David Benoit On Covering Jacksons Tunes On Latest CD
Keyboardist David Benoit includes a version of Michael Jackson's '80s ballad "Human Nature" on his brand-new CD Heroes, a musical tribute to some of his favorite music. The album also features a version of the ballad "Never Can Say Goodbye," which was recorded by Michael as part of the Jackson 5 in the 1970s.
Benoit says it's a coincidence that these two tunes wound up on the album. He says he was always fascinated by the opening of "Human Nature," and says that "Never Can Say Goodbye" was one of the first tunes to become part of his repertoire when he was in a cover band as a teenager.
Benoit says he and producer Brian It was important to keep the sound of Heroes contemporary, regardless of the song choices, however. Benoit explained: "It's a total coincidence that it's the Jackson Five and there's another Michael Jackson song, I mean, it's kinda funny how that turned out. It was just really based purely on what I thought the song was. I thought too about the direction the record -- keeping it more in the contemporary vein, cause it certainly could have either gone more orchestral or it could have gone more straight-ahead jazz, but the contemporary vein just seemed to feel right for me."
"Human Nature" is Number 18 on the smooth jazz airplay chart this week.
Listen to David Benoit On 2 Jacksons Songs On 'Heroes' :
Keyboardist David Benoit includes a version of Michael Jackson's '80s ballad "Human Nature" on his brand-new CD Heroes, a musical tribute to some of his favorite music. The album also features a version of the ballad "Never Can Say Goodbye," which was recorded by Michael as part of the Jackson 5 in the 1970s.