With the prolific nature of Donnie’s talent, it always amazes me what he considers an ‘out-take’. Sometimes circumstances just prevent that extra song from being on one of his records, and other times gems just get forgotten along the way.
Being in the privileged position that we are, Lewis John and I found ourselves in the care of material that fits into the above categories, and returning to an idea I suggested to Donnie several years ago, we have compiled his latest rarities collection, ‘!’.
The title was my idea; a reference to Donnie’s former band Enuff Z’nuff’s ‘?’ compilation, and a nod to my own emphatic feelings about his continued musical journey. This digital record is almost like a bonus disc to both ‘The White Album’ and ‘Goodbye : Enough Z’nuff’, as that is the era from which 9 of these 10 songs originate. Diamonds in the rough, but diamonds all the same. Then to top it all off, we present you with Donnie’s extremely talented niece Maddie Benjamin performing her uncle’s tribute to her Mum (and his sister, Amie), making this a family affair for us all to enjoy.
01 – Better Love Next time (alternate version)
02 – Alone With Destiny (Outtake)
03 – New Sky Coming (Outtake)
04 – Protected (Outtake)
05 – Strength (piano version)
06 – Sanibel Island (acoustic version)
07 – The Way Home (Live)
08 – Time To Let You Go (Live)
09 – In My Life (Live)
10 – Innocence (feat. Maddie Benjamin)