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GOIN’ HOME ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT THE FOUR TOPS & SIMONE VITALE BAND

April 28th, 2009

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GOIN’ HOME ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT,

THE FOUR TOPS & SIMONE VITALE BAND

For many years,The Simone Vitale Band has played at some of the most prestigious, most glamorous, fun-filled events in the country. They are one of the premier party bands in America. While at the parties guests would come up to the band and ask, if they had a CD for sale. Because there were so many inquiries, The Simone Vitale Band decided to do a CD of Standard, American Classic songs after all it was their demographic.

It all started at the Harmonie Park Studios in Detroit.Simone Vitale started to produce what would end up being a huge project. Simone was introduced to Lawrence Roquel Payton Jr. and they hit it off instantly. The tracks were recorded and Roque suggested that Duke of The Four Tops should listen to these tracks. After all, the Tops started their career by singing these American Classic songs. After listening to the sound tracks, Duke loved the idea and with Roque as Co-Producer, put background vocals behind the Simone Vitale Band vocalist, Royce, Beth Griffith & Bridgett Grace. Wow what a sound. Everyone was very excited about the collaboration of the two groups.

The next piece to the puzzle was Paul Riser, the legendary string arranger from Motown. He listened to the project and decided that he would love to do these arrangements. At first, he would do three string arrangements but they were so beautiful, Simone & Roque had Paul Riser arrange all fourteen songs on the album. Real strings make such a difference. Today most albums have synthesizers to simulate string sounds but the ‘Goin Home ‘Round Midnight album is all real. Paul Riser teamed up with Johnny Allen and the arrangements of these classic American songs took on a life of their own. They are so romantic & beautiful.

The final piece to the puzzle was the CD release party at The Detroit Opera House on March 21, 2006. The Four Tops, The Simone Vitale Band and the Symphony performed the album live to rave reviews. It’s a rare occasion that you find yourself evolved in an incredible project to collaborate with the legendary, Rock & Roll, Hall of Fame Four Tops. ‘Goin Home ‘Round Midnight is a wonderful collection of classic, American, Standard love songs topped with lush strings and beautiful vocal renditions. We hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as we enjoyed making music together.

Our Executive producer together with Simone Vitale is Ms. Dawn Chioini. She is a very talented woman who runs three companies providing health care to the indigent of Detroit. If she were not involved, the project would not have been completed. Her dedication, Strength, Being there for the recordings till all hours of the night and financial support made this CD what it is today.

The Four Tops and the Simone Vitale Band have become a family. We enjoy each others company, we enjoy working together and we dedicate this album to Lawrence Payton, who passed many years ago and to Renaldo “Obie” Benson who passed while making this album. The last song with Obie was “If I Had You”. What an experience, what a project. Who knew it would evolve in such a way all because some guests at a party wanted to know if The Simone Vitale Band had a CD for sale. It has been a spiritual happening. All were brought together for a reason. ‘Goin Home ‘Round Midnight is now part of Four Tops history; it’s part of the Simone Vitale Band history and soon everyone will be able to enjoy a world class album.

‘Goin Home ‘Round Midnight was nominated for the 2007 Detroit Music Awards – Category: Outstanding Jazz Recording.