Richard Duckett Worcester Telegram & Gazette August 25, 2023

When Engelbert Humperdinck brings his "All About Love" tour to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Sept. 27 he'll be all business.

"That's what my business is all about, really," he said of the subject of love during a recent telephone interview. " I find that's the best way for me to go."

Humperdinck, 87, will be returning to The Hanover Theatre, where he performed in 2018 following the release of his "The Man I Want To Be" album, which was dedicated to his wife, Patricia. "It's a love letter to my wife," he said at the time of Patricia, who had Alzheimer's disease and later passed away in 2021.

The iconic English pop singer/balladeer has sung a lot of songs about love in all its manifestations and ups and downs from the time of his first spectacular 1967 hit single "Release Me." That song is about a person who wants to be released from a relationship because they have found someone new to love. "The Last Waltz" which quickly followed to the top of the charts in 1967 is about the singer's first and last dances with the woman he loves. Other hits have included “A Man Without Love,” which was just featured in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Disney+ Series more than 50 years after it was first released.

'All About Love'

On May 2, to mark his 87th birthday, Humperdinck released his latest album, "All Abut Love." The album includes renditions of Barry White's "You’re The First, The Last, My Everything,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes), “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (the Bee Gees), and “Kiss And Say Goodbye” (The Manhattans).

"The new album has a country feel to it," Humperdinck noted. All the tracks were recorded in Nashville.

"All About Love" also includes duets sung partially in Spanish with Mexican starLupita Infante on "Bésame Mucho” and “A Man Without Love” with Angelica Maria.

Humperdinck divides his time between homes in California and England. On the album and on the phone he sounds like you would expect Engelbert Humperdinck to sound — smooth, strong, but with undercurrents of vulnerability. He hasn't lost his English accent, and there's no denying the Englishness of remarks such as the album is "doing quite well. People quite like it."

"When it comes to the personal side of love, Humperdinck said "I'm a one-person lover."

'I think about her all the time'

It was obvious that he feels acutely the loss of his wife, Patricia, who died in 2021 at 85 after contracting COVID-19. He met her at a dance hall when she was 17. She had been battling Alzheimer's disease for more than a decade.

The tenor of the whole conversation changes when he talks about her.

"I think about her all the time," he said. Patricia was "an irreplaceable person."

When he performs his repertoire now, "The lyrics and songs have taken on a different sort of feeling. It hits me in a different way. I read the lyrics in a different way. For some reason it hits home," he said.

"It shows in your face, eyes and voice. My interpretations are a lot different now. When you've suffered a blow lyrics take on a different meaning altogether. But life goes on. You want to keep doing it," he said of performing.

"I keep fresh and I keep performing. That's all I think about these days," he said. His mood lightens when he talks about that.

"I love my job. I love the reaction I get (from fans). They're still with me, and I love that and I'm gonna keep doing it," he said.

'Looking forward to coming back'

He's toured "so many theaters" over the years, but asked about The Hanover Theatre he said, "I do remember coming there. I'm looking forward to coming back."

Another veteran singer who made repeat performances at The Hanover Theatre was Tony Bennett, who died earlier this year aged 96. Both Bennett and Humperdinck performed separate shows at The Hanover Theatre in 2018.

"I met Tony in 1968 when I first came to the United States," Humperdinck recalled.

"A couple of years later he was on my show in England. He did three songs. He was just a great person. I admired him very much."

What's in a name?

Humperdinck was born with the name Arnold George Dorsey and lived for a while as a child with his parents in India before they returned to England and settled in the city of Leicester. Dorsey performed as Gerry Dorsey but his singing career was sidelined for a while by illness. His new manager/agent suggested a change of name. Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921) was a German composer best known for the opera "Hansel and Gretel."

"I was a struggling artist. When my new manager came up with the name, I didn't question it," Humperdinck said.

The name was romantic and fun. "It distinguished me from the other guys," he said.

Humperdinck had the name, his good looks, and then he had a winning song, "Release Me." He was 30 and had maybe been wondering if his time would ever come.

The song was originally written by Eddie "Piano" Miller and Robert Yount in 1949, but had been successfully recorded by several artists. 

Humperdinck's version hit No. 1 on the British charts, blocking the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane" from the spot, the first time in four years that a Beatles single hadn't made No. 1. "Release Me” eventually went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks on the charts. It was No. 1 in 11 countries.

Asked if he had a favorite song, Humperdinck said "not really," but did note that "Release Me" was "the one that started it ... I've been very lucky. The songs kept my career going."

A new audience

"A Man Without Love" appearing on Marvel’s “Moon Knight” has helped introduce a younger audience to the singer.

"So now I get young people in my shows," he said.

For Sony Pictures’ 2022 Brad Pitt film “Bullet Train,” Humperdinck was brought in to sing the perennially popular song “Forever Blowing Bubbles.”

