freedom
7th March 2007, 09:49 PM
The Experience Speaks Exclusively to St. Paul
Formerly of The Time and The Family member and nowcarving himself a successful solo career; we caught up with Minneapolis talent http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp1.jpgSt. Paul to talk exclusively about his music career, influences, the Internet, his time with The Artist and his future direction....
TE) To bring our readers up to date, what have you been doing in the 11 years or so since The Family split up?
St. Paul) I did 3 solo records, 1 for MCA called St. Paul, yielding a top 40 R & B hit called "Rich Man" ["Intimacy" from the same album was a big R&B hit in the UK- IE], one for Atlantic called Down To The Wire, yielding 1 top 40 pop single called "Stranger to Love", and the other recently release called Blue Cadillac, available only on the Internet at www.StPaulMusic.com (http://www.stpaulmusic.com/) I've done a lot of session work through out the years with people such as Paula Abdul, Anita Baker, The Artist, Mavis Staples, George Benson, and many others!
TE) You come from a very musical family - tell us a little bit more about your relatives and the people they have worked with/for?
St. Paul) Yes, my whole family is musical. We just got done playing The Guthrie Theater here in Mpls, MN. We were supporting our Christmas Release, A Child is Born that is also available on my web site, www.StPaulMusic.com (http://www.stpaulmusic.com/) My mother, Jeanne Arland is 76 years young, and plays jazz piano, and sings like a bird. I do gigs with her all the time, just so I can "go to school" on her knowledge. Then there's Linda. She sings and plays jazz piano. She's done a lot of work over in Denmark, and has recorded over there. Billy has played bass with everyone from Leo Kotke, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller to Ben Sidran, and many other great jazz artists I can't possibly name. Patty sings, and has been voted Best Jazz Singer by the MN Music Academy 5 times. Ricky plays keyboards forDavid Sanborn, and has produced George Benson, The Artist, Mavis Staples, The Steeles, David Sanborn, and many others. He and I have been partners in crime for many years, working on a lot of the same sessions. Then out of the 3rd generation of Peterson, Jason Peterson comes along. He is Linda's son, who has worked with Carmen Elektra, Terry and Jimmy's band called Solo, and is a wonderful songwriter and singer, piano player and saxophonist.
Too many of them!
TE) What are your own personal influences and who do you most admire/respect musically?
St. Paul) I have always been influenced by mid 70's Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Gino Vanelli, and of coarse Prince.
TE) Who would you most like to collaborate with?
St. Paul) Stevie, David Gamson (of Scritti Pollitti, and Michelle's Producer) Michelle, Trevor Horn, Trent Reznor, and The Artist.
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp2.jpg
TE) Tell us a little bit more about your recent album, Blue Cadillac and the direction you are moving in??
St. Paul)Blue Cadillac was a work that took about 4 or more years to assemble. When I was touring with David Sanborn and Steve Miller, I would get into towns where some of my songwriting friends were, and we'd record. I wanted to get back to more of an R & B edge, more Tower of Power, and other 70's influences.
TE) Out of the three solo albums you have released, which is your favorite? Could you choose a favorite track from each album and give reasons why?
St. Paul) My favorite album I think is my first release, St. Paul on MCA -This was my first record, and I had my whole life to write it, and I had my brother Ricky produce it, and he really made a difference in the way the direction headed. There are so many good tracks on there, but I think "Rich Man" is my favorite. On my second record, Down to the Wire, I really liked a track called "Shooting Star." This flowed out in about 6 hours, from concept to mix. It's raw, and that's what I dig about it.
On Blue Cadillac, I really like "Only Reminds Me of You." I recorded on the previous record, but felt the record company never gave it a chance, and I think it's a great song.
TE) A lot of artist these days seem to be using the independent option and are now releasing/distributing their music via. the Internet making it very difficult for a lot of kids who don't have credit cards to purchase the latest CD of their favorite artist. Do you believe that selling music exclusively down the Internet is the future or would you rather see your (i.e. St. Paul albums past and future) albums for sale in shops and stores where EVERYBODY can easily buy them?
St. Paul) I like the fact that you will be able to immediately download CD's that you want - although they have to get the payment to the artist's figured out. I think there is always a place for record stores. I love just wandering around, checking out artwork, listening posts, etc. What should happen is an alternative to credit card purchases, so no one is alienated.
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp3.jpg
TE) Do you feel that it is a shame The Artist is marginalizing himself at a time when the music he has been creating has been amongst his best? By marginalizing I mean retreating into the net and using the phone order system etc.
