Symphony of Sinners & Saints is a concept studio album[1] by American orchestral composer, songwriter, pianist/keyboardist, and music producer Kitt Wakeley.[2] The album peaked at #1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover and Classical charts, and at #18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs.[3] It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK and released on May 21, 2021, by the Studio Seven Media record label.[4] The album was recorded with an orchestra, several choirs, and a rock band, with elements of rock, EDM, Classical, and symphonic rock. Feature guest appearances include Joe Satriani, Andy Timmons, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices, and the Dallas Gospel of Light Choir.[5]
| Symphony of Sinners & Saints | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 21, 2021 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 38:02 | |||
| Label | Studio Seven Media | |||
| Producer |
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| Kitt Wakeley chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Symphony of Sinners & Saints | ||||
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The album was supported by three singles, "Conflicted", "Sinners & Saints", and "Forgive Me", which all reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Sales chart.[6] It won Album of the Year at the Josie Music Awards,[7] and "You Gave Me Wings" won Best Instrumental Song at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[8] Wakeley charted in the top 10 of 2021's Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists.[9]
Background
editHistory
editSymphony of Sinners & Saints was conceived when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of Wakeley's live shows for 2020. Having an abundance of time away from touring led to the album's creation, production, and guest list.[10] In an interview with American Songwriter magazine, Wakeley said, "There’s a really dark, sinister underlying bed, but then there’s this euphoric stuff over it. That's the concept of the album."[1]
The album was initially recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, then co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Tre Nagella at Luminous Sound Studios in Dallas, Texas. Due to the pandemic, Wakeley recorded remotely from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, tapping into the musicians in London in real time to work on each song.
The album was supported by three singles, "Conflicted", "Sinners & Saints", and "Forgive Me", which all peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales chart.[6] Wakeley charted in the top ten of 2021's Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists.[9] Symphony of Sinners & Saints won Album of the Year at the Josie Music Awards,[7] and "You Gave Me Wings" won Best Instrumental Song at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[8]
To promote the release of the album, Wakeley performed at venues including Carnegie Hall,[11] and the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City.[12][13]
Joe Satriani collaboration
editJoe Satriani played lead guitar on the tracks "Conflicted" and "Forgive Me".[14] When asked about working with Satriani, Wakeley replied, "I emailed very well known artists of Joe's caliber on their respective instruments. Joe being so gracious opened up a whole lot more doors of other artists who wanted to play on my project."[citation needed]
Critical reception
editThe album received favorable reviews from music critics upon its release:
"The larger-than-life track showcases rock-driven guitar shredding alongside precise and sprawling orchestration, making for a uniquely powerful hybrid of chamber music, heavy metal and rock, and film score." - Glide Magazine[15]
"The album is great on first listen, but repeated plays reveal more and more layers and the listener will find him/herself drawn further in and finding new things to hear with each listen. A stunning piece of creative artistry!" - Andy Hawes, Metal Planet Music[16]
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Classical Crossover (Billboard)[17] | 1 |
| US Classical (Billboard)[18] | 1 |
| US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[19] | 12 |
- Singles
| Year | Title | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard US | |||
| 2021 | "Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani)[20] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 |
| "Forgive Me" (featuring Joe Satriani)[21] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 | |
| "Sinners and Saints"[22] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 |
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wicked Ways" (featuring Andy Timmons) | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:23 |
| 2. | "Sinners & Saints" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:53 |
| 3. | "Forgive Me" (featuring Joe Satriani) | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:47 |
| 4. | "Hello Again" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 5:02 |
| 5. | "Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani) | Kitt Wakeley |
| 2:54 |
| 6. | "No Apologies" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 4:01 |
| 7. | "Requiem of the Fallen" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:26 |
| 8. | "End of My Journey" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 4:02 |
| 9. | "You Gave Me Wings" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:38 |
| 10. | "Echoes of Amadeus" | Kitt Wakeley |
| 3:55 |
| Total length: | 38:02 | |||
Personnel
editMusicians
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Technical
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Additional personnel
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References
edit- ^ a b "Kitt Wakeley Weighs Good vs. Bad on 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints,' Shares Joe Satriani Featured "Forgive Me" by Tina Benitez-Eves". American Songwriter. 14 May 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Musician Kitt Wakeley as an EDM Legend". Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley's "Conflicted" featuring Joe Satriani Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, No. 6 on Rock Digital Song Sales, and No. 18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs, page 80". Rock and Blues International. April 1, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Acclaimed Composer Kitt Wakeley Unveils Orchestral Rock Composition "Sinners And Saints"s". Progressive Rock Central. April 16, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "MULTI-AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER KITT WAKELEY EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERES "CONFLICTED" Feat. JOE SATRIANI". Rock 'N' Load. February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Singers Room. September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b "2021 Official Winner List". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "HMMA Winners". Hollywood Music in Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley Releases New 'Orchestral Rock' album Symphony of Sinners and Saints by Cillian Breathnach". Guitar Magazine. May 21, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley and the Symphony of Sinners and Saints". Carnegie Hall. October 11, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ Cristi, A.A. "Composer Kitt Wakeley 'Symphony Of Sinners And Saints,' Out May 21 Featuring Joe Satriani". Broadway World.
- ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoman Kitt Wakeley topping charts with new album 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints'". The Oklahoman.
- ^ "Hear Joe Satriani on Kitt Wakeley's New Orchestral-Rock Song". Ultimate Classic Rock. 25 February 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Producer/composer Kitt Wakeley Unleashes Epic Orchestral Rock sounds on "Sinners and Saints"". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- ^ "Album Review : Kitt Wakeley: Symphony of Sinners and Saints". Metal Planet Music. May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Classical Crossover". Billboard. June 5, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Classical". Billboard. June 5, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "US Billboard Charts June 5, 2021". www.databasedreams.co.uk. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales". Billboard. March 13, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales". Billboard. May 29, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales". Billboard. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022.