Radiocafé meets Leo Sayer
Posted by Radiocafé on 18 Mar 2009 at 3:19 pm |
Category: 1. General Music
He found a whole new generation of fans as the man behind Meck’s reworking of the classic “Thunder In My Heart”. Pop legend Leo Sayer shares his thoughts with Radiocafé about the music business, his influences and we he is fully in support of the Campaign For Real Music.
Q: Do you support the Campaign For Real Music?
It’s good to know someone is campaigning for real music - I’m fully in support of anything that promotes proper musicians. There’s always worthy artists who don’t get the promotion and publicity, maybe because they weren’t able to deal with the politics of music. However, the new iTunes generation gives an outlet to make this possible; as the internet empowers artists, there’s less of a need for record companies and newspapers to create the hype. The bands will prove themselves live and the worthy ones will make great records - it’s like it used to be, which is good!
Q: Tell us about Thunder In My Heart Again
It’s a song I wrote back in the 70s at the time when You Make Me Feel Like Dancing was at number one in the ‘States. Essentially it was a song about a night of great sex… Meck found this track in a second hand shop, decided to remix it, and contacted me. I love what he’s done with it. The Meck remix isn’t actually all that different from the original - it begins in the third verse, but the vocal is basically the same. It’s great to see people dancing to my music again.
Q: Are there to be any more remixes?
Watch this space… In the meantime, there’s a a Best of Leo Sayer CD coming out soon on Universal.
Q: With whom have you most enjoyed working?
All the bands I’ve played with, especially the A-Team in Los Angeles in the Seventies. Musicians such as Steve Cropper, Larry Carlton and Ray Parker Junior on guitars, Chuck Rainey and Willie Weeks on bass, Jeff Porcaro and Steve Gadd on drums and many many others. I learn from them all I know!
Q: Who do you admire today?
Times have changed but there’s fresh talent everywhere, from Chris Botti on trumpet to new singers like KT Tunstall and James Blunt. It’s talent basically and passion, something that no A&R man can design!
Q: Is there any chance of a collaboration with the Bee Gees again, or a re-release of the brilliant Heart (Stop Beating Again)?
I hope so, Barry Gibb is an amazing writer and it was a thrill to have him write a song for me. I hope it can come out again.
Q: Are there any artists or tracks you would like to see re-released?
Yes, there are lots: Esther Philips - Good Black is Hard To Crack (this has nothing to do with drugs!) ; Michael Franks; Billy Cobham - Spectrum. Nina Simone - Baltimore.
Q: Are we set to see the brilliant Orchard Road as a show on Broadway.?
Who knows… But it would be interesting to bring the stories out on stage. I once contemplated a musical with all my songs telling the story - it could just happen!
Q: Tell us about your recent album, Voice In My Head. Did you write the tracks yourself? Is it the same, soulful Leo Sayer we know and love?
It’s self written and self produced. I think it’s as powerful as anything I’ve done before and maybe even more soulful!
Q: Who were your main musical influences?
Bob Dylan; Otis Redding; Muddy Waters; Robert Johnson; John Coltrane; and I’d have to also include the wonderful Billie Holiday.
Q: What are your five all time favourite CDs?
1. Kirk Franklin - The Rebirth of
2. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
5. Billie Holiday - anything!
4. Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
5. Nina Simone - Baltimore
Q: Which of your own tracks are your favourites?
Giving It All Away from Just A Boy - mostly because of the fact I’m so proud of the song; Thunder in My Heart; and also Living in a Fantasy from 1980.
Q: Finally, as one of the true music stars we have admired for many years, will you be our honorary president of the Campaign?
Yes, of course!
Radiocafé would like to thank Leo Sayer for taking time to speak to us, endorsing the Campaign for Real Music®, and for the many years’ worth of definitive music.
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