Natalie Merchant is an alternative American-based rock singer and songwriter. She has released her new album called “Keep Your Courage” . In 1981, she was one of the band members of 10,000 Maniacs. Natalie has undergone spinal cord surgery. After her surgery, she lost her singing ability briefly, and she also said that she was in search of content to do something else.
Later, she engaged herself in teaching, parenting, and some advocacy work. However, the chance with the writer and poet Robin Roberston helped her with her new album. Here is some information that you wanted to know about the album.
Her new album “Keep Your Courage” shows love in all forms. It has a stunning record, and her voice is as great as it was. Natalie also talked about songwriting and discussed her life outside of music, along with serving on the board of the American Folklife Centre at the Library of Congress. She also recently performed her ‘Come On, Aphrodite’ and ‘Tower of Babel’from her new Keep Your Courage album on ABC’s Good Morning America.
This New Album of Natalie is her tenth solo album and also the first released since 2014 self-titled record. This is produced by herself, and it showcased lush orchestration the entire session. Koomson-Davis was featured with her in the album.
Also, collaborated with the Celtic folk gang Lúnasa and Kinan Azmeh, a Syrian virtuoso clarinetist. Horn arrangements are made by Steve Davis, a jazz trombonist. Also, it includes nine original songs in the album by Merchant. It has an interpretation cover track by Ian Lynch from the Irish band Lankum.
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Here is some more information about Natalie Merchant
Want to know more about Natalie? Well, Natalie Anne Merchant is an American rock singer and writer. Natalie was born in 1963 and hails from Jamestown, New York, USA. She is the third child of Anthony and Anne Merchant among the fourth.
Her Paternal family is based in Sicily, and her last name was Mercante, and she got it anglicized. On the other note, Natalie’s grandfather used to play accordion, guitar, and mandolin, so we can guess that she got her musical taste from her family.
During Natalie’s childhood, her mother was a fan of Petula Cark, the Beatles, Al Green, and Aretha Franklin. Her mother made Natalie study music and encouraged her, but she was not allowed to appear on TV after twelve. She once said that she took symphony a lot because her mother loves classical music.
She was dragged to watch Styx when she was twelve. At the time, They had to drive 100 miles to Buffalo, New York. She further added that it was terrifying when she remembered Styx had a white-colored piano that rose out the stage. It was always inspired and inspiration to her music journey. Also, her mother had shown tunes and soundtracks from West Side Story and South Pacific.
And further continues that she has always liked classical music and has been married to a jazz musician. That shows the kind of music she was into it. The singer never really made friends who were listening to her stereo and said listen to that one. She only heard of who Bob Dylan was until her 18. Natalie also remembered that she did not have a television in 1988 and 1989.
Natalie grew up in an atmosphere where nobody watches the news on TV and reads the newspaper. She had been discovering this stuff as she got old, and the news had affected her more than ever had. In 1981 she joined the 10,000 Maniacs band as a vocalist and prime lyricist. She coordinated with the group for the first seven albums. In 1993, Natalie left the band and started her own solo career.
Overall, Natalie made her comeback nearly a decade after her spinal cord surgery. Despite her career and health issues, a former Maniacs member took a career in special education for disabled children under the summer program. And also noted in many social work and advocacy works. Her album is which could have never happened at ease. Currently, she has been touring across the U.S. She is going to play, which is accompanied by an orchestra at NJPAC on June 25.
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