MP3 | Diane Birch — ‘What Is Love?’ (Haddaway cover)

A trusty old Wurlitzer might not be as trendy as a Tenori-On these days, but with this quietly sensational cover of Haddaway’s 1992 hit ‘What Is Love?’ classically trained pianist Diane Birch proves more than a match for the likes of Little Boots when it comes to unexpected pop covers posted to YouTube. Even in crappy, low bitrate quality, it’s a sultry revelation that introduces Diane’s superlative, vintage-tinged voice and exemplary interpretive skills.

Far from being a covers artist, however, her debut album Bible Belt is an entirely self-penned collection finished off with the production team behind the first two Joss Stone albums – including the legendary Betty Wright – and a stellar cast of musicians. Patti Smith sideman Lenny Kaye, The Roots’ Adam Blackstone, Tori Amos collaborator George Porter Jr of The Meters, drummers Cindy Blackman and Stanton Moore (Galactic), and ‘Saturday Night Live’ house band members Lenny Pickett (saxophone) and Tom ‘Bones’ Malone (trombone) all lend a hand, with backing vocals from Betty Wright and Jive Five singer Eugene Pitt.

Bible Belt is released on May 19th through S-Curve Records and we’ve got a bonus freebie in the form of album opener ‘Fire Escape’ below.

FREE MP3: Diane Birch, ‘What Is Love?’ [low quality]

BONUS MP3: Diane Birch, ‘Fire Escape’

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