Let's Hear It for Love

Background

The album would be Mardones' first album for his current record label Warrior Records. It was his first album of all new original music since the 1998 album Bless a Brand New Angel. Being released with limited promotion, the album didn't reach any national charts within America.

The main form of promotion for the album was Mardones' live performances where numerous songs from the album were introduced into the live set.

The album's producer Jim Ervin is known for his work with Glen Campbell, Little Eva and Eddie Money.

The album was dedicated to his long-time road manager and dear friend, Tommy Piraino, who died around the time from leukemia. The track "Just for You My Friend" features a short appearance from Piraino's son, whilst the song itself was written as a tribute to Piraino, as Benny grieved.

The title track "Let's Hear It for Love" is a duet with American rock musician and singer Eddie Money, who also co-wrote the track. "When the Lights Go Out" is a duet with vocalist Robbyn Kirmsse whilst the duet "This Time" features American singer-songwriter Katrina Carlson.

The album was written by Mardones and James Ervin, except for "Let's Hear It for Love" which featured a co-writing credit to Money, whilst "Bye Bye Baby, Goodbye" featured a co-writing credit to Jack Scott.

"This Time" is not the same track as a song with the identical title on Mardones' 1981 album Too Much to Lose.

Although his final album to date, Mardones has released a yearly series of live albums under the title Turning Stone and the 2008 release Extended Versions, as well as a new single in 2012, titled "I've Got You".

Release

The album was released on CD via Warrior Records, and has remained available to purchase on CD ever since. The album can also be downloaded from major sites such as Amazon and iTunes.

The CD was re-issued in 2007 by Warrior Records and again that year by Warrior Records and Bungalo.

No singles or promotional singles were released from the album, except for the CD single "The Train Don't Stop Here Anymore", which remains available directly via Warrior Records.

Critical reception

Allmusic wrote "Apart from some of the production and some wear on his voice, Let's Hear It for Love could easily be mistaken for an album Benny Mardones released in 1986 instead of one from 2006. This record is heavy on love songs, meaning that there are a lot of slow-crawling sentimental tunes that are nevertheless driven by big, cavernous drums straight out of the mid-'80s - and it also sounds like a throwback to '80s album rock. This is enjoyable stuff for anybody who has a taste for either Mardones or the softer mainstream pop of the '80s. But the singer just as often gets bogged down in treacly, turgid emoting that will please his devoted fans but will turn away those casual fans who only know (and only love) "Into the Night"."

Personnel