Gui
New Member
Seagal’s got those Hollywood blues
By John Anson
FROM THE HEART: Hollywood action man Steven Seagal will be playing the music he loves in East Lancashire
WHEN it was first announced that Hollywood hard man Steven Seagal would be heading to Blackburn on March 3 to play with his blues band, it was met with a certain amount of incredulity.
"Steven Seagal? What, THE Steven Seagal?" was a typical reaction when I told people.
It's pretty well known in the States that the star of action films such as Under Siege and Out For A Kill is as serious about his music as he is about his martial arts.
And now he's out to educate UK audiences by playing over 30 gigs around the country.
On screen, the six-foot-four-inch aikido black belt is an intimidating figure.
Even over the phone you cannot help but feel his presence.
advertisementWhen we speak, he is in Northampton and has just completed a soundcheck before that evening's show with his band Thunderbox.
"Seagal," he says by way of greeting, his voice a throaty rasp that manages to set the hairs standing up on the back of your neck.
One of the conditions of being granted an interview is that I stick to talking about music.
Anything to do with films is strictly off limits.
All the arrangements have been very Hollywood, with his "people" being involved all the way.
Indeed, I heard his personal assistant in the background inquire several times if Mr Seagal was OK with our chat.
"It's fine, he's doing OK," was the reassuring response and he stayed on the line.
As we talk it soon becomes clear that the man is passionate about the blues.
"I guess it all comes from childhood," he said.
"We lived in an all black neighbourhood in Detroit and the people there came from the Mississippi Delta.
"I learned all about the blues out on the front porch with those guys."
Now 55, Steven Seagal has immersed himself in the history and the culture of the blues and has had the opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names.
"Blues legends don't act like movie stars," he said.
"You can get close to them. I have been really lucky to talk to and play with some of the first generation blues players.
"It is all a question of respect. If you are respectful to people and their music they will talk to you.
"Take Gatemouth Brown (a legendary blues figure).
"He was notorious for some of the things he did but if you showed him respect you were fine with him.
"I know I'm prejudiced," he said. "But blues is really the origin of all American music.
"Where I grew up is the perfect environment for blues music, as you get both the Appalachian style of playing, which is more folky in its sound, and then the heavier Delta blues. I can play both."
I ask him if he can try to explain the type he plays live.
"You'll have to bear with this," he said. "It is quite technical.
"My sound is Mississippi Delta blues, which is quite ignorant musically.
"The timing is off. Chicago blues is more flat. There is a steady rhythm. It's standard 12 bar blues.
"The thing about all blues is that it is very emotional. It is passionate."
Perhaps surprisingly, he appears to be aware of East Lancashire's great blues tradition and the two major festivals at Burnley and Colne held each year, perhaps because his guitarist Bernard Allison has performed at both over the years.
The UK tour will see Steven Seagal showcasing songs from his latest album Mojo Priest.
"I tend to be a very inspired guy when it comes to songwriting," he said.
"Ideas come to me like lightning and I try to always carry a notebook around with me to get the ideas down then they strike."
The traditions of the blues clearly play a major part in Steven Seagal's life and he believes that his role is to pass on that respect and love for the music to others.
"I think you'll find that one of the reasons the guys play with me is to learn from my experience," he said.
As our allotted time draws to an end I actually manage to raise a smile when I ask him who, given the chance, would he add to his band for one night.
Without hesitation he replies: "Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf." And he adds with a chuckle: "I'd just stand and watch them and cry."
Given that he is so well known through his movies, I wonder if he has ever been tempted to use a pseudonym with his music so people wouldn't prejudge him.
"We did talk about it," he said. "But I didn't want to be deceitful. When people hear me play they hear a black man from Mississippi."
Risking censure from the protective personal assistant, I put one final question to Steven Seagal; given the choice would he prefer to win an Oscar or a Grammy?
The answer is pure politician.
"To me it would be an honour to be blessed with either. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have given me the chance to do what I do and I wouldn't like to choose one above the other."
With that, my time is at an end and Steven Seagal is gone.
