Maxwell is gifting fans with a cover of Al Green’s 1972, “Simply Beautiful” from the album I’m Still in Love With You.
On Thursday (August 1), the legendary R&B singer released his new single “Simply Beautiful.” In promotion of the single, Maxwell dropped a two-minute sneak peek into the making of the cover. The video captures the magic of the recording process and highlights the dedication and artistry that went into creating his tribute to Al Green.
“The first time I heard Al Green’s music I was amazed,” Maxwell stated in the behind-the-scenes video showcasing him in a studio full of musicians and familiar faces like longtime collaborators Hod David and LaTina Webb. “He is such an icon. I mean, what a brilliant musician and songwriter,” he went on to say while snippets of his scintillating new version can be heard. “It’s been an honor to get in the studio and record one of his songs.”
The Grammy Award winning singer shared the he has performed “Simply Beautiful” multiple times while on tour. Yet this is the first time Maxwell recorded the song in its’ entirety.
In 2008, after his six year hiatus from music, Maxwell performed Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful” at the BET Awards. Dressed in a tailored gray suit, crisp white shirt and designer sunglasses, Maxwell gave a masterclass performance leaving the ladies yearning for more. Luckily for them, his new recorded rendition it likely to be featured on his album,Blacksummers’NIGHT.
The song arrived just a few weeks after Maxwell released his recent single “Hill Access.” Fans will be able to see him perform both hits during his upcoming North American tour with special guests Jazmine Sullivan and October London. His “Serenade Tour” kicks off at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. on September 14 and will continue to over 25 major cities. Tickets are available now.