Patti Austin releases ‘An Inspirational Holiday’

GRAMMY FAVORITE PATTI AUSTIN CELEBRATES A HEARTFELT CHRISTMAS

Special 3-song Digital Only Release An Inspirational Holiday

Available from Concord Records on December 16th

Grammy
winning vocalist, Patti Austin ushers in the holiday season with the
sumptuous, spiritually moving three-song digital only EP, An Inspirational Holiday,
to be released December 16th on Concord Records. This special digital
only EP will be available at all digital retail outlets. Unlike most
Christmas albums that feature rearranged carols, classic songs
associated with the season and winter-themed fare, Austin takes a
decidedly different tack by celebrating the true essence of Christmas.
“I wanted to put together three powerful songs that burr into people’s
hearts and minds,” says Austin. “I wanted to get down to the basics of
Christmas—the spiritual side that talks about the ideals of Christ, who
was a selfless person who taught that united we stand and divided we
fall. And I wanted to keep the production simple so that nothing would
distract from the power of the lyrics and music.”

Austin
enlisted her longtime musical partner, pianist/arranger, Greg
Phillinganes to solely accompany her on two the three songs: a sublime
take on Jeremy Lubbock and Dick Rudolph’s new Christmas song, “I Really
Don’t Want Much For Christmas,” and a dramatic version of Bill Withers’
classic “Lean on Me”. Her original composition, “By the Grace of God.”
is accompanied by Jim Cox, who has lent his talents to countless hit
songs. (The latter two tunes also feature a vocal choir.)  An Inspirational Holiday’s
leadoff track, “I Really Don’t Want Much For Christmas”, features
lyrics about the desire for peace, rather than “fancy toys and
diamond-studded gifts.”

Even
though “Lean on Me” has been covered by many artists, Austin casts the
song in a new light. “Greg and I realized that we needed to do it
differently, so he sat down at the piano and came up with this
beautiful arrangement,” says Austin. “I wanted the arrangement to
express the soulfulness of gospel and the drama of an aria, so that
Bill Withers’ wonderful universal message: that eventually we all do
need the help and support of others would ring through yet again.

“By
The Grace Of God” was inspired by a segment on the “Oprah” show.
Oprah’s guest told a story of her permanent facial disfigurement as a
result of spousal abuse. Oprah remarked, ‘Girl, you are here by the
grace of God’. “I was so moved that I went to the piano and wrote this
song in fifteen minutes, words, music and all. So I felt that the tune
was really channeled through divine intervention.

Concord Records