The first full collection of Cheese Project songs “THERE WILL BE CHEESE”, is now available on iTunes as well as Amazon.com! (Or from wherever you download music)
I’ve combined the six previously released tracks with ten new ones to create an album that will have you smiling, laughing, groaning and maybe even crying a little.
The Songs:
AFTERNOON DELIGHT. Made famous by the Starland Vocal Band. For this one I recruited my friends Shilough Hopwood, Larissa Hopwood and Juliana Storozuk of the band Honeychurch. (Also check out Larissa’s music for children as Lolly Hopwood and the Let’s Play Today Bunch and Shilough and Juliana in the heavy Metal band Evil-Merödach) With Dave Van Allen on pedal steel and Mark Cristofaro on drums.
NEVER MY LOVE. Claudia Balant brings a sweet vulnerability to this song that was originally made famous by The Association. This is an acoustic take on the song with luscious backing harmonies featuring Shilough and Larissa.
JENNIFER JUNIPER. I’ve always loved this song by Donovan, and when I realized I could put together a real quintet of woodwinds, it seemed like a natural.
ODE TO BILLY JOE. There is lots of discussion as to whether or not Bobbie Gentry’s haunting ballad can be considered “Cheese”, but I make the rules around here and I knew that we could do something special with Jennie Avila singing this one. Dave Van Allen adds some haunting pedal steel guitar and Phil D’Agostino lays down some soulful bass. Cheese? You decide.
PRECIOUS AND FEW. One of the real pleasures of the project was to get to work with Danny Weiss, who I met in the 80s when he was singing and playing guitar with Tony Trischka and Skyline. He’s a fantastic singer and a blast to work with. He’s already recorded four songs (two of which are included here) and more are planned. This also features the gorgeous backing vocals of Shilough, Larissa and Juliana. Larry Cohen, Danny’s old bandmate in Skyline, plays bass; Chandra Naraine is on percussion and the fantastic Jerry Busher on drums.
SEASONS IN THE SUN. This is the one that started it all! Terry Jacks has given us one of the cheesiest pop songs ever and the Cheese Project was inspired by this song.
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’. Natalia Farrán steams up your iPod with her sultry take on Nancy Sinatra’s standard. Mark Cosgrove will also raise the hairs on the back of your neck with his bluesy, sinewy guitar. With Phil D’Agostino on bass and Jerry Busher on drums.
A SUMMER SONG. Shilough Hopwood and I do an acoustic take on Chad and Jeremy’s sweet ode to summer and lost love.
TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS. Murray Callahan rescues this song from Tiny Tim, and, along with guitar wizard Rolly Brown, restores it to its rightful status as a charming and affecting tune.
HONEY. Another Cheese standard. This one was handed down to us from Bobby Goldsboro. When I describe the Cheese Project’s mission to people, this is almost always the first song people suggest. Anne Hills lends her angelic voice for that signature operatic descant.
JEAN. Originally a hit for Oliver and sung here by Irish songbird Fil Campbell. This was written by Rod McKuen, the Poet Laureate of Cheese.
SUMMER RAIN. Johnny Rivers’ song showed me the power of the nostalgic feelings that these songs can inspire. Hearing this song late one night and listening to it in a way I hadn’t before was what made me think that the idea of the Cheese Project was something that could work on different levels.
OH BABE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY. Hurricane Smith’s one hit seemed like a perfect vehicle for an acoustic swing treatment - with guitarist Joe Ellis and accordionist Dallas Vietty along with Phil D’Agostino on bass.
TO SIR WITH LOVE. No collection like this could be complete without this song, which was originally sung by Lulu. Here the British singer/songwriter and actress Sadie Pickering gives it a sweetly unique twist.
(Theme from) THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. Spanish/English jazz diva Natalia Farrán shows her vulnerable side on this beautiful song by Andre Previn and originally sung by Dionne Warwick. This one features a lush arrangement for harp, string and French horns.
BRANDY (You’re a Fine Girl). The Classic hit from the band Looking Glass is taken to a new level with vocals and guitars played by Danny Weiss, bass and keyboards by Larry Cohen and former Fugazi drummer Jerry Busher. This also features a killer horn section.
Lots of songs are in the works featuring lots of fantastic singers and players, so please stay tuned!
Jay