Perdita
08-12-2008, 06:55
His debut single, 'You Give Me Something', was released just three years ago, but James Morrison has already managed to secure two bestselling albums - not bad for a singer who attributes his distinctive voice to a near- fatal bout of whooping cough as a baby. As he prepares to release new single 'Broken Strings', a duet with Nelly Furtado, we gave him a call for a quick natter.
What's 'Broken Strings' about?
"It's kind of a break-up song but it was originally meant to have a general message that you can't fix something if it's broken. It could be about a relationship or it could be about the world. We're all a little bit damaged by everything that has happened and you can read into it whatever you want basically."
How did you end up working with Nelly Furtado?
"While I was writing I got a sore throat so my songwriting partner put down the harmony and it just sounded great with a girl vocal. We all thought this would be amazing as a duet so I tried to think of some contemporary female singers and Nelly Furtado was the most versatile person I could think of. It was a great one-off opportunity for us both."
How was it recording with her?
"She created a great atmosphere when she was around. I flew over to Canada which was a bit of a nightmare as we only had a day to record it. I arrived late in the evening and started recording with her the next day, then I got a flight home the next morning. It was a long, long couple of days but she was great - a bit late getting there but she more than delivered."
Why did you chose to perform the song with Keisha Buchanan on Children In Need?
"I've always loved Keisha's voice! I like it even though people say, 'She's only in Sugababes' or whatever. I think she's got a really distinctive voice and she's the reason why Sugababes are still around. She's the only one that's original really. I knew she'd pull it off in her own way, and she did exactly that. She's a cool girl, very smooth."
Are you a bigger fan of Girls Aloud or Sugababes?
"That's a very difficult one as I'm kind of in the middle of doing something with Girls Aloud at the moment as well. I'd have to go for Sugababes though as they came out on their own and have a grittier element to them. For me, the main reason I'd choose Sugababes is because of Keisha's voice. She is the Sugababes to me, she's what makes them so good."
So it's not because Keisha said she had a crush on you?
"Haha! Well it might be a little bit about that too. No, honestly I think it's because she's just a great singer and they've done it on their own without any help. But I have a lot of respect for Girls Aloud too, especially as they're still here having come off a reality show and are doing really well. You better move on now as I don't want you getting me into any trouble!"
You've just finished a mini-tour. Do you get up to much mischief on the road?
"I have to be proper non-rock 'n' roll. A lot of the band have drinks, go out and party and then get up in the morning, but my voice gets really tired if I stay up late. Most of the time I want to go and get absolutely nuts, but I have to play it cool so I can give a good performance the next day."
Are you quite demanding when you're on tour?
"You hear a lot about people wanting room temperature water, but I actually have to have that. Cold water is bad for your throat, which is why a lot of people ask for room temperature water. I have to make sure I don't drink cold water before I go onstage."
You became a father recently. How have you taken to it?
"It's pretty hard work but it's well worth it - I'm really enjoying it! I really cherish it when I get to go home, because I've been away a lot since I became a father. I only need to get a little smile from her and it's amazing - the best thing I've ever done."
Are you a dab hand at nappy changing?
"Oh yeah, I get right in there. No f**king messing around."
What are your plans this Christmas?
"Christmas for me is my chance to party, get f**ked and have a great time basically. I work really hard when I'm on tour and don't get much time off to enjoy being hungover, so I'm just going to enjoy myself and take my baby and missus to Cornwall to my Mum's."
James Morrison releases 'Broken Strings' on December 8.
What's 'Broken Strings' about?
"It's kind of a break-up song but it was originally meant to have a general message that you can't fix something if it's broken. It could be about a relationship or it could be about the world. We're all a little bit damaged by everything that has happened and you can read into it whatever you want basically."
How did you end up working with Nelly Furtado?
"While I was writing I got a sore throat so my songwriting partner put down the harmony and it just sounded great with a girl vocal. We all thought this would be amazing as a duet so I tried to think of some contemporary female singers and Nelly Furtado was the most versatile person I could think of. It was a great one-off opportunity for us both."
How was it recording with her?
"She created a great atmosphere when she was around. I flew over to Canada which was a bit of a nightmare as we only had a day to record it. I arrived late in the evening and started recording with her the next day, then I got a flight home the next morning. It was a long, long couple of days but she was great - a bit late getting there but she more than delivered."
Why did you chose to perform the song with Keisha Buchanan on Children In Need?
"I've always loved Keisha's voice! I like it even though people say, 'She's only in Sugababes' or whatever. I think she's got a really distinctive voice and she's the reason why Sugababes are still around. She's the only one that's original really. I knew she'd pull it off in her own way, and she did exactly that. She's a cool girl, very smooth."
Are you a bigger fan of Girls Aloud or Sugababes?
"That's a very difficult one as I'm kind of in the middle of doing something with Girls Aloud at the moment as well. I'd have to go for Sugababes though as they came out on their own and have a grittier element to them. For me, the main reason I'd choose Sugababes is because of Keisha's voice. She is the Sugababes to me, she's what makes them so good."
So it's not because Keisha said she had a crush on you?
"Haha! Well it might be a little bit about that too. No, honestly I think it's because she's just a great singer and they've done it on their own without any help. But I have a lot of respect for Girls Aloud too, especially as they're still here having come off a reality show and are doing really well. You better move on now as I don't want you getting me into any trouble!"
You've just finished a mini-tour. Do you get up to much mischief on the road?
"I have to be proper non-rock 'n' roll. A lot of the band have drinks, go out and party and then get up in the morning, but my voice gets really tired if I stay up late. Most of the time I want to go and get absolutely nuts, but I have to play it cool so I can give a good performance the next day."
Are you quite demanding when you're on tour?
"You hear a lot about people wanting room temperature water, but I actually have to have that. Cold water is bad for your throat, which is why a lot of people ask for room temperature water. I have to make sure I don't drink cold water before I go onstage."
You became a father recently. How have you taken to it?
"It's pretty hard work but it's well worth it - I'm really enjoying it! I really cherish it when I get to go home, because I've been away a lot since I became a father. I only need to get a little smile from her and it's amazing - the best thing I've ever done."
Are you a dab hand at nappy changing?
"Oh yeah, I get right in there. No f**king messing around."
What are your plans this Christmas?
"Christmas for me is my chance to party, get f**ked and have a great time basically. I work really hard when I'm on tour and don't get much time off to enjoy being hungover, so I'm just going to enjoy myself and take my baby and missus to Cornwall to my Mum's."
James Morrison releases 'Broken Strings' on December 8.