YOU GOTTA LOVE THE LIFE
Melissa Manchester's Self-Made Album Download
Melissa Manchester's introspective, self-made You Gotta Love the Life, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter's first album in nearly a decade, celebrates 40 years of making music.
In a variety of songs with horns, guitar solos and harmonies performed with Melissa by legendary artists, she expresses the essence of the creative life in a seminal statement about the challenge and wonder of music, relationships and reclaiming one's vitality.
1) "You Gotta Love the Life" (Melissa Manchester, Sharon Vaughn) 4:38
Melissa chose this title for her milestone 20th album as the essence of her philosophy on 40 years of making music. This was the last song she wrote, near the end of the recording sessions, as a prologue which captures the theme.
2) "Feelin' for You" (Melissa Manchester, Sara Niemetz) 3:43
Melissa co-wrote the album's smoldering first single after being propositioned by a drunk in a juke joint. The tune is co-produced by Keb' Mo', who performs a guitar solo on the record.
3) "Be My Baby" (Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry) 4:38
Acting on a fan's suggestion following a live performance of the 50-year old Ronettes classic, Melissa recorded this unique interpretation.
4) "Big Light" (Melissa Manchester, John Proulx) 4:04
This jazz duet was born when legendary percussionist Lenny Castro, who had agreed to play on the album, called from a recording session with Al Jarreau, who asked to be part of Melissa's new record.
5) "Other End of the Phone" (Melissa Manchester, Hal David) 4:43
This song of enduring friendship, a duet with Melissa's idol, Dionne Warwick, featuring masterful piano playing by the late Joe Sample, is Melissa's sole collaboration with the late Hal David. She composed the music for what turned out to be Hal's last lyric.
6) "You Are My Heart" (Melissa Manchester) 3:45
Melissa was inspired to write this wedding song for her friends Bill and Steve after the Supreme Court struck down the federal statute forbidding gays from marriage.
7) "Let's Face the Music and Dance / From This Moment On" (Irving Berlin, Cole Porter) 3:45
Melissa pays homage to the genius of Cole Porter and Irving Berlin in this samba-inspired take on two examples of the gold standard of the American popular song.
8) "Claudia" (Steven Cagan) 4:37
The tender love song written by Melissa's brother-in-law is about Melissa’s beautiful sister, Claudia. Dave Koz contributes a saxophone solo.
9) "Your Love is Where I Live" (Melissa Manchester, Tom Snow) 3:31
This ballad, reuniting Melissa with the co-writer of her 1982 hit single "You Should Hear How She Talks About You", features a harmonica performance by Stevie Wonder.
10) "No There There" (Melissa Manchester, Paul Reiser) 4:00
Melissa was inspired to record this unique song, written with actor, writer and director Paul Reiser, about recharging the energy that denial can suck out of life until one lets go of delusion, faces truth and begins to reclaim one's journey.
11) "Open My Heart to Your Love" (Melissa Manchester, Michael Ochs) 2:59
Melissa recorded this uplifting new tune, which opens each performance in her recent tour.
12) "The Other One" (Melissa Manchester) 3:59
Reprising an early career theme, Melissa wrote this song of self-esteem as a solo for and by herself.
13) "I Know Who I Am" (Melissa Manchester, Joanna Cotten, Greg Barnhill) 3:53
Written with Joanna Cotten and Greg Barnhill and originally recorded by Leona Lewis for Tyler Perry's 2010 movie For Colored Girls, Melissa’s rendition includes a chorus of singers from the music program at Citrus College in Glendora, California, where Melissa recorded You Gotta Love the Life.
BONUS: "Something Wonderful" (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein) 2:25
This a cappella arrangement of Rodgers and Hammerstein's introspective, romantic ballad from The King and I, is available exclusively on the full album. |