Blue Mink's lead singers to reunite for first time in 30 years for very special Madeline Bell show
2 February 2024, 11:58
Blue Mink's two lead singers are getting back together.
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Blue Mink, the transatlantic group who scored a run of hit singles in the 1970s, are having a reunion of sorts.
Original singers Roger Cook and Madeline Ball are joining forces for a one-off show to celebrate Madeline's remarkable career.
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Madeline Bell: Encore sees the singer take to the stage with the English Chamber Orchestra at London's Cadogan Hall on April 13, and tickets are available now.
Joining Madeline and the Orchestra – conducted by Matthew Jones – is Roger Cook, her old Blue Mink bandmate, on special guest vocals.
Ian Shaw will also take part on vocals and piano, while the whole night will be hosted by Paul Gambaccini.
"For the first time in 30 years, Madeline reunites on stage with Roger Cook, one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation, having penned 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)', 'You’ve Got Your Troubles' and 'Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart', to name just a few," said organisers.
"Sharing lead vocals in Blue Mink, they enjoyed six Top 20 UK hits including 'Melting Pot', 'Good Morning Freedom' and 'The Banner Man’."
Written by Cook with his regular songwriting partner Roger Greenaway, Blue Mink's 1969 debut 'Melting Pot' was a paean to racial harmony that went all the way to number one, though its well-intentioned lyrics haven't aged particularly well.
Madeline Bell - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (1968)
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Madeline came to Europe in 1962 with the Alex Bradford Singers and has stayed ever since.
As well as presumably covering her time in Blue Mink, given Roger Cook's guest spot, the special show will explore her session work for the likes of Dusty Springfield, Joe Cocker and The Rolling Stones.
It will also touch on her own solo career, which has seen the release of albums Bell’s a Poppin’, Doin’ Things and This Is One Girl.
