By Kevin Jackson/Observer writer—
Richie Stephens–
Richie Stephens has long been a fan of Welsh singer Tom Jones. Jones’s recording of Delilah was a favourite of Stephens, so he decided to do a cover of the song.
Stephens’s cover of Delilah has moved from 12 to nine on the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart.
“I am a big fan of Tom Jones. I love the way he sings. When I was coming into the business, I listened to many artistes, and I used to admire Tom’s way of taking notes on how high and how low he could go with his voice. The first time that I saw someone perform Delilah live was when I was working on the north coast and AJ Brown sang it,” Stephens told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.
Delilah is included on Stephens’s Reverse the Curse album, released in August.
“I did the song before I started working on the album. The reason why I put it on the album is because I think it’s up to the same quality as the album that I was working on. I had some stellar musicians who worked on the track, Sly, Lenky and Benji Belnavis from Bloodfire Posse. I am glad that I put it on the album, because it is one of the songs people love and talk about,” said Stephens.
Stephens said he is pleased with the response to the song.
“The response to the song has been very good. The minute I put it out, people were responding in a very big and positive way. When you take a classic and sing it in a way that people can appreciate it, it is almost like the song is a hit all over again. I am happy that it’s doing well in the charts, big up to the fans,” he said.
Jones’s version of Delilah was a global hit in 1968. It sold more than five million copies worldwide and charted at number one in Finland, Belgium, Ireland, France, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Over in the US, it peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom.
Still on the Foundation Radio Network (New York) reggae chart, Christopher Martin moves into the number one spot with Guaranteed, while Don’t Play Me by Shuga steps up from six to three.
La La by Worl-A- Girl debuts at number 29.
Moving over to the South Florida Reggae chart, Everyday of My Life by Robert Ffrench makes its way into the number one spot.
Ginjah’s Fall in Love bolts from 12 to nine, while Coldest Days of My Life by Kashief Lindo is up from 21 to 16.
This week’s new entries are Beres Hammond’s I Need Your Love (number 23) and Si Mi Clean by Buju Banton and Busy Signal (number 24).
On the streaming and sales-driven Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers continue to reign with Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers, for a 152nd non-consecutive week.
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy moves back into familiar territory at number two, while Sean Paul’s Dutty Classics Collection backtracks from two to three.
Wisdom by Stick Figure is steady at four, so is Greatest Hits by UB40 at five.
Stick Figure’s World on Fire is at six, Dutty Rock by Sean Paul re-enters at seven, and Set in Stone by Stick Figure is firm at eight.
The Grammy-nominated Gifted by Koffee re-enters at nine, and Live at Red Rocks by Rebelution dips to 10.
Christopher Martin
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