St. Paul) I've never been able to figure him/her out, so I'm not going to try now. All I do know, is that he/she's a bad MF!
TE) Is there anything you would like to say about The Family and the time you worked with Prince in the - mid 80's - I understand you get on better with him these days? What is your fondest memory of your time working with The Artist?
St. Paul) He was a part of my life when he was at his peak professionally. What a pleasure to watch! I had ring side seats! For him to pick me as a musician in The Time, and then a singer in The Family, was the biggest thrill of my life. He and I got along great, as boss and employee, and occasionally had time to hang. I remember being up at his house he rented in Beverly Hills where we shot The Family's album cover, playing pool till all hours of the morning. We'd just laugh, and rap, and have fun. Also, another fond memory was playing with him on occasion on the Purple Rain Tour. He'd give me a solo in "Baby I'm a Star". I go to hang with Springstein, Madonna, etc. - you name it!
TE) What is your honest opinion of Sinead O'Connors version of Nothing Compares 2 U? Were you suprized at its success? Do you wish that The Family's version was released as a single first, and do you think that it would have done as good (if not better) as an international chart hit? (We personally think that your vocal performance on this song is far superior to Sineads).
St. Paul) I didn't like her version at all! I was happy that such a great song was heard, but I definitely prefer the way The Family recorded it. I played it the other night when I played with Sheila E, Eric Leeds, Ricky Peterson, Dave Barry, and Bobby Vandell, and people freaked out! That is one of my favourite Prince songs.
TE) Is it true that you were offered a position of being a member of The Artist current NPG band? If so, why did you turn the offer down?
St. Paul) Yes, we had a meeting. I had just packed up my things from an office I shared with my brother, Ricky at Paisley Park, and I sent him a note to say thanks; to bring closure to this chapter in my life. The next day the phone rang, and he wanted to meet. We met, and he asked me if I wanted to work, and I said "always." He then said he was going to have an all vegetarian band, and that's when we both knew it wasn't going to work out. He needs and deserves a certain kind of "personality" that I wasn't willing to become. He wished me luck, and I said the same to him. I hope one day we will work together again.
...Interviewed by "The Experience Team" Freedom, "Peebee", Simon and Dolphine - December '97
© 1998 The Experience
Formerly of The Time and The Family member and nowcarving himself a successful solo career; we caught up with Minneapolis talent http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp1.jpgSt. Paul to talk exclusively about his music career, influences, the Internet, his time with The Artist and his future direction....
TE) To bring our readers up to date, what have you been doing in the 11 years or so since The Family split up?
St. Paul) I did 3 solo records, 1 for MCA called St. Paul, yielding a top 40 R & B hit called "Rich Man" ["Intimacy" from the same album was a big R&B hit in the UK- IE], one for Atlantic called Down To The Wire, yielding 1 top 40 pop single called "Stranger to Love", and the other recently release called Blue Cadillac, available only on the Internet at www.StPaulMusic.com (http://www.stpaulmusic.com/) I've done a lot of session work through out the years with people such as Paula Abdul, Anita Baker, The Artist, Mavis Staples, George Benson, and many others!
TE) You come from a very musical family - tell us a little bit more about your relatives and the people they have worked with/for?
St. Paul) Yes, my whole family is musical. We just got done playing The Guthrie Theater here in Mpls, MN. We were supporting our Christmas Release, A Child is Born that is also available on my web site, www.StPaulMusic.com (http://www.stpaulmusic.com/) My mother, Jeanne Arland is 76 years young, and plays jazz piano, and sings like a bird. I do gigs with her all the time, just so I can "go to school" on her knowledge. Then there's Linda. She sings and plays jazz piano. She's done a lot of work over in Denmark, and has recorded over there. Billy has played bass with everyone from Leo Kotke, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller to Ben Sidran, and many other great jazz artists I can't possibly name. Patty sings, and has been voted Best Jazz Singer by the MN Music Academy 5 times. Ricky plays keyboards forDavid Sanborn, and has produced George Benson, The Artist, Mavis Staples, The Steeles, David Sanborn, and many others. He and I have been partners in crime for many years, working on a lot of the same sessions. Then out of the 3rd generation of Peterson, Jason Peterson comes along. He is Linda's son, who has worked with Carmen Elektra, Terry and Jimmy's band called Solo, and is a wonderful songwriter and singer, piano player and saxophonist.
Too many of them!
TE) What are your own personal influences and who do you most admire/respect musically?
