Work on a tribute album to celebrate John Lennons Bermuda-inspired Double Fantasy album is moving forward, with international recording star Maxi Priest agreeing to record a song. Executive Producer for the tribute CD Tony Brannon said the British-born reggae singer has not yet decided which song to tackle, but one of the options being considered is the iconic Imagine.
The singer is best known for his version of the Cat Stevens song Wild World, along with duets with Roberta Flack and Shaggy.
The tribute album, which will be released this June, will feature local and international performers singing songs by Mr Lennon. Joining Maxi Priest are Heather Nova, Rebecca Faulkenberry, Joy T Barnum and Uzimon, among others.
And while singer Cee Lo Green recently drew the ire of Mr Lennons fans by changing the lyrics to Imagine during a televised performance, Mr Brannon said that all the songs will stick with the original lyrics.
Uzimon had done a version of a song and we sent it up to New York and the first thing they said was You changed the lyrics. You cant change the lyrics, Mr Brannon said.
Now he has done a different song with the original lyrics.
The tribute album is just one of a series of events being organised to mark Mr Lennons 1980 visit to the Island, which reportedly inspired his final album.
The album itself was named for an Island flower Mr Lennon saw while walking through the Botanical Gardens. The album was released in November, 1980, and Mr Lennon was fatally shot a month later.
On June 21, a sculpture by artist Graham Foster will be unveiled outside the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, featuring a double image of Mr Lennons profile, along with his Rickenbacker guitar, peace doves, and the double fantasy flower.
That same day, the John Lennon travelling art exhibit will open at the Rick Faries Gallery, a Double Fantasy Flower Garden will be opened in the Botanical Gardens featuring the titular freesias and a concert featuring the musicians best-loved songs will be held.
SOURCE: Royal Gazette