A documentary about Humperdinck will be coming out later this year.

All told, Humperdinck has generated sales in excess of 140 million records over the decades, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe (for "Entertainer of the Year"), and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and Leicester Walk of Fame.

"I have stepped out," he said of performing in different music genres, including a dance album, movie theme songs, disco, rock, and gospel. He was good friends with Elvis Presley.

Meanwhile, he performed for Queen Elizabeth II four times, several presidents and many heads of state.

He was made an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list, and was presented the award at Windsor Castle in April, 2022, by Princess Anne. The Queen died Sept. 8 last year.

Humperdinck was proud to receive his MBE. "I think anything the Royal Family bestows on you is very important," he said. "I loved our old Queen very much." He recalled that he had also met the Queen Mother

'I'm ready to go back around the world again'

Before coming to The Hanover Theatre, Humperdinck will have performed some engagements in the Philippines, and then will travel across the U.S.

Regarding his remarkable longevity, he said, "Know what it is? I'm a hard worker. I'm always rehearsing and getting new ideas. I've always loved the idea of being in show business, and now with social media (there's) a wonderful way of being in contact."

So don't look for Humperdinck to be retiring any time soon.

"Retirement? It doesn't look like it. Next year is a world tour. I'm ready to go back around the world again."

He also has a new project where he'll be "stepping out of my comfort zone, but can't talk about it right now," he said.

He will "keep working and do what I have to do, and hope the people come along with me."

Engelbert Humperdinck: All About Love Tour

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27

Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester

How much: $49, $59, $69 and $89 depending on seat location. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org.

https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/25/engelbert-humperdinck-will-be-all-about-love-at-the-hanover-theatre/70645249007/

 

BY JOEE GUILAS Aug 25, 2023 05:34 AM Manila Bulletin

AT A GLANCE

• This September, the legendary British crooner returns to the country as part of his ongoing world tour, “The Legend Continues.” Fans will be serenaded by his passionate performances in a two-night concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, on Sept. 9 and 10, 7:30 PM.

Ironic as it may sound, the singer who immortalized the song “Release Me” is not considering releasing his tight hold on fame anytime soon.  Legendary balladeer and frequent Manila visitor Engelbert Humperdinck will soon be en route to another world tour, including a stop in the Philippines this September.

“It’s been four years since my last visit, and I’m looking forward to coming over.  I’m excited about coming over there.  I know that Filipinos love my music.  I’ve been spending a lot of time online, and I see them singing my songs on karaoke,” shared Humperdinck. He said this also prompts him to always have something special for his Filipino fans whenever he is afforded the chance to visit the country.  This next visit is undoubtedly not going to be an exception.

“I have a surprise for the Filipino people when I get there,” he teased.

The promised surprise is on top of the 87-year-old singer’s new album, "All About Love.”  He hopes that some cuts in this new project will be hits just like his classic “Release Me,” which stayed on top of the charts for 56 consecutive weeks in multiple countries.

“The music that I record seems timeless when I recorded them in the past, and I never get tired singing them, especially Release Me,” Humperdinck acknowledged. 

Asked whether or not he is getting tired of singing at his ripe age, Humperdinck stressed that slowing down anytime soon is far-fetched, at least at this point: “Retiring is not a word that I use.  I have such a great following that I don’t want to disappoint them.  Wherever I go, I get such a great reception.”  More than this, however, the debt of gratitude to his craft makes him stick to the life of being a musician.

“Music has been my passport to the world.  It’s made me see countries I’ve never seen before. It’s a wonderful way to make a living.”

This September, the legendary British crooner returns to the country as part of his ongoing world tour, “The Legend Continues.” Fans will be serenaded by his passionate performances in a two-night concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, on Sept. 9 and 10, 7:30 PM.

For over 50 years, Humperdinck mastered wooing audiences worldwide, earning him the title “King of Romance.” Among his commercially successful singles are “Release Me,” “Quando Quando Quando,” “Spanish Eyes,” and many more.

While his captivating vocals have charmed millions of fans, the man earned his icon status in the music industry with massive achievements through the decades. Humperdinck rose in the music scene in the 1960s alongside iconic bands The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Throughout his long career, he became a four-time Grammy nominee and released dozens of studio albums, selling over 150 million records. To this day, he consistently showcases his legacy and wins the hearts of listeners across the globe.

Now, given all these tucked into his belt, it should be no wonder why fans are finding it difficult to release his music from their playlists.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/25/thrillmaker-the-humperdinck-is-back

 

 

http://www.cnnphilippines.com/videos/2023/8/22/Engelbert-Humperdinck-to-hold-PH-shows-next-month.html

 

August 19, 2023 Blu-Ray.Com

Cleopatra will release on Blu-ray Engelbert Humperdinck - Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues. The release is scheduled to arrive on the market on November 17. 

