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FREDA PAYNE & JOHNNY MATHIS“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” - Single
When Freda met Johnny – Freda Payne and Johnny Mathis, that is – chemistry and musicality abounded as they breathed delicious life into George & Ira Gershwin’s classic, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” As tantalizing sneak peek evidence of Freda Payne’s first project since 2014’s acclaimed Come Back to Me Love, the sound of these legends’ voices together on one mic for the first time anywhere/anytime is a treat for the ears and hearts of all, arriving just in time to warm them for the holidays…a season of love, sharing and wistfulness as special for the singers as it is their ardent fans. |
Producer Rodrigo Rios had the idea for Freda to cover “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and to sing it as a duet with Mr. Mathis. He handled the business overtures himself and, once Mathis graciously accepted, Rios turned to Grammy-winner Gordon Goodwin to pen the arrangement and bring in his Big Phat Band to accompany them. Everything came together like hands in silk gloves – with charm and grace as the pair glided smoothly through the time-kissed melody.
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” is a 1937 popular song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin that went on to become a Jazz standard and a chestnut of The Great American Songbook. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the film “Shall We Dance” singing on the foggy deck of a New Jersey to Manhattan ferry to Ginger Rogers who remains silent listening throughout. No dance sequence follows which was unusual for the Astaire-Rogers numbers (though they did dance to it later in their final/reunion musical, “The Barkleys of Broadway” for MGM in 1949). Subsequent recordings of note range from the groundbreaking Charlie Parker with Strings LP in 1950 to Frank Sinatra in 1954, and Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong in 1956.
Now Freda Payne and Johnny Mathis add their magical and heartwarming spin on the gem for a new generation to swoon over and enjoy!
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was produced by Rodrigo Rios, co-produced by Freda Payne and executive produced by James M. Goetz.
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” is a 1937 popular song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin that went on to become a Jazz standard and a chestnut of The Great American Songbook. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the film “Shall We Dance” singing on the foggy deck of a New Jersey to Manhattan ferry to Ginger Rogers who remains silent listening throughout. No dance sequence follows which was unusual for the Astaire-Rogers numbers (though they did dance to it later in their final/reunion musical, “The Barkleys of Broadway” for MGM in 1949). Subsequent recordings of note range from the groundbreaking Charlie Parker with Strings LP in 1950 to Frank Sinatra in 1954, and Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong in 1956.
Now Freda Payne and Johnny Mathis add their magical and heartwarming spin on the gem for a new generation to swoon over and enjoy!
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was produced by Rodrigo Rios, co-produced by Freda Payne and executive produced by James M. Goetz.
FREDA PAYNE “Let There Be Love” - EpLegendary Song Stylist FREDA PAYNE Returns w/ Star-Studded Jazz Duets EP Let There Be Love – Available now
(April 16, 2021 – Beverly Hills, CA) Triple-Threat vocal wonder Freda Payne returns from a 6-year sabbatical with her most star-studded Jazz vocal project yet, Let There Be Love. The 5-song EP - in the tradition of 10-inch shellac records from the golden years of jazz – is bubbling over with knockout performances highlighted by 4 duets with special guests who are not only stellar singers, they ALL exude sparkling chemistry with Ms. Payne. Recorded inside fabled Capitol Records Studio ‘A’ in Hollywood and officially releasing via The Sound of L.A. Records on Friday April 16 (pre-order sales are on now), this instant classic from Freda and company will surely be one of the finest Jazz Vocal projects of 2021. |
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With big band charts for 30-pieces by Grammy-winner Gordon Goodwin and production by Rodrigo Rios (Executive Produced by Michael Goetz for Alain Franke Music), no expense was spared to make Ms. Payne’s return a spectacular one. The first single (released in November) is a dream come true duet with Johnny Mathis on the George & Ira Gershwin gem “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” filled with sweetly flirtatious energy and the spirit of the singular Nelson Riddle. 2021 Grammy-winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Kurt Elling, swings in to join Freda on a rhapsodic scat symphony of Gershwin’s “Our Love is Here to Stay.”
Freda has a field day with Michigan friend Dee Dee Bridgewater on the ingenious medley “Moanin’ n’ Doodlin’” which pairs up two lyricized jazz gems from the pens of piano greats Bobby Timmons (“Moanin’”) and Horace Silver (“Doodlin’”). Soul crooner Kenny Lattimore slides in next to Freda for a cool jazz meets mod-pop reading of the ol’ Nat King Cole hit, “Let There Be Love.” Finally, Ms. Payne trades scats solo with the band on the sassy “It’s Alright With Me,” delivering fans shades of Ella that served her well across the decades.
Though internationally renowned for her chart-topping 1970 Soul-Pop classic “Band of Gold,” Ms. Payne began her career in 1962 singing Jazz. She has since lent voice to everything from standards, R&B and Quiet Storm to Disco and Pop.
The last two decades have found Freda Payne firmly back home in Jazz. Her latest, Let There Be Love, will make lovers of the genre giddy - from vets to newbies
Produced by Rodrigo Rios, co-produced by Freda Payne and executive produced by James M. Goetz.
Freda has a field day with Michigan friend Dee Dee Bridgewater on the ingenious medley “Moanin’ n’ Doodlin’” which pairs up two lyricized jazz gems from the pens of piano greats Bobby Timmons (“Moanin’”) and Horace Silver (“Doodlin’”). Soul crooner Kenny Lattimore slides in next to Freda for a cool jazz meets mod-pop reading of the ol’ Nat King Cole hit, “Let There Be Love.” Finally, Ms. Payne trades scats solo with the band on the sassy “It’s Alright With Me,” delivering fans shades of Ella that served her well across the decades.
Though internationally renowned for her chart-topping 1970 Soul-Pop classic “Band of Gold,” Ms. Payne began her career in 1962 singing Jazz. She has since lent voice to everything from standards, R&B and Quiet Storm to Disco and Pop.
The last two decades have found Freda Payne firmly back home in Jazz. Her latest, Let There Be Love, will make lovers of the genre giddy - from vets to newbies
Produced by Rodrigo Rios, co-produced by Freda Payne and executive produced by James M. Goetz.
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CONTACT AGENCYJackie Stander
The Stander Group Inc 4533 Van Nuys Blvd. #401 Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403 (818) 905-7000 x104 TheStanderGroup.com [email protected] |
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