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❤ Get ready for Valentine's Day 2018 with the "King of Romance," Engelbert Humperdinck! ❤

Tune in to OK!Good Records' 24/7 Live Radio Stream of some of Engelbert's classic love songs, featuring tracks off 'Engelbert Calling,' 'Engelbert Humperdinck: 50' and his brand new album, 'The Man I Want to Be'

By Brock Radke

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018 | 2 a.m., Las Vegas Sun

Legendary singer Engelbert Humperdinck is coming to get Las Vegas ready for Valentine’s Day, performing twice this weekend at the Orleans. His Prodigal Son tour brings him back to town from California and on the way to Arizona and Florida, and his current shows are chock-full of favorite tunes from November’s album “The Man I Want To Be.”

“I think it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever made and I’m especially proud of it because I normally do cover songs, and this album has seven brand-new songs,” says the 81-year-old English singer born Arnold Dorsey. “I’ve tested some of the songs on the album on the road and so far they’re all very well-received, especially ‘Just the Way You Are,’ which is Bruno Mars’ song that I’ve given with a new treatment.”

The album was created as a love letter to Humperdinck’s wife of 53 years, Patricia, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease. “All the songs were chosen for her. ‘Just Like the First Time’ was written for her,” he says. “I met my wife when she was 17 in the dance hall, asked her to dance, and we’ve been together ever since, and that’s why we have ‘I’m Glad I Danced With You,’ which my daughter co-wrote and my granddaughter Olivia sings on it, and she’s just 9 years old. I’m very proud of her.”

Here’s the rest of my conversation with Humperdinck:

You’ve been performing in Las Vegas since the late ’60s so you’ve seen a lot of change here over the years. I started in 1968 and it’s been a very eventful place for me, because I was taken there in the beginning. I was shown all the hotels to see which one I wanted to play, and I would up at the Riviera when Dean Martin was there [as an entertainer and with a minority ownership]. He took a big hand in it and I was the only one he did that for. I had a home in Las Vegas for about eight years, starting in 1978. It certainly has changed a lot because I remember a time when it took you five minutes to get across town. I also remember coming over for a month and doing 50 shows, two a night, and frequenting Lake Mead for waterskiing and playing a lot of golf.

You said it was easy to choose songs for this last album but how difficult is it to choose songs for your live set? Indeed it is. There are songs like “After the Lovin’” and “Release Me” and “A Man Without Love” that have been trial-tested around the world and so I keep those. “The Last Waltz,” of course. But that’s because I still get the same effect as when they were first recorded. I put my heart and soul into those songs.

You’ve been spending a little less time on the road so you can be at home with your wife more frequently. How has that affected your performances? I’ve decided to do about 80 concerts this year and I suppose that’s a bit of a different routine than what I normally would have done. There was a time I’d do 300 shows a year. But this takes me to all the parts of the world I need to be and I find it’s enough at this point.

My wife is doing fine. I’ve played the album for her and she recognizes my voice and these songs and looks at me a certain way sometimes and smiles and it’s wonderful to see. It does change how I perform because there are times I get a bit more emotional. Some of the lyrics mean more to me now, and it’s not that I haven’t been an emotional performer before because I do consider myself a thespian of music and try to interpret the songs in the most sincere way I can. But I do feel people understand and feel it in different ways.

Engelbert Humperdinck performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11 at the Orleans Showroom (4500 W. Tropicana Ave., 702-365-7111) and more info can be found at orleanscasino.com.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/feb/06/engelbert-humperdinck-interview-orleans-showroom/

By Jeff Moehlis, Noozhawk Contributing Writer | @noozhawknews | February 2, 2018 | 11:54 a.m.

The year 1967 is arguably most remembered nowadays for the Summer of Love. But, ironically, one of the top songs from that year was about love that had run its course: "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck, which spent six weeks at No. 1 on the British charts. It was Humperdinck's first and most enduring hit, and famously prevented "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever" from being The Beatles' 12th straight British No. 1 single.

