So many people have asked me to post the Pride video again - posted for one day only on Pride day - so here it is. I also had requests from other Pride organisations to use it, so feel free.
I just want to say the choice of people in the video have all in some way touched my life - some I know, or have known personally, others influenced me, all amazed me and a few I have had the honour to work with. Happy Prides around the world, and remember, 'you're not just anyone'
Marc's new album, I'm Not Anyone, is released today! Available in various formats, you can order your copy now from: marcalmond.lnk.to/ImNotAnyoneWE.
Marc has recently performed for Radio 2's Piano Room alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. You can listen back to the performance on the BBC iPlayer.
Below is the video for the title track from Marc's new album, I'm Not Anyone, which is released this Friday, 12 July 2024. Order your copy now from: marcalmond.lnk.to/ImNotAnyoneWE.
Marc will also be appearing on BBC Breakfast on Friday as well as This Morning on ITV on Monday.
At the annual LGBTQIA+ Awards this year Marc was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award. The award was presented by Russell Tovey and Holly Johnson. Marc was honoured to receive it and wants to thank all the organisers and everyone involved.
We are delighted to announce Marc will be performing in the Radio 2 Piano Room on 11 July. Listen to Vernon Kay on Radio 2 on 11 July for the full performance.
This is the day before the release of Marc's new album, I'm Not Anyone. Order your copy now from: marcalmond.lnk.to/ImNotAnyoneWE.
There is a fantastic four star review of Marc's new album, I'm Not Anyone, in the current Mojo magazine and the latest edition of Classic Pop magazine features Marc on the cover and has a major interview inside.
Today marks the release of Dana Gillespie's new album, First Love. The album is produced by Marc Almond and Tris Penna and Marc also appears on the album as well as providing one of the tracks covered.
Here's what the critics say:
The Times and The Sunday Times - she approaches all the material with a tone of acceptance. The result is a classy album and an example of the transformative power of interpretation
Uncut Magazine - Smoky nights in Soho reconjured Gillespie teamed up with Marc Almond for this fine record of (largely) covers
MOJO - She sang with Bowie, now she’s singing Jake Bugg on a covers LP packed with surprises; the braver the song choices, the better she is; This is a rare treat
Midlands Rocks - it’s a record that hits heady highs and loquacious lows. First Love is an album that captures a certain place and time, but is also captures an artist at the peak of their powers, so there’s never been a better time to meet your First Love.
The album is available now on limited edition coloured vinyl as well as streaming. To get your copy go to https://linktr.ee/danagillespie
Marc's new single, Gone With The Wind (Is My Love) is released today and had its premier on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 this morning. You can listen to the show again on the BBC iPlayer. The single is available now and can be got from MarcAlmond.lnk.to/GoneWithTheWind.
Marc's new single, Gone With The Wind (Is My Love) is released on Tuesday. It will receive its first radio play on Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show on Radio 2. You can tune in to the programme here.
Gone With The Wind (Is My Love) is taken from the forthcoming album I'm Not Anyone which is released on 12 July 2024 and can be pre-ordered now from MarcAlmond.lnk.to/ImNotAnyoneWE.
Deities & Demons is a new exhibition from Marc taking place at the new gallery at 4 Flitcroft St, off Denmark Street, Soho, London. The exhibition opened on 17 April and will be there until 2 May. Here's Marc to tell you more about it:
The new single from Dana Gillespie, Spent The Day In Bed, which is taken from her new album produced by Marc Almond and Tris Penna, is released today. The single can be ordered from Sister Ray or Rough Trade and you can watch the video below
Here's a link to the Soho Radio Show from 15 April with Marc, Dana Gillespie, Martin Green, Steve Furst and Tris Penna talking about Dana's album, Marc's new album and exhibition, The Loveless and lots more as well as playing some favourite tracks:
https://m.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/steve-martin-show-feat-dana-gillespie-and-marc-almond-15042024/
The new single from Dana Gillespie, Spent The Day In Bed, which is taken from her new album produced by Marc Almond and Tris Penna, will be released on 19 April 2024. The song, written by Morrisey, will also get a physical 7" vinyl release on 10 May and features a cover designed by Morrisey. The single can be ordered from Sister Ray or Rough Trade
Dana Gillespie announces new studio album, First Love, produced by Marc Almond
Legendary singer-songwriter Dana Gillespie, with over 70 albums to her credit in a career spanning six decades, adds a new chapter with the release of her stunning new album First Love on 31st May 2024 through Fretsore Records. The album will be released on CD, standard black and limited edition translucent red vinyl.
While First Love is a deeply personal album, it marks a shift for Dana who teams up with close friends Marc Almond and Tris Penna who co-produced the album. Marc had thought it time to do something about Dana being the last undiscovered secret of the music scene. Together, they have put together an inspired collection of songs, each related, in some way, to Dana’s extensive career and authentically interpreted by this master of her art.
