'My Cherie Amour': the Bossa Nova cover from Zoe Scott we didn't know we needed

Shades Of Love, a Journey of Self-Discovery, Romance, and Love: 12 songs reimagined by international recording artist, Zoe Scott

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Shades of Love is a meticulously curated collection of 12 hit songs, reimagined, by international recording artist Zoe Scott, and produced by Bossa Nova stalwart and 10-time GRAMMY and two-time Emmy-winning, Moogie Canazio.

A fully realized artist from early childhood, Zoe moved away from her family in London, for Rome, at 18. Leaving behind a loving mother and an alcoholic father for the life of an actress, songwriter, and singer. After years starring on stage and in films, the love of music drew her to Los Angeles where her name became synonymous with Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“I remember the hard edges of it all. I loved it at first -- the angst, the power, the energy, but simultaneously, I recall how boxed in I felt,” says Zoe as she settles a bit into a buttery soft chair, the Pacific Ocean as her backdrop.

“I remember the moment I felt ‘this isn’t me anymore’ and I started a journey of self-discovery and healing. With that came new artistic expressions and new ways to see, and receive love. When I first heard Antonio Carlos Jobim, I was swept away. I felt his soul through his music; through Bossa Nova and that was it. I had to make this album.”

Pressing inward, Zoe plunged heart first on a mission to find, and express the freedom, sensuality, and romance she was drawn to through Bossa Nova. Each of the 12 songs on Shades of Love is a vignette; a chapter in her life’s book, and an expression of what she calls, “feeling in.”

After years spent honing a hard-edged rock voice, Zoe knew mastering Bossa Nova’s understated sensuality was a journey she couldn’t make on her own. She reached out to the master himself, Moogie Canazio, the Brazilian-born, GRAMMY-winning producer who ultimately helped Zoe feel her way into the silky, hushed vocal qualities she sought.

“As a rock singer, Zoe was accustomed to using her pipes,” explains Moogie. “But that’s exactly the opposite of what we're talking about with Bossa Nova, which requires more intimacy and this kind of in-your-ear vibe.”

“Moogie coached me on how to get to that place, and it felt quite vulnerable,” Zoe recalls. “As a rock singer, it's more about putting on a show. Bossa Nova is more a process of undressing.” With Moogie by her side, Zoe learned to “get behind the lyric and express from her heart.” And so, the dance between Moogie and Zoe began; with reverence for the music and for each other.

“She had big shoes to fill because some of these Bossa Nova songs were already recorded by major American artists like Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. They all did an incredible job in capturing the right finesse and phrasing in singing Bossa Nova. And I think Zoe's right there with all of them.”

Like Bossa Nova itself — born from a marriage of Jazz and Samba, and sometimes called “Brazilian Jazz” — Shades of Love also represents a cross-cultural creative marriage that connects artist and producer, LA and Rio, past and present, emotion and craft. To create the album, Zoe and Moogie spent countless hours collaborating in LA and Brazil, pouring over the best songs, refining her vocals, and immersing in the history and heartbeat of Bossa Nova.

Zoe also chose to honor the authentic style and original sound cultivated by Bossa Nova originators João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim, she also enlisted the talents of Bossa

Nova legends, guitarist-arranger Torcuato Mariano, and Daniel Jobim, grandson of Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Daniel is a featured performer on two of his grandfather's most iconic songs; dueting with Zoe on "Wave," and playing piano on "Quiet Nights."

Along with these two beloved Bossa Nova classics, Zoe reimagined iconic songs originally recorded by Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles and more, including: “I'll Stand By You,” made famous by Chrissie Hynde; “This Girl’s In Love With You” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, recorded by Herb Alpert; “7 Lives,” an intimate anniversary gift written by Brazilan, Zé Ricardo, to his wife.

Zoe continues her thoughtful curation with: “The More I See You,” part of the famous club scene in Roman Polanski's Frantic, starring Harrison Ford; “Baby It’s You,” written by Burt Bacharach was recorded by The Shirelles and The Beatles; “Once I Loved,” made famous by Frank Sinatra; “My Cherie Amore,” by Stevie Wonder; “In My Life,” recorded by The Beatles; “Triste,” written by Jobim in 1966 at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, as he waited for Sinatra to return from a holiday in Barbados so they could begin recording their album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim. The album closes with “You Know I’m No Good,” by Amy Winehouse.

“I chose each song for personal and artistic reasons. I related to them and each is a snapshot of a part of my journey I wanted to share,” says Zoe.

One special song is Zé Ricardo's "7 Lives," featuring the expressive clarinet of Rodrigo Sha, as a love letter to John, her partner of seven years. "This song is dear to me. It’s the first time it’s been translated into English, and it’s got a gorgeous backstory. On Zé ’s seventh wedding anniversary, he was so broke, he sat down on the side of the street and wrote ‘7 Lives’ for his wife before going home. That was his gift to her. My heart melted when I heard this -- I asked permission to translate and record it, and have dedicated it to the man I love. I just think it's so beautiful and romantic," Zoe shares.

Shades of Love is an album drawing the listener to the warmth of romance, love, and compassion through every thoughtfully delivered note. “Someone once said it’s the space between the notes that make the symphony,” says Zoe.

In her journey from performing original indie rock to Bossa Nova covers, she embraces an expansive, openhearted vulnerability she had never experienced before, and in the process, connected her craft with who she was becoming as a person. “Bossa Nova taught me that there is life in the quiet spaces. I find peace, love, and joy there. It’s my hope this album opens the doors to the hearts of anyone who listens.”

'My Cherie' is the latest in her #DanceTheWaveofLove challenges, which not only provides original visual accompaniment for her singles, but support out-of-work dancers in the midst of pandemic unemployment. Watch the video below:

February 8, 2021 7:28am ET by Fifth Element PR  

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