It’s been a while since country music icon Tanya Tucker has released a new record. What can be considered as a proper album with new material was her 2002 album, Tanya. That excludes, of course, her 2009 classic covers album. Almost two decades is certainly enough for the singer to come up with a fresh and valuable project that would make her fans relive her shining moment.
It’s definitely worth the wait for Tucker’s fans knowing that she’s coming back with a bang. Her return is packed with enough surprises to make up for the 17 years of being away from the spotlight. She’s not only coming back with a new record but also with a documentary film. And, she’s just as excited as her fans.
Tanya Tucker’s Comeback Record and Film
The “What’s Your Mama’s Name” singer entitled her comeback record as While I’m Living. The album is accompanied by a documentary film called Delta Dawn Then and Now: The Return of Tanya Tucker. Both projects are intended to revive Tucker’s career. Despite having a flourishing career in the 1970s, she’s been one of country music’s unnoticed stars.
The three-time Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile, along with Shooter Jennings, will be producing the new album. Jennings was supposed to be the only producer for the album but later decided to enlist the help of Carlile. Interestingly, Shooter also co-produced Carlile’s Grammy-winning record, By the Way, I Forgive You with Dave Cobb.
Also, this is not the first time that Jennings and Tucker will be working together. They have previously teamed up for the re-recording of “Better Hope You Die Young,” a duet with Leroy Virgil. Meanwhile, Carlile is the executive producer for the documentary film.
Recording the Album and Film
The recording of the album took place in Hollywood last January. It happened simultaneously with the film. While Tucker was recording the album, a camera crew was following her for the documentary.
Carlile explained the reason behind the title of the album,
“We wait until they’re so old, before we have these tributes for them, and it’s beautiful. But we should have done this for Willie when he was 60 and should have done this for Loretta when she was 60. So this record’s called ‘While I’m Living’ because I’ll be God-damned if we’re not going to tribute her while she’s living.”
On the other hand, the documentary film’s title was taken from Tucker’s first hit “Delta Dawn” which she recorded when she’s only 13 in 1972.