When you saw Herb Alpert’s name trending in Google just before Valentine’s Day, you hopefully found out what the buzz was all about. If you didn’t read about “I Feel You” — by Alpert and his wife and vocalist, Lani Hall — it’s not too late. The duo is set to perform a local show that covers much of the music on the new album.
| On stage |
| Herb Alpert and Lani Hall |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday |
| Where: Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria |
| Details: $45; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com |
“Before my career took off, we had played at weddings and parties,” said Alpert of his comfort in playing covers. “My wife wants to sing only positive lyrics; she is very intent on keeping the energy positive.”
With a career full of accomplishments, Alpert is clearly no stranger to positive energy. Starting in 1958 when he co-wrote the hit “Wonderful World” with Lou Adler and Sam Cooke, Alpert has been on a lightning-fast track. A host of No. 1 hits, seven Grammy Awards and a Tony Award for producing a Broadway play are just some of the highlights.
Although he found global fame with the Tijuana Brass and his label, A&M Records, Alpert stepped away from his solo music career and record label in the 1990s. He started a successful second career as an abstract expressionist painter and sculptor while also keeping his music going.
“It’s a simple answer; I like to play,” said Alpert of why he records and tours. “I get energy from it, energy from the whole process of trying to do songs in a way they haven’t been heard before. It’s always an exciting challenge.”
The couple selected the songs for their album from classics they’d always enjoyed. Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” Peggy Lee’s “Fever” and two Beatles songs — “Here Comes the Sun” and “Blackbird” — are among the 14 hits on the new album. A reinvigorated version of the Tijuana Brass hit “What Now My Love” is also included.
The variety of the album mirrors the performance Alpert and Hall plan to present.
“We do an eclectic show including things from the album and a Tijuana Brass medley,” Alpert said. “It’s all fun to play again. … In the 1960s, I was playing to 18,000 to 20,000 people at a time and I never really felt [the audiences’ responses to the music]. Now I’m feeling it and it’s a very casual, good time.”
