In 1995, Blessid Union of Souls released their debut album, Home. Since then, Blessid Union of Souls' lead singer and founder Eliott Sloan has continued to write and produce music for the group. Although the band has not been able to duplicate the success of their first album, they have returned after a four-year break. Elliot Sloan and fellow band member guitarist Tony Clarke recently talked with VOA about their return to the studio.
It has been more than 18 years since Blessid Union of Souls made their musical debut. After taking a break and releasing a greatest-hits CD called Perception, they have returned with a new CD, Close To The Edge.
Band founder Eliot Sloan tells us, "We have been real busy during the last few years, still touring and working on new music and finally came up with a new record that everyone is proud of and looking forward to going out on the road and promoting [the CD] again."
Blessid Union of Souls has been criticized for combining eight songs from their Perception album, on the new CD. "There were some songs on there [Perception] that we just love, and to me they just did not really get a shot," said Sloan.
The band took its name from a popular American TV show that aired in the U.S. from 1972 until 1983.
Sloan explains. "I got it off an episode of M.A.S.H. like two years before Blessid Union of Souls even came together [in 1993]. When we were working on the music for our first album [Home], I just remembered that. I went to the group and said, 'What do you think of the name 'Blessid Union of Souls'? They said, 'That is pretty cool!' So we just stuck with it."
The new CD, Close To The Edge went on sale worldwide in June. Blessid Union of Souls is looking forward to going on tour. "That [touring] is our first love,” says Sloan. “I love being in a studio working on the music but the stage is where we shine. There is a lot of energy on stage and a lot of passion in our [live] songs. I guess it is that cheap instant gratification we get right there in front of the fans. It is fun."
Special thanks to Arrow Line Management, and Torque Records
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