British balladeer Tony Christie is going Nashville: his new record, A New Life, features his hits re-imagined with a new country style. The album, featuring new versions of “(Is This The Way To) Amarillo,” “I Did What I Did For Maria,” and “Avenues & Alleyways,” will be released on March 28th.
The album was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studios. It was produced and mixed by long time collaborator and Ivor Novello Award winner Graeme Pleeth (Sonique, Wang Chung, 10CC, Brian May, Billy Ocean), with mastering contribution from Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.
A New Life follows the release of 2024’s We Still Shine, Christie’s first new album in 12 years. That record saw Christie going back to the genre he describes as his first musical love, country. Having recorded sporadically in Nashville throughout his career, he took the opportunity to embrace that love and do a full recording session there. The positive reception to the record gave him the inspiration to re-imagine his hits in the same style.
In a statement, Christie shared: “We set out to completely restructure and rearrange what are essentially great songs to begin with. We gave the musicians free rein to have fun and come up with something fresh. Some of the songs have been completely turned on their heads. I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as we did recording it.”
The album will be released on CD and digitally with brand new artwork by Gillian Martin. Featured tracks include “Las Vegas,” “Drive Safely Darlin’,” and “Happy Birthday Baby.”
Beginning in March, Tony can be seen on his ‘The Great Farewell’ tour across the U.K. and Europe. Ticket information can be found on his website. In 2023, Christie revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia, but he has been determined to continue performing for audiences. “I’m still singing as good as I ever did. It’s in my soul…I was born with it,” he shared with the BBC.
Order Tony Christie’s A New Life now.
