Latest news with #RobertaFlack
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Listen: Hozier duets with Barbra Streisand on classic song
Hozier has said that it was a "huge honour" to record a duet of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with Barbra Streisand for her new album. The Wicklow singer is among big names such as Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande who appear on the veteran singer and actress' upcoming album The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, which is released in June. Sting, Sam Smith, Seal, Josh Groban, country star Tim McGraw, and jazz chanteuse Laufey also appear on the new album. The first single from the album is Hozier and Streisand's cover of Ewan MacColl's enduring song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which has also been covered by an array of artists, including most famously, the late Roberta Flack. Speaking about the collaboration, Hozier said, "Barbra Streisand is one of the most enduring and iconic vocalists of our time, and somebody who defined an era with the sheer force of her voice, her talent, charisma and vision. "To be asked to join her on a duet was a huge honour and came as a wonderful and welcome surprise." He added, "Ewan MacColl's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, made famous by the stunning Roberta Flack recording, has always mystified me. "It is, to me, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Like so many, I was deeply saddened to hear of her recent passing. Along with the honour I have to sing on this record with Barbra, I hope this duet offers something of a gesture to Roberta Flack's incredible legacy." "I've always loved singing duets with gifted artists," Streisand (83) said. "They inspire me in unique and different ways…and make our time in the studio a joy! "My new album, The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two, gave me the chance to work and play with some of my old friends, label mates, and new artists too. "I admire all of them… and I hope that you'll enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording with all of my wonderful partners." The track listing for is The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume Two: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with Hozier My Valentine with Paul McCartney To Lose You Again with Sam Smith The Very Thought Of You with Bob Dylan Letter To My 13 Year Old Self with Laufey One Heart, One Voice with Mariah Carey & Ariana Grande I Love Us with Tim Mcgraw Secret O' Life with James Taylor Fragile with Sting Where Do I Go From You? with Josh Groban Love Will Survive with Seal
Los Angeles Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
This momentous LACMA exhibition called for a group portrait — to the tune of Roberta Flack
Artists gathered at LACMA for a portrait commemorating their inclusion in 'Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics,' on view through July 27. During the photo shoot, there was a special request to listen to Roberta Flack (the singer had died two days earlier). The entire group sang along as 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' echoed through the galleries. The exhibition introduces 42 new acquisitions for LACMA as part of the museum's ongoing work to expand its program and collection of art by African-descendant artists. It's been an honor to bring this exhibition to life with the work of 60 multigenerational artists based around the world. At the opening, artists caught up and met for the first time, potentially creating new diasporic networks of exchange and connectivity. —Dhyandra Lawson, Andy Song associate curator of Contemporary Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stevie Wonder, Ms. Lauryn Hill Honor Roberta Flack At Celebration Of Life
In a fitting tribute to her lasting influence, Roberta Flack's memorial service featured performances from musicians whom she'd inspired. According to Billboard, both Stevie Wonder, Wyclef Jean, and Ms. Lauryn Hill performed at the acclaimed singer's celebration of life on Monday (March 10) at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. A clip shared on social media highlighted the moment Ms. Lauryn Hill performed an emotional tribute to Flack. Taking the microphone, the singer delivered a live rendition of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.' Billboard reported that Hill and Jean also performed The Fugees 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' with Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica. 'We weren't formally asked to do this because I think they were a little shy in asking us to attend,' Hill explained, per Billboard 'So we kind of bum-rushed the service because it really wouldn't be possible for us to just stand by and not participate… The artistry of Ms. Roberta Flack was beyond trailblazing.' Ms. Hill's speech continued, 'Like Nina Simone, she carved out for me a pathway of soulful Black intellectual sublime beauty that not only spoke to Black resistance directly in lyric and statement, but was Black resistance in in to racism, bigotry and limitations by virtue of its existence… She didn't just write about the beauty; she was the beauty. She didn't just write about resistance; her existence was a form of resistance. She wrote our stories in forms the established authorities of the time could not deny; compositions wrapped with graceful classical forms and nuances that would not nor could not be dismissed… I thank my parents for introducing me to her masterful music. Thank you to our Father in Heaven, to our God on high for blessing and enriching all of our lives with her presence and undeniable gifts. Roberta Flack is legend.' Stevie Wonder also shared touching words before singing to an emotional crowd. He sang 'If It's Magic' for his late friend, as well as 'I Can See the Sun.' 'The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity in being able to see even better with your heart,' the 74-year-old elaborated. 'So I knew how beautiful Roberta was. I celebrate that because I see that so much of the world and yes, this nation too, must be blind at this point… and it breaks my heart. And Roberta, I want to just say to you in spirit, I thank you for letting me hear your voice, letting me know your spirit, letting me know your heart and letting me be able to share with you songs that I was writing.' Towards the end of the program, video clips dedicated with the life and career of Roberta Flack were played with words from Clive Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Peabo Bryson, Dionne Warwick, Les McCann and Yoko Ono. Additionally, Letters from former Vice President Kamala Harris and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. were read as well. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy; presiding over the memorial service was Abyssinian's Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson. Roberta Flack passed away last month. According to a statement, the North Carolina native 'died peacefully, surrounded by her family.' In 2022, Flack revealed she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. According to the New York Times, Flack died en route to the hospital, with the official cause of death named cardiac arrest. More from Lauryn Hill Co-Signs Doechii During Recent Performance: Watch Ms. Lauryn Hill Honors Roberta Flack's "Delicate Power" In Touching Tribute Roberta Flack, Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Passes Away At 88