Description: Engelbert Humperdinck has been entertaining global audiences for decades, accumulating 64 gold albums, 35 platinum albums and a Golden Globe Award along the way. With unprecedented access to Engelbert and his close family, friends and business associates, director Steven Murray delivers a documentary - shot across two continents at locations close to Humperdinck's heart - which shines an insider's light on this multitalented, yet humble and unexpectedly humorous musical genius. Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues offers a unique insight into the world of Humperdinck, including never before seen concert footage and funny, frank and touching narration by Engelbert himself. 

Special Features: 

• Slide show

• Trailers

• AND MORE...

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=33117

 

14 Aug By Kevin T. Baldwin METRMAG

METRMAG Spotlight On: 

The Enduring Popularity of Engelbert Humperdinck as he returns to the Hanover Theatre with his "All About Love Tour"

Performance:

September 27, 2023 at 7:30pm 

Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 

TICKETS:

Tickets are $49, $59, $69 and $89 depending on seat location. Discounts are available for subscribers and groups of 10 or more. 

BUY TICKETS

For More Information:  

877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

METRMAG Spotlight On: The Enduring Popularity of Engelbert Humperdinck as he returns to the Hanover Theatre with his "All About Love Tour"

After all his many career milestones, honors and acclaim, the entertainer known as ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK could just look back and smile in retrospect of his musical legacy. 

Instead, he chooses to continue to expand upon that legacy, appearing here soon, bringing along some timeless favorites of the past and reaching forward to the future with new material. 

On tour, ENGELBERT makes two stops in Massachusetts next month: A performance at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on September 27th and then appearing the very next night at Memorial Hall in Plymouth on September 28th.

His schedule is non-stop. His name should actually be "Energizer Bunny Humperdinck" (MBE) because, as the ad states, this entertainer just keeps going and going and going and...

METRMag chatted with ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK to see what it is that drives him and, from the outset, it is clear that much of that drive comes from a single source - that intense bond uniting entertainer to fans. 

In the case of "Enge" that bond is made of concrete.

When arranging for this interview, I was advised by others who had spoken with him that ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK was "an incredibly nice person." 

They were not "overselling." He was thoroughly gracious and made this interview both insightful and pleasant. 

Many already know of his legendary career. Record sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy® nominations, a Golden Globe®, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and Leicester Walk of Fame.

It was ENGELBERT'S agent, Gordon Mills, who came up with his stage name. But, curiously – "stage names" - not as common these days but, back in the early days of entertainment venues, were usually applied to provide a shortened take on the “marquis persona.” 

“Marion Robert Morrison” (8 syllables) became “John Wayne” (2 syllables) 

“Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.” (also 8 syllables) became “John Denver” (3 syllables) 

“Robert Allen Zimmerman” (7 syllables) became “Bob Dylan” (also 3 syllables) 

And so on… 

Yet, this esteemed singer went from “Arnold Dorsey” to “Gerry Dorsey” (both 4 syllables) all the way to “ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK” (6 syllables and a whopping 20 letters). 

Plus, he chose the name of a 19th century German composer (who gave us an opera for the tale of "Hansel and Gretel"). 

So, not so much “why” but why does the "Artist Formerly Known as 'Dorsey'" think it worked when, given the examples above, by all rights, it shouldn’t have?  

"Honestly, I always thought big," HUMPERDINCK says. "My dreams were of only being a working entertainer and, when you're a starving musician waiting to be discovered, anything is eligible." 

"My manager came up with the name," he continues. "He managed three entertainers at the time and gave us all our stage names: Gilbert O’Sullivan (Raymond O'Sullivan), 'Tom Jones' (Thomas Woodward) and me. He may have given me the longest name of the three but, at 57 years, it is a name that has only treated me with kindness and greatness."

That "greatness" would come to include a notable career that has seen HUMPERDINCKperforming around the world and for royalty, presidents and world leaders. 

Curiously, the entertainer's children (Bradley, Jason, Scott and Louise) and grandchildren - all go by “Dorsey” and not the stage name. Some of them are even involved in the entertainment business. Yet they all chose the given family name of “Dorsey.” 

So, this begs the question: Why do they not also use “HUMPERDINCK" given its popularity thanks to the entertainer?  The entertainer responds most humbly.

"Our late Queen (Elizabeth) was very wonderful and gave me the title MBE. For the kids, 'Dorsey' is still a very strong name. Dorsey still appears on my passport. My father was Dorsey, and I was and sometimes could still be addressed as Dorsey." 

As the entertainer notes, he was awarded the Honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honors Listpresented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

And yet, was there ever a point where, after he had achieved his success, that he might consider, perhaps, losing the pseudonym and returning to "Dorsey?"  

