As you may already know, legendary vocalist Darlene Love has just finished recording a new album called Introducing Darlene Love – due for release on September 18th.
And a great video for the infectious first single from the album – Forbidden Nights – has been completed, and is included here.
In it, Darlene is seen joyously driving a vintage red Cadillac convertible, heading to the beach at New Jersey’s Asbury Park – while singing her new record, of course.
Along the way, she encounters a number of well-known entertainment types – in order of appearance: vocalist Joan Jett, Late Night with David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer, musician Elvis Costello, comedian Bill Murray, Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt (also the album’s producer) together with Springsteen himself, and lastly, a cameo by a heavily bearded Dave Letterman.
FORBIDDEN NIGHTS
Darlene Love
[Video]
2015
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The album’s title actually belies Darlene’s well-known status and fame, and she hardly needs an introduction.
But for the record, Love was a solo vocalist (backed by The Blossoms) in fabled record producer Phil Spector’s early 60’s ‘Wall of Sound’ stable of stars, which also included The Ronettes, The Crystals and Bob. B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans.
In fact, in 1962, Darlene and The Blossoms actually recorded the #1 hit He’s A Rebel, which ultimately was released as being by The Crystals.
HE’S A REBEL
The Crystals
(Actually The Blossoms with Darlene Love)
[Mono]
1962
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During the course of her career she’s worked with a long list of pop music’s biggest stars, including Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Tom Jones and Sam Cooke.
But each year since 1986, she’s taken her career to an elevated level with her stirring rendition of the seasonal song Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).
First recorded solo in 1963 by Darlene on the legendary Spector album A Christmas Gift For You from Philles Records, she’s performed the yuletide tune during 29 consecutive holiday season appearances on David Letterman’s Late Night shows – first on NBC, and then CBS.
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Christmas in August! Here’s Darlene’s final performance of the song – a spectacular presentation on Letterman, from December 19th, 2014.
CHRISTMAS (Baby Please Come Home)
Darlene Love
(on Late Show with David Letterman)
[Video]
2014
Sadly, with Letterman’s retirement this past May, the annual tradition will be sorely missed in coming holiday seasons.
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Here’s the original 1963 studio version on Phil Spector’s A Christmas Gift For You from Philles Records album – in HD Stereo.
CHRISTMAS (Baby Please Come Home)
Darlene Love
[HD Stereo]
1963
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Darlene Love was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
