Universal Records Celebrates The Music Of Rock & Soul Visionary Bert Berns

The Heart & Soul Of Bert Berns Due October 1

11-Sep-02

His songs are classics. ""Twist And Shout,"" ""Under The Boardwalk,"" ""Brown Eyed Girl"" and ""Piece of My Heart,"" barely scratch the surface of his vast catalog. His artistic vision touched the lives of Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, the Drifters, the Isley Brothers, and so many more. His talent was all encompassing -songwriter, performer, arranger, creative genius.With the October 1 release of THE HEART AND SOUL OF BERT BERNS, the legacy of the sixties rock and soul visionary resurfaces with the first-ever collection of his work. Doug Morris, Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO, produced the release, personally selecting all 10 tracks. And as another first, Morris also wrote the liner notes, capturing the passion and longing for life that Berns poured into each and every song.Placing commercial considerations aside, ""there was only one reason why I decided to put this album together,"" states Morris. ""And that was to celebrate the music and life that was Bert Berns. He was one of the few people in the music business who did in fact change the world through his talent; he made a virtue of being different, and everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Beatles recognized this and wanted to be part of it. What this record really is then is a monument to the extraordinary vision and impact of one man, Bert Berns.""A one-time writer at a small song publishing company (down the street from the famed Brill Building in New York) that also employed Berns, Morris was instantly awestruck by the charismatic and immensely talented big whig. ""He created some of the most soulful and honest music of his generation - songs that made you shiver the first time you heard them,"" Morris writes in the liner notes. ""...Bert could detect raw talent like a Geiger counter...Sharply crafted lyrics. Lush but clean arrangements...Singers who left nothing inside. That was Bert's idea of music.""Although THE HEART AND SOUL OF BERT BERNS represents the first-ever collection dedicated to his music and the project was conceived and championed by Morris, one of the music industry's most powerful impresarios, for siblings Cassandra and Brett Berns, the release has additional significance. Unlike the children of Jim Croce, the Big Bopper or Buddy Holly, when Berns died nearly 35 years ago at the age of 38, his legacy was buried, and his children-then infants and toddlers-grew up yearning to see their father recognized or acknowledged for his pioneering contributions to music. This collection is the beginning of a historical journey to bring them closer to the father they never knew.""Bert wanted his kids to know him through his music,"" says Cassandra. ""So we were delighted when Doug approached us about putting this album together.""""The story of Bert's life begins in a tough New York neighborhood,"" adds Brett, ""where the influence of his Puerto Rican and Black neighbors left an indelible musical impression. He worked in nightclubs in pre-Castro Cuba and played with [salsa pioneer] Arsenio Rodriguez. He was one of - if not the first - to incorporate Latin rhythms into rock 'n' roll and soul. He was a staff writer with a $50 weekly salary when he wrote 'Twist & Shout'.""Berns later became a staff producer at Atlantic Records and a partner in two Atlantic Records' imprints, Bang and Shout. The collection draws from his sixties-era compositions and recordings, ""This record is not just a collection of Bert's biggest hits,"" writes Morris. ""These songs are what I feel are the essence of Bert Berns.""Among the featured tracks are early versions of rock classics ""Twist And Shout"" and ""Piece Of My Heart."" Belted out by the Isley Brothers, who garnered a #2 R&B hit with their version of the now-classic Beatles tune, their performance injects raw emotion into the lighthearted lyrics. Erma Franklin, Aretha's sister, recorded a powerful version of what later became a Janis Joplin classic. Both performances exemplify the raw emotion and depth of feeling that characterized so many of Berns' compositions.A child of Jewish Russian immigrants, Berns suffered a childhood bout with Rheumatic fever permanently weakening his heart, so he always knew the fuse was short. In 1960, he began a creative race against time, crafting some of the era's most important music before his death on December 30, 1967.""That was Bert,"" explains Morris. ""So much music, so little time.""The Heart And Soul Of Bert Berns Complete Track List1. ARE YOU LONELY FOR ME, BABY - Freddie Scott2. EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE - Solomon Burke3. BABY, COME ON HOME - Hoagy Lands4. CRY BABY -- Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters5. I DON'T WANT TO GO ON WITHOUT YOU -- The Drifters6. PIECE OF MY HEART -- Erma Franklin7. YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE HIM -- The Isley Brothers8. CRY TO ME - Solomon Burke9. WHITE GARDENIA - Hoagy Lands