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Tuesday 11 June 2013

New CD: Pape, Hampson, Skelton, Domingo and more sing - John Denver?

Bet you thought you'd never see a John Denver CD here? Well, frankly neither did we but it shows the sort of horrors we go to to provide as much Wagner related news as possible.  And look at it this way, Birgit Nilsson selected her own rendition of I Could Have Danced All Night on Desert Island Discs (By, the way, only 8 minutes of her appearance on Desert Island Discs in 1963 exist. If you would like to hear it click here)

Music producer, Milt Okun along with composer Lee Holdridge are bringing some of the most famous names in opera to John Denver's famous hit songs on the new album "Great Voices Sing John Denver". In stores today, the album features: Placido Domingo,Placido Domingo Jr., Rod Gilfry, Daniel Montenegro, Shenyang, Danielle de Niese, Rene Pape, Patricia Racette, Thomas Hampson, Denyce Graves, Dolora Zajick, Stuart Skelton, Barbara Padilla, Matthew Polenzani and Nathan Gunn.

About Milt Okun:

Milt Okun has worked with world-renowned Placido Domingo, was the conductor for Harry Belafonte, and was the man who brought John Denver to stardom and produced his most loved hits. Okun is also known for transforming three unknown singers who had never worked together into one of the most successful musical acts of their generation, Peter, Paul and Mary. He also founded Cherry Lane Music, the music publishing company for Elvis and DreamWorks among many other household names.

Undisputedly lauded as the man who ensured that John Denver became a household name with such hits as "Rocky Mountain High" and "Sunshine on My Shoulders," Okun also produced and arranged Denver's "Christmas" album and collaborated with Denver on two albums with the Muppets. "Christmas Together" went PLATINUM and GOLD. Okun also served as executive producer for "Rocky Mountain Holiday." It was after this collaboration that a critic famously wrote, "Of all major producers, Okun has the widest range – from Placido Domingo to the Muppets (Ed: Ok...)."

Producers: Milt Okun, Rosemary Okun, Elisa Justice
Executive Producers: Peter Primont, Mark Shimmel
Arranged and Conducted by Lee Holdridge
Orchestra Contractor: Frank Capp
Orchestra Recorded at Capitol Studios Los Angeles