According to the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine, Bette Midler is contributing her own songwriting composition and vocals to an upcoming CD tribute to Arif Mardin, who passed away in late June. The title of the song is “The Greatest Ears In Town.”
Oil Painting: Vincent Murray
Arif’s son, Joe, has taken over the project since his father passed away. Arif was in the midst of this new project, recording songs he had written over a half century of being in the music biz.
Bette Midler states that “Arif called friends, people he’s worked with over the years, and we all jumped in to sing his music.”
Joe Mardin says the line-up of artists tentatively includes Bette Midler, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Carly Simon, Dr. John, and jazz players, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker, and Joe Lovano.
Before he died, Arif Mardin wrote the arrangements for one of his last compositions, “All My Friends Are Here,” from his hospital bed.
Love, Mister D
