"I am so blessed and greatly honored to have recorded a duet with Michael Bolton," says Claire dela Fuente gratefully. "The finished recording of ‘The Christmas Song' is now on this CD and it will be added to my Christmas album as a bonus track."
Claire's contract with Michael Bolton also stipulated that the multi-awarded pop icon will include the same track on his own Christmas album, which is distributed all over the globe.
"This gives me the privilege to be the first Filipina to have a duet with him and to be heard by the entire world through Michael's album," Claire adds.
A couple of months ago, producer Christian de Walden had a meeting with Michael Bolton and his manager at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, for the singer's appearance in a major event celebrating the great Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso last July 15 in Sorrentoo, Italy.
On that meeting, Christian gave Michael the Claire Dela Fuente Christmas Album and invited him to guest on said CD. A few days later, his manager e-mailed Christian, telling him that Michael loved Claire's voice and he would be very happy to record "The Christmas Song" with her.
Luca Vittori, famous Italian recording engineer, arrived in Manila to complete the recording of the historic duet. Claire just dubbed her voice on the tracks already with Michael's rendition.
To date, Michael Bolton has sold more than 53 million albums, worldwide. He has won several Grammy awards as Best Male Vocalist, as well as in other categories. He has been bestowed countless honors by award-giving international bodies.
As a performer, Michael has sung with Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles; has written songs with Bob Dylan; and penned hits with Barbara Streisand and Kiss.
He has also played guitar with the King of the Blues B.B. King and has been sampled on a track by hip-hop star Kanye West.
Michael's latest album, Bolton swings Sinatra, is a loving testimony to a master. "Frank sings with such power and such vulnerability," marvels Bolton. "He was a great storyteller. I just tried to tell some of these stories on my own way."
Claire dela Fuente first came under the limelight in the golden era of the Philippine music industry, during the ‘70s. Her multi-platinum award albums and several hit singles catapulted her to the pinnacle of popularity.
After semi-retirement from the recording scene, although she has continuously performed in live concerts here and abroad, Claire staged a triumphant comeback last year.
Her Something In Your Eyes album has been certified platinum and The Claire Dela Fuente Christmas Album reached the gold mark, even if it was already late November when released.
Claire's newest recording, Timeless Songs Of My Life, has spawned several singles, including the duet with David Soul, "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang."