45 years following her first album “Honeysuckle Rose,” Amy Irving is planning to launch a new record featuring her renditions of ten songs by Willie Nelson. These selections were personally recommended by him, and he even adds a guitar solo to one of those tracks from the original film, titled “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.
The upcoming album titled “Always Will Be” is giving us a sneak peek today, with its title track that includes a guest performance by Amy Helm, an accomplished musician, and daughter of Levon Helm. (You can listen here.) Steve Earle is one of the other artists featured on this album, set for release on April 25 through Queen of the Castle/Missing Piece Records. Irving will be touring to support the new record, beginning with a concert at City Winery in New York City on May 5, and another at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY on May 31.
Following her debut musical release in 2023, “Born in a Trunk”, Irving – recognized for roles in movies such as “Crossing Delancey”, “Micki and Maude”, “The Fury”, “Carrie” and “Honeysuckle Rose” – is now unveiling her second musical effort titled “Always Will Be”. In an interview with EbMaster, she discusses her journey into the world of music and delves into the details about her tribute to Nelson’s songs, drawing from less-explored parts of the country icon’s catalog.
Irving states that Nelson has been a lifelong friend and a cherished companion for decades. They’ve both been integral parts of each other’s lives throughout this time. Nelson is one of Irving’s favorite people and closest friends, with their communication happening on a daily basis these days. To prove this bond, there’s a voicemail from Nelson included in the album’s title track. Two years ago, Nelson even contributed to a song on one of Irving’s debut albums. After that collaboration, Nelson sent Irving numerous tracks he thought she should sing, and Irving picked the ten songs she wanted to perform. Following the concept album trend of the 1970s, Irving structured these songs into what she believes forms a coherent narrative sequence, aiming to portray a progression: meeting someone, experiencing life together, losing them – all told through Nelson’s songs.
In a press statement, Nelson expressed the reason behind launching the project as follows: “I believed she would likely perform many of my songs, and I was confident they’d turn out well. To put it simply, I’m just an experienced showman.
Irving confides to EbMaster that music currently occupies her primary attention, and she may continue to prioritize it indefinitely, though she hasn’t mapped out a specific path. “At the moment,” she explains, “I feel like unless an opportunity too compelling to resist arises, which isn’t common for women of my age in the film industry, I prefer to concentrate on music. However, I don’t have any plans beyond this second album. To be honest, I’m not someone who insists that people should visit me and listen to me sing.
Instead, she expresses, “I’ve been genuinely thrilled by my partnership with Jules David Bartkowski, better known as Goolis. (Goolis is my band leader; my son, Gabriel Baretto, produced the album and manages me too.) What he does to the songs I give him transforms them into something else entirely. This transformation process has been incredibly intriguing for me, witnessing how a country song can evolve into a punk one. … I don’t possess the required ego, I believe, to market myself as a singer. However, I enjoy it, and I know I can carry a tune. What I strive for is to immerse the entire song within my being, drawing from all aspects of my life experiences, just like an actor does with roles. Now, I’m doing this with songs instead. It’s rewarding, and I feel I bring something unique to the table in this way.
In terms of picking Nelson tunes, Irving explains, “Certain tracks had personal significance for me. For example, ‘Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground’ was penned for my role in ‘Honeysuckle Rose.’ And ‘If You Want Me to Love You I Will,’ he composed for me to croon to him on screen. That one we transformed into a punk number! He wrote some songs during our time together, while others were from his past. I selected the ones that resonated with me and allowed me to put my own spin on them through Goolis’ arrangements. For ‘I Guess I’ve Come to Live Here in Your Eyes,’ Goolis suggested, ‘Let’s imagine it as a French pop song.’ Each tune takes on a new feel when approached differently, altering the entire atmosphere. To be honest, Willie sings these songs with a more romantic touch, whereas we’ve taken one and turned it into a Brazilian carnival number, another into a New Orleans groove. We’re essentially playing around with them, making for an intriguing playground for me to explore.
Prior to her album debut in 2023, Irving had already showcased her singing abilities in various settings, not just in “Honeysuckle Rose.” She shared, “I’ve always enjoyed singing, and I occasionally took singing lessons. As a teenager, I would strum the guitar and perform on the streets here and there, singing Joni Mitchell tunes. Additionally, I grew up performing in my father’s company, which put on children’s theater shows where we all sang. So, I was always active. The most formal singing experience I ever had was when I was asked to join the St. Louis Opera. Isaac Mizrahi directed and designed a production of ‘A Little Night Music,’ in which I starred alongside opera singers and a 50-piece orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony. This was both terrifying and exhilarating.
She found that recording these two fresh albums unexpectedly pushed her vocal abilities to places she hadn’t realized she could go. For years, she has been acting on stage and screen since she was just a baby, but this new experience hasn’t excited her in the same way before. While she no longer lands the same roles, she admits that it wasn’t enjoyable. However, this journey has been exhilarating as she discovers a new world and people guide her along. It’s refreshing to be the novice, learning from everyone else and receiving daily lessons. Moreover, she transformed a part of her barn into a music studio, complete with microphones, amplifiers, and playback equipment, allowing her to practice tirelessly all day long. Her dogs have grown weary of some songs played repeatedly, but she’s found a new source of energy and a renewed zest for life. Singing brings an invigorating feeling that fills her with joy because it awakens every part of her body and mind.
“Always Will Be” track list:
- It’s a Dream Come True (feat. Lizzie No)
- Yesterday’s Wine (feat. Goolis)
- I Guess I’ve Come to Live Here In Your Eyes (feat. Chris Pierce)
- I’d Have To Be Crazy
- If You Want Me to Love You I Will
- I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (feat. Steve Earle)
- Getting Over You (feat. Goolis)
- Everywhere I Go (feat. Louis Cato)
- Always Will Be (feat. Amy Helm)
- Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground (feat. Willie Nelson)
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2025-01-28 18:47