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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 in the present day?
I’m good. So what are we speaking about this time? You understand me, I may speak eternally!
How about we begin with present plans?
I’m placing out a e-book that’s going to be, how can I say it, totally 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 wish to say an excessive amount of, as a result of I need every part 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 believe he’d been in Germany across the similar time as The Beatles.
Speaking of which, The Beatles have been huge followers of your model…
John and Paul mentioned 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 appreciated 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 Truthful with Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd?
Yeah. I used to be working with folks just like the Dixie Flyers, the Memphis Horns, Duane Allman, Dr John, Cornell Dupree.However I struggled with a number of it, perhaps as a result of we didn’t have sufficient nice songs. My largest hit was “Oh Me Oh My”, which really got here from Scotland. I don’t assume the producers actually understood me. After I met David Bowie a couple of years later, he mentioned, “The report corporations don’t get you, Lu. They usually don’t get your voice both.” I aspired to be like Large Mama Thornton reasonably 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 an entire type of wild trajectory and it made me really feel anxious. I don’t imagine in remorse, but it surely’s perhaps the one factor the place I believe, ‘Who is aware of what would’ve occurred had I stayed?’
A type of songs was “Can You Hear Me”, which Bowie redid for Younger People…
He mentioned, “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 believe they’ve all disappeared.
Is it true you’re at present engaged on a collaborative album, just like 2002’s Collectively?
I’ve put out feelers and I’ve bought a couple of actually nice individuals who’ve mentioned sure. However I’m maintaining {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 a number of stuff. I’ve lived longer than I assumed I’d. And I’m nonetheless kicking, I nonetheless have ambition. Let’s simply say I’ve huge plans!
The Champagne For Lulu tour runs all through April, see luluofficial.com for dates and ticket information
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