Introduction
🎶 Bradley Dorsey Revives Rare Songs of His Father, Engelbert Humperdinck, on the ‘I’ve Got Dreams’ Album
The father-son dynamic in the music world is always a compelling subject. Legendary singer Engelbert Humperdinck is famous for countless chart-topping romantic hits, but his six-decade career hides many lesser-known gems. Now, his son, musician Bradley Dorsey, has delved into that archive to pay tribute to his father on the new album ‘I’ve Got Dreams’.
The album is more than just a family music project; it’s a heartfelt effort by Dorsey to revive rare songs—tracks that rarely received radio airplay—and introduce them to a new generation of listeners.
Searching the Archives
Bradley Dorsey, who has toured alongside his father extensively, took the time to search through old recordings from the 70s and 80s, looking for songs often overshadowed by the colossal success of “Release Me” or “The Last Waltz.”
Dorsey shared that he wanted to showcase a different side of his father’s musical legacy—one that was more complex, infused with jazz and soul, moving beyond the image of the “great balladeer” that the public generally knows.
Among the covered tracks are songs that Engelbert recorded but rarely performed live, or those that appeared only on limited-release albums. Dorsey cleverly re-arranged these tracks, preserving the familiar romantic spirit and warm vocal quality of his father, but adding his own refinement and emotion.
Distinction in Reverence
It is a significant challenge for a son to cover the work of his famous father, but Bradley Dorsey overcame it with reverence and creativity. He did not attempt to imitate his father’s signature baritone voice but used his own style to retell the stories within the songs.
The album ‘I’ve Got Dreams’ has been well-received, not only by Engelbert’s loyal fanbase but also by critics who appreciate Dorsey’s ability to highlight the depth of Humperdinck’s musical catalogue.
Willie Nelson once said: “Legacy is not what you leave for people, it’s what you leave in them.” For Bradley Dorsey, this album is his way of ensuring that Engelbert Humperdinck’s rare stories and melodies will never be forgotten.