"I never did, not once. I just didn’t think it was a good idea," He says. "Because, once you start a career, it would be like starting over again. when I started as a musician. I began by playing the saxophone and, after I got sick as a child, I stopped playing it and had to learn to start over again, this time using my throat as my instrument."

Using that voice as his golden throated "instrument," ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has recorded across multiple genres of music. 

His career milestones are not only massive but have global recognition unmatched, as well. 

Yet, with that said, how did he go from a cavalcade of classics such as “A Man Without Love,” “Release Me,” “Spanish Eyes,” “The Last Waltz,” “Quando Quando Quando,” “There Goes My Everything,” “After the Lovin',” “Les Bicyclettes de Belsize,” and “Bésame Mucho” to...“Lesbian Seagull” (from the 1996 film “Beavis and Butt‐Head Do America”)? 

The legendary entertainer laughs as he responds on how the gig come about and how must it have felt for ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK to have a song that was released as a single back-to-back with “Lover Rollercoaster” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

"I was at the Greek Theatre in L.A. and the people from the movie came to the show," the singer recalls. "They saw I had  a bit of sense of humor and they approached me about it. I told them to send it to me and, once I heard it, I loved its content and, subsequently, I recorded it. It went platinum. You never can tell. So, I always believe that, when an opportunity comes along, you never turn it down."

ENGELBERT'S hit song “A Man Without Love” was just featured in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Disney+ Series, with his music & social media charts breaking all records. 

In Sony Pictures’ new Brad Pitt film “Bullet Train” ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S song “Forever Blowing Bubbles” is featured as well.

Like the aforementioned Sir Tom Jones, ENGELBERT'S career longevity is unsurpassed, overcoming a negative stereotype commonly associated with "crooners." 

When talking about singers, the word “Crooner” is not used as much these days. 

It has since been replaced with terms such as (but not limited to): "vocalist," “song stylist” or “song interpreter” - to help lose part of that old “Vegas lounge act” stigma. 

In a mid-to-late 60s era where harder edge music, psychedelic acts, a "counter culture" movement and singer-songwriters were emerging, HUMPERDINCK and Jones were firmly entrenched on the side of the "old guard" - seen as descendants of Sinatra, Crosby or Dean Martin.

Both Jones and HUMPERDINCK were stigmatized by what some would perceive as the "crooner" persona but it certainly did not deter either from what would prove to be their illustrious career path choices.

Both Jones and HUMPERDINCK stayed true to themselves and what they did and, as a result, amassed fans who have remained steadfast, fearlessly devoted and continuing to attend and enjoy their concerts. 

The love and affection his fans show for ENGELBERT is both touching and fervent. It comes across as more like a spiritual bond between artist and audience and, at times, it is just a joy to behold. 

Yet, does he have an explanation for the sheer depth of this connection? Does it come from something other than just people seeking entertainment? 

"I go out, I sign autographs, I do many audience selfies - they, these fans, these wonderful people, they all put me where I am today," he says. "And, because I treat them well and they know I am responsive and appreciative, I think that is why I have had such loyal fans."

Once known as "Humperdinckers" the singer recalls how his fans had "many, many names and at one point, I had over 300 fan clubs all over the world." 

"There has always been support and they have always been great to me," he says. "in some places, they used to come and decorate my dressing rooms but, with COVID, that, sadly, went away. Now, these days, I do these 'Tuesday Museday' (VLOGs) with me talking to the fans every Tuesday. I love to read their comments when I have time."

ENGELBERT was blessed with a loving wife of nearly six decades, Patricia. 

Many performers feel a presence of their 'soulmates' when going out on stage. Does ENGELBERT still feel part of Patricia is always present whenever he performs? Is there that one song that most reminds him of her? 

"Oh, yes," he says. "I wrote a song 'Everywhere I Go' 30 years ago and I never thought it would have the meaning that it does for me now. Of course, I still wish she would be everywhere I go, been everywhere I went. I sometimes have trouble finishing the song. More than that - Now I tend to 'read' all my lyrics differently."

While known for a specific performance style, was there ever a point in ENGELBERT'S career where he wanted to try something that was further away from what he had been known for doing?  

"Oh, as a matter of fact, there is a project coming up as we speak and from which I will be stepping far outside my comfort zone - but I cannot talk about it right now. It is a very 'hush-hush' thing at the moment."  

At a spry, youthful 87-years-old, the singer's incredible life's journey and career has afforded him the opportunity to cross paths with other icons in multiple fields, meeting the most famous of entertainment icons from Cary Grant, Elvis Presley to Jayne Mansfield. 

In fact, ENGELBERT would buy Mansfield's home shortly before her tragic death. He would live in the home for over 30 years. He recalls how one of Mansfield's children, actress Mariska Hargitay (of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" fame) visited the house.

