Symphony of Sinners & Saints

Last updated
Symphony of Sinners & Saints
Symphony of Sinner & Saints album cover angel kneeling with cello in flames.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 21, 2021 (2021-05-21)
Studio Abbey Road Studios
Genre
Length38:02
Label Studio Seven Media
Producer
Kitt Wakeley chronology
Midnight in Macedonia
(2018)
Symphony of Sinners & Saints
(2021)
Singles from Symphony of Sinners & Saints
  1. "Conflicted"
    Released: February 26, 2021
  2. "Sinners & Saints"
    Released: April 16, 2021
  3. "Forgive Me"
    Released: May 14, 2021

Symphony of Sinners & Saints is a concept studio album [1] by American orchestral composer, songwriter, pianist/keyboardist, and music producer Kitt Wakeley. [2] The album peaked at #1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover and Classical charts and at #18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs. [3] It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK and released on May 21, 2021, by Studio Seven Media record label. [4] The album was recorded with an orchestra, several choirs, and a rock band, with elements of Rock, EDM, Classical, and Symphonic Rock. Feature guest appearances include Joe Satriani, Andy Timmons, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices, and the Dallas Gospel of Light Choir, among others. [5]

Contents

The album was supported by three singles, "Conflicted", "Sinners & Saints", and "Forgive Me", which all reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Sales chart. [6] It won Album of the Year at the Josie Music Awards [7] and "You Gave Me Wings" won Best Instrumental Song at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. [8] Wakeley charted in the "Top 10" of 2021's Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists. [9]

Background

History

Symphony of Sinners & Saints was conceived when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of Wakeley's live shows for 2020. Having an abundance of time away from touring led to the album's creation, production, and guest list. [10] In an interview with American Songwriter magazine, Wakeley shared, "There’s a really dark, sinister underlying bed, but then there’s this euphoric stuff over it. That’s the concept of the album." [1]

It was initially recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, then co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Tre Nagella at Luminous Sound Studios in Dallas, Texas. Due to the pandemic Wakeley recorded remotely from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma tapping into the musicians in London in real time to work on each song.

The album was supported by three singles, "Conflicted", "Sinners & Saints", and "Forgive Me", which all peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales chart. [6] Wakeley charted in the top ten of 2021's Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists. [11] Symphony of Sinners & Saints won "Album of the Year" at the Josie Music Awards [12] and "You Gave Me Wings" won "Best Instrumental Song" at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. [8]

To promote the release of the album Wakeley performed at Carnegie Hall, [13] and the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City, among other venues. [14] [15]

Joe Satriani collaboration

Joe Satriani played lead guitar on the tracks, "Conflicted" and "Forgive Me". [16] When asked about working with Satriani, Wakeley replied, "I emailed very well known artists of Joe's caliber on their respective instruments. Joe being so gracious opened up a whole lot more doors of other artists who wanted to play on my project."[ citation needed ]

Critical reception

The album received favorable reviews from music critics upon its release:

"The larger-than-life track showcases rock-driven guitar shredding alongside precise and sprawling orchestration, making for a uniquely powerful hybrid of chamber music, heavy metal and rock, and film score." - Glide Magazine [17]

"The album is great on first listen, but repeated plays reveal more and more layers and the listener will find him/herself drawn further in and finding new things to hear with each listen. A stunning piece of creative artistry!" - Andy Hawes, Metal Planet Music [18]

Charts

Chart (2021)Peak
position
US Classical Crossover (Billboard) [19] 1
US Classical (Billboard) [20] 1
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [21] 12
Singles
YearTitleChartPeak position
Billboard US
2021"Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani) [22] Hard Rock Digital Sales1
"Forgive Me" (featuring Joe Satriani) [23] Hard Rock Digital Sales1
"Sinners and Saints" [24] Hard Rock Digital Sales1

Track listing

Saints & Sinners track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Wicked Ways" (featuring Andy Timmons)Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:23
2."Sinners & Saints"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:53
3."Forgive Me" (featuring Joe Satriani)Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:47
4."Hello Again"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
5:02
5."Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani)Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
2:54
6."No Apologies"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
4:01
7."Requiem of the Fallen"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:26
8."End of My Journey"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
4:02
9."You Gave Me Wings"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:38
10."Echoes of Amadeus"Kitt Wakeley
  • Kitt Wakeley
  • Tre Nagella
3:55
Total length:38:02

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Additional personnel

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References

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  2. "Musician Kitt Wakeley as an EDM Legend". Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
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  4. "Acclaimed Composer Kitt Wakeley Unveils Orchestral Rock Composition "Sinners And Saints"s". Progressive Rock Central. April 16, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
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  8. 1 2 "HMMA Winners". Hollywood Music in Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
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  14. Cristi, A.A. "Composer Kitt Wakeley 'Symphony Of Sinners And Saints,' Out May 21 Featuring Joe Satriani". Broadway World.
  15. McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoman Kitt Wakeley topping charts with new album 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints'". The Oklahoman.
  16. "Hear Joe Satriani on Kitt Wakeley's New Orchestral-Rock Song". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  17. "Producer/composer Kitt Wakeley Unleashes Epic Orchestral Rock sounds on "Sinners and Saints"". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
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