Aldo Nova set to return in October with “2.0”

On Oct. 19, guitarist, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer Aldo Nova will release “2.0,” his first album in more than three decades. The album is a collection of reinventions of six classic songs off his 1982 self-titled platinum debut, plus one new original, “I’m a Survivor,” initially written for Foreigner singer Lou Gramm.

After years of silence, the Montreal native says the time is right to begin another chapter.

“When I turned 60, I told myself I was going to turn the page,” Nova says. “I realized I had to shut the book and write a completely new book.

“With 2.0, my goal has already been achieved, as far as I’m concerned. I wanted to beat the 1.0 to death. The second thing is to reintroduce my music to the old fans, and play to a new generation of fans who just developed an interest. I don’t think that young generation has heard music like this ever before. I’m on top of my game now. I’m ready for it.”

Nova’s three-decade journey took him through extreme professional highs and painful personal lows, including the death of his wife and Canadian music industry bigwig, Paola Simonetto.

“During the time that I was working on “2.0,” my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” he explains. “I managed to finish the album right before she passed away on Christmas Day. I still was able to take care of every doctor’s appointment, every chemo treatment. I was cooking and cleaning, and at night I worked on my album.

“She always had very good ears. She gave me a lot of pointers on what to do with the music and what not to do. She was a big part of why “2.0” sounds as good as it does.”

During the 1990s and 2000s, in addition to recording tracks for popular foreign-language artists, Nova collaborated with Jon Bon Jovi, Faith Hill and Clay Aiken (he co-wrote Aiken’s hit, “This Is the Night”), and did successful work with Celine Dion. In 1997, Nova won a Grammy for Dion’s blockbuster album, “Falling Into You,” and later co-produced/co-wrote Dion singles like the global smash “A New Day Has Come” and “You and I,” the latter of which was chosen as Hillary Clinton’s campaign song in 2008.

Aldo Nova 2.0 track listing
Fantasy 2.0
Ball and Chain 2.0
Heart to Heart 2.0
It’s Too Late 2.0
Can’t Stop Lovin’ You 2.0
Foolin’ Yourself 2.0
I’m a Survivor