In 2013, CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer released his debut solo album, “The Way Life Goes”, to rave reviews and immediately kicked off a non-stop touring schedule. Flash forward to 2016.
Now, as a “thank you” to his fans who have supported him and the long-awaited solo project for the past few years by attending one packed show after another, Keifer and his bandmates (Tony Higbee on guitars and vocals, Billy Mercer on bass and vocals, Paul Simmons on drums and vocals, Paul Taylor on keyboards and vocals, Savannah Keifer on vocals, percussion and piano, and Kendra Chantelle on vocals and percussion) will enter a Nashville studio later this month to record with four-time Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Vance Powell (ELLE KING, CHRIS STAPLETON, JACK WHITE). The new tracks will be featured as bonus material on an expanded, deluxe edition of “The Way Life Goes”, set for release later this year. The package will also include the original album that’s currently being remastered by Richard Dodd (KINGS OF LEON, JASON ALDEAN, LADY ANTEBELLUM), a bonus DVD with video extras, a documentary about the creation of the bonus tracks, and exclusive interviews with the band filmed during the new recording sessions.
The as-yet-untitled deluxe set will be wrapped in an all new expanded art package designed by artist David Calcano (creator of the Fantoons comic strip series) with one-of-a-kind unique illustrations depicting each song. Keifer credits a framed collage designed by Calcano of images depicting life, members of his band and songs from “The Way Life Goes” that was given to him by his tour manager, Gene Aldridge, as the inspiration to release the deluxe edition. “That one gift,” said Keifer, “instantly made us think about all the incredible people, adventures and inspiration that had come into our lives over the last few years. The new deluxe edition is our way of celebrating the way life’s gone since the initial release. It’s been an amazing journey!”
The new package’s bonus track song titles, release date and some other very special surprises will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The Way Life Goes” sold 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 78 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on in April 2013 via Merovee Records (through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group). The collection of 14 new songs ranged from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraced the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in Tom’s unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide for CINDERELLA. Rolling Stone praised Keifer as “a gritty, bluesy (rocker) with enough genuine swagger to draw comparisons to Mick Jagger.”
“This record was a labor of love,” Keifer told TriCities.com. “When I started this record, CINDERELLA was in the middle of a lawsuit with Sony Records. This record is not in any way to be taken as me stepping away from CINDERELLA.”
“I took a lot of time making this record,” he continued. “I made it over 10 years. I wanted to make something I loved. My wife, Savannah, co-wrote a lot of the songs with me. It was a blessing to me.
“Each song has something to do with life. It’s just life, love, love lost, being crazy, going crazy, being lost. The record, there’s no change, really, in style. It has the peaks and valleys.
“I’ve always approached music, played music that I like. I’ve never chased trends through CINDERELLA and with this album. It reflects what’s in me.”
Source: Blabbermouth
