|
Q: In jazz
there is always talk of tradition, I can imagine that in Brazilian
music it is the same, can tell me what your thoughts are on the
tradition (bossa etc), who they are and any landmark recordings. -
from Dan
A: Bossa
Nova and Jazz have a similar chord language or vocabulary. What makes
Bossa Nova different is the rhythms. Any Jobim albums from the early
sixties are landmark recordings. This music is a huge influence on my
style of playing.
Q: My
question is about the song 'Do You Want Me' on the 'First Touch' album.
What was the inspiration to this beautiful song? And the second
question is: why do you use an electric nylon string on your records?
Is it a matter of getting a good sound when not recording in a big
studio or what? - from Fredrik
A: The
inspiration for this song (or tune) was exactly what the title says.
It's about loving someone and not knowing if they love you back,
wishing they did. I guess it's about assurance. I used the electric
because I recorded these albums at home where there was always the
sound of kids, traffic phone etc. Also I like the sound. On 'Shapes' I
used the 'real' one because I was in a proper studio.
Q: Out of
all the musical styles that you can play. Which one do you most enjoy
playing and listening to? - from Nic
A: I still
don't have a favourite style to play or listen to. I still love
composing and the style comes from everything I listen to.
Q: Which
kind of music do you listen to relax yourself or to take inspiration
from? Do you listen to music while you are on tour or while you are
recording a CD? - from BettyBoop
A: I like
listening to all kinds of CD's while I am on the road. At the moment I
am listening to Bach on the piano. It relaxes me and is very deep.
Music doesn't inspire me to play or write music. It's other things
like family, friends, experiences and all kinds of emotions. I use my
experience as a musician to translate these feelings into my
language.
Q: You
have discussed some of the art and music from which you derive
inspiration (or just pleasure), but what do you like to read? Do you
have a favourite author or book? - from Kavita
A: I like
to read biographies, mostly about artists, musicians or world
leaders.
Q: What
kind of Art do you like? - from Henric
A: I am in
to most kinds of art as I am with most kinds of music. I like solid
structure and form and, of course, great technique and emotion. Some
of the artists who do this for me are Monet, Rembrandt, Freud, Picasso
etc. I like Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and Henry Moore's
sculptures. There are hundreds of others but these are fresh in my
mind as I write to you.
Q: I've
heard that you are known for playing different styles of music. Is
flamenco a part of your musical styles collection? What about
influences from flamenco players like Paco de Lucia? - from Arturs
A: Damn,
you got me there! Flamenco is a style of guitar playing that I have
NOT got together although I can 'fake it'. I am incredibly envious,
amazed and dumbfounded with the incredible technique of some of these
players. Paco de Lucia is one of favourite players of all time!
Q: Did you
hear any previous arrangements on Bach pieces (developed for guitar by
other guitar players) once you decided to record 'Shapes'? What do you
think of Andres Segovia's several adaptations on Bach? - from Julio
A: I have
always listened to other classical guitarists. What I look for is more
the sound than the interpretation. I don't play many tunes from the
classical guitar repertoire because they have already been done better
than I could ever dream of. Particularly Julian Bream. I think
Segovia's Bach is great but sometimes too fast.
Q: I would
love to understand how you hear how much Bach must have loved his son
from listening to 'Prelude No. 3 for Clavier'. - from Donna
A: The
reason I think Bach must have loved his son very much is definitely in
the harmony of that tune. It's filled with love. I totally relate to
that having five children myself.
Q: I'd
like to ask you about your first musical memory? What song did you
hear for the first time and think 'that's what I call music'? - from
Andris
A: The
songs that inspired me to start playing were the Beatles and the music
of Jobim.
Q: Did you
ever listen to Pink Floyd when you were learning the guitar? What do
you think of Dave Gilmour as a guitar player? - From Matthew
A: I did
and still do listen to Pink Floyd and I think Gilmour is a fantastic
and influential guitarist.
Q: Have
you been thinking about what style you'll be playing on the next
album? Are you going to continue putting new life into Bach or focus
more on creating new material? - From Trish
A: I will
be playing more Bach on the next album, for sure. I also want to delve
into Chopin, Villa Lobos and Ravel.
Q: Have
you ever thought of recording a complete bossa or tango influenced
album? It always seemed to me both styles suit your playing mood
perfectly, and they've obviously been an important influence on your
solo work. - From Julio
A: I don't
think I will do a Bossa/Tango record because in a way I already have
with the three albums. Just my interpretations of the genres.
Q: I was
listening to Shapes just this morning while preparing some material
for a college class I teach, and really got into it. Way back in the
late seventies a really great guitarist I admired a lot at the time,
named Bill Connors, did a few recordings for ECM records, and your
recordings 'First Touch' and 'Second Nature' sort of remind me of those. -
From Kirk
A: One of
my main influences is Egberto Gismonte who was (and still might be) an
ECM recording artist. I love the space he creates in his compositions.
I am also a fan of JS Bach. Perhaps the ultimate musical genius.
Simplicity and complexity in harmony. Deep stuff. I was interested to
hear you are a teacher. I believe it to be a great profession and if I
weren't a full time musician I would be a teacher.
Q: I heard
in an interview about Shapes on Sting's web site that he gave you a
book that changed your life, you mention the name of the book but the
music comes in at the same moment and I can't get the title. Would you
be kind enough to give me the name and the author? - From Marie
A: The
book was Partitas and Sonatas for violin. Author J.S.Bach.
Q: I
really like the stuff you are doing on the Shapes album. I also enjoy
playing Bach's music (I play guitar). I have a book of transcriptions
for guitar, of lute and cello and violin pieces. It sounds like what
you have done though, is to work out your own transcriptions from the
original music, which is another puzzle / challenge altogether I am
sure. - From Brian
A: I am
glad you like Bach. In my opinion he is the first modern composer to
come from Europe. It is virtually impossible to make his music sound
bad (as long as you play the correct harmony). I also believe he is a
kind of messenger from God. It's like math but with beauty. If one
were to be even more obsessed with his music than me one might find
some profound clues on how to make the world a better, safer place.
More on influences and inspiration >>
More questions >> |