Annie Lennox Previews New Covers LP ‘Nostalgia’ At Hollywood Forever Cemetery In LA

Annie Lennox previewed her fifth studio album Nostalgia — sixth if you count her Christmas LP! — at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles last night (August 12). Producer Don Was introduced the project with a cute anecdote about working with the former Eurythmics frontwoman before playing the set’s first six songs for assorted press and industry types. She then hit the stage for an adorable Q&A.

It’s something of an understatement to call the collection of standards a departure from Annie’s usual oeuvre. The 59-year-old puts her own inimitable spin on classic tracks like “Memphis In June”, “Georgia On My Mind”, “Summertime”, “I Put A Spell On You”, “I Cover The Waterfront” and “Strange Fruit”. She breathes new life into the much-covered gems with perhaps the best vocal performance of her long and varied career. (The haunting arrangements also helped).

Almost as entertaining as the music was the post-listening party chit chat. Annie spoke eloquently on topics as diverse as feminism, the British flag and Facebook. She also talked about getting older in an increasingly youth-driven industry, quipping: “I don’t wanna twerk but I want to be relevant.” Ironically, the pop icon’s intelligent and emotion-packed music packs a heavier punch, now more than ever.

There are no details about the release date or the full tracklist of Nostalgia but they can’t be too far off. Don Was hinted that the LP would be released on vinyl first but there is no official confirmation.

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