Produced by Blake Morgan, "Ever Since" is a timeless collection of classic songs placed in a transparent, pin-lit setting that allows her to shine. Included are re-imagined versions of two Lesley Gore standards, 'You Don't... more » Own Me' and the Academy Award nominated 'Out Here On My Own' (from Fame), seamlessly interwoven with new songs written by national recording artists Mike Errico, Blake Morgan, and Gore herself. The band - Jonathan Ellinghaus (drums), John Turner (bass), Mike Errico (guitars) and Blake Morgan (piano) features the core rhythm section of Engine Company Records, and provides a lush setting for Lesley's astonishing vocals. Mixing and mastering duties are shared between Morgan and 2005 Grammy Award winner Phil Nicolo. "Ever Since" is a Lesley Gore postcard, sent from the journey she'd always said she was going to take. Fans that have traveled with her will have a new reason to love her, and the people who haven't checked in with her in a while will fall in love all over again.« less
Produced by Blake Morgan, "Ever Since" is a timeless collection of classic songs placed in a transparent, pin-lit setting that allows her to shine. Included are re-imagined versions of two Lesley Gore standards, 'You Don't Own Me' and the Academy Award nominated 'Out Here On My Own' (from Fame), seamlessly interwoven with new songs written by national recording artists Mike Errico, Blake Morgan, and Gore herself. The band - Jonathan Ellinghaus (drums), John Turner (bass), Mike Errico (guitars) and Blake Morgan (piano) features the core rhythm section of Engine Company Records, and provides a lush setting for Lesley's astonishing vocals. Mixing and mastering duties are shared between Morgan and 2005 Grammy Award winner Phil Nicolo. "Ever Since" is a Lesley Gore postcard, sent from the journey she'd always said she was going to take. Fans that have traveled with her will have a new reason to love her, and the people who haven't checked in with her in a while will fall in love all over again.
CD Reviews
Astonishing Acoustic Jazz Return from Lesley Gore
James A. Allio | Oakland, CA USA | 02/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the first notes of the first track, the superb Mike Errico rumination on never forgotten love, "Ever Since," Lesley Gore serves notice that she is back and going straight for the heart. That she is an astonishing singer and songwriter is not news to anyone who's seen her live shows in the past three decades since the criminally overlooked "Love Me by Name" LP. That she has superb taste in outside material is common knowledge to anyone who has been at those dynamite performances too. But even the most loyal, diehard fans could not have expected a record this brilliant, this close to the bone, this musically invigorating, this flat out addictive. Produced by the (dare I say) genius singer-songwriter Blake Morgan for his own indie label, and backed by the same stellar band that tours with her, Lesley dishes out an unforgettable collection of musical moments dealing with loss, aging, memory and of course love, love, love, in all its forms and disguises. This is not teenage triangulation sagas. The only reference to her 60s material is on her own "Not the First," but her tongue is so far in its cheek that it changes her phrasing. As catchy as that number is, it's Errico's affirming "Someday," Morgan's repeat-button-ready "It's Gone," and the sinuous, hypnotic "Cool Web" that command attention. And Gore's "Words We Don't Say" (written with several of her longtime East Coast backup singers)is as sophisticated as anything on the most outre jazz stations, lyrically and musically. Sounding amazing, Lesley does redo "You Don't Own Me" as a post-post-modern statement packed with rueful intransigence, and she takes her Oscar nominated "Out Here On My Own" to heights the excellent Irene Cara original only hinted at. The production is subtle and riveting, showcasing this collection of alterna-pop and acoustic jazz to perfection. It's been thirty years since that the last Lesley Gore album if you don't count a barely released budget collection of covers recorded in Nashville in 1982, and I hesitate to say that it was worth the wait. It is, but it begs the question: With material and talent and a voice this good, what took ya so long?"
