This past summer saw the release of “Love Is Love” a song promoting marriage equality. Released to coincide with the landmark supreme court ruling it features internationally renowned Jazz and soul singer John Boutte. Boutte is well known for singing the theme song to the HBO show Treme and also appearing on the show playing himself. The song was recorded and mixed at Blue Velvet NOLA. It was written and produced by Jeff Beninato who played bass and acoustic guitar. Tom Stern recorded and mixed it along with playing electric guitar. It was covered by the Times Picayune on Nola.com by Alison Fensterstock:
New Orleans soul singer John Boutte’s warm, soaring voice is perfect for singing songs about love, or songs to fall in love to. His newest love song is both, and it’s also about something bigger; Boutte released “Love is Love” online Friday (June 26) in honor of the Supreme Court’s historic decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states.
Produced by Jeff Beninato (the dB’s) “Love is Love” is a blissed-out, earthy folk-pop song with simple, romantic lyrics:
girl kisses boy, boy kisses girl
oh what a wonderful world
boy kisses boy
girl kisses girl
oh what a beautiful world
black kisses white
day kisses night
oh what a wonderful world
I kiss you
you kiss me too
oh what a beautiful world
cause love is love
love is love
love is love
The album art, a circle of smooching lovers of all genders and colors, is by L. Steve Williams, Jr. A portion of proceeds from each 99-cent download goes to the It Gets Better LGBT Project. Lie down in a meadow and hold someone’s hand while you listen.
