| Powerhouse NYC recording artist Valerie Ghent salutes Dave Mason with the release of her new single, Feelin Alright – fifty years after the song’s initial release by English rock band, Traffic.
An electrifying remake of the soul-blues classic written by Dave Mason and made famous by Joe Cocker, Valerie delivers a strikingly powerful performance, heralding a band of world-class musicians recorded in New York City and France. In her full, live production complete with rock solid rhythm section, sizzling horns, a blazing piano solo and gospel-soul backing vocals, Ghent brings her multi-faceted talents (vocals, piano, organ, production, engineering & arranging) shaped by 20+ years working with music luminaries Ashford & Simpson, Nina Simone, Maya Angelou, Debbie Harry & Billy Preston to the forefront.
Feelin’ Alright features a new arrangement in the verses, plus stellar performances from Valerie on piano and vocals, and top musicians you have heard on countless R+B hits including Luther Vandross/Ashford & Simpson bassist Tinkr Barfield, Average White Band drummer Rocky Bryant, Blues Hall of Fame pianist Dave Keyes, world-renowned percussionist Bashiri Johnson, Roberta Flack backing vocalists Dennis Collins, Keith Fluitt and Toto’s John James. Add to the mix a blazing horn section from Paris featuring Nicolas Baudino and Marc Borlet-Hôte, Blues’Up organist Pierre Sibille, renowned French guitarist Jérôme Buigues, and Feelin’ Alright is ready to light up the world again in 2018!
“We’re thrilled to release our version of Feelin’ Alright in 2018,” Valerie says, “Feelin’ Alright is a timeless song, with a universal feeling everyone can relate to. Even though it was first released fifty years ago, to me the lyrics take on even more relevance today. Plus it’s such a fun song to play live! We had a blast putting our own NYC spin on it, while honoring the power of Joe Cocker’s version. We’ve been closing every show with Feelin’ Alright and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic love it. We salute you Dave Mason, and Joe Cocker, thank you both for bringing Feelin’ Alright into the world and giving us such a great song to sing.”
“Valerie Ghent contributes her power packed vocals to a latest rendition of Mason’s classic. “Feelin’ Alright” is a fun and funky take on the decidedly downbeat topic of unrequited love. Her version features some of the classic soul/gospel elements (including those churchy backing vocals) heard in Cocker’s version. The horns on Ghent’s interpretation give the track a bit of a jazzy swing. |
