...gesture and space surging from a place of heart-felt and fluid integrity...Penn exudes such enthusiasm and love for the music—it is simply impossible not to feel uplifted.
Clarence Penn has been one of the most dynamic drummers in jazz since his New York City arrival 33 years ago. His work with Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, Diane Reeves and Michael Brecker has been extensively documented, as have his own musical explorations, including 2014's Monk: The Lost Files. Behind the Voice goes a whole new direction as Penn unfurls inventive reimaginings of the works of influential drummers behind some of the greatest pop music created. Songs by Phil Collins, Levon Helm, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel and Dave Grohl receive expansive modern treatments through Penn's production along with a bevy of collaborators, including vocalists Kurt Elling, Aaron Marcellus and Toku, guitarists Adam Rogers and Gilad Hekselman, and many more. "...a celebration of their artistry, their passion, and their indelible mark on the music we cherish."
Track Listing:
1 Send One Your Love 3:19 (Stevie Wonder)
2 Come Talk to Me 5:36 (Peter Gabriel)
3 Growing Trade 4:09 (Levon Helm)
4 Sometimes It Snows in April 5:54 (Prince)
5 Everlong 3:56 (David Grohl)
6 The Heart of the Matter 4:59 (Don Henley)
7 Why Can't It Wait Till Morning 3:49 (Phil Collins)
8 Human Nature 3:57 (Steve Porcaro)
9 You Are 3:46 (Clarence Penn, Tyrone Corbett)
Performers:
Clarence Penn - drums, percussion, keyboards, vocoder
vocals: Aaron Marcellus (1,7), Kurt Elling (2), TOKU (3), Chelsea Jackson (4,9), Emily Braden (6)
guitar: Gilad Hekselman (2), Tom Guarna (3),
Christopher Bruce (4), Adam Rogers (5,8)
bass: Robert Kubiszyn (2), James Genus (3), Darrell Freeman (7), Yasushi Nakamura (8,9)
Gregoire Maret - harmonica (3)
Shedrick Mitchell - piano, keys, organ (3,4,7)
Doug DeHays - saxes (3)
Marshall Gilkes - trombone (3)
Production Info:
Produced by Clarence Penn
Recorded Sept 2021 - July 2023 by Clarence Penn
at Penn Station Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Mixed by Charles Haynes
at Contrlroom Studio, Boston, MA
Mastered by Chris Longwood
at Chris Longwood Mastering, Houston, TX
Art by Marie Danielsson
Photos by Ethan Hill
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Behind the Voice
Marlbank (UK) (Stephen Graham)
We're not really fans of albums with more than one or two singers present so approached Behind The Voice, which has 5 featured singers plus vocodered effects from the leader the fine ex-Betty Carter drummer Clarence Penn, with a certain amount of caution. Recorded over a period of two years at a Brooklyn studio we expected the best vocal choice to ...
All About Jazz (Dan Bilawsky)
4-STARS Drummer Clarence Penn, a serious force on the scene for more than three decades, has worked with a who's who of vocalists—Betty Carter, Kandace Springs, Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Nellie McKay, Claudia Acuna, Paula Cole, Melissa Walker and Nneena Freelon, to name just a few. He knows more than a thing or two about history and creativit ...