"Well, Mariska was about 14 or so and friends with my daughter," as the singer remembers. "She came over the house one time and asked me to show her around the place, which I did. I gave her a tour. She was such a delightful girl."

Was there that one person, though, among all of the cultural icons and historic figures for whom ENGELBERT was left awestruck?

"I have been blessed to meet some wonderful, important people, including royalty," he says. "There was meeting the Queen (Elizabeth). Our paths crossed. She was great with me. I have been to the Palace many times." 

"But, at the beginning, there was Cary Grant.," he recalls quite fondly. "As a matter of fact, it was Cary who was responsible for my getting my first television show. He used to come around on set with his daughter whenever he could."

These days, when ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK, MBE is not on stage, what does his alter ego, "Mr. Dorsey," like doing in his spare time? Any hobbies that might surprise even the most ardent of fans?   

"I am a golfer, I love playing – I don’t ride my Harley anymore because the roads are so dangerous," he says. "The other thing I do is my crosswords, I write poetry – one of my favorite past times. I am also an avid TV fan. I find that television can present you with some bright new ideas, and I am always looking for new ideas." 

With children and grandchildren spread out across the globe – does he get to spend as much time with them as he would like these days? 

"Well, I do with the ones that are close by – my daughter is in Nashville," He says. "The ones in Australia I don’t get to see as much - but, I'll be doing a world tour next year and look forward to getting to visit them at some point." 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has performed in Worcester at the Hanover Theatre before. He speaks of his looking forward to playing there again.

"I certainly am but, this time, it is going to be a little bit different. I've got some new material. I hope they like it." 

Whatever the revered and distinguished entertainer brings, rest assured there will be plenty of great songs to enjoy for both "Humperdinckers" and NON-"Humperdinckers" alike.

Tickets for Worcester's Hanover Theatre: # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email: info@thehanovertheatre.org 

Tickets for Memorial Hall in Plymouth: # 800-657-8774 or visit www.memorialhall.com 

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

In a career spanning over 50 years, ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has generated sales in excess of 140 million records, including 64 gold albums and 35 platinum, four Grammy® nominations, a Golden Globe®, and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Las Vegas Walk of Fame and Leicester Walk of Fame.

He has performed for the Queen four times, several presidents and many heads of state. 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK has recorded everything from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel. 

His unique voice has charmed millions of fans around the globe. 

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK exploded on to the music scene with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. 

The shy, handsome man catapulted almost instantly to world icon. 

ENGELBERT became great friends with Elvis and the two legends often performed each other’s songs. 

His first single in the charts was “Release Me,” which went into the Guinness Book of Records for achieving 56 consecutive weeks on the charts. It went number one in 11 countries. 

The following decades saw ENGELBERT constantly touring the world to sell-out crowds. 

He still takes great pleasure in every moment on stage.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S music has transcended time and his voice continues to reach out to people now serving to transport and inspire, to embrace and to provoke feelings and emotions, ingredients that are no doubt the essence of his long-lasting success.

ENGELBERT'S hit song “A Man Without Love” was just featured in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” Disney+ Series, with his music & social media charts breaking all records. 

In Sony Pictures’ new Brad Pitt film “Bullet Train” ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK'S song “Forever Blowing Bubbles” is featured as well.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK was just awarded the Honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honors Listpresented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

https://www.metrmag.com/featured-stories/metrmag-spotlight-on-the-enduring-popularity-of-engelbert-humperdinck-as-he-returns-to-the-hanover-theatre-with-his-all-about-love-tour-worcester-ma?fbclid=IwAR04KNBd2E3_gUXuK85gcms-tfq7d53HIpftG59V4tFXYBkXcaiUfoFExtg

 

 

Episode 187 with Engelbert Humperdinck

BUDDY IAHN  JULY 28, 2023

Singer recently released All About Love album
Instead of receiving gifts in celebration of his 87th birthday in May, iconic singer Engelbert Humperdinck gifted fans his new album, All About Love via OK! Good Records. A collection of eye-opening reinterpretations of classic love songs, reworkings of some of his own classics, and duets with two of the most-celebrated Mexican singers vocalists today (“Mexico’s Sweetheart” Angelica Maria and Grammy-nominated Mariachi star Lupita Infante), his new 13 track collection is more proof that Engelbert just gets better with age.

The four-time Grammy-nominated and multi-Platinum selling legend tackles some of the most beloved romantic tracks and puts a unique spin on them, including the No. 1 R&B hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” which was originally released by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1972 (also covered by Simply Red in 1989) and the Philly soul classic “When Will I See You Again” (originally released in 1974 by The Three Degrees). Among other tracks are The Bee Gees’ first US No. 1 (and one of the greatest love songs of the era) “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” Lou Rawls’ perennial classic “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine,” and Mel & Tim’s “Starting All Over Again.” Released last fall, his country-western tinged rendition of Barry White’s 1974 Gold-selling chart topper “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” has amassed over 2.7 million views on YouTube and inspired a line-dance from its celebratory music video, which was filmed at Los Angeles’ authentic Honky-Tonk club, Cowboy Palace Saloon.

