Volume 4
Dear Almu, a cheeky first question. I'm not sure, is the answer.
My brother has never worked so hard. Eastenders is a seven-days-a-week job and a programme like that would never allow me the time to do the projects that interest me the most. Besides, it would be a bit far fetched to play Steve Owen's brother in the show, and too unbelievable to not be related! I think that it's best left to him to do, and for me to simply enjoy the reflected glory! I'm looking forward to his autobiography which comes out next Spring and to see how well I do in that!
"Of falling leaves and melting
snows, of birds
in their delights
Some poets sing
their melodies
tendering my nights
sweetly..."
But this is not the subject of the message, so I will get down to business. My question is very simple: Have you heard the music of "The Blue Nile" and what do you think about it? Lots of love from Mexico, Mariana Rodriguez
Dear Mariana, I enjoy The Blue Nile's music very much, and their style of production was a big influence on my solo album. I met Paul on a plane once and he seemed a very intelligent man. I do like "Peace At Last".
Dear Sarah, Martin and I are close and similar in many respects, especially our love of family and our constant enjoyment in being fathers. We differ a lot in our hobbies and life styles though, but all of that is nothing compared to what bonds us. My favourite Spandau song is probably "Barricades", but I have a fondness for the roughness of "To Cut A Long Story Short", and also the 12" of "Chant No 1".
PS to me, you're the good looking one.
Dear Rachel, thank you, but I think the Kemps are done for that show - Martin's story is not so dissimilar to mine in the first half, and anyway, he is certainly more famous than me now!
Dear Agnes, I recently wrote a song with Marti and Chris Difford, which hopefully will make Marti's album, but who knows. I may well be doing another writing session with him soon. I hope so as it was very enjoyable, and he is shockingly talented.
Dear Agnes (again?), Polls only reflect what people feel when they are taken, and the fickle tribalism of pop culture. Ignore them as I do.
Anyway, here are my Qs for you this time:
a) Are you familiar with any of William Blake's poetry and what is your opinion about it? The reason why I'm asking is I read some and noticed he stresses the creative aspect of art comparing it with the ever-changing process of life and I somehow had the feeling you regard the artist as someone who takes inspiration from life and generates part of it with his work. Is that true, to some extent?
b) Where did you get "Born under twins, you are never really sure, one heart totally invested, the other holding out for more..." from? I mean, what's behind that verse? I am gemini and I have to say it's absolutely true!:)
c) I had a strong impression the music of Bowie's "Fame" is very similar to that of "Pharaoh", in the Diamond album. Has Bowie's song had any influence on yours?
d) Why did you quote The Catcher in the Rye in "Code of love?"
That's enough for Q&A4, I think!!:)) Thanks! Lots of love, Lauraxx
Lots of questions here, Laura.
a) I enjoy much of William Blake's work, especially his combination of poetry and art. He would etch his poems (written backwards!) with accompanying images, and then paint directly onto the plate to print one-offs. He was a real polymath, full of amazing ideas and images, albeit a little eccentric (he saw angels in a tree once while walking in South London), yet he was unrecognised in his own life time. I find his fake mythology very difficult, but "Rose Though Art Sick" wonderful. I especially love his etchings. He was an artisan who became an artist and then a poet.
b) That verse is about someone I know who is a Gemini. The expression "Born Under Twins" just popped into my head when I was thinking about them and their rather black and white personalities, full of contradictions and mood swings. I'm not a believer in astrology, but this definition of a Gemini certainly suited them and I liked the poetry of that.
c) I'm afraid that I can't remember what the influences for that song were. Maybe Byrne's "Bush Of Ghosts".
d) It was a book that meant something to me and a certain person at the time.
Dear Carmen, I'm rather embarrassed at some of the lyrics now! Some excuses: a youthful desire to be seen as intellectual and mysterious; the need in pop music to have good phonetic value and the odd obscure sound-bite; no real emotional experiences. That's why I am happier with the lyrics on my solo album, which came out of true pain and cathartic experience. Failure in life urged me back to music in order to answer some of my questions and purge myself. Unless you're writing dramatic lyrics it's only real yearning or a need to understand something that creates good lyric. The "True " album was born out of a courtly love affair; "Barricades" out of the shock of seeing Belfast for the first time; "Empty Spaces" out of the end of a long relationship. I'm glad that some of my songs have helped you a little.
Dear Lynn, At the moment I have no plans for another solo album, but I do have songs that are building up. As you know, I have put a lot of effort into the writing of over forty pieces of music for the stage musical. I also want to make a film soon, and I'm working with another writer on that project. Fingers crossed that both will get financed. I find these things more challenging at the moment.
