UNTIL THE PAGE LOADS):

SONGS OF LOVE & LOSS vol.2 "PREVIEW"

 

TRACKS ON THE ALBUM:

"Oh Me, Oh My" (Jim Doris)

"Only Women Bleed" (Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner)

"Every Breath You Take" (Sting)

"Close to You" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David)

"Call Me" (Debbie Harry, Giorgio Moroder)

"Nights in White Satin" (Justin Hayward)

"I Hope I Never" (Tim Finn)

"Both Sides Now" (Joni Mitchell)

"Your Song" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin)

"Baby It's You" (Bacharach, Mack David, Luther Dixon)

"Wouldn't It Be Good" (Nik Kershaw)

"Living a Lifetime (Together)" (Tina Arena, Mark Blackwell, Paul Guardiani)

 

THE ITUNES VERSION WILL OFFER THE TRACK "DOWNTOWN" (ORIGINAL BY PETULA CLARK) AS A BONUS.

 

Tina plans to tour Australia in March 2009 with full details on the tour dates page. Full details on her official Tour page: TINA ARENA TOURS AUSTRALIA IN 2009

 

TINA ARENA - ‘SONGS OF LOVE & LOSS - Volume 2’

 

AVAILABLE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2008

[rael1983]

New single, "OH ME OH MY", now available on several iTunes stores!!!!

[Ray]

 

Love this promo video!!!

[rael1983]

Well, promo has started for Tina in Australia and yesterday she was on two shows SINGING LIVE three songs from her new album, SONGS OF LOVE & LOSS vol.2, which she did splendidly. Here we have the YouTube links to the performances:

 

Tina Arena - Oh Me Oh My (TODAY show)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTk3XJs0Vck

 

Tina Arena - Every Breath You Take (TODAY show)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw7qm9OylNg

 

And finally YOU MUST WATCH this one:

Tina Arena - Only Women Bleed (Mornings with Kerri-Anne)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwq430mD0WY

 

The album is already available on the Australian iTunes store and it is expected to hit other stores starting tomorrow. Cheers!!!

[rael1983]

The new album IS OUT guys. Already available in many iTunes stores. THIS IS A MUST HAVE PEOPLE!!!!

[corr_azy]

Would anyone be kind enough to get me a copy when the album comes out? Her CDs do not get released here in Singapore, and for her last album I was only able to get it when I went to Australia last year.

[rael1983]

Would anyone be kind enough to get me a copy when the album comes out? Her CDs do not get released here in Singapore, and for her last album I was only able to get it when I went to Australia last year.

 

You can order it from here: Tina Arena - Songs Of Love & Loss vol.2

 

They don't charge you that much for shipping. I already ordered mine!

[corr_azy]

Wow thanks for the link! I never knew JB Hi Fi had an online store!

[rael1983]

Here is the list of countries with iTunes store offering the album with "Downtown" as bonus track:

 

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

[rael1983]

Her latest performances on Australian TV, really great ones:

 

Oh Me Oh My (TODAY)

Every Breath You Take (TODAY)

Only Women Bleed (Mornings with Kerri-Anne)

Oh Me Oh My (Mornings with Kerri-Anne)

I Hope I Never (Mornings with Kerri-Anne)

[Ray]

Thanks for keeping us up to date!

[rael1983]

Another performance of Nik Kershaw's "Wouldn't It Be Good", really good stuff. Have a look:

 

Tina Arena - Wouldn't It Be Good (Mornings with Kerri-Anne)

 

And here some really nice interviews on Australian radio (worth a listen):

 

ABC Melbourne 18 Nov

ABC Brisbane Radio, 25 Nov

2UE radio

4BH 882 radio 26 Nov

[rael1983]

http://www.freewebs.com/tinaarena/french-valentines.gif

 

http://www.freewebs.com/tinaarena/english-valentines.gif

[RLAAMJR.]

my favoite song from her would be "Now I Can Dance"

[Ray]

my favoite song from her would be "Now I Can Dance"

 

I love that song too.