All About Love was recorded at famous Blackbird Studios with some of Nashville’s finest musicians, including Dave Cohen (Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line) on keyboards, Rob McNelley (Buddy Guy, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban) on guitars, Lex Price (Shemekia Copeland, Neko Case, Indigo Girls) on bass, Jerry Roe (LeeAnn Womack, Luke Combs, Keith Urban) on drums, Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson) on drums, and even legend Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan).

Thanks to massive awareness from creative placement of his classic hits in current and vastly popular mainstream TV shows and films, Engelbert’s popularity has exploded exponentially in recent years. The aforementioned “A Man Without Love” was featured on the Marvel Universe series Moon Knight and “Quando, Quando, Quando” found itself on Netflix’s Umbrella Academy. His newly recorded version of West Ham United’s football anthem “Forever Blowing Bubbles” was featured prominently in Brad Pitt’s No. 1 runaway hit movie Bullet Train.

The legendary singer is also on tour, with stops throughout the US, Europe, South American and Asia.

Humperdinck recently chatted with us to discuss the album, touring, his career and more.

https://themusicuniverse.com/episode-187-with-engelbert-humperdinck/

 

https://headlinermagazine.net/radio/headliner-radio.html

Engelbert Humperdinck has been a much-loved international singing sensation for more than 50 years. He joins Craig Bennett in Los Angeles to discuss his lengthy career, and his plans for an upcoming world tour.

https://fb.watch/liOQcGkf89/

Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘All My Love’ is filled with 1970s soul songs and his documentary ‘The Legend Continues’ takes us to three continents.

• Warren Kurtz Goldmine Magazine June 19, 2023

Engelbert Humperdinck returns to Goldmine with what has become almost an annual tradition since 2017, discussing his latest recordings and projects. For African American Music Appreciation Month (aka Black Music Month), Humperdinck discusses the half dozen 1970s soul songs from his new OK! Good Records release All My Love and more, plus he shares a glimpse into his new Cleopatra Entertainment documentary The Legend Continues.

GOLDMINE: Welcome to back again to Goldmine for our seventh time in seven years. You continue to release wonderful music and entertain us fans onstage.

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK: Thank you. I am headed to Chile next, and I am in the process of brushing up on my Spanish because I will be singing about five songs in Spanish plus my standards. I took language lessons a long time ago, so now I am taking a refresher course.

GM: The new album ends with a pair of songs in Spanish. I enjoy the video of you and Lupita Infante smoothly performing “Bésame Mucho.” 

EH: Thank you very much. I do sing a little bit of Spanish in there. Not too bad, am I? Ha-ha.

GM: Then there is a bit of Spanish on a new version of a hit of yours that I grew up on, “A Man Without Love.”

EH: That is with Angélica María who is the sweetheart of Mexico and the numbers of viewers of that video is incredible, over two million. She beautifully handles the Spanish lines in the duet.

GM: Almost half of the 13 songs on the new album are soul songs from the 1970s. Let’s begin with Lou Rawls. “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” was a big hit in 1976 when my wife Donna and I began dating and I was in my first semester in college where the single was on our jukebox. When I listened to the original flip side “Let’s Fall in Love All Over Again,” I heard such a similarity in Lou’s voice and yours on the opening line.

EH: That song has a jazz feeling to it, and you aren’t far wrong comparing Lou and me. When Lou Rawls’ “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” played on the radio, many people thought it was me singing the song, so I put it in my show and when I would begin to sing it, wild applause exploded because many audience members thought it was my recording. It became a natural choice for the new album. Just like at your college, I had a jukebox in my home with all these songs on it at the time, and I still have that jukebox.

“When Lou Rawls’ ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’ played on the radio, many people thought it was me singing the song, so I put it in my show and when I would begin to sing it, wild applause exploded because many audience members thought it was my recording. It became a natural choice for the new album.” 

– Engelbert Humperdinck

GM: The album opens with Barry White’s “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything.” The approach you took is so fun and up-tempo.

EH: I thought I would keep it in its original mood but give it another style, making it right for line dancing and it turned out great. All the tracks I recorded for the album were done in Nashville, produced by Jurgen Korduletsch with a country feel, therefore it all fell into place. The video shows couples dancing to it in a honky tonk.

GM: Speaking of Nashville, Nashville’s female background singing team of L.C. Powell, Desiree Gillespie, Eyvonne Williams and Clydene Jackson are great and come through wonderfully on Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” along with Charlie McCoy on harmonica.

