FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2022
Contact: kelly@epitaph.com

ANTI- RECORDS TO RELEASE 20^th ANNIVERSARY RE-ISSUE OF SOUL LEGEND SOLOMON BURKE’S 2002 ALBUM
‘DON’T GIVE UP ON ME’

OUT NOVEMBER 18

Solomon Burke, the King of Rock & Soul, the Bishop, was a big man with an even bigger talent and a revered vocalist whose mastery is unmatched by any other proponent of the style he largely originated. Burke embodied deep soul with a fifty-plus year career that produced a series of records consistently profound in emotional, artistic and spiritual gravity. Today ANTI- Records is announcing a 20th anniversary re-issue of his 2002 album ’Don’t Give Up On Me’ which features an all-star roster of song contributors including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Tom Waits and Joe Henry. The re-issued vinyl will be available on November 18 in black and a limited edition opaque red and a clear version in Europe.

 Pre-order it here: https://solomonburke.ffm.to/dontgiveuponme

In 2002 music critic Peter Guralnick noted, ”Burke has served far too long as "The King In Exile"; despite a towering reputation among peers and fans alike, and his 2001 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the singer remains somewhat of a mystifyingly under-appreciated figure. With the release of ’Don't Give Up On Me’ the widely acknowledged King of Rock & Soul is liable to ascend to a height equal to his glorious 1960s reign at Atlantic Records.”

In addition to the contributors listed above, legendary veteran writers like Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil all contributed commercially unreleased original compositions, either specifically custom tailored to, or innately suited for the interpretive genius of this unrivaled singer. Never before has such a cross-section of revered pop talent enthusiastically converged on one album, but there are precious few vocalists on the aerie artistic level of Solomon Burke.

‘Don't Give Up On Me’ was recorded live in the studio over a four-day period, with an ensemble anchored by Burke's church organist Brother Rudy Copeland. Produced by Joe Henry, the record also features contributions from Daniel Lanois and revered gospel outfit The Blind Boys of Alabama.

On working with Burke producing this record, Joe Henry wrote: “I was simply a facilitator. And I say this not to diminish my contributions to the man’s story, nor his ultimate appreciation of them; but I can see as well that though many of the songs written for him and offered up to the project ––and by historically significant songwriters–– hung and clung, at first blush, like ill-fitting clothes...he was like Matisse: the subject ––be that a vase of flowers, a bowl of fruit; a reclining nude I Need A Holiday –– was of little consequence; for he would use them regardless to speak exactly as he meant to, transfiguring their familiar forms beyond architecture and into something with far more ethereal and spiritual implications.”

Burke's vocals, power undiminished and tempered by decades of performing and recording experience, is nothing less than a force of nature. With a healthy dose of honky-tonk weeper psychology and the clinical reality of his training as a mortician (a business he was still active in at the time), Burke has unique philosophical and physiological insights into the human condition, that infuse the delivery of his songs.

"The entire album was very exciting, and it was heartrending to think all these writers, the Bob Dylans, Elvis Costello's, would even think of me,” Burke said. “I would characterize these as art, pieces of art, songs that were designed in some way with me in mind, in each one of these writers’ minds--all of them are beautiful. I wanted each piece of that art to hang in my own palace. To me, they all belong in a special place. It was remarkable."

Photo Credit: Jesse Fischer

Pre-Order ‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ Re-Issue

1. Don’t Give Up On Me
2. Fast Train
3. Diamond In Your Mind
4. Flesh And Blood
5. Soul Searchin’
6. Only A Dream
7. The Judgement
8. Stepchild
9. The Other Side Of The Coin
10. None Of Us Are Free
11. Sit This One Out

For More Info on Solomon Burke, Contact:
Kelly Kettering | ANTI- Records Publicity | kelly@epitaph.com