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Truth & Soul is the fifth studio album by Australian-New Zealand recording artist Stan Walker. It was released in Australia and New Zealand on 17 April 2015 by Sony Music Australia and features a collection of soul covers.[1]

Background

Whilst working as a judge on The X Factor New Zealand and on a new album of original material, Walker decided to "buy some time" and release an album of soul covers.[2] The idea of recording an album of covers was suggested to Walker by the head of Sony Australia, Denis Handlin, and Walker initially rejected the idea, having previously stated on the subject: "Hell no! I'm an artist! I write my stuff!"[3] However, he began going through his Facebook and saw the videos he had put up of the covers that inspired him. He later was adamant that he interpret the songs his own way.[4] The album was announced in March. Walker said, "These are songs I've loved forever and songs I've fallen in love with all over again. They've always been with me and I wanted to make them my own."[5]

"To be honest, this record is a little bit of self-indulgence because they are my favourite songs. And I would have been scared to sing any of them out of the shower three years ago, especially 'Let's Get it On', because of who I was and what I represented as a young man," Walker said. "I have a standard to uphold — my whole thing as an artist has been that I don't sell sex. Now I feel I have become more honest about who I am and I actually don't care what people think. I want to sing and talk about sex and love and dreams and death and these songs let me do it. I want to feel good, like anyone."[6]

Promotion

Walker performed "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours" and "A Change Is Gonna Come" for Radio New Zealand on April 16.[7] He later sung "I Got a Woman" and "Endless Love" with Dami Im on April 17 on Sunrise.[8][9]

Walker performed a medley of songs from the album live on The X Factor New Zealand on April 20.[10] He later performed "Is This Love" on the Today on May 8.[11]

Reviews

Victoria Venardos of Renowned for Sound said: "Stan's vocal ability is impressively on display throughout this record, you can hear a deep respect for each song with effortless falsetto and unveiled emotion."[12] Andja Curcic also of Renowned for Sound gave the album 3.5 out of 5 in his review of the album, saying: "Overall, Truth & Soul showcases a playful approach to musical covers and that is something Walker should be commended for. However, there is also a danger when transforming iconic hits – their beauty can be lost. Walker's vocals shine in this album and it is nice to see him steer away from the pop scene and reconnect with his roots. This album is a solid effort."[13]

Siena Yates of Stuff.co.nz said; "It's a good listen, and Walker's vocals are impressive as ever, but there's not a lot of improving on classics like these." Yates complimented "A Change Is Gonna Come", calling it the standout "on which Walker is soulful, thoughtful and appropriately restrained, letting Sam Cooke's classic resonate on its own, without letting it override his vocal."[14]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ain't Too Proud to Beg"
2:41
2."Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
3:23
3."I'll Be There" (featuring Samantha Jade)
4:07
4."Try a Little Tenderness"
4:16
5."Let's Get It On"
5:02
6."This Woman's Work"Kate Bush4:01
7."These Arms of Mine"Otis Redding2:55
8."Endless Love" (featuring Dami Im)Lionel Richie4:16
9."Is This Love"Bob Marley4:20
10."End of the Road" (featuring Vince Harder, Barry Conrad and Fourtunate)
3:55
11."I Got a Woman"
3:20
12."I Got You (I Feel Good)"James Brown2:30
13."A Change Is Gonna Come"Sam Cooke4:35
Total length:49:21

Charts

The album becomes Walker’s third top 10 album in Australia after his debut Introducing Stan Walker in 2009 and From the Inside Out in 2010.[15]

Weekly charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] 7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[17] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2015) Position
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[18] 33

Release history

Region Date Format Label Catalogue
Australia[19] 17 April 2015 CD, digital download Sony Music Australia 978222846
New Zealand

References

  1. ^ "CD – Truth & Soul by Stan Walker". Sanity. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. ^ "Stan Walker talks making babies to sexy songs on his first record in three years Truth & Soul". News.com.au. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  3. ^ Michele Hewitson (18 April 2015). "Michele Hewitson Interview: Stan Walker". www.nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  4. ^ Brad (28 April 2015). "Interview – Stan Walker". www.auspop.com.au. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Album Stream – Stan Walker's Truth & Soul". www.stuff.co.nz. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Stan Walker talks making babies to sexy songs on his first record in three years Truth & Soul". News.com.au. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Stan Walker – Live at Radio New Zealand". YouTube.com. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Stan Walker performing 'I Gotta Woman' on Sydney's Sunrise Program - Channel 7". YouTube.com. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Dami Im, Endless Love (duet with Stan Walker) On Sunrise". YouTube. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  10. ^ "Stan Walker performs a medley from his new album at The X Factor NZ on TV3 - 2015". YouTube.com. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Exclusive Clips Stan Walker performs 'Is This Love?'". www.9jumpin.com.au/. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  12. ^ "News: Stan Walker To Release Brand New Album 'Truth & Soul'". renownedforsound.com. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Album Review – Stan Walker Truth & Soul". renownedforsound.com. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  14. ^ Siena Yates (20 April 2015). "CD Review: Stan Walker's Truth and Soul". www.struff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  15. ^ Gavin Ryan (25 April 2015). "ARIA Albums: Sam Smith Has The Number One Album In Australia". www.noise11.com. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Stan Walker – Truth & Soul". Hung Medien.
  17. ^ "Charts.nz – Stan Walker – Truth & Soul". Hung Medien.
  18. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2015". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  19. ^ "Truth & Soul". iTunes Australia. 17 April 2015.
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