In Part 1 and Part 2 of this interview series with musician Peter Asher, we covered a lot of material, including Peter and Gordon’s big hits “A World Without Love” and “I Go To Pieces,” Asher’s long-time friendship with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, the differences between being a musician and a producer in the recording studio (Asher is both), Asher’s royal CBE title, screaming girls in the audiences during the British Invasion of the 1960s, and more. Below is the third, and final installment.
Jim Clash: Tell me about Kate Taylor's new LP, "Why Wait!," that you were involved with. It’s just being released on Compass Records to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first LP you and Kate did together.
Peter Asher: What's nice is that on this one we got to look for material from scratch. Kate wrote a couple of excellent songs on the record, but I also looked through my favorite songwriters, including, for example, Ed Sheeran. We used one of his old songs called, "She." We also covered a song that Kate's brother, James did, called, "I Will Follow." I thought Kate would sing it well, and she did. The great thing is that both of these versions were heard by, and approved of, and indeed loved by, the songwriters in question. Ed loved our version, as did James. We also covered Lowell George and his song called, "Long Distance Love." Then there were songs that Kate herself always wanted to record like, "How Glad I Am." So it's a collection from different eras, different writers - some very new, some quite old - that I thought would really suit Kate, and I think we got it right.
Clash: You’ve got quite a list of musicians promoting the LP on tour.
Asher: Yes, Peter Asher & Company is kind of like a rock and roll revue. In addition to Kate and myself, musicians include Albert Lee, one of my favorite guitar players, Leland Sklar, the legendary bass player, drummer Steve Holley, who was in Wings, Bill Cinque, of the Neil Diamond Band, vocalist Cara Lee [Bill Medley] and more. It’s a great lineup!
Clash: You produced James Taylor, have known him a long time. What’s he like to work with?
Asher: He’s quiet, brilliant, well-read, very thoughtful. He’s one of those people you know there’s more going in his head than you realize, but you don’t know what it is. He’s fascinating as is Kate and the whole family. I’ve admired James’ playing and singing ever since I had first heard him back in 1967. I found him, signed him to Apple Records and then became his manager. I remained his manager for 25 years.
Clash: In terms of newer music, who do you like today?
Asher: I’ve always been an Ed Sheeran fan. He’s not brand new, of course, but relative to me, he is. I’ve become friends with him. As soon as I first heard Ed, I thought, this guy is the real thing, a great singer/songwriter. Then there’s Holly Humberstone, who I think is terrific, too. Gosh, I can’t think of more off the top of my head, but I have an extensive playlist of new records that I love.
Clash: You also produced Linda Ronstadt.
Asher: Yes, and when we were working on “You’re No Good,” a big hit for Linda, we used several guitar solos in the recording that have become quite well known, all played by a guy called Andrew Gold, a great friend and a wonderful guitar player. We cut the original track in a day, and Linda left. But Andrew and I stayed all night working on the guitar solos that we became immensely proud of, multiple layers in the middle of the song. When Linda came in the next morning, fresh as a daisy, she said, “Eeewww, it sounds like The Beatles. I don’t like it [laughs].” It does kind of sound like The Beatles, but we loved it. Eventually, she came around to changing her mind, but that was a somewhat deflating moment.
"wait" - Google News
July 24, 2021 at 04:31AM
https://ift.tt/2ULVtaN
Peter Asher And Kate Taylor Release New LP, ‘Why Wait!’ - Forbes
"wait" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35qAU4J
https://ift.tt/2Ssyayj
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Peter Asher And Kate Taylor Release New LP, ‘Why Wait!’ - Forbes"
Post a Comment