David Hess
(Climbing Up The) Sunshine Path
DIG015 CD
DIG015 LP (500 limited edt. - numbered )
release date, Germany: 14th of March 2005
The career of the American songwriter and actor David Hess is unusual and
one of a multi-talent:
Elvis Presley's I Got Stung - also
well known in the version of The Beatles - and Speedy Gonzales, interpreted
by such different singers as Pat Boone or Rex Gildo, all songs have one
thing in common: They were written by David Hess.
In the sixties and seventies the Californian supplies innumerable artists
with his hits and receives a Grammy twice. However, his cooperation with
Elvis Presley lasts longest. Besides I Got Stung the following
famous titles sung by the King have been penned by David Hess: Frankie
and Johnny, Come Along, Make Me Know You’re Mine, Sand Castles, Blue
Lagoon and Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love.
David Hess is also active as an actor since the early seventies. He plays
in various, much admired horror and crime movies; the most well known is
probably Last House on The Left (1972) (for which he contributed the
soundtrack as well) by Scream - director Wes Craven.
Who later engages David Hess for his version of Swamp Thing (1982).
More films the 62-year-old starred in are: 21 Hours at Munich
(1976), Valley Of The Dolls (1981), Let’s Get Harry (1986)
and alongside Dennis Hopper, White Star (1983).
Besides his work for other artists, David Hess wrote songs for himself as
well. The here available compilation contains the best of these rare and
unpublished gems. The highlight is 60s Flower Power Sunshine Pop garnished
with Psychedelic as in Sunshine Path or Central Park. Opulent ballads
indicating his closeness to Elvis (Morning, Through The Looking Glass),
soundtrack contributions from the films Last House on The Left and
Potato Fritz as well as two cover versions of Summertime and
Living Doll are showing the stylistic range of his work in the 60s
and 70s. These songs caught the sun: Glorious melodies, catchy hooks and
wonderful vocal arrangements.
On this recording David Hess worked with a world classe ensemble of pop
and jazz musicians: Jeremy Wind, Leslie Miller, Frank Owens, Ron
Frangipane, Alan Schwartzberg, Buddy Saltzman, Jay Berliner, Mickey Baker,
Charlie Macy, Vinnie Bell, Kenny Burrell, Hugh McCracken, James
Buffington, James Sedlar, Don Butterfield, Alan Raph, Gene Orloff, Mac
Ceppos, Emanuel Vardi, George Ricci and Gloria Agostini.
This summer David Hess will present these songs and his evergreens
for the first time on a tour through Germany and Europe. Exact information
will be announced.
The CD and LP artwork contain exclusive liner notes by David Hess himself
as well as photos of his music and movie career.
The vinyl edition is limited to 500 hand numbered copies! |
