"It was a really special and unique challenge to be able to put this show together and to record it and I think it came out really great," enthused Foriegner vocalist Kelly Hansen ahead of the release of the bands most ambitious album/DVD to date, Foreigner With the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
"It was a month long process in planning, first with making the arrangements and making sure they were arrangements that would fit the music properly and also making song choices because some songs were more suited towards the orchestra than others. There was all that and there was the rehearsals and trying to figure out the details of actually recording a live orchestra with a live rock band simultaneously in the same room and then filming it so there were a lot of elements that went together. It was very challenging."
Undertaking a project such as this can be an extrememely arduous and time consuming period of your life, and as such it is important that each band member is on the same page and, more importantly, willing to put the extra time in. Thankfully, Hansen says, each member of Foreigner approached the project with equal enthusiasm.
"Everybody was really into it," he affirmed. "I mean, how many times in your life will you get to do something like this?"
To hear a more in depth analysis of the recording of the album and DVD, including difficulties faced with sonically merging a live band and orchestra, as well as details on the Australian tour later this year, the different dynamics between performing as a band and performing with a full orchestra behind you as well as some of Hansen's memories of taking over the vocal duties from Lou Gramm, tune in to the attached audio.
Foreigner With the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is out now.
Kris Peters