Bobby Caldwell
Bobby Caldwell has been well known worldwide as a singer and songwriter continuously delivering us compositions of high quality. Bobby has also contributed songs to numerous artists during his career. Tunes such as “Next Time I Fall” by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, as well as “Heart of Mine” by Boz Scaggs are 2 very famous songs in Japan. Bobby took time to tell us about his musical background, his aspects on songwriting, and of course about his latest release “House Of Cards”.
Interview / Text Mamoru Moriyama
Translation Louis Sesto (EAGLETAIL MUSIC)
Muse On Muse : How were the shows in Tokyo and Osaka last year, after the release of your latest album “House Of Cards”?
Bobby Caldwell : The band and I thoroughly enjoyed the shows in Japan. I was glad to see the audience singing along with the cuts we performed off the new album, “House of Cards”.
MM : Although you are an artist well known around the world, there may be some readers of this website that are new to you. Please tell us a bit about yourself in the following questions… You were brought up by your parents that were in the show business, and you took an interest in music listening to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and the Beatles. How have these artists influenced you and your music?
BC : My parents met performing in Summer Stock, and went on to have one of the first television shows, “Suppertime” on the old Dumont network. They loved theater, and the American Songbook. I suppose my early exposure to my parents’ music has left a lasting impression on me. I still love the theater, and I listen to Sinatra almost every day. I’ve released a number of albums in that genre, most recently, “Bobby Caldwell Live at The Blue Note Tokyo.” I love to perform those old classics. I also love the Beatles. I’ve spent a lot of time researching how they crafted their songs. They were so ahead of their time, and clearly their creations have been lasting. For me that’s a measure of success….when generation after generation falls in love with a song.
MM : At what age did you pick up your first instrument? What actually got you started?
BC : My parents started me with piano lessons at about age 10, but my true love was the guitar. When I was 13, I earned enough money mowing lawns, and went out and bought myself a “Stella” acoustic. I spent hours in my room with my guitar, my record player (remember those?) and my Beatles 45’s (remember those??). I taught myself how to play guitar by playing along with those Beatles records. Eventually, I could play just about every single Beatles’ tune. I still love to play their songs. We sit around the kitchen late at night, and I’ll get out my acoustic and we’ll sing Beatles’ songs all night long.
MM : Back then, did you form a band with your friends? If so, what kind of band did you play in?
BC : Although I was born in New York City, I spent most of my childhood growing up in Miami, Florida. At around age 14 my friends and I started a band called, “The Night Walkers.” We were a POP band. We took turns playing in our parents’ garages, and eventually we started playing at school dances. I played guitar, and did vocals. We were pretty good for a group of school kids.
MM : What was your first professional gig? Can you tell us a bit about your first gig?
BC : When I was about 13, I sneaked into the back door of a club in Miami. I think the club was called, “The Scene.” I jumped on-stage with “The Colwell Winfield Blues Band” with my guitar, and jammed with them. They gave me $20 bucks. That was my first paying gig. I spent a number of years as a guitarist/vocalist in top 40 bands. We played a bunch of clubs in Florida in the late 60’s/early 70s. Eventually, we jumped in a van and headed to Los Angeles and hit the club scene. During this time, I started writing my own songs, and started seeking out a record deal.
MM : You have released numerous great albums in the past. Which album would you consider as one of your most unforgettable albums in your career? Please also tell us why.
BC : My first record deal was with TK Records in Miami and my first album release was, “What You Won’t Do for Love” in 1979. To this day the title track is still getting airplay, and it’s been covered by countless artists. The fact that this album has proven to be unforgettable to the listeners is what counts, and I’m grateful for it.
MM : Many of your songs are covered by other artists. Peter Cetera and Amy Grant’s version of “Next Time I Fall”, as well as Boz Scaggs’ version of “Heart Of Mine” are very famous in Japan too. How did you end up contributing songs to them? Please tell us if you have any episodes from back then.
BC : For a time I didn’t have a record deal of my own, so I set out to write for other artists like Boz, Chicago, Al Jarreau and others. “Next Time I Fall” was picked up by Peter Cetera, when he was leaving the group, Chicago to pursue his solo career. It turned out to be a hit for Peter and Amy, and of course that was very gratifying for me.
MM : It obviously takes not only talent, but also viewing music with a keen eye in order to become a top-notch singer and songwriter as yourself. What kind of viewpoint did you take when listening to music and learning from the music you were listening to in order to develop your skills as a singer?
BC : For me the most important aspect of singing is the ability to emote the meaning of the song. Sinatra was the master! It’s about feeling the lyrics, and delivering the lyrics with sincerity. That’s what makes the listener love a song.
MM : And now, a few questions about your latest album “House Of Cards”… “House Of Cards” presents a very pleasant melody within a variety songs, creating a very impressive and fantastic album. What was the concept behind the album?
BC : I wanted to create an album that represented my influences, and the variety of styles that impact me. “House of Cards” is a rather eclectic mix of sounds and styles from Smooth Jazz to Latin to Country.
MM : How long did it take you for the production of this album?
BC : I always have a melody, or a lyric in my mind, and I write on a steady basis. With “House of Cards” I went into the studio in December and we completed the project in July.
MM : Dave Koz, David Horgan, and Andrew Neu take part in the album. Can you tell us how and why you decided to have them on this album? How was it working with them?
