“It’s Now Or Never” and the Pre-Order for Barnett’s Melody Place Debut Album Available Now; A Nashville Songbook to be Released Aug. 21
NASHVILLE, TN – Mandy Barnett has been called a “song’s best friend” for her emotional depth and expressive vocal delivery, and she is in full command of both on her Melody Place debut album A Nashville Songbook, due Aug. 21.
Following the critical acclaim and fan reaction to early album tracks “Help Me Make It Through The Night” and “The End Of The World,” Barnett released “It’s Now Or Never” Friday, 7/10.
Recorded by Elvis Presley at storied RCA Studio B in Nashville, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 44 on July 18, 1960. The song went on to be a five-week No. 1 and the biggest international hit of Presley’s career with more than 25 million copies sold. With a soaring melody and an urgent, no-time-to-waste message, Presley’s version inspired R&B icon Barry White to become a singer after being released from prison. Listen to Barnett’s take on this timeless classic HERE.
“A while back, I was visiting a friend who was playing the Bryan Adams song ‘Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman.’ I fell in love with the arrangement – it’s so romantic and cinematic,” recalled Barnett. “Much later, in the studio cutting ‘It’s Now Or Never,’ we were wondering how to make it different from Elvis’ seminal rendition. The Bryan Adams song popped into my head, and I thought, ‘Wow, ‘It’s Now Or Never’ would sound great with a similar treatment.’ So, we tried it, and I’m really proud of how it turned out.”
The song and upcoming album, which was inspired by Barnett’s popular road show, were produced by renowned producer Fred Mollin (Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis, Kris Kristofferson), president of Melody Place. The album, which is distributed by BMG, is available for pre-sale now HERE.
A Nashville Songbook is a collection of songs that made Music City famous. The 13-track album pays homage to iconic country and pop standards by legendary artists including Ray Price, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette and George Jones, Hank Williams, Anne Murray, Hank Snow, B.J. Thomas, and Brenda Lee, among others; and written by the likes of Harlan Howard, Boudleaux Bryant, Chips Moman, Kristofferson, Orbison, and Williams.
The songs are particular favorites from Barnett’s stage repertoire. But her impressive interpretive skills and creative vision take them from recognized standards to deeply personal statements. Even the originators are impressed: “Mandy is my favorite artist to work with of all time,” said B.J. Thomas of the Nashville Sound chanteuse. “One of the great singers around today and a dear friend. The best in my book.”
Reaction to early tracks from A Nashville Songbook has been overwhelmingly positive: Music Row called “The End Of The World” “luminous” saying that “no current country stylist could bring it back more beautifully” and “Help Me Make It Through The Night” was “exquisite”; “Help Me Make It Through The Night” is “about as sublime a moment as country music can possibly produce,” according to Goldmine; and of “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” Sounds Like Nashville opined, “Leaning on her rich vocal expression and little else…Barnett focuses the song’s emotional gravity like a prism.”
Encouraged by her friend and mentor, Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, Barnett first debuted her “Nashville Songbook” anthology with the Nashville Symphony in 2016 and has since toured it nationally and internationally to rave reviews and standing ovations from fans clamoring for more. She made her New York City cabaret debut in 2019 at Feinstein’s/54 Below, performing her “Nashville Songbook” show and a duet with Michael Feinstein.
“Few singers have the gifts inhabiting the soul of Mandy Barnett,” offered Feinstein. “Her blessed voice connects to the truth of every note she sings. She’s simply one of my favorite voices.”
With her individual phrasing, athletic vocals, and emotional punch, Barnett is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry. Her music has been featured in many major film and television soundtracks. She has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “The Late Show,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” PBS’s “Sessions at West 54th,” PBS’s “Bluegrass Underground,” and numerous other programs.
Track List – A Nashville Songbook
1. “I Love A Rainy Night” – Eddie Rabbitt, David E. Malloy, Even Stevens / Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc (BMI)
2. “It’s Over” – Roy Orbison, William Dees / Roys Boys LLC (BMI) / Orbi Lee Publishing (BMI) / R Key Darkus Publishing (BMI) / Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI)
3. “Help Me Make It Through The Night” – Kris Kristofferson / Combine Music Corp (BMI)
4. “A Fool Such As I” – Bill Trader / Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)
5. “Love Hurts” – Boudleaux Bryant / Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI)
6. “It’s Now Or Never” – Wally Gold, Eduardo Di Capua, Aaron H. Schroeder / ABG EPE Gladys Music (ASCAP) admin by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing / Gladys Music Elvis Presley Enterprises LLC (ASCAP) admin by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing / Gladys Music Joachim Jean Aberbach (ASCAP) admin by Raleigh Music Publishing LLC / Universal Music Publishing Ricordi SRL (SIAE)
7. “The Crying Game” – Geoff Stephens / Peermusic III LTD (BMI)
8. “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” – Larry Lee Butler, Chips Moman / Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc (BMI) / Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)
9. “The End Of The World” – Arthur Kent, Sylvia Dee / Music Sales Corp (ASCAP)
10. “Near You” – Francis Craig, Kermit Goell / Supreme Music Corp (ASCAP)
11. “You Needed Me” – Randy Goodrum / Ironside Music (ASCAP) / Chappell-Co Inc. (ASCAP)
12. “Heartaches By The Number” – Harlan Howard / Good Ol Harlan Songs (BMI) / Legacy of Harlan Perry Howard LLC (BMI) / Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)
13. “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)” – Hank Williams / Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI)
For more information, visit mandybarnett.com.
For information about Melody Place, visit melodyplacemusic.com or fredmollin.com.