Don Norman

I can claim possibly some very small influence on this record. Some years ago Jessye Norman broke the last and very difficult phrase of Ganymed with a breath. I then pointed out in a review that Gerald Moore (in Singer and Accompanist London: 1953) had urged singers to phrase it in one as Norman has done in recitals, and now on record, ever since. Cause and effect? I don't know. This is, in any case, one of the most rewarding performances on the record, sung with conviction and, throughout, with long-breathed phrasing.

"The Interchange" is orman's first solo record where he embraces his roots in folk and country-rock. There are lots of fingerpicked acoustic guitars in the style of early Bob Dylan. The albums starts strongly with the title track, which features nothing but an acoustic guitar, a bit of synthesizer and vocals. In the second part of the song there are beautiful harmonies all sung by Chris Norman himself. The next song "Witch's Promise" is a bit more up tempo but still rooted in folk.

Gerhard Narholz (born June 9, 1937) is an Austrian-American composer, arranger and conductor, dedicated to easy listening and film score music. 1958-1965 he wrote pop songs for artists such as Petula Clark, Heidi Brühl, Bill Ramsey and film scores for various German feature films and TV series. He also produced various instrumental pop albums for Polydor Germany and Tokyo (under his pseudonym Otto Sieben). In 1965, Narholz founded the Sonoton Recorded Music Library. 1970-1980 Narholz arranged, produced and conducted numerous LPs with large string orchestra under his pseudonym Norman Candler for Decca Records / Telefunken, Germany and King Records, Tokyo. 1971 Norman Candler received the "3 Star Award" from BBC London for "Best Album of the Year".

The iconic voice from Smokie is back. Chris Norman, who in the 70s and early 80s led one of Europe's most popular bands, Smokie, will release a brand new solo album this autumn. Now Norman is ready with a brand new album consisting of melodic, personal and heartfelt interpretations of newly written songs. The album is produced by Chris's old friend, songwriter and collaborator Mike Chapman. Mike is also behind some of the songs on this album, and has a previous history with Nicky Chinn, who together wrote some of Smokie's biggest hits.

Chris Norman still has it: the talent for catchy rock and bluesongs. The British singer-songwriter and former Smokie-singer delivers the proof in 2017 with his new solo album "Don't Knock the Rock."