BC : I’ve known Dave Koz for many years. It was an honor to have him in my band back in the 1980s. Dave is a great guy and truly a master of his art. It’s always a pleasure to work with Dave. With respect to the country tunes on “House of Cards” I wanted a pedal steel player, and my sound engineer, Richard McIntosh happened to have a buddy in Montana, who plays pedal steel. That’s how I came to know David Horgan. He did a great job. Andrew Neu is the sax man in my band now. He’s an awesome player. We’ve done work on each other’s albums, and I expect we’ll keep doing just that in the future.
MM : You play many different instruments yourself. What do you consider as the dividing point between whether you play the part, or you ask some other musician to play that part?
BC : I will play almost any instrument with the exception of a brass instrument. It’s safe to say you’ll never see me pick up a saxophone!
MM : You also show some great performances on the album as a guitar player. What kind of music/musicians influenced you as a guitar player?
BC : My all-time favorite guitar player was Jimi Hendrix. I cut my teeth on his playing, when I was growing up. For me, Hendrix will always be number one.
MM : What guitars, amps, effectors, foot pedals did you use for this recording?
BC : No guitar amps were used. I use a Boss GT10 for amp modeling and effects, and I run that through an Avalon compressor limiter. Between those two devices I’m able to model any amplifier you can dream up. My guitar is a custom Stratocaster, built by Performance Guitars in North Hollywood.
MM : Please give us a brief explanation about each song on the album. How the song came to be, what you feel about each song, and/or any episodes while you recorded that particular song, etc.
BC :
“GAME ON”
“Game on” is an American catch phrase that means “let the competition begin.” It’s a term used most commonly in sports, but also in the workplace. This song is about a Wall St. over-achiever.
“BLUE”
I took the idea of colors and associated them with human emotions. It’s a simple story of a guy, who doesn’t want to be reminded of his former lover.
“DANCE WITH ME”
I’ve always wanted to write a tango, and the TV series, “Dancing with The Stars” was the inspiration for this piece.
“IT’S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW”
This song was kind of unusual for me, because I wrote the lyrics first, and I wrote them all in one evening. Sometimes songwriting can be laborious, but in this case, it was immediate. Then I collaborated with my good friend, Mark McMillen and we did the music for the song.
“HEARTS ON FIRE”
This song for me started as snapshots, or scenes of a girl alone in her room, a guy leaving a bar, and then they accidently come together. It has that small town vibe. The song is very visual in my mind. It would make a great music video.
“ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS”
This song is about a smooth poker player. He’s the guy everyone is trying to beat. I happen to really love the lines, “Close the door. Dim the lights, and then pour another scotch on ice.”
“DEAR BLUES”
This song started out as a letter to myself. I labored a long time on this particular song, and I had a good time playing guitar on it.
“DINAH”
It’s a little know fact that I spent some of my youth in Tennessee and the Carolinas. So I’m well acquainted with the country lifestyle. Every man should have a “Dinah” in his life.
“WHAT ABOUT ME”
I had the pleasure of co-writing this song with my buddy, Mark McMillen. This was our first single release in the USA, and it’s done well on the charts.
“MAZATLAN”
This song was very visual for me. It’s about an average guy, who relishes the thought of being at the beach, and getting away from it all. I still love, and always will love, being at the beach.
MM : Modern technology has allowed musicians many new and convenient options for recording and music production. Has any of this modern technology changed the way you make music? How do you feel regarding the current situation with modern technology recording?
BC : Clearly, the music business has been transformed. So many aspects of life in general have been transformed by technology. I believe the right choice is to embrace the technology, because it isn’t going to reverse, it will only continue to move forward. However, I am still a purist in many ways. I will usually write my songs on guitar, and carry the main body of the song into the studio. At that point I will make use of the tools available, along with the live instruments that I add to the track.
MM : Are there any young and upcoming singers and/or songwriters that catch your attention? If there are any, please also tell us why.
BC : As a singer/songwriter, Adele is very impressive. I also find Justin Timberlake a never-ending talent. His performance on this year’s Grammy Awards was outstanding. I’ve been working with a young producer/songwriter, Jack Splash. He’s won a few Grammys and works with CeeLo Green, Melanie Fiona and a number of young R&B/POP artists. We’ve been writing and recording together down in Miami. It’s been a blast, and I am totally digging the songs we’ve put together.
MM : What do you have coming up next? Tell us about your upcoming schedule.
BC : Here in The States I’m about to release my second single, “Game On” from “House of Cards.” We were very pleased with the reception of the first single, “What About Me” and we’re continuing to tour and perform. We just got back from Las Vegas, where we performed at The Chrome Showroom at Sante Fe Station Casino. We had a great time. We have family in Vegas, so it’s always great to get out there. We’re hoping to go back before the year is through. I’m also working on a project for Mariko Takahashi, which is truly an honor for me. And, I’ll be heading back to Miami to finish up the project with Jack Splash. Of course, the band and I will be heading back to Japan later this year, and we’re all looking forward to it.
MM : Please give the Japanese fans a message.
BC : I am eternally grateful to my fans and friends in Japan. I cherish each and every one of you.
Bobby Caldwell Official Site : http://www.bobbycaldwell.com/
House of Cards / Bobby Caldwell
1.Game On
2.Blue
3.Dance With Me
4.It’s all Coming Back to Me Now
5.Heart’s on Fire
6.One of Those Nights
7.Dear Blues
8.Dinah (Diamond in the Rough)
9.What About Me
10.Mazatlan