She's back, and better than ever
Jay L. Rudko | Pembroke Pines, FL USA | 04/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The image one gets of Lesley Gore is that of the heartbroken teenager who loved to cry at parties. Well, if that's what you expect from this CD, you're gonna be disappointed. What you do get is a brilliant, jazz-oriented album in which not one song is a clunker. Lesley is not a teenager anymore. She's now actually 60 years old, but with a young, fresh-sounding voice that still bears a very strong resemblance to her recordings of the early to mid 60's. And, thankfully, she's not overdubbing her voice as she did on the older recordings. The maturity of the songs is apropos, and the recording quality is first rate. The opening cut, also the title cut, gives a full hint as to what follows. But my favorite tracks from this disc are her remake of "You Don't Own Me", which is done in a very soulful, pining manner, and with a fitting word change in "You don't own me, and I don't own you". The other fave is the final cut, "We Went So High". This track speaks of a love affair that's coming to an end. She sings it with a tear in her voice. Lesley is back with a vengeance. I say order this album now, and I guarantee it'll become an instant favorite. Let's hope any future releases from Lesley will be as good...or better, and will be released as a hybrid multichannel SACD as well."
Ever Since...
boopkid | USA | 07/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever since...I was 11, I've been in love with Lesley Gore. I've been a fan from the very beginning. "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn To Cry" were there for me during the Summer of 1963. I followed her career through every album and every hit. Her voice always magical to me, and those eyes framed by the perfectly golden flipped hair, they were the source of my teenage fantasies. However,poor Lesley has been slighted since the late 60's and it came as a surprise and huge pleasure to me to see and listen her newly acclaimed song collection-"Ever Since". It is such a mature labor of love, featuring a new Lesley, with a rich "life weary" voice, her phrasing so exacting and exquisite, and immaculate production values. Every song is worth a listen. I highly recommend this cd, it is a worthy culmination to one of the great pop icons of the 1960's. Savor it, like a fine glass of wine. Thank you Lesley, your fan forever,
Sergio"
Gore's Grown Up With Style
Stephanie DePue | Carolina Beach, NC USA | 04/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For Lesley Gore, outstanding girl singer of the early 1960's -- "It's My Party," and so forth -- her newish CD, "Ever Since," has been a long time in the making: nearly 40 years. It's been a long time in the waiting for her fans, too. And make no mistake about it, Gore's grown up in the interval. "Ever Since" clearly notes the passage of time, and the trials of being a grownup.
The album has a fresh, jazzy sound, as befits the work of a girl who cut her teeth in the tutelage of jazz great Quincy Jones. On this album, she's working with skilled pianist/producer Blake Morgan. Its title song, "Ever Since" is melodic, a bit melancholy, and can't help but wonder where the years went, while musing on a lifetime of parties. "Cool Web" is just that. "Better Angels," a sophisticated song used on television's "CSI: Miami" was written by Morgan, as was "It's Gone." Gore and her brother Michael wrote the beautiful, Academy Award-winning "Out Here on My Own," for the movie "Fame;" Irene Cara did a memorable job on it, but an older Lesley Gore finds levels in the song a younger woman couldn't hope to deliver. Gore also takes writing credits on the witty "Not The First," "Words We Don't Say," and "We Went So High." Finally, the album delivers a reimagined "You Don't Own Me," her protofeminist anthem of the 1960's, that's almost worth the wait.
Gore's voice reflects the passage of time in its timbre and tone. Her high register is as beautiful as ever it was; she can hit those notes and hold them. Her middle register's a bit mushy. She tends to talk her lower register, but it works. I just saw her in person; she certainly still puts on a great show. Guess we all have to grow up someday; Gore's done it with style."
As good as new...
Heavy Groove | New York, NY USA | 06/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being too young to really know much about Ms. Gore's early pop career, I got turned onto her music by a friend who took me to one of her live shows. Without the need to compare the old with the new interfering with my experience of her performance, I simply took it for what it is --- brilliant, moving, full of soul! I bought the record, and now it's one of my favorites."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1