We really love Engelbert Humperdinck here at Essentially Pop. His career spans more than half a century, and he’s not showing signs of stopping anytime soon. Fans and followers of Enge will know he’s up to date on social media, with his Twitter and Instagram fun places to visit,. while his regular Facebook vlog, “Tuesday Museday” sees him sharing bits and pieces from his everyday life, touring (he never stops!), and music previews. In short, he’s cool.
Last year we reviewed Enge’s Christmas album, his first seasonal offering in 40 years; the previous year we reviewed ‘The Man I Want To Be‘, and now, he’s back with a new EP, ‘Reflections’, out this Friday, 15 November.
The five track EP, out on OK! Good Records, opens with the gorgeous ‘You’, dedicated to his wonderful wife Patricia, to whom he’s been married for over 50 years. ‘You’ saw The Hump do something he’s – unbelievably – never done before. For the first time ever, he released a music video to accompany the song, a proper full on video clip, which sees him singing in various locations of a gorgeous villa. There’s also a really lovely scene of him spinning on the lawn, while doves take flight (superimposed sadly) around him.
Engelbert Humperdinck’s voice is as smooth and velvety as it’s always been, and it’s hard to believe that he’s 83 years young. Second track, ‘Don’t Let The Old Man In’ is a country tinged track that reflects on the last years of his life. All the tracks are reflective and often autobiographical, touching on his thoughts of what his life has been. At the same time however, he talks of only being as old as you feel – “ask yourself how old you would be / if you didn’t know the day you were born” – is great advice to all of us who at times feel “old”; growing older isn’t a choice, but feeling old is.
Track 3, ‘Angel On My Shoulder’, is like part 2 of the previous song; also country-tinged, it continues the reverie, with Enge talking about his life, and how he’s never lost the joy and thrill of his chosen career.
The penultimate track, ‘I’m Glad I Danced With You’ is a waltz tempo, and harks back to his legendary classic, ‘The Last Waltz’ (there’s even a wink to it in the lyrics). The song sees Engelbert singing a duet with his granddaughter Olivia, who seems set to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps with a musical career. Her beautiful voice belies her tender years, and the track was released as a surprise Valentine’s Day single this year. Dedicated to Patricia, the song is a real family affair, with lyrics written by Engelbert’s daughter Louise. It’s a re-recording of the track which was released on his album, ‘The Man I Want To Be’, and talks about the night Engelbert and Patricia first met, at a dance, and how their love has lasted throughout the years and notwithstanding Patricia’s Alzheimer’s Disease.
“I met my wife when she was 17 years old in a dance-hall. I asked her to dance and we’ve been together ever since,” says Engelbert.
Final song, ‘Ten Guitars’, opens up like a Duane Eddy number, before going all classic Hump In Vegas style, showing that there’s plenty of life in this fella, who – you watch – will still be recording and touring well into his 90s and beyond.
Engelbert Humperdinck will be returning to Europe in early 2020, but in the meantime he’s touring around the US and you can see him at the following dates:
Nov. 16 – Honolulu, HI @ Blaldell Center Concert Hall
Nov. 22 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Nov. 23 – Westbury, NY @ NYCB Theatre at Westbury
Nov. 24 – Cranston, RI @ Park Theatre
Nov. 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Orleans Showroom
Nov. 30 – Las Vegas, NV @ Orleans Showroom
Dec. 1 – Las Vegas, NV @ Orleans Showroom
Jan. 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
Jan. 24 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theater
Feb. 23 – Detroit, MI @ Motor City Casino Hotel
Feb. 29 – Myrtle Beach, FL @ Alabama Theater
Mar. 1 – Wilmington, NC @ Wilson Center
Mar. 27 – La Mirada, CA @ La Mirada Theatre
Engelbert Humperdinck is online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and his official website. ‘Reflections’ is out tomorrow, November 15, through OK! Good Records.
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