As she celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of “Shout” with a brand new e-book and tour – and Glastonbury slot – Lulu talks Bowie, The Beatles and R&B
DAVID BOWIE IS ON THE COVER OF THE LATEST UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE
Hello Lulu. How are you doing right now?
I’m good. So what are we speaking about this time? You already know me, I may discuss ceaselessly!
How about we begin with present plans?
I’m placing out a e-book that’s going to be, how can I say it, completely different. The identical goes for my Champagne For Lulu tour in April. You’ll have by no means seen or heard me like this earlier than. I don’t need to say an excessive amount of, as a result of I would like the whole lot to be a shock.
The tour coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of “Shout”. You recorded the track after seeing Alex Harvey, proper?
It was completely impressed by him. I’d by no means heard The Isley Brothers model earlier than I noticed Alex sing it in a dingy little membership in Glasgow. I used to be solely 13 and went together with the opposite boys in my band, who have been fairly a bit older. It was so thrilling. The place went wild when Alex began singing it. I feel he’d been in Germany across the identical time as The Beatles.
Speaking of which, The Beatles have been massive followers of your model…
John and Paul stated that Lulu’s “Shout” was their favorite report of the week after they have been on Prepared Regular Go!. That blew my goddamn thoughts. However they favored the identical music as me. We have been into black American music: Motown, R&B, the blues, gospel.
Is that what drew you to the States to report 1970’s New Routes and Melody Honest with Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd?
Yeah. I used to be working with individuals just like the Dixie Flyers, the Memphis Horns, Duane Allman, Dr John, Cornell Dupree.However I struggled with a whole lot of it, possibly as a result of we didn’t have sufficient nice songs. My greatest hit was “Oh Me Oh My”, which really got here from Scotland. I don’t assume the producers actually understood me. Once I met David Bowie a number of years later, he stated, “The report firms don’t get you, Lu. They usually don’t get your voice both.” I aspired to be like Large Mama Thornton relatively than being known as the pop princess of Saturday night time TV.
Bowie co-produced, sang and performed in your 1974 cowl of “The Man Who Bought The World”. Then you definitely recorded extra collectively. Are you able to clarify the connection you had?
I used to be blown away by his expertise. He was difficult, exhilarating, new. And I used to be astonished that Bowie noticed me and heard me. We went to New York and recorded two or three songs. However then I left. He was into so many various issues and substances, his life was going into a complete form of wild trajectory and it made me really feel anxious. I don’t consider in remorse, nevertheless it’s possibly the one factor the place I feel, ‘Who is aware of what would’ve occurred had I stayed?’
A kind of songs was “Can You Hear Me”, which Bowie redid for Younger People…
He stated, “I’ve written this for you.” I’d love to listen to [my version] once more, however I can’t pay money for any of these tracks now. I feel they’ve all disappeared.
Is it true you’re at present engaged on a collaborative album, much like 2002’s Collectively?
I’ve put out feelers and I’ve acquired a number of actually nice individuals who’ve stated sure. However I’m retaining {that a} shock for now, just like the contents of the e-book and tour. I’m engaged on a number of issues. I’ve been finding out performing for seven years and did a movie final summer time, Arthur’s Whisky, with Diane Keaton. And there’s a documentary that’s in talks. So there’s numerous stuff. I’ve lived longer than I believed I’d. And I’m nonetheless kicking, I nonetheless have ambition. Let’s simply say I’ve massive plans!
The Champagne For Lulu tour runs all through April, see luluofficial.com for dates and ticket data