Suzanne Cook celebrates the joys of new love in her reggae-tinged single Red Wine and Red Roses — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Written by the British singer’s guitarist and regular collaborator Tim Devereaux, it’s the second single from her upcoming album Waking Dream. But it didn’t start out as the laid-back, summery track above. Oddly enough, the song was originally written to be a heavy rock song — but inspiration struck as the crack band she and Devereaux had assembled in a London studio began talking about their mutual love of Bob Marley.
The new direction for the number took shape around a simple reggae rhythm on the guitar, and the new melody followed naturally. The rhythm is such a perfect match for the romantic lyrics that it’s nearly impossible to imagine the song done in any other style.
Over a masterful beat set by drummer Howard Tibble (Paul McCartney, Little Richard), percussionist Everett Bradley (Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen) and bassist Winston Blissett (Massive Attack, Boy George), Cook delivers a sultry performance, singing of a friendship turning into something more, something exciting, something fresh and new.
Punctuated by a horn section, guitars from Devereaux and Pascal Glanville, and organ and keys from Charlie Giordano and producer Mark Plati, Cook paints a picture of days of easy-going frolic, turning into evenings filled with romance and, of course, red wine and red roses.
Check out the song above, hear more from Suzanne Cook below, and send flowers to her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
