Just amazing to have a childhood hero like Joe Brown coming along to the studio to play banjo on I’ll Fly Away—a classic piece of bluegrass banjo that Joe just relished performing. And I was so lucky to have Jools Holland featuring on piano on the Sam Brown composition Walk Right Back, making the song really boogie along. That was the most exciting track for me because nobody had recorded that song before and I was free to take it just where I wanted. It was also wonderful to meet Herbie Flowers again—we remembered each other from my Abbey Road days—and of course within the music business Herbie has almost iconic status as a bassist [remember his intro to Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side?] and as a tuba player. Sam’s brother Pete Brown contributed some beautiful guitar and mandolin playing as did Richard Durrant. Pete also mixed the album so sensitively; he did a brilliant job. Everyone involved was just so talented—I was thrilled to have Steve Balsamo sing the duet with me on Your Long Journey … I always remember him playing Jesus in the West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar.” “And all of these talented people were so unassuming—and generous with their time, always just wanting to give of their best. Throughout Sam herself was always empathetic to my wishes and constantly trying to interpret musically what I was seeking. She was so understanding, warm and very generous to me. The whole thing was very impressive and lovely to have done. It has reminded me of all the things I used to value and enjoy about the music world. So much so that I’m already planning ahead for a follow-up album.” Will that be soon? “Yep, hopefully in 2011. First I need to do some more live gigs, a video and other work to promote TICKLED PINK . On my next album I’d like to record all original songs. As Sam has written for so many people—like Chrissie Hynde, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Jon Lord of Deep Purple, Dave Rotheray of the Beautiful South—I’m hoping she will write some more for me. It was a privilege to have been the first to record her Walk Right Back and I can’t wait to sing more new compositions by Sam.” Reflecting now on her past life, what might Sandy have liked to change or have done differently? “I wish I had trusted my instincts more and been bolder about my decisions. I lost many opportunities through being too cautious. Although I owe a lot to my father and to Brian who have both been strong and positive influences, most of all I feel I owe any
success I have had to the times when I banished caution and dared to follow my instincts.” And who has Sandy learned the most from? “Although I didn’t realise it then, I see now that I learned a huge amount from just being around in a major studio like Abbey Road back in the late 1960s/1970s. I absorbed so much from that. Cliff Richard was also an early influence—I still love the quality of his voice and his interpretation of songs— plus I always admired Karen Carpenter’s singing. In the short time I have known Sam Brown, she has taught me quite a bit about finding my confidence and understanding some of my professional qualities—she has helped bring the real me out a bit. I’d hidden away too many parts of myself for far too long. Though it is still early days and I know there is so much more music in me, just waiting to escape. Sam has her own ‘ukulele orchestra’ and is teaching several of us to play. It’s a wonderful little instrument
Sandy Hill •
and it’s great fun, I love it. We’ll be doing some local concerts together and I’m really looking forward to that.” “I certainly don’t seek fame or great fortune from my musical career and learning new skills and developing is one of the joys of music. It also makes me so happy if I can sing something and it moves someone and has meaning for them. That’s wonderful and one of the best rewards you can ever have. There’s a young waitress who works in a local coffee shop close to where we live who told me that when she gets up each morning she immediately puts TICKLED PINK on the CD player while she prepares for work. She says it puts her in a really good mood and always makes her smile … the perfect start to her day. That to me is a very happy thought. So I want to keep on touching people with what I do. I know there is far more I can achieve musically … just watch this space.” Nick Dent-Robinson
LIFELONG AMBITION
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