MUMBAI: LML Music is excited to announce the August 9th release of award winning performer Jim Van Slyke’s new recording, The Sedaka Sessions. The disc is a joyful, powerful tribute to one of pop music’s living legends, featuring two duets with Neil Sedaka himself. The CD showcases music from Van Slyke’s critically acclaimed Sedaka Show, which Mr. Sedaka first saw him perform at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City. Impressed and touched, Sedaka offered his assistance and a ringing endorsement:
Jim Van Slyke is something quite special. I’ve heard others sing my songs, but nobody has moved me more than Jim. The voice, the stage presence…just brilliant. He is a songwriter’s dream!… – Neil Sedaka, 2011.
The Sedaka Sessions repertoire was culled from 50+ years of Sedaka’s legendary collaborations with Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody (the single exception being Workin’ on a Groovy Thing… which was written with Roger Atkins). Van Slyke’s fresh readings of the timeless tunes make you wonder why you don’t hear brilliant songs like The Hungry Years, Laughter in the Rain and Solitaire more often. The icing on the cake is Mr. Sedaka’s appearance the CD, with duets on Brighton… and The Immigrant….
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Van Slyke worked extensively on the repertoire of the live Sedaka Show with co-creator, Brian Lane Green, and then musical arranger, Tim DiPasqua, sharing hundreds of song possibilities and ideas about pacing, tempos, lyrics etc. It was a true collaboration based on Sedaka’s entire pop oeuvre, with Van Slyke and Green researching and compiling the song choices, and DiPasqua and Van Slyke working out the arrangements. When it came time to record, DiPasqua and Van Slyke were pretty much ready, save a few adjustments from a live… vibe to pop – recording sound.
Because my live show had been, thankfully, so successful, The Sedaka Sessions seemed like a natural,… says Van Slyke. I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible, and for Neil’s unwavering support. It’s pretty thrilling to imagine what the next chapter will bring….
The Sedaka Sessions can be pre-ordered now on Amazon.com. It will be released on August 9, when it will also become available on iTunes and other digital distributors, as well as LMLMusic.com and JimVanSlyke.com.
