Sound Advice-Patti Austin

With the May 17^th release of her 18^th album Sound Advice, Singer/Songwriter Patti Austin is captivating listeners with her powerful soul-inspiring vocals while creating renditions of popular songs written by other artists. While debuting new original recordings ("By The Grace Of God" and "Round and Round"), Austin also recreates hit songs such as "Gotta Serve Somebody" (Bob Dylan), "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (Rolling Stones), and "Let 'Em In" (Paul and Linda McCartney). Highly regarded as a legendary R&B/Jazz vocalist, Austin is able to reintroduce listeners to her early beginnings as she dives back to her "roots" while reinventing popular songs from genres including R&B and Soul. Through the album, Austin is also able to transform Classic Rock and Folk songs into her own unique format. After receiving various awards and accreditations for previous songs/albums including the 80's hit ballad "Baby Come To Me", and Jazz albums including 2002's For Ella and 2007's Avant Gershwin, Austin is gaining momentum with the upcoming release of Sound Advice.

Originally written and recorded by Austin, "By The Grace Of God" is a sentimental Piano ballad raising awareness of Domestic Violence across the Country. After watching a segment on Oprah discussing domestic violence, Austin was inspired to write the song's lyrics, "...By the grace of God, I will survive/By the grace of God, I'll stay alive/By the grace of God, I'll see another day/I'll find a better way, the grace of God.../" The song gives personal meaning to Austin, as she is a current advocate for preventing Domestic Violence through self-awareness and self-help books including her own 2010 audio book "Self Defense For Women". "By The Grace Of God" also includes a special performance by the Perri Sisters to emphasize the emotional depth behind the song. Due to the meaning behind the lyrics, the members of the group National Coalition Against Domestic Violence adopted Austin's song as the musical theme behind their non-profit organization.

While the lyrics of "By The Grace Of God" reflect a more serious side to her sound, Austin is able to reflect a different vibe with the tune "Round and Round". Originally written in 2008 with Greg Phillinganes, the lyrics discuss frustration with an awry relationship as Austin sings, "...We can argue and fight/Who is wrong who is right/Who will care a hundred years from the day/If we're only players on the same stage/Why can't we all learn the right lines to say.../" While meeting Phillinganes in Sardinia through her musical mentor Quincy Jones, Austin was able to collaborate with the songwriter to create "Round and Round".

While listeners are anxiously awaiting her new original material, many other fans are happy to hear Austin beautifully transform popular songs into her own unique and influential musical style. On the 1976 Paul and Linda McCartney-track "Let 'Em In", Austin is able to take the song and transform the cover tune into a more R&B/Soul groove with the assistance of Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., Bassist Ian Martin, and Keyboardist/Songwriter Greg Phillinganes. Through the song's lyrics, "...Someone's knockin' at the door/Somebody's ringin' the bell/Do me a favor/Open the door and let 'em in.../", Austin hopes to encourage others to develop a love for and embrace all immigrants who seek a new life within the Country, regardless of Nationality.

Recorded at Vision Studios in Valencia, California, Sound Advice features additional cover tunes including a remarkable remake of Bill Withers' 1972 hit "Lean On Me". Throughout the chorus, Austin delivers powerful vocals to emphasize the personal feelings behind the track. While singing the lyrics, "Lean on me/When you're not strong/I'll be your friend/I'll help you carry on/For it won't be long/Til' I'm gonna need/Somebody to lean on...", Austin reminds listeners of the importance of strength and perseverance through the darkest hours. On January 15, 2010, Austin performed the song on Larry King Live as she hoped to draw attention to the struggles Haitians endured after the devastating 2009 earthquake.

Throughout Sound Advice, Patti Austin is able to include personal meaning behind the lyrics of each song while providing her phenomenal talents to the musical compositions. For more information about Patti Austin and her upcoming release Sound Advice, please visit http://pattiaustin.com/