Some voices don’t just sing a lyric, they live it. Marsha Bartenetti has long been known for her ability to bring authenticity and emotional depth to every performance, and her latest release, “Hallelujah, I Just Love Him So”, proves it once again. A spirited reimagining of the Ray Charles classic, Bartenetti flips the song’s gender perspective while keeping its heart intact, delivering a joyful swing that feels both timeless and freshly her own.
Recorded at Nashville’s iconic Ocean Way Studios and completed at Blue Moon Studios in California, the track is powered by a top-tier ensemble. With Kevin Madill on piano, Aaron Currie on guitar, Stephan Oberhoff on Hammond B3, Marcus Finnie on drums, Danny O’Lannerghty on bass, and Brian Scanlon on saxophone, the arrangement brims with energy and playfulness. Under the careful production of Oberhoff, Donny Marrow, and Bartenetti herself, the song shines as a showcase for both her rich vocals and the ensemble’s improvisational flair.
For Bartenetti, this single is more than a cover; it’s part of a personal journey. From her early years in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene, where she shared stages with acts like The Youngbloods, to her collaborations at Motown with legendary songwriters Ron Miller and Ken Hirsch, her career has been marked by versatility and resilience. After stepping away from the stage for years to pursue voice-over work and jingles, she returned in 2015 with renewed purpose, releasing several acclaimed albums and performing to sold-out Los Angeles audiences.
With “Hallelujah, I Just Love Him So”, Bartenetti reminds us that great songs are not bound by time; they thrive when interpreted with honesty. Her joyful rendition is a testament to her artistry, experience, and the simple truth that when she sings, listeners believe every word.