Glendale, Calif. (Top40 Charts/ Bella Luce Productions) Lourdes Duque Baron performs "
Cry Me A River" with Andrew Lane accompanying on keyboard
Her talent, her awesome music videos, the books [she] wrote, and how [she] is an inspiration for all of us to pursue our dreams at any age. Matthew John, Cellist on Lourdes Duque Baron
At the age of 67, Filipino crooner, Lourdes Duque Baron, under the production of multi-platinum and Billboard Award winning music producer, Andrew Lane, released her debut CD called "Feeling Good At Any Age" at a red carpet event attended by music's elite. The event was held at a mansion in Glendale on Saturday, July 12, 2014 and was live streamed by
Aaron Sanchez, Live with
Aaron and Kelly, KCAA NBC News Radio. Baron performed a few of her songs from the CD. Also performing was cellist Matthew John. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Ron Ellington Shy (The Drifters) surprised the crowd with an impromptu performance with Baron and Lane accompanying on keyboards.
Baron chose the songs on the CD to correspond to chapters in her life and following the story in her new book "I Called Myself Cassandra." Baron's smoky and sultry arrangements parallel her struggles during a dark period when she was estranged from her husband and chronicled in her book - detailing the wrong turns and heartaches that have allowed her to recognize the gifts in her life and the message of a new sunrise. The songs in her debut album echo these same experiences. "I wanted to make the songs of this album, including 'Feeling Good,' like they're chapters in a book, to try to really capture what I'm thinking about in that season of life," she explains. "This record, to me, is probably one of the most interesting subject-wise. It's a bit retrospective and honors musicians and classics of the past."
With the official release of the Filipino-singer's album, others will discover what Lane calls "an amalgam of sound that is genuinely fresh to the ears." Baron's singular ability to blend tradition with contemporary color comes to the fore on this set of beguiling cover songs, which simultaneously capture the vintage, sepia-toned feel of her experiences with smoky and sultry sophistication of smooth jazz.
Two songs from the CD, "Me and Mr Jones" and "(Just Like) Starting Over" were recorded with AKNU, the group who enraptured
Simon Cowell on the X-Factor in 2013.
Music producer and songwriter, Sam Salter performed background vocals for several of the tracks. Salter has also written for multi-platinum music groups and artists such as Omarion, Tabu from the
Black Eyed Peas, and Destiny's Child. Fellow producer, Marquis Bell, also performed background vocals.
Baron's smooth voice evokes a sense of nostalgia in "Cry Me A River," "Starting Over," "Me and Mr. Jones," and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." Her voice is reminiscent of 40s or 50s jazz and blues singers performing in smoky venues into a vintage microphone. The CD is available on MTV and iTunes and a music video for "Me and Mr. Jones" is available on Vevo. Listen to all of the songs on Lourdes Duque Baron's MTV page here.
Also attending the event was the granddaughter of the legendary Barry White, Brittany Glodean. Baron's CD inspired Glodean, who is launching her own singing career this year. Glodean explained, "It is such an honor to be a part of an event where the love of music is so passionate! From the live band to Lou's voice, it was an amazing experience! I am so blessed to be able to share the day with so many other artists."
Many young artists attended the event and also commented on how inspired they were by Baron beginning a singing career at 67 years old. Cellist Matthew John shared, "Her talent, her awesome music videos, the books [she] wrote, and how [she] is an inspiration for all of us to pursue our dreams at any age." His message to Baron, "Thank you for sharing your beautiful life!"
Also in attendance was spoken word music artist
Angel Berry, twin singers Bianca and
Chiara D'Ambrosio, pop singer, Anthuhny and Janine Tugonon, Miss Philippines 2012. Directors of Baron's music video for "Me and Mr Jones," Bayou
Bennett and
Daniel Lir (Dolce Films) filmed the event as part of a documentary they are producing on Baron's life for network television.
For more information about Lourdes Duque Baron, visit her official website.