"Release Me" launched Humperdinck's career, which is still going strong more than 50 years later. He will be performing this and other such hits as "The Last Waltz" and "After the Lovin'" at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez on Friday, Feb. 9. Tickets are available online by clicking here.

Humperdinck reflected on his career in an email interview with Noozhawk.

                                                               •        •        •

Jeff Moehlis: What can people look forward to at your upcoming show?

Engelbert Humperdinck: It's early in the tour year, so I don't want to give too much away. The show has a good balance of the hits that took me around the world and gave me a global career and a great selection from the songs on the latest CD, The Man I Want to Be, that have already resonated with audiences and the press. The Chumash crowd will be well looked after when it comes to the set list and all the stories that weave it together.

JM: Your first hit single, "Release Me," came out 51 years ago. Can you tell us a bit about how you chose to record that song, and how the recording came together?

EH: I heard a sax melody by the famous British bandleader Frank Weir. It was haunting and stirring and so sad. I asked if anyone had recorded a version with lyrics. I knew by goose-bump gauge, as soon as I heard the words and the melody together, that it was for me — just as I felt many years later with "After the Loving."

Interestingly and frustratingly, it sat on the shelf until I filled in for a sick guest on a TV show called Sunday Night at the London Palladium. I was sick with nerves, but the next day, the record flew off the shelves in record-breaking numbers of 80,000 to 120,000 a day just in the U.K.

JM: What, in your opinion, makes a song like "Release Me" stand the test of time?

EH: "Release Me" has the cold, hard truth mixed into a warm but heartbreaking melody.

It's an age-old story that may hit home with the listener in varying degrees, but in reality, I'd imagine, those words are never uttered — just swallowed. It may just be a song that puts you into your own starring role and the song is make-believe. We all love songs that make us cry for some reason.

It's ironic that it was my first hit and here I am 53 years later married to the same wonderful woman whom I dated seven years prior to popping the question.

JM: "Release Me" kept "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields" from reaching No. 1 in the U.K. Did you ever cross paths with The Beatles, and if so, did this come up?

EH: The "Release Me Balladeer" did not stroll down "Penny Lane" or run through "Strawberry Fields" very often. We were on "Long and Winding Roads" but hardly ever the same road. John lived close to me in England, and our dalmatian used to pinch his bread off of his doorstep. It wasn't like pinching the No. 1 spot, but I'm sure it added a bit to the disbelief that the chap with the name that sounded like a group pulled off a seemingly impossible task. I loved and love their music, and even though it's a great talking point for me, I give the glory to destiny and later recorded "Penny Lane" as a tribute and thank you.

JM: Can you tell us about touring with Jimi Hendrix in 1967?

EH: Jimi was such a lovely guy. What a great honor it was to be on a tour that was introducing him to The Brits. He already had huge hits in the U.S. It seemed like an odd pairing, but I'm so glad this Brit was given the opportunity to see this colorful and creative genius at work.

My guitar player fell ill one night, and Jimi filled in for me — hiding his aura behind the curtain, not to give the game away and sounding like three guitars were playing. Needless to say, that was one of my best nights and highlights on that tour. I have a real treasure of a photo of him in an orange jumpsuit next to Cat Stevens, Noel Redding and myself.

JM: Who was your favorite guest on The Engelbert Humperdinck Show?

EH: I really couldn't pick. I had so many wonderful guests. I did learn a lot from Phil Silvers and Milton Berle about comedic timing — when I wasn't cracking up.

JM: How did you end up recording "Lesbian Seagull" for the Beavis and Butt-Headmovie?

EH: The creator of Beavis and Butt-Head came to my show and liked my tongue-in-cheek comedy. I learned from the best and never took myself too seriously. How could I with a name like mine? They sent me the song, and when I heard the sweeping melody my heart took flight. I even enjoyed squawking in the most majestic way I could caw! It still makes me smile when I hear it or get asked about it.

JM: Do you ever get tired of singing songs like "Release Me," "The Last Waltz" or "After the Lovin'"?

