Close to You Jonathan Butler

• 1Do You Know the Way to San Jose03:32
• 2I'll Never Fall in Love Again03:34
• 3This Guy's in Love with You03:29
• 4Alfie04:31
• 5I Say a Little Prayer03:29
• 6Walk on By03:45
• 7(They Long to Be) Close to You04:28
• 8The Look of Love03:46
• 9Cape Town03:45
• 10What the World Needs Now is Love04:54
• 11A House is Not a Home04:53
• Total Runtime44:06

Info for Close to You

Close To You', from renowned guitarist/vocalist/songwriter JONATHAN BUTLER celebrating the music of Burt Bacharach! These well-loved songs find invigorated, unique interpretations that resonate as strongly as the originals. Polished to an easy, smooth shine Jonathan presents this collection to his International audience which has easily crossed musical genres.

“This record was inspired by my fiancé Nadira Kimberly. At home one night, we played and sang together as we listened to “Close To You” by the amazing Burt Bacharach. This really opened the door for me to do this amazing man’s music. In 1975 I was 13 years old when my first single was released, “Please Stay” by none other than Burt Bacharach. It's like I've come full circle.” (Jonathan Butler)

"Closing out the album, Butler offers a pared-down reading of “A House Is Not a Home,” highlighted by his distinctive vocal rubato and defined guitar rhythm methodology and complemented by the undertones of Dan Lutz’s upright bass. This no-frills approach is an efficacious showcase for Butler’s strengths, and perhaps might have worked more ideally in several of the less convincing moments of Close to You. All in all, despite a few production and structural weaknesses, Butler comes through with a satisfying collection of interpretations most worthy of his exploration." (Justin Kantor, soultracks.com)

Jonathan Butler, vocals, guitar, percussion, bass, drum programming
Ramon Islas, percussion
Donald Hayes, saxophones
Cameron Johnson, trumpet
Nadira Kimberly, violin
Dan Lutz, bass
Jodie Butler, background vocals
Antonio Sol, background vocals
Francis Benetez, background vocals
Terry Wood, background vocals
Sandie Hall Brooks, background vocals
Francis Livings, background vocals
Amy Keys, background vocals
Guy Maeda, background vocals
Anick Byram, background vocals
Clydene Jackson, background vocals
Leyla Hoyle, background vocals
James Zavaleta, background vocals
Paulina Aguirre, background vocals
Aleyna Van Antwerp, background vocals
Jenny Karr, background vocals
Sharlotte Gibson, background vocals
Adrian Brizz, background vocals
Bianca McClure, background vocals
Vangie Gunn, background vocals
Brigette Bryant, background vocals
Andrea Grossi, background vocals
Dorian Holley, background vocals
Fred White, background vocals
Carlis Murguia, background vocals
Will Wheaton, background vocals
Charlean Carmon, background vocals
Aleta Braxton, background vocals

Jonathan Butler
is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa.

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan’s musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan’s talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a GRAMMY®.

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a GRAMMY® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another GRAMMY® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

This album contains no booklet.