Dear Nina, I was a late starter as far as Morrissey is concerned and didn't understand The Smiths at all. Since a certain crash of the heart I fell for his music and know adore and understand his work, especially his solo material. I saw him live a couple of years ago at Battersea where he was wonderful, and I was invited backstage to have tea with him alone, which was a great honour. My favourite album of his is "Vauxhaul And I".
Dear Mayumi, My treasure, if I understand you correctly, is certainly my son.
Dear Jemma, I guess I've answered your question as to what I'm doing next in a previous answer, but as for acting I'm not sure when or what. I don't put it on my list of things that I want to do. I like the other side of the camera best of all and enjoyed my experience as music director on the movie "Still Crazy" better than most of the movies I've acted in. I guess that I prefer to have control of the bigger picture!
Dear Guy, I'm not sure that I can go through all of the lyrics to Gold and know what they mean! As I said in a previous answer (9) I like the
obscure images and the phonetic value of some phrases that pop music allows. I think I was just interested in making a spoof theme tune for a secret agent movie that never existed. Nevertheless, it seems to get played as the music for a lot of televised athletics, something it certainly had nothing to do with!
Dear Helen, I'd love to work with Annie Lennox. Pete Townshend is a huge hero also, but he only writes alone (understandably). But I think I would be most intrigued by Brian Eno. Sorry, Gary isn't on my list at the moment.
Dear Samantha, It was a pleasure working with someone with such a great voice and ability to create strong melody. I can't promise that he will include what I did with him when he comes to his final choice of songs. I'm one of a few different writers that he is creating with. I am sure that he'll do well though, there's such a smile in his voice which is infectiously endearing.
You've recently said you've discovered Bob Dylan's music. I've just got to know musicians from 60/70's, such as Neil Young, The America, Simon and Garfunkel and I find them very stimulating. Do you think they could be somehow a sort of influence to you as well, in alternative to the sterile and "saturated" pop-music? And then , how did all the musicians who played in your album partecipate into it? Did you ask them that particular sound, that precise arrangement or effect, or were they quite free to underline their voices when and how they believed to? And last, but not least, could you suggest us some good "pillow book" (i.e. a good, relaxing, yet interesting book you can read before getting asleep at night)? I (Francesca) have recently read The Aran Island by Synge and I found it extremely interesting... Thank you so much for your help, and don't ever forget to smile ! :-) All our love and support ! Francesca + Fulvia + Fabiola
Dear Francesca, Fulvia, & Fabiola (in no particular order), When I was fourteen I played guitar and sang on a children's program called "You
Must Be Joking" along with the actor, Phil Daniels. We were in a band together and decided to sing a song called "Sandman", by America, so they were a very early influence. Given the evolution of popular music I defy any recent artist who says that Bob Dylan or S & G had no influence upon them. We all collect the baton and then pass it on. I was hugely influenced by David Bowie. He was most certainly influenced by Bob Dylan (see his Hunky Dory album and "Song For Robert Zimmerman"). There you are. It depends. With some musicians I would let feel their own way, while with others I'd be much more specific. At all times I would be giving direction or veto. As the song built it would be more obvious as to where to
go. For example, the end sequence of Brother heart was very controlled and not just people jamming. We built it instrument by instrument, with the 6/8 jig playing over a 4/4 rock drum pattern. This was very much the idea. Also, I knew that I wanted a sparse, watery piano to compliment all the staccato quavers of the jig, so after giving that as a direction the engineer found
the sound and the pianist then tried to interpret that idea. We messed around for a long time before I got what I wanted. I never read relaxing books I'm afraid, only inspirational ones and Brain-fryers . If they're not they're tossed aside! Actually I read a lot of non-fiction. Currently a biog of Orson Wells, and a history of East London.
I love Dickens and recently read Hard Times. He's good to take to bed. Well, at least I heard he was!
work —even if I didn’t write fiction—. Do you have a recurrent preoccupation that has the tendency of surprising you? Thank you so much. Lots of love from Mexico City, Mariana Rodriguez
Dear Mariana, I'm afraid that I don't know the novel, but I understand the suppression of communication, whether it is politically or emotionally inflicted, or simply from a discouraging voice that has poured years of criticism upon you. Writing is always a way out, even if it is just for ones own eyes. A few pages in the morning of stream of consciousness is incredible self-therapy to break through ones own silence. And we all know the power of art and music. Good luck with your work. I find that unrequited passion is a favourite obsession of mine, but without a goal there is no story I suppose.
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