EH: The songs that got me to where I am today are always received with such enthusiasm that it always brings me back to the days before the world knew them. How could I ever tire of them or take them for granted? I did change up arrangement once in awhile, but people like to be part of your journey and the disco versions of any of the '60s and '70s hits soon returned to their original format and glorious arrangements. I had amazing writers and arrangers when I started this road!

JM: What advice would you give to an aspiring musician?

EH: My advice is persistence and being ready for the moment when the right opportunity comes along. I knocked on so many doors but never gave up. I worked so hard at my craft and stole from the best until I became the artist formerly known as Arnold George Dorsey. Be a thespian of song. Paint the pictures with your words, and don't just go for the clever runs. It's the audience connection that matters the most. They've got to feel it for you to achieve it.

JM: You just released an album, The Man I Want to Be, which is getting great reviews. Do you have anything else in the works?

EH: Who would imagine that 50-plus years on in my career that there is always something in the works? I never rest on my laurels, although I do like my easy chair when I am off the road, but there are notes everywhere with song titles and stories and dreams to put into action and work to make them come to fruition. Stay tuned. I'll give you a jingle!

JM: What was your initial reaction to the suggestion of using the name "Engelbert Humperdinck"?

EH: I was in shock. I just imagined the billboards and the poor chap putting up the letters — not to mention the signature. I'd have a cramp in my hand after practicing the autograph. The name gave me a platform to live up to. I couldn't go forward without giving it 100 percent. I quickly embraced it, got used to people laughing or not being able to pronounce it, and was grateful to see and hear people talking about it.

https://www.noozh

https://kogo.iheart.com/featured/cliff-notes-on-the-news/content/2018-01-26-listen-englebert-humperdinck-dedicates-50th-anniversary-album-to-his-wife/

Engelbert Humperdinck Dedicates 50th Anniversary Album to His Wife
by Cliff Alpert

In our interview, Englebert talks about his newest album, The Man I Want to Be, and he explains how, at the age of 81, he wanted to dedicate this special collection of songs to his wife Patricia and also send a message to other families who face the challenges of Alzheimer's.

He talks about what it was like to record the song “I’m Glad I Danced With You” written by his daughter, Louise and performed as a duet with his granddaughter, Olivia as a loving tribute to his wife.

There are new songs by Richard Marx, Jon Allen (including the title track), Richard Scott, Steve Mac, Les Reed and Engelbert’s daughter Louise Dorsey – some unexpected covers of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” and Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” - plus three classic songs recently introduced in his Live Show: Willie Nelson’s “Crazy”, Eddy Arnold’s “Welcome to my World” and the NY classic “On Broadway”, all of which have been turned inside out.

Engelbert’s most recent album release “Engelbert Humperdinck 50” on Decca Records Hit the Top 5 of Music Week’s UK Album charts and re-introduced fans young and old to his classic catalog of hits. 

Fri 1/16 WTSN Dover, NH - 7:40am ET

Sat 1/27 KOGO San Diego/600AM 12pm-1pm PST
https://kogo.iheart.com 

Fri 2/9 WPKLPittsburgh,PA/99.3FM - 9:10am

https://www.spreaker.com/user/kfiam640/engelbert-kfi-casino-pauma

Engelbert will be interviewed live on KOA on Thursday January 25th at 9:40am. 

Have a listen to Engelbert's full album commentary for 'The Man I Want to Be,' where he go track-by-track to share stories behind the writing and recording process of each song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsX7vjF-Eg

Following his guest appearances on SiriusXM station 70s on 7, Engelbert Humperdinckwill have guest DJ sets on SiriusXM station Siriusly Sinatra from today, Monday, November 20th through Saturday, November 25th. He will be playing a selection of Sinatra songs he enjoys and more.

Engelbert Humperdinck fans can tune in to channel 71 to hear his special guest DJ set on Siriusly Sinatra on these dates:

Monday, November 20th at 5:00 PM EST
Tuesday, November 21st at 9:00 PM EST
Thursday, November 23rd at 9:00 AM EST
Saturday, November 25th at 3:00 PM EST