Exclusives

Mike: Is there anything special what you really would like to reach in your life sometime?
Carleen: Sponsor a music school for underpriviledged children.

M: Which were the main changes since you're living in Europe compared with the lifestyle to America?
C: In England/Europe, the cost of living is higher, but the standard of living is lower- it's the exact opposite way in the US-cost of living is lower, but the US has higher living standards; Europeans are more politically informed. Americans are less knowledgeable of what is generally known elsewhere, unware of common world-wide political facts.

M: Was it difficult to start a new life when you moved to London?
C: There were some adjustments, smaller living space, electricity meters that switched off the electricity if 50 pence wasn't fed to the meter, primitive living adjustments. Although, over the past few years, England has caught up quite a bit with the current US lifestyle. Now it's standard for fitted plugs to accompany the electric gadget one buys. When I first came here, one had to buy a plug, fit it on the electric gadget one has bought, (hair dryer, etc.), without blowing one's self up! But on the whole, it was a matter of altering one's state of mind, as in, "Dorothy, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!"

M: What's the best thing about London?
C: The abundance of shared multi-culture.

M: Are you going often out to clubs or to visit concerts?
C: No, hardly ever, 2 or 3 times a year, tops, if that.

M: Which was your last concert you went to?
C: Jean Carne, Jazz Cafe, 16 March 2002

M: Is there a big difference between British-and American Soul music for you?
C: The British Soul is tinged with the West African and West Indian flavours, which is so prevalent in Omar's music, and what makes American Soul artists intrigued with this delectable blend.

M: Your son Bobby plays also in a band. Do you give him musical advices about how to do something or is he doing his own business?
C: Of course I'm here for my son in whatever way he needs me, but he's been very independent in his preparation for his music career, and while he does seek my advice now and again, Bob was raised to be a good life student. To 'Watch and Pray'.

M: With which other artist would you really like to record an album and why?
C: Eric Clapton. Primarily because he's such an excellent blues man, of course, but also because his "No More Tears In Heaven" was the first song my Son taught himself to sing and play on guitar.

M: How was it for you to work with Paul McCartney?
C: It was totally taken aback! Very Giddy and Nervous!! But Sir Paul McCartney, along with his wife, Linda and their daughter, Stella, were all genuinely warm-hearted people. Paul started in with the jokes to ease my star struck syndrome! I had a wonderfully great time working with McCartney, what a cool dude!

M: Once you used to work with the Brand New Heavies, why did you leave the band?
C: It was a mutually amicable parting of the ways, due to changes in musical direction.

M: Can you remember, which record was the very first one you've ever bought?
C: Marvin Gaye "Live" Album, I was 15, it was 1972!

M: Was it ever a question to become anything else than a singer?
C: Before I was 33 years old, I would have never even imagined having to sing for my supper!

M: Or what was your dream job or still is?
C: I always wanted to be a music school teacher, which is what I studied for at University. But now I'm enjoying teaching master vocals classes at various music schools in South East England, which I find completely thrilling!

M: When do you agree to sing backing vocals on someone else's record?
C: I sing less and less background vocals these days. Early on in my solo recording career, I still recorded various background vocals for other artists, having sung background vocals most of my life. But the more my solo career has taken shape, more demands are made of me for performance duties, i.e.-practice, songwriting, band rehearsals, etc. I don't have the added luxury of being able to also still travel several hours to a studio to record background vocals, like I did when I first started singing to make a living.

M: What are the main reasons to do it?
C: Now, if I'm recording background vocals for anyone else besides myself, I'd have to like the artist and their music a whole lot!

M: Which artist is the most underrated in today's music scene for you?
C: To me, it's more about being unaware of who rates in today's music scene. Those within the 'know' will most likely rate Rachel Farrell as the singer extraordinaire that she is, why doesn't the rest of the world know her, the regular "Joe Blowz or Suzi Q's", like they do Mariah Carey????

M: Would you like to record a Gospel album sometime?
C: This album "Alberta's GrandDaughter" has quite a bit of Gospel elements fused with some jazz flavours as well, but a full on gospel record would be a supreme project to create!! I'd probably use my birth father's choir, from his church in Compton, California, where he is the pastor. To record it "live", at a church service, would be ideal!!

M: What are you doing in your day-off's?
C: Regular stuff, housecleaning, errands, practice piano.

M: What's your hobby?
C: My favourite past time is riding my horse Dexter!! He's a lovely 15hh Irish Cob, very forward going and loves to jump!! Really strong, but very mild mannered and soooo much fun!!! Dexter lives in a stable yard near my home and I ride him every chance I get!!!

M: When did you start to ride horses?
C: When my son took his gap year in 1998, as a coping mechanism to help me deal with the empty nest syndrome I was facing as my son went travelling across the outbacks of Australia, Thailand and New Zealand, with 7 other 18 & 19 year old Boyz!!!

M: Do you like cooking and what's your favourite meal?
C: I love to cook for other people!! Grilled fish, rice and green beans!! Mnnn!

M: Have you got a favourite actor?
C: Not just ONE!!

M: Where would you like to spend your next holidays?
C: I'm on a holiday, every time I ride my horse!

M: Please tell a bit about your upcoming new album. Who else played on it?
C: "Alberta's GrandDaughter" was recorded in 3 days at a little unknown North East London recording studio on Hornsey Road, called Sweet Giorgia Brown, appropriately! The last track to go on the album, "Famous Patience", ironically, the first single, was recorded at Paul Weller's studio in Surrey, in the glorious English countryside. The album was produced with saxophonist, Ben Castle, whom I met in '99, when we were both working with the Brand new Heavies. Ben is the son of Roy Castle, the English, Jazz Trompeter, who also was a character in the British "Carry On" films, but sadly died of cancer a few year ago. Ben's pedigree expands further with the 2 jazz solo albums that he's produced for himselfas well as achieving the British Jazz Awards as the "Rising Star" in 2001. Along with the Ben Castle Trio, his bassist, Andy Hamil, keyboardist, Mark Edwards, and drummer, Winston Clifford, together with recording and mixing engineer, Colin Walker, plus guesting guitarists, one of whom is Mark Van Der Gucht, formerly of the Galliano band. "Alberta's GrandDaughter" musically sums up my life so far.

It was very interesting to talk to you and thanx a lot for the time.

Carleen Anderson was interviewed by Mike Kressbach in March 2002.