Motown Meltdown: Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m. at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom. Motown Meltdown Tri-Cities: Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. at Coquitlam’s Hard Rock Casino Vancouver Theatre. Tickets: $30 via ticketmaster.ca. Info: shootingstarsfoundation.org
Dawn Pemberton is no stranger to the spotlight.
For years, the Vancouver-based powerhouse has put her vocal chops to good use, gracing many a stage, collaborating with other artists on their records, as well as coaching rising stars.
However, the acclaimed singer is currently in the throes of recording her debut solo album, which is proving to be both “exciting and terrifying at the same time,” she laughs.
“It’s time for my own thing. I’ve had a lot of fun working and collaborating with other people and on other projects and that’s great. But now I’m looking forward to offering what I have and that’s what I want to foster right now,” she says.
Pemberton describes her upcoming album, comprised of all-originals with the exception of one cover, as soul-influenced with a bit of funk and some jazz.
“It’s kind of like if Chaka Khan and Al Green and Tower of Power had a baby,” she says.
In terms of lyrical content, Pemberton explains she set out to explore love and relationships of all kinds, not just the idea of romantic love, but rather the concept of vulnerability and what it can do to a person.
Pemberton is producing the album with Mike Southworth of Collide Entertainment and Creativ Recording Studios in North Vancouver. Other participating musicians include: Gavin Youngash and Max Zipursky of the Star Captains; Johnny Andrews of Hey Ocean!; and, Scott Tucker of Kyprios and The Chaperones.
Pemberton hopes to complete the record by June and is eyeing a fall release date.
In addition to her packed recording schedule, Pemberton has been busy preparing for the upcoming Shooting Stars Foundation Motown Meltdown, an annual benefit show raising money for people with HIV/AIDS.
This is Pemberton’s first time participating in the concert, which is being presented at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom March 29 and a second Tri-Cities performance April 5 at Coquitlam’s Hard Rock Casino Vancouver.
“It was always something that I’ve wanted to do,” Pemberton says of the benefit. She will be among the more than 25 vocalists taking the stage — others featured include August, Joanie Bye, Leora Cashe, Oliver Conway, Warren Dean Flandez, Al Harlow (Prism), Tom Landa (The Paperboys/Locarno) and The Sojourners.
Each singer will perform a song from the Motown and soul era book of standards, backed by 12-piece band The Scorchers.
Pemberton will be singing Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” “It’s one of my favourites and it’s a great staple and a classic soul tune,” she says.
This year’s Motown Meltdown was inspired by the 2002 documentary, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.
The movie tells the story of the Funk Brothers, a group of talented Detroit session musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists. Despite the fact they played on more No. 1 hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined, they’re largely unknown. Songs they played on include, “My Girl,” “Baby Love,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.”
“That time was so special for soul music, in the 1960s and ’70s. It’s kind of when so many black artists began to get more recognition for their contribution to music,” says Pemberton. “They were really game changers and taste makers and really the whole world was watching and it inspired tons of music and a musical revolution in Europe and other parts of the world. That sound, that Motown sound, everyone wanted to emulate it.”
Pemberton encourages community members to attend the upcoming benefit concerts.
“It’s the music that you know and you love and it’s a great time to come out and dance and support a great cause and you’ll leave feeling inspired and happy and joyful, and what an amazing opportunity,” she says.
