The legendary P.P. Arnold’s career to date has been nothing short of extraordinary… It has seen the singer back Ike & Tina Turner as one of ‘The Ikettes’, record with Mick Jagger, The Small Faces, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Barry Gibb and Primal Scream, and provide her distinctive backing vocals for Billy Ocean, Peter Gabriel, The KLF, Paul Weller and Roger Waters.
2019 was a standout year for the acclaimed US-born soul singer, as London’s “First Lady Of Soul” released “The New Adventures of… P.P. Arnold” – her first studio album of new material since the early 1970’s.
The studio album featured stunning contributions from Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock, The Specials and P.P.’s son, Kojo Samuel. Together with a nine-piece band, PP Arnold embarked on a UK tour to promote the record, culminating in the recent release of her latest album “Live In Liverpool”.
“Live In Liverpool” portrays the exciting grand finale of the highly acclaimed UK tour in support of the 2019 studio album, and was recorded at Grand Central Hall, Liverpool, UK, on October 18th, 2019.
It features true P.P. Arnold classics, such as the iconic “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and the lovely “Angel Of The Morning”, as well as special live versions of the songs from “The New Adventures of… P.P. Arnold”, such as “I Believe” and “Hold On To Your Dreams”, Paul Weller’s “Shoot The Dove”, a cover of The Beatles #1 hit “Eleanor Rigby” and Steve Cradock’s “Magic Hour”.
“The gig at the Grand Central Hall was as magical as the beautiful architecture of the building”, P.P. Arnold recalls when asked about that special night in Liverpool. “I was over the moon with how well the concert had gone.
“Steve Cradock had pulled off the dream of performing the album live and it sounding so close to the original recording.”, she adds, “The band was brilliant, the girls sounded like angels, and I felt so good, so pleased that it had all gone so well.”
Live In Liverpool Tracklist:
- Though It Hurts Me Badly
- Baby Blue
- Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
- Different Drum
- I Believe
- Medicated Goo
- I’m A Dreamer
- Shoot The Dove
- (If You Think You’re) Groovy
- Hold On To Your Dreams
- You Got Me
- Eleanor Rigby
- Still Trying
- The Magic Hour
- Angel Of The Morning
- Life Is But Nothing
- God Only Knows
- The First Cut Is The Deepest
“Live In Liverpool” is out now via earMUSIC as 180g black double vinyl, packed in a high-quality gatefold jacket, as well as CD Digipak edition and on all digital platforms.
- Even after almost 60 years as a solo artist, Patricia Ann Cole aka P.P. Arnold has no intention of cutting back, still very much in demand for her dynamic concerts, with some UK shows slated for December 2024 with her full all-star band. Tour dates here: https://pparnold.com/tours-gigs
PP Arnold’s “Track Record”…
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“Amazing Grace”.
2. First single you owned?
“My Guy” by Mary Wells.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” by Nancy Wilson. A gift from my Uncle Booker.
4. First CD you owned?
“Private Dancer” by Tina Turner.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“Nina Simone Anthology” – CD Collection.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
An original version of the LP, “The First Lady Of Immediate” [The debut album by PP Arnold – 1968]
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
Aretha Franklin: “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You”, Marvin Gaye: “What’s Going On”, Stevie Wonder: “Songs In The Key Of Life”, Miles Davis: “In A Silent Way”, Prince: “Purple Rain”.
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“Otis Blue” by Otis Redding.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
“Street Rats” by Humble Pie.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music is my life. I feel blessed to be born with a gift that inspires and uplifts, and makes people happy.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Got To Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“The First Cut Is The Deepest” by PP Arnold.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“To Love Somebody” by The Bee Gees [The original version of their song – PP Arnold’s version is well worth hearing too].
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“What The World Needs Now Is Love” by Dionne Warwick.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“Dancing In The Street” by Martha [Reeves] and the Vandellas.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“This Little Light Of Mine” takes me back to singing with my sister and brothers in church in the Junior Choir, and the joyful spirit that we shared when we sang together.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Booker T & The MG’s, Ike Turner and the Kings Of Rhythm, The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament Funkadelic.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, Prince.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Everything Must Change” by Quincy Jones – with Benard Ighner on lead vocals.
Photos by Gered Mankowitz
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