The down to earth Rochdale lovely has a new album out that aims to put her back on the road to big ballad success. Called The Moment, it’s a rewarding new record from a lady who’s a firm favourite in the office. Lucky for us then that the equally lovely Neil Sexton over at Gaydar Radio chatted to the lass herself to find out more.
You had a greatest hits album out last year, but apart from that we’ve not really heard anything about you for ages. Where have you been?
I can promise you that I’ve been very busy! I’ve not been sitting on my arse (laughs).
Really? I had this image that you release an album every three or four years and spend the rest of the time chilling out, doing nothing and enjoying yourself!
Yeah, everyone thinks that. They think I just go to a completely gorgeous, exotic place and eat chocolate and get fanned by beautiful men (more laughter).
And you’re telling me that’s not true?
It’s not true!
So what have you been doing with yourself then?
I’ve been making this album! I loved every minute of it; it’s been fantastic. And thank God that the end result is something that I’m so pleased with. I’m really proud of it.
Why is that? What is it particularly about this album that you’re so happy with?
Well, I think it was a really amazing time for me as I did things that I’ve not done before. For one, I did a lot of other people’s songs. I thought, throw your pride out the window and just do really, really good songs whether they’re your songs or anybody else’s songs just be really critical of everything on this album
So are theses songs covers or originals?
It’s a mixture; some are original but some are covers. There’s a great version of Prefab Sprout’s ‘When Love Breaks Down’ and I do a song by Irish band The Frames, but the rest are either my songs or other people’s that haven’t really been out before.
Is it true that you got Paddy McAloon from Prefab Sprout to write an extra verse for that song?
Yeah, it was such an amazing compliment for him to do that and I’ve yet to be face to face with him to give him a big kiss to say thank you.
How did that come about? Did you hear the song and think, ‘I must record that song I love it so much’?
Well, really we just sat down and listened to tons and tons of stuff. And when we played ‘When Love Breaks Down’ everybody who was involved in the project said, ‘Oh I love this song’ and that was it – everybody does love it.
But it wasn’t the big hit everyone remembers it to be, which was a real shame. You really believe when you listen to the song that it was number one for ages, and it wasn’t. I just think that it was overlooked in a way.
I believe you’ve been working with legendary producer Trevor Horn on the new album. What’s he like to work with?
He’s amazing and just brilliant. When you work with him you realise just why he’s such a legendary producer in the business. But I think it’s the same with anyone who’s amazingly good at what they do – he’s just so comfortable with what he’s doing. He makes it all look very, very easy. He’s just brilliant at what he does.
Recording the album was just really refreshing. We would write very quickly and just go in and see what worked. Initially we played with a full band and then Trevor would add and take things away. But there is a live, relaxed feel to some of the vocals, which came from those early sessions. I am a real perfectionist and it was just really exciting to let go.
Take us back to the beginning. How did you get started?
Oh my God. I started out in the business by doing TV shows and stuff when I was 14, but success wise – big success wise – I was 24, in about ’89.
Did you always have an ambition to be a singer?
Yes! I started singing when I was about four or five years old and by the time I was seven I knew exactly what I wanted to do – which was very fortunate as most people spend their whole lives trying to find that career and settle in to something that they really, really want to do.
Did you realise early on that it was going to be an easy task to get success, or did you have to work hard to get it?
I think if you want something bad enough you’ll work you arse off to get it. I developed the skin of a Rhinoceros because people aren’t generally nice in this business. You get a lot of knock backs and people can be quite insulting. But you just soldier on and if you’ve got enough faith in yourself you’ll get there.
So what’s the secret of your success?
I don’t know, just keep doing what you’re doing I suppose. I’ve been very lucky in the sense that people have always wanted me back. I mean, I’ve always left a long time between albums and people have always – touchwood – been glad to see me again.
Is there any particular reason why you’ve left such a large gap between those albums?
When I do an album I like to spend time in the studio. When I was doing the second album I was just working all the time doing promotions, recording, writing etc. It was too much. I like to take time and look at it, so that I really know what’s happening.
I get the impression that you’re really thrilled with the album
Yeah, definitely I am! I’m really excited and pleased with it.
Read our review of Lisa Stansfield’s new album, The Moment and find out more at the album's microsite.
The Moment by Lisa Stansfield
Label: ZTT
ASIN: B0002VBY20
Catalogue Number: ZZT192CD
Make your own mind up about Lisa Stansfield's new album, The Moment, by buying it online. You'll even save yourself some money to put towards another CD, Biography - The Greatest Hits.