The Peach Review®
“Think of it as a language (music).” Was your kids’ migration towards music a natural gravitational pull, or did you steer them in that direction? They grew up around music all their lives, so it was natural for them; even before they began actually playing on my records, I would always ask them their thoughts and opinions; so, I was actually getting them involved in the business before they really knew they were involved. What lyric do you like best? What chord do you think sounds best? Etc. So they were involved before they even knew it. Whatever I ask them to do, I always allow them to add their own “flavor” as well Give me the ages of your kids …. Kaila is 15, Adam is 12, Arianna is 9, Cameron is 8. On the song “I Am Still Your Baby”, Kaila was only 5 when she sang that; I told her to sing it with some attitude, and, well you heard her! I guess the fruit doesn’t fall very far from the tree; since you and
your brothers got into the business pretty early in life as well …. Right? Well again, think of it as a language; if a kid doesn’t start speaking until 5 years old, we think something’s wrong with them; but if they start playing music at 5, we call them a prodigy. That’s the way it was with me; I began to learn music at about the same time that I was learning to speak, so music, for me is just an extension of the language I speak ….
Kings, so it was great to hear Saundra Jones on the album – she represented! My manager introduced me to Saundra just before I recorded “Soul Circus” and I’ve been using her ever since.
The song she sang on “Brooklyn”, I noticed there was a killer guitar solo by a guy named Vinny Fodera; now I’m sure it’s not just coincidence that you have a guitarist named “Fodera”, and you On Words and Tones, play a Fodera guitar; is you decided to have all Vinny associated with the female artists; and you’ve guitar company? got some iconic ladies --Yeah, I met Vinny what was your thought Fodera back in 1983 and he process behind the all owns the company; in fact, female lineup? on that guitar solo, there’s a I’ve always enjoyed guy playing bass behind him playing and supporting named Joey Laricella, he’s female vocalists; a lot of Vinny’s partner at Fodera them I’ve known and guitars! They started the worked with before; I think it company in 1983. Actually, takes a special kind of if you listen closely to the sensitivity to support female lyrics on the song, it’s about artists, and I’ve always the company; I’m paying enjoyed working with them, tribute to the Fodera factory; so it was just something that “I spent time on a small I wanted to do. street in Brooklyn”
Wow, as Paul Harvey would say: Now we know The Rest of the story! (Mutual Laughter) I’ve gotta tell you, I’m really a Stevie Wonder snob, so when I saw that you were covering Stevie’s “Overjoyed”, I thought to myself “OK, I hope Victor does Stevie’s song justice”! and then I heard Krystal Peterson’s vocals. She nailed it! Tell me a little about her? She’s amazing. That version of Overjoyed was recorded 9 years ago! All I did was added live strings --- some cello’s and violins. That’s how good she is, that the song still holds up today! I ran across her singing at a Christmas Spectacular that the city of Nashville was putting on; I heard her sing on a few occasions and eventually just invited her to come to the studio --- she came over and sang Overjoyed, just for fun. Krystal is touring with me live, so you’ll see her when we come to Atlanta on the April 27th. She’s phenomenal.
Well, I’m a big fan of Sharon Jones & The Dap
All content and images are property of The Peach Review® unless otherwise noted!
61