Vanessa Williams Interview

  • Vanessa Williams general 1 photocredit Gilles Toucas 682x1024 Vanessa Williams InterviewThe PRO MOTION team is currently working with Vanessa Williams on the release of her single ‘The Real Thing.’  The single, which features remixes by Maurice Joshua and the Soulseekerz, is taken from the album ‘The Real Thing‘ released June 2nd on Concord Jazz. We had the opportunity to speak with Vanessa and we are excited to bring you the interview which you can listen to below.

    MAURICE JOSHUA REMIX (CLIP)

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    SOULSEEKERZ REMIX (CLIP)

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    RALPHI ROSARIO REMIX (CLIP)

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    INTERVIEW

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    You are a multi-talented performer, what is your first love music or acting?

    I would have to say Broadway, because I get a chance to do both at the same time.

    Tell us about the new record ‘The Real Thing,’ which celebrates your love of Latin and Jazz music, what are your favorite tracks from it?

    The new record is the combination of some Latin rhythms, some Jazz, some R&B. ‘The Real Thing’ is the title track, which is an old Sergio Mendes from Brazil ’77 song that I covered.  I’ve always loved Latin music as a dancer, as a performer, when I do my show I have a Brazilian section so it was great to be able to do more than one speciality tune on the CD. I would have to say that my favorite song to perform and to listen to is ‘The Real Thing’ just because its indicative of where I am at this moment in my life. I’m 46 and having experienced a lot in life I’m happy to be back in the game and singing songs that I wanna do.

    How was working with Babyface, I know that you have had a long history working with him throughout your career?

    Babyface is consistent, one of those bankable people you can always count on, not only is he a great friend but he’s such as consummate artist and songwriter. I called him when I was looking for music and I said I was on Concord Jazz and he said ‘What are you listening to and what are you looking for?’, so I said ‘What do you think?’ and he said ‘Let me think about it’ and came back with two brilliant hits (‘Loving You’ and ‘Just Friends’) He’s just such a talented artist and writer and I got a chance to have him sing in the background on ‘Just Friends” and it was nice and tasty as he’s got his trademark sound as well.

    Who are you current favorite Latin and Jazz artists?

    Current I don’t know, my ipod is full with a  load of old hits and stuff that reminds me of the past. In terms of the Latin stuff, probably on the Salsa side I listen to a lot of Humberto Santarosa who is a Puerto Rican salsero, who I got a chance to meet back in ’98  or so. I’m a big fan of his but also his arrangements are fantastic. Babel Gilberto who actually did ‘Close To You’ on my album, I covered her song and butchered my Portuguese but attempted it, which made me happy. On the Jazz side, Bill Withers ‘Hello Like Before’ is another song that reminded me of a great point in my life, back in the 70′s he was huge and it’s very comforting to me.

    Are you excited about the return to club culture with the remixes of  ‘The Real Thing’ by Maurice Joshua and the Soulseekerz?  We love them over here at PRO MOTION!

    Oh good! I’m absolutely excited, I know that this album does not lend itself to dance music, but they fact that the remix is out and it brings me back into the club is great. I’d love to return and kind of focus a little more on dance music in the future, but in the meantime this is a great transition.

    What are some of your favorite remixes of your songs that artists have done for you in past?

    Probably the most successful was ‘Running Back To You’ and there were a myriad of them and getting a chance to do the video and choreography and edit it and cut to the fascinating rhythms of that was probably my favorite.

    I was actually going to ask you which one of you music videos was your favorite to make, would it be that one?

    Yeah, ‘Running Back To You,’  it was actually our second go around. The first one we did for ‘Running Back To You’ was kind of dark and a little depressing and made people frankly kind of nervous. The second one was just constant lighting and more retro pop. I got a chance to be involved in the editing and I really put my fingerprint all over that. I was really happy with the way it came out.

    Who directed that video again?

    Um, Ralph Ziman, I have no idea if he is still around, that was a long time ago.

    You have had a really strong chart history since  1988 with ‘The Right Stuff.’ If you could rework one of your old dance hits what would it be and who would produce it for you?

    Well ‘ The Right Stuff’ was remixed by Hank Shocklee and that was fantastic because he added all the James Brown ‘Get On Up’ and all that stuff, and really took it from an R&B hit to something that crossed a lot of different lines. Um, ‘Work To Do’ was done again by two young guys that were discovered by Ed Ecktine back in the day and took that Isley Brothers track and added the flute and made it a loping hip hop song so that was great. ‘He’s Got The Look’ was one of the ones that I would have loved to have a fresh take on. That was back in the day when everyone was sampling James Brown, so it did have the horns but I would love to get another go at that.

    We hear that you won the Human Right Campaign ‘Ally for Equality Award’ last year. How did you get involved with Gay Rights?

    Well I don’t remember ever having not being involved, it is just something that has always been a part of my celebrityhood, but also my personal  relationships so it was wonderful to be honored. It’s certainly been part of my life, growing up in the theatre and as a dancer I’ve been definitely influenced, but also surrounded by being progressive and being a modern open thing and also living in New York, so I was really happy.

    What was the the first dance record you ever owned?

    Well it would probably have to be ‘ABC’ by the Jackson 5, even though its not really considered a dance record it was huge in pop. I remember carving my little heart around Michael’s face on the back of the album.  It’s such a tragic loss that he’s gone but when you look at the body of work that he’s done its extraordinary.

    Thanks Vanessa!

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    ‘Just Friends’ taken from the album ‘The Real Thing’



    July 9th, 2009 | Admin | 8 Comments | Tags: , ,

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8 Responses and Counting...

  • Matt 07.09.2009

    I love that she talks about ‘Running Back To You’ – it’s my favorite!

  • seon

    I must get my hands on that RALPHI ROSARIO REMIX! Sounds awesome! She should also remix Just Friends. I also def agree on doing a dance album in the future.

  • Camille

    I really enjoyed doing the interview with her! Love the remixes and the single. The album also sounds very interesting, i need to check that out!

  • Califonza

    I love everything Vanessa Williams. She even have songs that should have been remixed. My Favorite will be “Work to do(MAW CHOICE MIX)” I remember seeing on MTV she actually performed that mix @ a Benefit. “Ah come on Work,Work………Ah come on Work me bay-baa!” Love HER!!!!

  • dirk filding

    good song

  • dirk filding

    good song

  • Donna

    I just wanted to know who wrote the music on Running back to you? I recall it was another group but I cannot find anything about them online.

  • Donna

    I just wanted to know who wrote the music on Running back to you? I recall it was another group but I cannot find anything about them online.

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