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09.10.09
STYLE & CLASS
Boogie, Soul-Funk & Disco
DJ's Frank Ryle & Sohail
Barbarellah, Nørre Farimagsgade 41
KBH K.
22.00 - 04.00 (gratis adgang)
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Der er nu 9 gæst(er) og 0 medlem(mer) online
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Interview with Steve 'The Scotsman' Harvey - Feb 2006 (E)
(1086 total words in this text)
(read: 1292 times)
SP: Your debut album 'The Everyday People Project Vol.1' just hit the streets, Steve Harvey been around for many years what made the time right for your own album?
It just happened organically, I wanted to create a project around my studio crew, Bobby Watson, Jimi Macon, Louis Van Taylor, Roman Johnson, Tony Patler, and Bijon Watson so we could do some live shows and step out the studio for a change. It made sense to do initially with some of the artists I have been producing.
SP: Your are using the middle name 'Scotsman' what is the story behind that name ?
Basically Steve Harvey the comedian here in the USA has become a household name over the past few years and i needed a subtle name change to distinguish us apart. It was either "the scotsman" thing or use the name my parents originally intended for me "stephen Laurence harvey" which I prefer truthfully. In the end the scotsman thing won over.
Having the same name as a big star has its perks however, I went to see EWF and Rufus and Chaka Khan in concert one night and picked up my tickets from Roll Call and entered the theatre. It was not until later I realized that my passes were from the EWF camp and not from the Rufus camp(bobby). I figured who else named steve harvey would have had front row tickets and VIP backstage access but yours truly ( sorry Steve it was an honest mistake).
SP: 'The Everyday People Project Vol.1' is packed with good songs, great singers and beautiful music, has it been difficult for you to do such an awesome soul record ?
Thanks for the compliments, if you put together all that talent together on one record it certainly increases your chances of getting great results. It is however a challenge pulling it all together from the standpoint that everyone has a busy schedule and it seems to take a lot of energy and time to pull that many separate sessions together. There were moments when it was stressful but we got it done and its on to the next records
SP: Where do you get your musical inspiration from ?
Mostly from the music i grew up listening too, whether it was Jazz/rock/soul/funk whatever, the music of the 60' & 70's created a musical foundation for me that i still draw from. amongst my biggest influences are no doubt
Stevie Wonder / Rufus & Chaka Khan / Al Green / EWF / George Benson / Miles Davis / Joni Mitchel / Hendrix / Led Zeppelin / David Bowie/.
Its rare that I hear something new really innovative and exciting nowadays, but maybe thats where we are at in the evolution of music. It does not help that the main stream music business doesn't encourage diversity. So many people in music are herded into creating "what sells" there are acts over the last few years I dig that break the mold and stand out to me.... Coldplay / D'Angelo / John Meyer /.
A also listen to a broad spectrum of world music which I know has a subtle effect on my approach.
SP: The album has a cool nice live feel to it, It's almost like hearing something from years back 'old school' style!
Again thanks, its 99% live and the players are from the old school, there is nothing for me better than live playing. I did the machine thing in the 80's but when the 90's rolled in I started shifting back to cutting more and more live and to me the more live I have going on the better the records sound and interestingly enough the less they sound like music with an expiration date. The more trendy and hip a sound is the faster it seems to date. There is something very classical about instruments being played live. It has the depth and personality and is way more dynamic than anything a machine can produce.
SP: You are a musician, producer, what about singing ?
Did that back in the day, have not had the urge to really tackle that again although I have been in the company of some pretty heavy singers that I love and respect like CC Winans, Gavin Christopher, Renee Geyer, Billy Preston, Rachelle Farrell, etc etc and they have all said to me at some point while I may be singing an idea .."you should sing you have a great feel". More than anything else that has made me ponder doing something vocally again. I know this that having worked with so many amazing singers there is no doubt that it rubs off on you over the years. I know the people that bought my vocal records 20 years ago would not recognize my voice now. We'll see its definitely a potential.
SP: 'The Everyday People Project Vol.1' sees ten different singers some well known others are newcomers do you select them before writing a song or after - how does it work ?
It was about selecting the artist that fit the concept of the album and then we figured out what song to do. Most of the artists were versatile enough to step up and work on the tracks that we pre selected for the record. I wanted it to have a band feel as much as possible rather than sound like a compilation. The tracks are the common thread that bind it together. The artists are all so talented they each put their distinct flavor on it.
SP: You have worked with The Temptations, Frank McComb, Donnie and recently Brigette who will we see you work with next ?
I am back doing another record with Donnie this month, the Colored Section part basically and I have been hooking up with Chaka Khan of recent to supposedly work on her new album. Very excited about that I have been a fan for years.
Also doing some more recording for the record for the US release and in march I hope to knock out a couple of records cutting live with Pretty Terry and another great artist KK. So plenty to keep busy.
SP: Last thing would you be so kind to do us you own personal top ten of all time?
Wow a tough one - but if was asked what 10 songs would you have wanted to write ......
Stevie Wonder = Innervisions
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