EH: They did such a good job and as a matter of fact regarding that particular song, I have already introduced it into my show, and it gets a tremendous reaction with audience participation on the chorus. People love to sing. They love a familiar sound but want to know how I will interpret the numbers.

GM: Regarding interpretation, you deleted Gerald Alston’s verbal introduction on The Manhattans’ “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” which I think is a good idea since we already know the initial narration. Gerald told me when I interviewed him in 2019, “The song went platinum because of the story and the feelings projected when singing it.”

EH: You know, I love spoken introductions but there were only people like Barry White and Gerald who could do that sort of thing in the 1970s well (jokingly sharing a brief Barry White ‘oh baby’ imitation). They were good at it, and I am not. I’m a singer, ha-ha.

GM: I am pleased that the electric sitar sound of Mel and Tim’s “Starting All Over Again” was recaptured on your new recording.

EH: I listened to all the original versions of these songs, and it is hard to put your own stamp on music that is already well known but I certainly tried to offer that to the audience.

GM: The Three Degrees’ “When Will I See You Again” is not only fun but you also added a little bit of Maurice Williams’ “Stay” to it.

EH: Yes, I did. Over fifty years ago, I had a long stint in Las Vegas and the backing group were The Three Degrees. I am grateful that I helped give them exposure on stage in a professional place.

GM: I knew most of the songs on the album except two, “Walk Away” and “Take Me Back Again.”

EH: “Take Me Back Again” was written by Rudy Perez from Miami, south of you in Florida. He is a very good songwriter and arranger in the Latin music world. I recorded a version of it in 2010 and I thought I would record it again for this album. “Walk Away” was a mid-1960s hit for Matt Monro. I like the song. It has good content in it which will be good to add on stage when I decide to put it in.

GM: Speaking about the stage, your Cleopatra Entertainment documentary Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues is coming out. I love in the trailer how your daughter Louise so excitedly says, “Dad, we’re here at The Palace!”

EH: Yes, and I seem shocked about it. I have been there many times. I am a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, which is a British entertainment industry fraternity and charitable organization based in London. The last time I went was the 125th anniversary of the Water Rats. The queen gave a speech and spoke to me, and I had to bend down a long way to talk with her. She was a little lady and very charming. She was a wonderful person and is very dearly missed. 

GM: In the trailer Gene Simmons said about you, “If the magic connects with the audience, then you’ve got a superstar.”

EH: Isn’t that nice. Gene is a wonderful guy. When I worked with him on my duets album, he made me feel so comfortable. I had never been in the company of people of that rock star magnitude, singing with them before. Then Elton came in afterward and he was also the same. We spent a lot of time just talking and remembering old times. Gene told me, “Just think of us having a party.” As a matter of fact, we look a little bit alike. I know you have spent time with Gene and me both backstage and I look forward to seeing you again on the road as more tour dates get added to my website. Thank you and God bless you.

Following a summer and fall 2023 international film festival run and a Hollywood theatrical premier, Engelbert Humperdinck: The Legend Continues, which takes the viewer to three continents, will be released in time for the holidays on digital platforms worldwide and as a special Blu-ray and DVD package through Cleopatra’s home entertainment film distribution partner, MVD Entertainment.

https://www.goldminemag.com/columns/engelbert-humperdinck-on-new-album-documentary-and-lou-rawls-flip-side

 

BY TINA BENITEZ-EVES American Songwriter June 6, 2023

“It makes the world round,” Engelbert Humperdinck tells American Songwriter from his home in Beverly Hills, California. “Love makes the world go round.” 

Dubbed the “King of Romance,” the subject of love is far from exhausted within Humperdinck’s vocabulary, or catalog, one spanning nearly six decades. “Romance is what starts a love life,” he says. “People love to hear things that relate to their relationship, and my stories are of that nature.” 

Love, it’s been the bedrock of Humperdinck’s career. The subject matter followed albums Release Me, The Last Waltz, A Man Without Love, and his eponymous 1969 release with hits “Winter World of Love” and the Burt Bacharach and Hal David-penned “I’m a Better Man.”

On May 2, 2023, Humperdinck turned 87. Removed from the more sedentary activities of most octogenarians, the balladeer commemorated the day by releasing a new album, a collection of songs centered around the sweetest spot of his career on All About Love.

A collection of 13 R&B and pop classics, on All About Love Humperdinck takes on the Bee Gees’1971 hit “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes R&B hit “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” along with a country-western take on the Barry White classic “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” — which reached nearly three million views on YouTube since its release in late 2022. All About Love also breaks down Lou Rawls’ 1970s hits “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” and “When Will I See You Again,” along with Mel & Tim’s “Starting All Over Again” and The Flamingos’ 1959 crooner “I Only Have Eyes For You.”