Marc Almond says "Dana sings the life she lives and what a life indeed. The last of the great ladies of Bohemia, exotic troubadour and muse of Legends. An open mystery." He goes on to say: "A treasure waiting to be rediscovered, and famous for being unknown. The secret is out."
"It’s very unusual for me to do an album on which I haven’t written all the songs" says Dana, "and it’s the first time in years and years that I’ve let someone else produce the album for me. Normally I do everything but, in some ways, it’s a bit of a relief and a joy to give it over to Tris and Marc, who’s are old hands at this."
"I have some reason for having every song on this album," Dana explains, "they’re not just thrown in there, randomly." First Love opens with Dana’s version of Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams. "I heard this on the radio and I thought the lyrics were particularly poignant."
The first single release is Morrissey’s Spent The Day In Bed. "We’ve never met," Dana continues, "but he sent this amazing email saying ‘Your version is far better than mine!’
Leonard Cohen’s Dance Me To The End Of Love was Marc’s suggestion and we do it as a duet.
I’ve never sung a Dylan song before but I’ve always loved Not Dark Yet. It was a joy to sing because it’s not like his version – there’s a darkness to it. Marc wrote Brewer Street Blues and I know Brewer Street well as I grew up going to my drum lessons and dance classes all round Soho In the early sixties. This song captures the area where I used to hang out, so I could relate to it well. Gods And Monsters (Lana Del Rey) is so quirky, I can smell California when I hear this song because it absolutely paints a picture of an era for me.
I heard Bowie’s early demo of Can You Hear Me? and we stuck to this version as its so simple. Tris suggested it would be nice to include one of Bowie’s songs because Bowie played such a big role in my life, in the 60s and 70s.
I wrote the lyrics for First Love, Last Love. I like to write about emotions and heart issues. Being older, I can look back at my first love, my last love and all the ones in between, but the first and the last are the most important of all.
Stevie Nicks’ song Dreams was recorded literally at the end of the sessions; we had about half an hour left so we thought ‘Why not try it?’ It’s really down to the barest bones, just the piano and the voice."
Dana’s sublime bluesy vocals are backed by a classy musical line-up of Dom Stockbridge (guitars). Harry Whitty (bass guitar, trombone and trumpet), musical director Matt Gest (piano and keyboards) and drummer Evan Jenkins. "The voice is very much the dominant thing on this album but it sounds good because it’s complimented by such wonderful musicians," Dana enthuses. "All the musicians are actually guys that play in my Blues band and I know that they’re so good they would be able to do something really interesting."
Dana Gillespie - First Love is released by Fretsore Records on 31 May 2024.
Track Listing:
1 Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Billie Joe Armstrong/Tré Cool/Mike Dirnt)
2 Spent The Day In Bed (Morrissey/Gustavo Manzur)
3 Dance Me To The End of Love – featuring Marc Almond (Leonard Cohen)
4 Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan)
5 Brewer Street Blues (Marc Almond/Neal Whitmore)
6 Gods And Monsters (Elizabeth Grant/Tim Larcombe)
7 In A Broken Dream (David Bentley)
8 Can You Hear Me (David Bowie)
9 Simple As This (Jake Bugg)
10 First Love, Last Love (Dana Gillespie, Nick Hogarth, Leslie Davidson)
11 Dreams (Stevie Nicks)
Produced By Marc Almond And Tris Penna
Pre-order the album now from Rough Trade or Sister Ray
I’m delighted to announce my new album, I'm Not Anyone, will be released on CD, Vinyl and Digital on 12 July 2024. The album is available to pre-order now from MarcAlmond.lnk.to/ImNotAnyone
I'll also be performing some live dates across the UK this September. Tickets go on general sale on 26 March but if you pre-order the album (also available with a limited edition signed art print) from my Official Store you will have the chance to access the tour pre-sale at 9am on 21 March.
My new single, Elusive Butterfly, which is taken from the forthcoming album, is released today. You can listen to it now at MarcAlmond.lnk.to/ElusiveButterflyWE.
Only 50 copies left of this exclusive 7 inch vinyl record - two tracks originally made famous by The Shangri Las from Marcs private archive of unreleased tracks.
Grab a copy now as part of the Singles Club collection of exclusive rarities. Each one has a cover specially designed by Marc. Let’s get this single in the vinyl singles chart like the last one.
Get your copy now from: https://cherryred.co/MarcSingsShangrilas
4 February 2024Marc is thrilled to be back with Jools Holland and his Orchestra for Jools Winter tour. Marc has toured with Jools many times over the years, the last time was in 2018 to accompany Marc and Jools album Lovely Life To Live. For dates and tickets info see the Live page or visit www.joolsholland.com
Marc will be announcing a solo Autumn tour in the coming weeks.
Photos by Mary McCartney