Lost Live Album ‘WOW’ by Al Jarreau Released on Black Friday
Exciting news for Al Jarreau enthusiasts: a long-lost live album is set to be unveiled. This remarkable find features recordings from a performance by the legendary Grammy-winning jazz, R&B, and pop singer-songwriter at the iconic Childe Harold Club in Washington, D.C., dating back to 1976. Fans can now anticipate an early holiday gift that celebrates the artistry of Jarreau in his prime, showcasing his unique style and vocal prowess that have left a lasting impact on music lovers around the globe.
Entitled WOW!, this treasure trove of music is being released by Resonance Records. Captured just two years prior to Jarreau’s meteoric rise to fame, this 10-track album serves as a significant precursor to his iconic hits such as “We’re in This Love Together,” “Mornin’,” and the unforgettable theme from the classic ‘80s series Moonlighting. In an incredible bonus for fans, the album includes five tracks that have never been featured on any previous live recordings, such as James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and Count Basie’s “Shiny Stockings,” along with early renditions of “Take Five” and “You Don’t See Me.”
The discovery of this exceptional recording is credited to Zev Feldman, a Grammy-nominated producer. In a recent announcement regarding the album’s upcoming release, Feldman shared a captivating story. He recalled, “When I met Al in the early 2000s, I happened to be living in D.C., and we struck up a conversation where he told me the very first show he ever played there was at a place called the Childe Harold. Fast forward six months, I found myself at the home of the former operations director for WHFS radio, who had this professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered tape of Al’s D.C. debut. It’s a tour de force. He’s absolutely swingin’ for the fences and has the audience in the palms of his hands. I can’t believe that after Al told me about this particular show all those years ago, we found the actual recording — an amazing set of circumstances!”
In August 1976, as Jarreau’s remarkable vocal talent was gaining both critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, he released his sophomore album Glow under Reprise Records. During the week of this album’s release, he performed live in Washington, D.C., a city where he was cultivating a significant following, largely thanks to the local freeform FM station WHFS. For this electrifying live performance, Jarreau was accompanied by a talented trio, including his longtime collaborator and keyboardist Tom Canning. Canning fondly reflects on this experience, stating, “Al was irresistibly funny, very upbeat all the time and a force of nature onstage. Above all, he was totally confident being Al Jarreau.”
Several notable artists have shared their thoughts on Jarreau’s extraordinary vocal abilities and lasting legacy, including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nile Rodgers, Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind & Fire, and Dionne Warwick. Warwick poignantly remarks, “Al’s legacy is his music and his musical ability. I’ve never met or heard anyone like Al — a consummate instrument above everything else.” These reflections highlight the profound impact Jarreau has had on his peers and the music industry as a whole, solidifying his status as an iconic figure in the world of music.
Mark your calendars! Resonance Records will release WOW! as a limited-edition two-album set on November 29, coinciding with Record Store Day’s Black Friday event. For those eager for more, a deluxe CD and digital download will be available starting December 6. The deluxe edition will include an insightful overview penned by renowned music writer A. Scott Galloway, offering fans a deeper understanding of Jarreau’s artistry and the significance of this remarkable live performance.
Al Jarreau, a six-time Grammy winner who sadly passed away in 2017, holds the unique distinction of being the only artist to receive Grammy awards in the jazz, R&B, and pop categories. The release of WOW! marks the seventh live album in his illustrious career. His previous live albums include Look to the Rainbow: Live in Europe (1977), In London (1985), Tenderness (1994), Live at The Half/Note 1965 with George Duke, Vol. 1 (2011), Al Jarreau and The Metropole Orkest Live (2012), and Live at Montreux 1993 (2016). Each of these recordings showcases his incredible talent and the evolution of his musical journey.