St. Paul) I have always been influenced by mid 70's Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Gino Vanelli, and of coarse Prince.
TE) Who would you most like to collaborate with?
St. Paul) Stevie, David Gamson (of Scritti Pollitti, and Michelle's Producer) Michelle, Trevor Horn, Trent Reznor, and The Artist.
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp2.jpg
TE) Tell us a little bit more about your recent album, Blue Cadillac and the direction you are moving in??
St. Paul)Blue Cadillac was a work that took about 4 or more years to assemble. When I was touring with David Sanborn and Steve Miller, I would get into towns where some of my songwriting friends were, and we'd record. I wanted to get back to more of an R & B edge, more Tower of Power, and other 70's influences.
TE) Out of the three solo albums you have released, which is your favorite? Could you choose a favorite track from each album and give reasons why?
St. Paul) My favorite album I think is my first release, St. Paul on MCA -This was my first record, and I had my whole life to write it, and I had my brother Ricky produce it, and he really made a difference in the way the direction headed. There are so many good tracks on there, but I think "Rich Man" is my favorite. On my second record, Down to the Wire, I really liked a track called "Shooting Star." This flowed out in about 6 hours, from concept to mix. It's raw, and that's what I dig about it.
On Blue Cadillac, I really like "Only Reminds Me of You." I recorded on the previous record, but felt the record company never gave it a chance, and I think it's a great song.
TE) A lot of artist these days seem to be using the independent option and are now releasing/distributing their music via. the Internet making it very difficult for a lot of kids who don't have credit cards to purchase the latest CD of their favorite artist. Do you believe that selling music exclusively down the Internet is the future or would you rather see your (i.e. St. Paul albums past and future) albums for sale in shops and stores where EVERYBODY can easily buy them?
St. Paul) I like the fact that you will be able to immediately download CD's that you want - although they have to get the payment to the artist's figured out. I think there is always a place for record stores. I love just wandering around, checking out artwork, listening posts, etc. What should happen is an alternative to credit card purchases, so no one is alienated.
http://www.thedawnexperience.co.uk/images/stp3.jpg
TE) Do you feel that it is a shame The Artist is marginalizing himself at a time when the music he has been creating has been amongst his best? By marginalizing I mean retreating into the net and using the phone order system etc.
St. Paul) I've never been able to figure him/her out, so I'm not going to try now. All I do know, is that he/she's a bad MF!
TE) Is there anything you would like to say about The Family and the time you worked with Prince in the - mid 80's - I understand you get on better with him these days? What is your fondest memory of your time working with The Artist?
St. Paul) He was a part of my life when he was at his peak professionally. What a pleasure to watch! I had ring side seats! For him to pick me as a musician in The Time, and then a singer in The Family, was the biggest thrill of my life. He and I got along great, as boss and employee, and occasionally had time to hang. I remember being up at his house he rented in Beverly Hills where we shot The Family's album cover, playing pool till all hours of the morning. We'd just laugh, and rap, and have fun. Also, another fond memory was playing with him on occasion on the Purple Rain Tour. He'd give me a solo in "Baby I'm a Star". I go to hang with Springstein, Madonna, etc. - you name it!
TE) What is your honest opinion of Sinead O'Connors version of Nothing Compares 2 U? Were you suprized at its success? Do you wish that The Family's version was released as a single first, and do you think that it would have done as good (if not better) as an international chart hit? (We personally think that your vocal performance on this song is far superior to Sineads).
St. Paul) I didn't like her version at all! I was happy that such a great song was heard, but I definitely prefer the way The Family recorded it. I played it the other night when I played with Sheila E, Eric Leeds, Ricky Peterson, Dave Barry, and Bobby Vandell, and people freaked out! That is one of my favourite Prince songs.
TE) Is it true that you were offered a position of being a member of The Artist current NPG band? If so, why did you turn the offer down?
St. Paul) Yes, we had a meeting. I had just packed up my things from an office I shared with my brother, Ricky at Paisley Park, and I sent him a note to say thanks; to bring closure to this chapter in my life. The next day the phone rang, and he wanted to meet. We met, and he asked me if I wanted to work, and I said "always." He then said he was going to have an all vegetarian band, and that's when we both knew it wasn't going to work out. He needs and deserves a certain kind of "personality" that I wasn't willing to become. He wished me luck, and I said the same to him. I hope one day we will work together again.
...Interviewed by "The Experience Team" Freedom, "Peebee", Simon and Dolphine - December '97
© 1998 The Experience