Let's Hear It for Love
| Let's Hear It for Love | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Benny Mardones | ||||
| Released | April 11 2006 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 57:22 | |||
| Label | Warrior Records | |||
| Producer | Jim Ervin | |||
| Benny Mardones chronology | ||||
| ||||
Let's Hear It for Love is the eighth and latest studio album from American rock and pop singer Benny Mardones.
Background
The album would be Mardones' first album for his current record label Warrior Records. It was his first album of all new original music since the 1998 album Bless a Brand New Angel.[1] Being released with limited promotion, the album didn't reach any national charts within America.
The main form of promotion for the album was Mardones' live performances where numerous songs from the album were introduced into the live set.[1]
The album's producer Jim Ervin is known for his work with Glen Campbell, Little Eva and Eddie Money.[1]
The album was dedicated to his long-time road manager and dear friend, Tommy Piraino, who died around the time from leukemia. The track "Just for You My Friend" features a short appearance from Piraino's son, whilst the song itself was written as a tribute to Piraino, as Benny grieved.[2]
The title track "Let's Hear It for Love" is a duet with American rock musician and singer Eddie Money, who also co-wrote the track. "When the Lights Go Out" is a duet with vocalist Robbyn Kirmsse whilst the duet "This Time" features American singer-songwriter Katrina Carlson.[3]
The album was written by Mardones and James Ervin, except for "Let's Hear It for Love" which featured a co-writing credit to Money, whilst "Bye Bye Baby, Goodbye" featured a co-writing credit to Jack Scott.[4]
"This Time" is not the same track as a song with the identical title on Mardones' 1981 album Too Much to Lose.[5]
Although his final album to date, Mardones has released a yearly series of live albums under the title Turning Stone and the 2008 release Extended Versions,[6][7] as well as a new single in 2012, titled "I've Got You".[8]
Release
The album was released on CD via Warrior Records, and has remained available to purchase on CD ever since.[9] The album can also be downloaded from major sites such as Amazon and iTunes.[10]
The CD was re-issued in 2007 by Warrior Records and again that year by Warrior Records and Bungalo.[11]
No singles or promotional singles were released from the album, except for the CD single "The Train Don't Stop Here Anymore", which remains available directly via Warrior Records.[6]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Forever Hypnotized" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:16 |
| 2. | "The Train Don't Stop Here Anymore" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 5:46 |
| 3. | "Innocent Girl" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:45 |
| 4. | "How Could I Love You More" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 3:52 |
| 5. | "Could We Fall in Love Again" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:43 |
| 6. | "Like a Hero in the Night" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:29 |
| 7. | "Let's Hear It for Love" | Eddie Money, Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:11 |
| 8. | "When the Lights Go Out" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:42 |
| 9. | "I Might Be a Bird" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 6:05 |
| 10. | "This Time" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 4:28 |
| 11. | "Just for You My Friend" | Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 3:53 |
| 12. | "Bye Bye Baby, Goobye" | Jack Scott, Benny Mardones, James K. Ervin | 6:12 |
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
Allmusic wrote "Apart from some of the production and some wear on his voice, Let's Hear It for Love could easily be mistaken for an album Benny Mardones released in 1986 instead of one from 2006. This record is heavy on love songs, meaning that there are a lot of slow-crawling sentimental tunes that are nevertheless driven by big, cavernous drums straight out of the mid-'80s - and it also sounds like a throwback to '80s album rock. This is enjoyable stuff for anybody who has a taste for either Mardones or the softer mainstream pop of the '80s. But the singer just as often gets bogged down in treacly, turgid emoting that will please his devoted fans but will turn away those casual fans who only know (and only love) "Into the Night"."[3]
Personnel
- Benny Mardones - Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals
- Jim Ervin/James K. Ervin - Liner Notes, Producer, Composer
- Eddie Money - Composer, Duet, Guest Artist, Saxophone, Vocals
- Jack Scott - Composer
- Katrina Carlson - Duet, Guest Artist, Vocals
- Robbyn Kirmsse - Duet, Guest Artist, Vocals, Background Vocals
- Bruce Watson - Guitar
- Lance Morrison - Bass
- Nick Vincent - Drums
- Rande Volpert - Shaker, Tambourine
- Bryan Davis - Bass Engineer, Drum Engineering
- Danny Sternbaum - Assistant Engineer
- Brian Newman - Mastering
- Rebecca Roe - Art Conception, Layout Design
- Jon "JD" Dickson - Cover Photo, Tray Photo
References
- 1 2 3 "LetsHearIt". Benny Mardones. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ http://www.warriorrecords.com/benny/
- 1 2 3 Thomas, Stephen (2006-04-11). "Let's Hear It for Love - Benny Mardones : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "Benny Mardones - Let's Hear It for Love (2006) lyrics at The Lyric Archive". Thelyricarchive.com. 2006-04-11. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "TooMuch". Benny Mardones. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- 1 2 "Warrior Records 2012". Warriorrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "Extended Versions: Benny Mardones: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - I've Got You - Single by Benny Mardones". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "benny mardones let's hear love". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Let's Hear It For Love by Benny Mardones". Itunes.apple.com. 2006-03-07. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "Let's Hear It for Love - Benny Mardones : Releases". AllMusic. 2006-04-11. Retrieved 2012-06-22.