NEWS

By Jon Caramanica, New York Times

• Dec. 6, 2018

There are holiday embracers and holiday dissenters. Those for whom the season is about celebration and those who seek solace as soon as the evergreens come out. For both groups, however, there is new music this year — a soundtrack for all the seasonal moods. There are traditional holiday tunes polished to a sheen; songs that approach festive joy through completely new musical lenses; and numbers that use familiar frameworks to deliver subversive messages. So whether your Christmas is a merry one or a grumpy one, press play.

Engelbert Humperdinck, ‘Warmest Christmas Wishes’

Let warm oil pour over you this holiday season — the perfect croon of Engelbert Humperdinck is back. “Warmest Christmas Wishes” is his second album of new recordings in two years, following a several-year drought, and it is peak holiday schlock, a hearty and unerringly smooth nog. He still has a meaty voice, his phrasing polished to a gleam by thousands of nights on Vegas stages. There are a couple of originals here, but skip right to the chestnuts — “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” — platonic-ideal versions delivered without an ounce of camp.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/arts/music/holiday-christmas-albums.html

Interview starts at 1:08

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0001f82

The singer answered questions on his hometown, Leicester, working with Cat Stevens and the Walker Brothers, riding Harley-Davidsons, and his wife’s Alzheimer’s

https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2018/dec/03/engelbert-humperdinck-webchat-interview

Starts at 1:37

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06r8mw4

Interview starts at 1:14

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06rmjzr

Over the course of a career spanning more than 50 years, Arnold George Dorsey AKA Engelbert Humperdinck, 82, has become known for more than just his arresting stage name. Beginning his career on the nightclub circuit of late 1950s London, he was spotted by Tom Jones’s manager Gordon Mills, who encouraged the name change – a homage to the 19th-century German operatic composer of Hansel and Gretel. Mills then had Humperdinck work with Frank Sinatra songwriter Bert Kaempfert and together they produced his first number one, Release Me, in 1967.

Since then, Humperdinck has become an icon of the crooning ballad, selling more than 150m records and building a discography with more than 70 albums. He fronted his own TV show in 1969, featuring guests such as Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey and Ray Charles, as well as collaborating with Paul Anka and the Bee Gees. Recent years have seen Humperdinck represent the UK at the 2012 Eurovision song contest, the second oldest performer to take part in the competition, and almost collaborate with Gorillaz on their album Plastic Beach – his manager erroneously rejected Damon Albarn’s offer in a move Humperdinck has called “the most grievous sin ever committed”.

Following the release of his sixth Christmas album, Warmest Christmas Wishes, Humperdinck is joining us to answer your questions about his life and music, in a live webchat from 1pm GMT on Wednesday 5 December – post them in the link below and he’ll take on as many as possible.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2018/dec/03/engelbert-humperdinck-webchat-interview

It has a great blend of holiday classics (such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "White Christmas" and "Silent Night") with a few new original recordings. The songs are nostalgic and heart-warming, and he stands out as one of the best balladeers of our time.

Humperdinck proves that he only gets better with age and experience. His vocals on Warmest Christmas Wishes are as compelling and resonant as ever. Aside from singing in English, he also sings the tune "Leise rieselt der Schnee" in German, and he does it flawlessly.

His holiday album, Warmest Christmas Wishes, is available on iTunes and on Amazon. It is a true gift for all during this holiday season.

To learn more about veteran singing sensation Engelbert Humperdinck and his new music, check out his official website, and his Facebook page.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/music/op-ed-engelbert-humperdinck-releases-best-holiday-cd-by-a-male-artist/article/538207

By JOHN KOSKI

PUBLISHED: 19:01 EST, 1 December 2018 , Daily Mail

The balladeer discusses poetry, pink excess and the one thing he won’t eat at Christmas…

Guilty pleasure? A pint of bitter and a bag of crisps when I return to the UK.

Where is home? Mostly Bel Air, Los Angeles. But I still have a property with its own pub and magnificent gardens in a village outside Leicester.

Career plan B? Music was my destiny and I’m grateful that I didn’t have to reinvent myself.

Biggest bugbear? Rude drivers.

Secret to a happy relationship? Tenderness goes a long way.

Most romantic thing you’ve ever done? Take my wife Patricia to Paris for our honeymoon in 1964 when we had very little money.

Your perfect Christmas dinner? Roast pork, chicken, all the trimmings – but never turkey. I had a pet turkey called Fidget as a boy and have never eaten it.

Dream dinner-party guest? Winston Churchill – I would love to find out the stories behind his great quotes.