 

But at the moment one of my favorite cd's has to be "Songs of Love & Loss 2".

 

Especially: Oh me oh my, Nights in white satin, Call me

[RLAAMJR.]

that was the best album, which includes Burn and If I Didn't Love you.

[Black Kitten]

In Deep was a fantastic album, and actually is still her best album to date. Unsung Hero, Sixteen Years, If I Didn't Love You are all masterpieces. oh and her rendition of I Want To Know What Love Is was superb as well.

 

but what happened to her after I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You? she hasn't had a big hit after that.

[Ray]

In Deep was a fantastic album, and actually is still her best album to date. Unsung Hero, Sixteen Years, If I Didn't Love You are all masterpieces. oh and her rendition of I Want To Know What Love Is was superb as well.

 

but what happened to her after I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You? she hasn't had a big hit after that.

 

Well, she had some big hits in France the last few years. And of course a lot of succes in Australia with the two "Songs of Love & Loss" albums.

 

I agree that "In Deep" was a great album. Especially the European edition with no less than seven singles:

Burn, If I didn't love you, Now I can dance, I want to know what love is (all four Top 40 hits in Australia),

Whistle down the wind (top 40 in the UK), If I was a river (written by Dianne Warren) and I want to spend my lifetime loving you (huge in Holland and France).

[RLAAMJR.]

Yep. I like her version of "I Wanna Know What Love Is". It's like the song is made for her.I didn't know that she can sing in french and even had french song hits.

[Ray]

Yep. I like her version of "I Wanna Know What Love Is". It's like the song is made for her.I didn't know that she can sing in french and even had french song hits.

 

Just like Céline she has two carreers: French and English.

But while Céline releases her cd's worldwide, Tina is not so lucky.

Her French albums have only been released in France.

And her last two English albums were only released in Australia.

 

I also really love "I want to know what love is". I don't really like Foreigner's version, but I'm grateful for them for writing an extra part for Tina.

[Black Kitten]

omg yes i love the extra line!

 

Lord help me to be strong

On this road I travel on

When I'm lost and lonely

Find me

My journey's just begun

And I'm not the only one

Cause I wanna know

I wanna know

 

[charmedceline]

I also think that In deep is her best album. The ones that were released after it never really were that special to me

[ivx]

GREAT SONG

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlHb2GdL0e4

[Ray]

Tina has a new album: it's a Greatest Hits with two new songs: "This Universe" and a duet with Patrick Fiori as a bonus-track.

 

Also: check out on YouTube: "An audience with Tina Arena" and especially "Chains"!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ray]

Tina has a new album again! It's very limited though.

Only availabe through her official website: http://www.mamstore.co.uk/bin/pxisapi1.exe/large?item=615922

 

You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peel_Me_Sessions_2003

[rael1983]

Tina has a new album again! It's very limited though.

Only availabe through her official website: http://www.mamstore.co.uk/bin/pxisapi1.exe/large?item=615922

 

You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peel_Me_Sessions_2003

 

I ordered it about a week ago and got it yesterday. It's a great album!!!

[Lavy_Celine]

My favourite song : Entends-tu le monde ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUvV-_eR7s0

 

Also, Aller plus haut is really nice. I prefer her french songs.

[Ray]

My favourite song : Entends-tu le monde ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUvV-_eR7s0

 

Also, Aller plus haut is really nice. I prefer her french songs.

 

I prefer her Engish songs, but I have to admit that "Aller plus haut" and "Entends-tu le monde" are among her best songs for sure!

[Ray]

I'm soooooooooo looking forward to Mariah's version of "I want to know what love is".

 

This very moment Tina's version is my favorite, followed closely by Rhona's rendition.

 

I think it's great Céline sang it with Tina (and two other singers) at a charity concert. (See YouTube)

 

Hope Céline and Tina will work in the studio together someday.