I stayed away from it for years, thinking that there were many, many better guitar players than I and that I should stick to what I do best, the writing and singing, ... Rick didn't want to budge, and we argued about it almost every day in the studio. I played on every track, which means I lost every battle. |
I was doing what I wanted to do, ... I was making the records I wanted to make where and when I wanted to do them. I wasn't looking aggressively for someone to come in and give me some new and fresh perspectives on my stuff. I was pretty happy with it and perfectly willing to continue as long as I could on that path. |
I'd heard of Rick for a number of years, ... He's kind of a pioneer in the music business, and he's produced so many different types of music and artists that you can't help but know about him. And you wonder, 'What the heck is this guy going to do next?' without realizing that you were what he was going to do next! I found out quickly I was comfortable with him and liked what his ideas were. It was a no-brainer: Let's give it a try and have fun . . . and tell me where to stand. |
I'm lucky. Hard work is the key, but luck plays a part. |
It is a little strange, I have to admit it, seeing someone up there trying to be you. A little weird but also fun. God bless them all, I hope they do great. |
It's very difficult for me to say 'I love you' but to sing 'I love you' for me is easier. |
Kind of unspoken, we both agreed to continue working and to get to the next stage, ... which was to have me write songs that Rick felt were right for me. |
Neil Diamond impersonators will be much in demand at bar mitzvahs. |
Of course I liked what Johnny did with 'Solitary Man,' |
Some days are diamonds Some days are stones Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone Sometimes the cold wind blows a chill in my soul Some days are diamonds, some days are stone |
That's show business, |
the hardest part of this whole project. Each song has its own story, its own emotional content, its own reason for being. |
the recordings became bigger than the songs, which I came to understand is a backwards way of doing it. The songs have to come first and inspire everything else. If Rick did anything for me, he did that. He brought my focus back to the songs and made me feel comfortable about not worrying about how the recording of that particular song would be. |
We are happy to become the first to play in this beautiful building. I know it will be the first of many (shows). We hope you remember us and that we played here first. |
We're happy that you're here and that you remember us, ... Remember Me. |