Much energy,
By John Anson
FROM THE HEART: Hollywood action man Steven Seagal will be playing the music he loves in East Lancashire
WHEN it was first announced that Hollywood hard man Steven Seagal would be heading to Blackburn on March 3 to play with his blues band, it was met with a certain amount of incredulity.
"Steven Seagal? What, THE Steven Seagal?" was a typical reaction when I told people.
It's pretty well known in the States that the star of action films such as Under Siege and Out For A Kill is as serious about his music as he is about his martial arts.
And now he's out to educate UK audiences by playing over 30 gigs around the country.
On screen, the six-foot-four-inch aikido black belt is an intimidating figure.
Even over the phone you cannot help but feel his presence.
advertisementWhen we speak, he is in Northampton and has just completed a soundcheck before that evening's show with his band Thunderbox.
"Seagal," he says by way of greeting, his voice a throaty rasp that manages to set the hairs standing up on the back of your neck.
One of the conditions of being granted an interview is that I stick to talking about music.
Anything to do with films is strictly off limits.
All the arrangements have been very Hollywood, with his "people" being involved all the way.
Indeed, I heard his personal assistant in the background inquire several times if Mr Seagal was OK with our chat.
"It's fine, he's doing OK," was the reassuring response and he stayed on the line.
As we talk it soon becomes clear that the man is passionate about the blues.
"I guess it all comes from childhood," he said.
"We lived in an all black neighbourhood in Detroit and the people there came from the Mississippi Delta.
"I learned all about the blues out on the front porch with those guys."
Now 55, Steven Seagal has immersed himself in the history and the culture of the blues and has had the opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest names.
"Blues legends don't act like movie stars," he said.
"You can get close to them. I have been really lucky to talk to and play with some of the first generation blues players.
"It is all a question of respect. If you are respectful to people and their music they will talk to you.
"Take Gatemouth Brown (a legendary blues figure).
"He was notorious for some of the things he did but if you showed him respect you were fine with him.
"I know I'm prejudiced," he said. "But blues is really the origin of all American music.
"Where I grew up is the perfect environment for blues music, as you get both the Appalachian style of playing, which is more folky in its sound, and then the heavier Delta blues. I can play both."
I ask him if he can try to explain the type he plays live.
"You'll have to bear with this," he said. "It is quite technical.
"My sound is Mississippi Delta blues, which is quite ignorant musically.
"The timing is off. Chicago blues is more flat. There is a steady rhythm. It's standard 12 bar blues.
"The thing about all blues is that it is very emotional. It is passionate."
Perhaps surprisingly, he appears to be aware of East Lancashire's great blues tradition and the two major festivals at Burnley and Colne held each year, perhaps because his guitarist Bernard Allison has performed at both over the years.
The UK tour will see Steven Seagal showcasing songs from his latest album Mojo Priest.
"I tend to be a very inspired guy when it comes to songwriting," he said.
"Ideas come to me like lightning and I try to always carry a notebook around with me to get the ideas down then they strike."
The traditions of the blues clearly play a major part in Steven Seagal's life and he believes that his role is to pass on that respect and love for the music to others.
"I think you'll find that one of the reasons the guys play with me is to learn from my experience," he said.
As our allotted time draws to an end I actually manage to raise a smile when I ask him who, given the chance, would he add to his band for one night.
Without hesitation he replies: "Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf." And he adds with a chuckle: "I'd just stand and watch them and cry."
Given that he is so well known through his movies, I wonder if he has ever been tempted to use a pseudonym with his music so people wouldn't prejudge him.
"We did talk about it," he said. "But I didn't want to be deceitful. When people hear me play they hear a black man from Mississippi."
Risking censure from the protective personal assistant, I put one final question to Steven Seagal; given the choice would he prefer to win an Oscar or a Grammy?
The answer is pure politician.
"To me it would be an honour to be blessed with either. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have given me the chance to do what I do and I wouldn't like to choose one above the other."
With that, my time is at an end and Steven Seagal is gone.
Much energy,
