A-LISTS rage rhythms
CYNDI LAUPER
SINGS THE BLUES by bill biss
Like a big sister who always stuck up for us on the playground,
Miss Lauper has used her enormous notoriety and even big- ger heart to assist those of us who didn’t always have a voice. Now, our inspiring siren shows us what has inspired her over the years as she takes us “home” to her musical roots with her soulful new album, Memphis Blues.
The Rage Monthly: The song “Just your fool” sort of sums up part of the philosophy of the Blues. What other compartments add to that flavor of the Blues for you? Cyndi Lauper: Blues is the basis of everything I ever sang. A high rhythm section is
quintessential Blues. When I first played with the musicians on the album, I felt like I came home to what I’d studied at my roots, the beginning of my career when I used to be in a cover band and we did a lot of Joplin covers
Rage: On “Shattered Dreams”…do you believe there is an element of Country Western in the Blues? I can hear Patsy Cline singing this song too. CL: I have always been a fan of Blues, because as Muddy Waters is quoted “If Blues
gave birth to a child, that child would be Rock and Roll...” And really all popular music. I have been listening to the Blues since I was a kid. Later on I loved how Janis Joplin and acts like the Rolling Stones made it modern ‘70s. Also, I’m currently writing songs for a play by Harvey Fierstein. There’s a song in the second act that specifically came from the roots of the Blues. So yes!
Rage: Your supreme wackiness comes on strong in the beginning of “Early in the Mornin.’” Please share a bit of cutting that track with B.B. King. CL: Hello! This is the great BB King! At first I felt a little bit like that film cartoon charac- ter Kung Fu Panda—like “I’m Not Worthy!” And I would have to leave the studio because
I was so excited and thrilled it brought me to tears…but I loved every minute of it. It was a privilege to work with all the talented artists on this album. From the amazing Ann Peebles to the genius who is Allen Toussaint. It was like a dream to work with each of them. Jonny Lang is still only 28 years old, but I think he is a legend in the making, he has already established himself as being in the same league as Clapton and Beck.
Rage: For some reason with Blues songs, the title is easier to guess and grab out of the air than other types of music. Why do you feel this is? CL: Because the Blues always speaks the truth!
Rage: The guitar really sings the Blues like no other instrument in the genre. What song on your new album screams the Blues because of the guitar playing? CL: Of course “Early in the mornin.’” Again this is BB King! And the young Jonny Lang on “Crossroads.” Wow that kid is the BB King of his generation...
Rage: One on the songs that harkens back to the very basics of women’s feelings on the Blues is “Rollin’ and Tumblin.’” Please tell us your perspective and who you admire in the past as a forerun- ner in the business of Blues singing? CL: Some of my favorite artists are female Blues artists. Some of my other favs are Big
Maybelle, Memphis Minnie and Lil Green. They were the ones who first got me hooked on the genre—Ma Rainey especially. She used to wear chains and a grill. Notice the chains on the Memphis Blues cover? It is my tribute to her.
Rage: A huge part of the Blues is the piano as well. What kind of vibe did you feel recording the song “Mother Earth”? CL: Well it was a little bit like going to church and little bit going home to mother earth...Mr. Allen Toussaint playing piano bringing us there.
Memphis Blues is available for purchase now at
cyndilauper.com.
22
RAGE monthly | AUGUST 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84