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Lauryn Hill and Stevie Wonder lead tributes to Robert Flack in memorial full of music and memories
The life of Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack was celebrated in a public memorial service that included performances by Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill and Wycleff Jean of the Fugees. Flack, whose transformative covers of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' made her a global star in the Seventies, died last month aged 88. A statement from her representative said that she died at home on Monday morning (24 February) 'surrounded by her family', noting her role as a 'proud educator' as well as an artist who 'broke boundaries and records'. At her star-studded memorial service held at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York – one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the US – white and yellow bouquets adorned the venue while a screen played highlights from Flack's career. Later, it would broadcast music industry legends paying tribute to Flack, including Clive Davis, Dionne Warwick, India Arie and Alicia Keys. It was a fitting location, acknowledging how Flack was born to musical parents, including her mother, Irene, a church choir organist who introduced her to gospel from a young age. The programme featured a powerful quote from Flack that was repeated by many speakers during the service: 'Remember: always walk in the light,' Flack said. 'If you feel like you're not walking in it, go find it. Love the Light.' Former vice-president Kamala Harris sent a statement that was read aloud: 'Ms Flack broke down barriers, paved paths of opportunity, and fully embodied the words my mother often said to me, 'You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last.' As an activist and Grammy-award winning singer, her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.' Lauryn Hill, who led the Fugees' gorgeous take on 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' in 1996, held back tears as she said Flack's existence was 'a form of resistance'. 'I adore Ms Roberta Flack,' she said. 'Roberta Flack is a legend.' She then proceeded to sing a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', followed by 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' with Wyclef Jean, and Wonder accompanying on the harmonica. 'The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to see even better with your heart,' Wonder said. 'And so I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not seeing her visually but being able to see and feel her heart.' He performed his song 'If It's Magic' before taking a seat at the piano to sing a song he wrote for Flack, 'I Can See the Sun in Late December', accompanied by a harpist. 'I love you, Roberta, and I will see you,' he said at the end of the performance. Rev Al Sharpton, who gave the eulogy, said Flack put 'a soundtrack to Black dignity', as others observed that her musical genius stemmed from her ability to move seamlessly between soul, jazz, gospel and beyond. Flack demonstrated a rare ability to cross between genres with ease, whether on her tender cover of Ewan MacColl's ballad 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' or on the meltingly smooth 'Feel Like Makin' Love'. 'The reason we're here is because she made a difference,' Sharpton said. 'And we should all ask ourselves when it comes our time, will they pack a church for you? If Roberta were here tonight, she would tell you, 'Don't just praise me, emulate me.''
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Lauryn Hill and Stevie Wonder perform at Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' musical memorial
The incredibly moving service held at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church featured musical performances and speeches. "Roberta Flack is legend," said a visibly moved Lauryn Hill. ADVERTISEMENT A public memorial service bursting with music, including planned performances by Stevie Wonder and a surprise one by Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, celebrated the life and legacy of the Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack. Flack died last month aged 88 and is remembered for her ability to seamlessly move between soul, jazz and gospel, as evidenced by her transformative covers of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. The ceremony, 'Celebration of Life', was held Monday afternoon at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic Harlem institution and one of the oldest Black Baptist churces in the US. It was open to the public and livestreamed on the late artist's website and on YouTube. People attend a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life at The Abyssinian Baptist Church - Monday 10 March 2025 AP Photo American civil rights activist Al Sharpton gave the eulogy, saying that Flack "put a soundtrack to Black dignity,' adding: 'The reason we're here is because she made a difference. And we should all ask ourselves when it comes our time, will they pack a church for you? If Roberta were here tonight, she would tell you, 'Don't just praise me, emulate me.'" Al Sharpton speaks during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life at The Abyssinian Baptist Church - Monday 10 March 2025 AP Photo 'Her existence was a form of resistance,' Lauryn Hill said in her speech, holding back tears. 'I adore Ms. Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is legend.' The Fugees did a masterful take on Flack's cover 'Killing Me Softly With His Song', which won the group a Grammy. Hill performed a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' followed by 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' with the Fugees' Wyclef Jean — with Stevie Wonder joining in on harmonica. 'The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to even better see with your heart. And so I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not seeing her visually but being able to see and feel her heart,' Wonder said. He performed his song 'If It's Magic', accompanied only by a harpist, before singing a song he wrote for Flack: 'I Can See the Sun in Late December'. Here are some pictures from the moving ceremony: Senior Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Kevin R. Johnson speaks during the ceremony AP Photo A choir performs during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life AP Photo Lauryn Hill of the Fugees performs during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life AP Photo Wyclef Jean, left, and Lauryn Hill of the Fugees perform during the ceremony AP Photo The Nebulous String Quartet from Berklee College of Music performs during the ceremony AP Photo Stevie Wonder attends the ceremony AP Photo Stevie Wonder performs during the ceremony AP Photo 'Many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts but she also touched our souls,' said Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior church pastor who led the service. Roberta Flack AP Photo Roberta Flack. 1937 - 2025. Rest In Peace.