Restoring more songs of romance, All About Love follows Humperdinck’s 2021 EP, Regards. The latter project featured more soulful renditions of “Let It Be Me,” made famous by The Everly Brothers in 1977, Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and the Louis Armstrong classic, “What A Wonderful World.” It also included his version of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” — complete with a Texas two-step arrangement — and a more orchestral rendition of Charles Chaplin’s 1936 Modern Times classic, “Smile,” which was also featured on Humperdinck’s 2020 EP Sentiments.

Working around covers, specifically released within the 1960s and 1970s, All About Love was more about connecting to a song for Humperdinck, rather than searching for new standards. “I don’t have any new songs, because it’s very difficult to find that new song that you can turn into a standard of your own,” he says. “Familiar sounds are what people like to hear, and that era — the’60s and 70s — was a very good era for great songs.”

Deeper into All About Love, Humperdinck revisits the 1940 bolero song “Bésame Mucho” with mariachi star Lupita Infante and closes the album with a Spanish-English duet of his 1968 hit “A Man Without Love (Cuando Me Enamoro),” featuring Mexican singer Angelica Maria, who also had a hit with the song in Mexico in the late ’60s.

“Angelica [Maria] agreed to do it with me because my song was a hit in America and all over the world, and hers was a big hit in Mexico, so the collaboration was made sense,” says Humperdinck. “She did it in Spanish and a little bit in English, and I did a little bit in Spanish and a little bit in English.” He laughs, “My Spanish is not too bad.”

“A Man Without Love,” originally written by Italian songwriters Daniele Pace, Mario Panzeri, Roberto Livraghi, peaked at No. 2 on the U.K. charts for Humperdinck and remained on the U.S. charts for more than a year after its release.

Reminiscing on songs further back in his collection, including “There Goes My Everything,” “Am I That Easy to Forget,” “After the Lovin’, and “This Moment in Time,” Humperdinck considers them all timeless. 

“I still sing them in my show, so they really have good standing for me, because they don’t date,” says Humperdinck. “For instance, ‘Quando Quando Quando’ and ‘Spanish Eyes,’ these songs never die. They’re forever things.”

Originally released on A Man Without Love, “Quando Quando Quando” recently appeared in an episode of The Umbrella Academy, while “A Man Without Love” was featured in the 2022 Marvel Studios series Moon Knight. Both songs demonstrate Humperdinck’s cross-generational connections nearly 60 years on.

“I’ve got all generations across the board, in every age group,” he says. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve got fans in their teens.”

To this day, Humperdinck still marvels at stories of people still playing his 1967 No. 1 hit “The Last Waltz” at weddings and other special occasions. “That song is known all over the world,” says Humperdinck. “I was talking to somebody about it from another country, and they said, ‘Your song was played in my dancehall at the end of the night.’ It’s the last song played in dance halls around the world.” 

Humperdinck continues, “It’s totally amazing. I still hear how a song like ‘After the Lovin’ has had so much influence in people’s lives. Last week, someone else said, ‘We got married to After the Lovin.’ It’s beautiful.”

Following the 2021 death of his wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia Healey, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade, Humperdinck admits that he reads lyrics differently now. 

“Since I’ve lost my darling two years ago, I read lyrics a lot differently now,” shares Humperdinck. “I think there’s more depth and more meaning to it now for some reason or another. It’s just taken a different place in my heart.” 

He adds, “Each and every word becomes more meaningful before you read it as part of the content. Each becomes more meaningful, and you express it in a different way. It’s more heartfelt — not that it wasn’t before — but it’s even more so now.”

Just three years shy of 90, and tour-bound in 2023, with stops in Chile and the Philippines, Humperdinck says he’s not sure what comes next. But there will be something. 

“One never knows what the next project is going to be,” he says. “You just have to wait and something will strike.”

What is certain is the thing Humperdinck has always come back to in the end: love.

“I’m a love songwriter, so most of my songs are to do with love, but I also write poetry,” Humpedinck says. “I’m a poet, so I think writing lyrics comes quite easily for me, but melody’s a little bit more difficult.” 

When it comes to melody, Humperdinck doesn’t hesitate to take advice from his daughter, singer Louise Dorsey — who also voiced the character of Jetta in the 1980s cartoon Jem. “She’s very good at lyrics,” shares Humperdinck. “She’s written many songs on my albums.” 

Though Humperdinck considered canceling his tour following his wife’s death, he continued on. Retirement hasn’t entered his lexicon just yet.

“It’s my job,” he says, “I love walking on stage. I love the feeling that I get — and especially now. I just want to keep singing for as long as I can. To be honest with you, I’ve got nothing. I’ve got no one to come home to, so I’d rather be on the road and sing.”

https://americansongwriter.com/engelbert-humperdinck-never-tires-talking-all-about-love/