You know her for her five Grammy awards and 50 chart hits, but gay-fave Dionne Warwick is branching out. The legendary singer, coming Jan. 9 and 10 to Caesar's Windsor, is promoting her new gospel album – only the second ever of her nearly 50-year career – and first children's book.
On "Why We Sing," Warwick goes back to her roots. With family groups the Drinkard Singers and the Gospelaires, Warwick performed her first shows – and won her first acclaim. Now, Warwick revisits those days with cuts such as "The Old Landmark" and "Rise, Shine and Give God the Glory." But this is not just an old school joint. Warwick mixes the classics with the contemporary seamlessly, and shines on it all, including new tracks produced by BeBe Winans.
"These are the songs I grew up hearing and singing, and those that were written for me felt as if I had known them and sung them just as much," Warwick recently told Between The Lines.
On the title track, originally recorded by Kirk Franklin, Warwick is joined by her sister, Dee Dee Warwick. Son David Elliott also joins in on "Seven," a song he both wrote and produced. Another standout is Warwick's stirring rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Introducing 'Little D'
For "Say A Little Prayer" ($17.95, hardcover from Running Press), Warwick also went back to her beginnings.
"The book is a look back at the wonderful childhood I had and those that were a part of my growing years," she said. "It is sort of a young autobiography of me and gives an insight on 'Little D,' as my neighborhood called me."
As a mother of two and grandmother of six, parenting was always Warwick's most important role. Her advice to young parents today is simple and straightforward.
"Encouragement, support and love are the key ingredients of parenting," she said. "And take the words my grandfather gave to me and share it with all that you love, especially the children. 'If you can think it, you can do it.'"
Fans, of course, wonder if Warwick has other writing projects in the works, like possibly her long-awaited autobiography?
"I feel there is no reason to write an autobiography," she said. "People generally know as much as they should about me, and no, I don't think I will ever write one."
