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0093624927563

14.77
Out Of Stock
Overview
Retro-soul singer and songwriter Andra Day was performing at a store opening when she caught the attention of Kai Millard Morris, Stevie Wonder's second wife. Through Morris, then Stevie, the San Diego native met studio lifer Adrian Gurvitz, whose varied career as a side musician, leader, songwriter, and producer dates back to the late '60s. Day signed on with Gurvitz's Buskin label, which led to a deal with Warner Bros. and sessions that involved R&B giant Raphael Saadiq and Fitz & the Tantrums collaborator Chris Seefried, among others. Day's approach is similar to those of fellow "old souls" like Amy Winehouse, Alice Smith, and Nikki Jean, though it is ultimately as distinctive as any of the three. On her traditionally styled debut, Cheers to the Fall -- for which she co-wrote every song -- she retraces the steps of a broken relationship in relation to learning from faults and moving on. The prevalence of ballads among the 13 songs can be fatiguing, but almost every selection has a distinguishing detail or two, whether it's a sly nod to a classic hip-hop artist, an unexpected place Day takes her dynamic voice, or some clever expression of heartache. Some verses are brilliantly written and elegantly phrased, such as the third one of "Gold": "I see the reel, now it's real to me/I gave up gold for grains of sand slipping through my hand." Saadiq isn't the only big name who is involved. The Gurvitz and James Poyser production "Only Love," which has all the cinematic tension and release necessary for a James Bond theme, was made with an all-star cast that includes drummer Questlove, bassist Pino Palladino, and a load of Dap-Kings. For all the finely crafted ballads that recall mid- to late-'60s soul, it's "Mistakes" that stands out most. It's a midtempo mover that has hints of the early-'70s proto-disco variants that came from labels like Philadelphia International and Motown, coated in a little Southern grit.
Product Details
Release Date: | 08/28/2015 |
---|---|
Label: | Warner Records |
UPC: | 0093624927563 |
catalogNumber: | 549304 |
Tracks
Album Credits
Performance Credits
Andra Day Primary Artist,Background VocalsAdrian Gurvitz Harmonica,Piano,Strings,Drums,Vocals
Matt Chamberlain Drums
David Guy Trumpet
Charles Jones Organ,Piano
David Paich Piano
Pino Palladino Bass
Dean Parks Guitar
Carl Wheeler Organ
Billy Adamson Guitar
Chris Seefried Guitar,Piano,Moog Synthesizer
Raphael Saadiq Bass,Guitar,Percussion,Drums
Patrick Kiernan Violin
Bruce White Cello,Viola
Victor Axelrod Piano
Cochemea Gastelum Baritone Saxophone
?uestlove Drums
Deborah Widdup Violin
Neal Sugarman Saxophone
Nick Barr Cello,Viola
Fernando Velez Percussion
DJ Jazzy Jeff scratching
Timothy Loo Cello
Onitsha Background Vocals
Jonathan Flaugher Bass
Zac Rae Piano
Jimmy Paxson Drums
Rob Kleiner Bass,Guitar,Percussion,Piano
Calvin Turner Bass
Wired Strings Strings
Kylie Davies Double Bass
Lisa Dondlinger Violin
Jordan McLean Trumpet
Errol Cooney Guitar
Jenny Sacha Violin
Homer Steinweiss Drums
Leon Michels Saxophone
Bryony James Cello
Kerenza Peacock Violin
Mika Lett Background Vocals
Chris Dave Drums
Missi Hale Background Vocals
Rosie Danvers Cello
Gus Seyffert Bass
Sarah Sexton Violin
Alison Dods Violin
Sean Erick Horn
Miles Mosley Bass
Dave Wood Guitar
Sally Jackson Violin
Lemar Carter Drums
Hayley Pomfrett Violin
Kevin Williams Horn
Kala Balch Background Vocals
Keri Larson Background Vocals
Leon Silva Horn
Joe Crispiano Guitar
Peter Randall Bass
Jenn Decilveo Bass
Elizabeth Frascoia Trombone
Bridget Sarai Background Vocals
Chris Johnson Drums
Josh Smith Guitar
Technical Credits
Adrian Gurvitz Composer,Programming,Producer,Engineer,Executive Producer,Additional ProductionSteve Churchyard Engineer
Michael Frondelli Engineer
James Poyser Additional Production
Stephen Walker Art Direction
Chris Seefried Composer,Programming,Producer,Vocal Producer
Raphael Saadiq Composer,Producer
Ken Sluiter Engineer
Jeffrey Evans Executive Producer
Rob Kleiner Composer,Programming,Producer,Engineer,Vocal Producer
Nick Taylor Engineer
Gabriel Roth Engineer
Ben Kane Engineer
Alex Reid Programming
Rosie Danvers String Arrangements
Seth Atkins Horan Engineer
Victoria Lott Composer
Steve Rusch Engineer
Marthony "Mark" Tabb Composer
Jenn Decilveo Composer,Producer,Additional Production
Andra Day Composer,Executive Producer
Tom Bilier Engineer
Elaine Gurvitz Composer