Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel to Release New CD, 'Lovers' on Valentine's Day 2008

Joined on the new project by a stellar group of musicians, music icon, Bobby Whitlock and wife, CoCo Carmel, are set to release a new CD, "Lovers," for Valentine's day. The ten tracks, recorded and produced mostly in Austin, TX, chronicle the life and times of one of music's truly remarkable couples. Whitlock also tips his songwriting hat to former band mate, Eric Clapton with a gripping remake of the classic Derek and the Dominos, "Layla." In an interesting twist, Whitlock also put the finishing touches on "Dear Veronica," a tribute to Veronica Lake that he and Clapton began writing, but never completed until after the "Layla" sessions, nearly thirty-eight years ago.

According to Carmel, "We have literally had this project in the making for the past four years-it is our story, and Layla is really a tribute. I'm proud to be part of this experience."

And Whitlock added, "During the course of my career I have been very fortunate to have been a part of some great historical works. 'Lovers' is the finest of them all! It is my 'Layla' and my 'All Things Must Pass'."

Joined on this recording by Willie Nelson, David Grissom, Eric Johnson, Stephen Bruton, Brannen Temple, and James Fenner, Bobby and CoCo weave a musical tapestry with golden threads collected during a lifetime of living the music that they write. Whitlock's powerful voice is stronger than ever, appearing to have mellowed, becoming even richer with time. The lyrics, written mostly by Whitlock and Carmel, are very nearly embarrassing in a voyeuristic way; as if the listener is eavesdropping on a couple so much in love that they glow.

The guitar work blended into this recording is genius, born of the classic guitar album of all time, "Layla." Whitlock's voice begs for the emotion, and counterpoint of crying guitars punctuating the lyrics, and always has; "Best Days of Our Lives" is a perfect example of this. Further, Carmel's string arrangements and sax add raw emotion to material such as "You don't know" and the charismatic remake of "Layla." And, it is hard to believe that some of the notes that Carmel plays actually live in a saxophone.