New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Universal Music Enterprises) For decades the sounds of Motown have influenced and inspired generations of music fans around the globe. In one of the four corners of the world, in Sydney, Australia, brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney teamed up with high school mates, Phil Burton and Toby Allen -- and explored their passions for singing soul, gospel and great harmony groups including the extraordinary music of Motown. They would go on to form the international pop vocal group sensation
Human Nature releasing nine albums (initially containing their own, self-penned original material), five of which went to #1 in their native continent, selling millions of records world-wide and garnering 23 platinum awards, 70 top 40 hits and five top 10 hits. Their biggest joy is in bringing their superlative vocal harmony to the Motown songbook.
Human Nature is now setting out to conquer
America and take the legacy of Motown music to new generations of fans.
Their first U.S. release 'The Motown Record,' with several tracks produced by
Harvey Mason Jr. (Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Glee) hits stores on March 6, 2012 through Universal
Music Enterprises (UMe) and features 11 tracks offering their own authentic take on favorite Motown hits and classics including the bonus track "Get Ready," a song they recorded with the legendary Smokey Robinson. Also included, a compelling new studio version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There," the first Motown song the guys ever sang together. The new version, as well as the a cappella "Ooo Baby Baby" and new lead vocals on "Reach Out I'll Be There," were all produced by
Harvey Mason Jr.
Human Nature's 'The Motown Record' pays homage to their musical heroes with distinctive doo-wop versions of classic Motown hits such as the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby," the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving," the Temptations' "My Girl," "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," Stevie Wonder's "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" and the Supremes' "Stop! In the Name of Love." The versions are authentic, yet fresh as well as performed and arranged by four guys who clearly found harmony with these very special songs -- and they love to celebrate Motown.
'Human Nature Sings Motown,' a special telecast of the group's show filmed by longtime Grammy® producer Ken Ehrlich, was at the center of PBS' fund-raising efforts in December and featured a special appearance by
Smokey Robinson who is also a presenter of their live stage show. Ehrlich enthused about working with the band: "When you hear their versions of the great Motown classics, you're not only reminded of the greatness of the originals, but you hear nuances that bring those originals up to date." The DVD version 'Human Nature Sings Motown' is also set for release on March 6, 2012. 'Human Nature Sings Motown' features 40 minutes of bonus content including an exclusive round-table discussion with the band and Motown's legendary songwriters Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Eddie and Brian Holland, all of whom have given their ultimate compliments to Human Nature. The DVD also has more than 20 minutes of performances footage not shown in the original PBS TV broadcast.
Human Nature released its debut album 'Telling Everybody' in 1996 and it went on to achieve triple-platinum status. In 1998 they released 'Counting Down,' debuting at number one in Australia and generating five gold singles. The band continued its success by their self-titled album in 2000 with lead single "
He Don't Love You" reaching Top 20 in the UK and becoming the 2nd best selling single in Australia for that year. Human Nature's fourth studio album, 'Walk the Tightrope,' was released in 2004 with its first single "
When You Say You Love Me" hitting the Top 10 in Australia.
With the realization that they were perhaps outgrowing their original teen market, for their fifth studio album
Human Nature decided to pay tribute to the music that influenced them from the very beginning. In 2005 they released an album of Motown covers titled 'Reach Out: The Motown Record,' which topped the Australian charts and went five-times platinum. In 2006, they released 'Dancing In The Street: The Songs Of Motown II' once again topping the Australian charts and in 2007,
Human Nature released 'Get Ready,' the 3rd Motown-themed album, which this time featured collaborations with several original Motown singing legends such as Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson of the Supremes,
Temptations and Smokey Robinson. Impressed with their talent and love for Motown, Robinson worked together with
Human Nature and now presents their new live stage show in Las
Vegas at Caesar Entertainment Group's Imperial Palace, where they have played five and six nights a week to sold-out crowds for the past two and a half years. Now, in addition to playing Vegas, the chart-topping quartet is embarking on a U.S. tour this spring backed by their seven-piece band, The Funk Foundation. "Human Nature: The Motown Showpresented by Smokey Robinson" kicks off March 24 in
Detroit and will travel to 33 U.S. cities on its first tour leg. This outstanding evening of hit-driven entertainment features Motown's greatest music, inspiring audiences young and old to be "dancing in the streets" and the aisles. Tickets for all tour appearances are on sale now.
For complete tour schedule and ticket information visit www.humannaturelive.com.
1) Reach Out I'll Be There
2) Get Ready (with Smokey Robinson)
3) Ooo Baby Baby - a cappella
4) Baby I Need Your Loving
5) Ain't No Mountain High Enough
6) Dancing In The Street
7) My Girl
8) Stop! In The Name Of Love
9) Uptight (Everything's Alright)
10) Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - a cappella
11) Ain't Too Proud To Beg