Advice to teenage self? Education is so important to be able to navigate your way through life. I left school at 15 and I wish I’d known then what I know now.

Cat or dog? We’ve had 22 dogs over the years and currently have a black and white cross called Shirley.

Starstruck moment? Meeting Cary Grant.

Big break? Taking the place of Dickie Valentine on the Sunday Night at the London Palladium TV show in 1967 when he fell ill. It led to me recording ‘Release Me’.

Career highlight? Meeting Princess Grace of Monaco when I went there to do a charity gala for the Red Cross.

Secret skill? I love writing poetry.

One thing that would make your life better? Peace of mind – I’m a worrier.

Philosophy? Simplicity is the essence of success.

Last film that made you cry? The Notebook. My wife has Alzheimer’s, so the film is very close to home.

First record you bought? ‘When I Fall in Love’ by Nat King Cole, which I bought for Patricia, my then girlfriend.

Celebrity crush? As a teenager I loved the actress Jane Russell.

Best Christmas present you ever received? An old red telephone box from my wife.

Most extravagant purchase? The Pink Palace, Jayne Mansfield’s former mansion, which I owned for 27 years.

Biggest fear? Sharks.

Happiness is… A good pair of sideburns that serve you well throughout your life.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-6430621/Quickfire-Singer-Engelbert-Humperdinck-meeting-princesses-honeymoon-Paris.html

NOVEMBER 29, 2018 –PARADE - DR. NANCY BERK

With record sales of over 150 million and more than 50 years in the business, Engelbert Humperdinck knows a thing or two about career longevity. And he continues to love his job. Still touring at age 83, the singer who found fame as a top recording artist and chiseled-featured heartthrob, wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s one of my favorite, favorite things, walking on stage. I love it and I’ll keep doing it, until, you know, until I can’t sing anymore, but I think that’s so far away,” says Humperdinck.

Adorned with gold and platinum albums, the walls of his home reflect the musical success he has enjoyed since the ’60s with hits like “Release Me” and “After The Lovin.’” The artist says that it is the length of his career that has most surprised him. Few in the music industry expect their star to shine for decades. Humperdinck credits his fans with making his success story so sweet.

“I think it’s all due to my following. I have a very staunch following and I’ve had fan clubs all over the world. And these people I term as my ‘cheerleaders’— my ‘spark plugs.’ And they’ve carried me along for all this time and they’re still there for me right now. And you know, as I go out on the road and I walk on stage, I can feel their presence…and it’s just wonderful.”

It’s not unusual for Humperdinck to perform for an audience that spans three and four generations. “I think that’s what’s given me the longevity in this industry and I’m truly pleased about it. If you have one age group they kind of go away from you, but when you have all ages, it stabilizes your career,” Humperdinck says.

Did he ever find it exhausting being labeled a “heartthrob”? Humperdinck modestly slides past the question.

“It’s not exhausting. No. You kind of get used to it, you know…You get used to the routine, you get used to the traveling, you get used to everything.”

This holiday season, Humperdinck has gifted fans with a little more music, releasing a new album Warmest Christmas Wishes. Celebrating a season that he has loved since childhood, Humperdinck, one of 10 children, sings many of his favorites including “Please Come Home for Christmas” and “Silent Night,” along with some new and reinvented tracks.

His first holiday album in nearly 40 years, Humperdinck believes this album’s appeal comes from the mix of classics and unique tracks with strong family ties. “I found it great recording it, and I hope people like listening to it.”

What will the artist be doing for the holidays? He’ll wrap up touring for a bit and enjoy the month of December with family in Los Angeles. “And from one of my tracks on my album— I’ll be home for Christmas,” says Humperdinck.

Listen to Warmest Christmas Wishes on Amazon.

https://parade.com/720335/nancyberk/engelbert-humperdinck-celebrates-50-years-in-music-and-new-christmas-album/

On this #givingtuesday

I’d like to bring my dear friend, Johnny Harris, in to your hearts.

Our relationship spans all the decades of my professional life and his talents have given incredible magic quality to many wonderfully crafted songs songs that have been privileged to record.  

We always talked about Johnny’s arrangements having everything including the kitchen sink in them.

The bed of strings I request to sing to in an arrangement, was a habit I acquired after working with Johnny.  

To my musician friends and fans of this amazing arranger, music director and composer, could you show him some love and share the post. My band can attest to his gentleman ways and legendary talent as they all worked together while prepping for the 50th Anniversary Tour. It’s always so good to circle back and work with those who helped make it happen!

My sincere thanks for your support and prayers.

https://www.gofundme.com/johnny-harris-quotthe-maestroquot-…