This Is It! Exclusive Q&A with Melba Moore part 2

Melba Moore basically needs no introduction. She is a diva to be reckoned with; one who has conquered the Broadway stage, the recording industry and, now, cabaret. I am thrilled, then, to present to you our exclusive Q&A. This is it! 

Buddy Beaverhausen: Besides working with such luminaries, you are an icon in your own right! What was it like to win a Best Performer in a Musical Tony for Purlie! at such a young age?
Melba Moore: It was so exciting! I had no idea what was going on around me. Dizzying! I have to watch the videotape today to know what was going on. [laughs] I mean, I spent so much time learning how to be that character and have her accent, and even learning what was stage right and stage left at that time! At the Awards ceremony, because it was on tv, all the lights were on and I could see Pearl Bailey! I could see Lauren Bacall! It was incredible! Jack Jones was the announcer on that show and he was always drunk! So he said my name all wrong. Suddenly, I heard the audience chant "Melba Moore! Melba Moore!" I was so discombobulated that night.
   But it still has had such a dramatic effect on my life because people truly appreciate and respect the Tony Awards.

BB: Before Purlie!, you were in Hair. And you did the famous nude scene in that?
MM: Right.
BB: Were you in Hair at the Public Theater or when it moved to Broadway?
MM: When it moved to Broadway.
BB: I've interviewed Lala Brooks and know she was in that.
MM: I love her! We sang "White Boys" together. We had a ball. She is wonderful!

BB: What directed you towards being a disco diva?
MM: My label knew that was what was happening at the time and, so, I had many hits in that genre, happily! But it was the times; I mean, even Ethel Merman put out a disco album.
BB: [laughs] Well, it wasn't quite the same as yours!
MM: "This Is It" was very successful for me. Van McCoy helped usher this sound in and I had a big hit with "This Is It"!



BB: What drew you to the Metropolitan Room as a room you'd like to perform in?
MM: Well, my team and I scoped it out and thought it had a great vibe. Also, Bernie and Joanne are wonderful to deal with. The Metropolitan Room has such a great feel and style to it, and I can have an intimacy with my audience which is wonderful! And cabarets are making a great comeback now. It's so great to meet with our audiences.
BB: Can't wait to see you at Bernie's place!

BB:You were marvelous at the Sarah Dash birthday brunch at 54 Below. How long have you known Sarah and Nona Hendryx?
MM: Well, Sarah used to work for my production company. She and Nona are like family to me! They're both wonderful. Sarah is so sweet, generous and kind. And so genuine.



BB: My blog has a lot of LGBT readers. I think they'd be curious if you've ever seen yourself impersonated or lip-synched to live.
MM: No, actually I'm aware of all this but I've never seen myself impersonated. Very flattering though!



BB: You have a new cd coming out. Please talk about that.
MM: Yes, it has a new single from it called "What Can I Do to Survive?". It will be available on-line and at stores everywhere.

BB: Any last shout-outs?
MM: Yes,thank you!  I want to thank all your readers for their support. It means so much to me.  I think my show at the Metropolitan Room on October 30 will sell out, so please buy tickets now while they last. Thank you, Buddy Beaverhausen! And I  hope you'll enjoy my soon-to-be-releases album! Bless you all! Lots of love!



http://www.melbamoore.com
  

Exclusive Q&A with LaLa Brooks of The Crystals

Delores "LaLa" Brooks possesses an amazing voice and the versatility of it is evident on her terrific new solo album on the independent Norton Records release, All or Nothing. I recently reviewed it on this blog: http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/11/all-or-nothing-la-la-brooks-gets-her.html

When you're listening to Phil Spector's pop classics with The Crystals, like "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," you are listening to LaLa.

LaLa now resides in the East Village and still performs live. (She has a dynamic on-stage presence.) Time has only strengthened and brought new shading, richness and style to her voice.

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen:  LaLa, this is truly a pleasure and a privilege to interview you. You have been an  iconic voice since I was a kid growing up in Paterson, NJ (and you  weren't much older than me at the time, actually). Where did your amazing voice come from? I mean, was it raw talent or did you have any formal singing lessons?  
LaLa Brooks: No, it's just raw talent. No singing lessons.

DBB: You began your professional career with The Crystals. How did you come together as a group? 
LLB: Barbara Alston's cousin, Benny Wells started the group. The Crystals came from Patsy Wright's neice. Patsy was an original member. I was asked to join the group.

DBB: Let's discuss your new album, All or Nothing, on Norton Records, if you don't mind. I was blown away by it. Obviously a labor of love. How does it feel to have a new solo album released? 
LLB: It feels great having a solo album after all this time. The greatest reward is that everyone has accepted it so well.

DBB: You just got back from touring in Spain. What was that experience like? 
LLB: Spain was wonderful. They really cherish older music and appreciate the older artists.

DBB: Your mom was Native American, your dad African-American. Did you feel  "different" growing up in the 1950s and '60s? And did that affect you as a singer in any way? 
LLB: No, not really. My mom made it a point to raise us without any prejudice.

DBB: All or Nothing displays your range and your vocal diversity. How involved were you in the selection of songs?  
LLB: I wasn't involved in the selection of the songs. I was more involved in how they were recorded and how I wanted  my voice to sound on each of the songs.

DBB:  I'm very excited you're coming back to The Cutting Room in February.  Five years ago, I saw you at its old location and you were amazing. I hope you will be doing live versions of the songs from All or Nothing. And, by the way, we bumped into each other at the old Cutting Room when  I stepped out of the men's room & you came out from the dressing  room (or backstage) and I gushed. I was just so excited you were back on  the scene. How do you deal with fawning fans? 
LLB: I try to make the fans feel as relaxed as possible. The main thing is, I'm sort of overwhelmed that they accept me and so I try to be as humble as possible. And I'm so glad that they appreciate me. I want them to know that they're special to me.

DBB: You were in the original cast of Hair. We'd love to hair -- I mean, hear -- about what that experience was like for you.  
LLB: It was crazy in a good way. The story of Hair opened my eyes to not judge people by the way that they look. It also made me feel more comfortable in my skin because I always liked to dress different, not traditional. It taught me to be a free spirit.

DBB: You got married, lived in Germany and London, and basically left the music industry for a while. What were those years like? 
LLB: Actually it was England first and then Austria. My years in Europe were a learning experience and I was introduced to other cultures and languages. I learned that Europeans are not as uptight as some of the Americans are.

DBB:  Phil Spector. We all want to know what it was like working with him. And were you shocked or surprised when he ended up in prison? 
LLB: It was a pleasure to work with Phil. I was a child who introduced to great music and great musicians who played in the studio with me. Yes, I was shocked when he ended up in prison.

DBB: La La, you were stupendous at that girl group fest at Damrosch Park at  Lincoln Center a couple of summers ago. You really rocked "River Deep,  Mountain High." Have you ever considered recording it, because it was so  outstanding?  
LLB: No, I never thought about recording it. I was frightened to death about doing it. People don't know that Darlene Love was supposed to have been on that show. The producer was trying to have her, Ronnie Spector and me as the show's headliners. I was supposed to do my songs only. But when Darlene canceled, the producer called and asked if I would do "River Deep." I asked that if I were to mess the song up during rehearsals, would they eliminate it from the show. But when the rehearsal went well, and I had some encouragement from the band, I just went for it! I'm glad I got through it.

DBB: As the dance music Promoter at Queens Our City internet radio, it behooves me to ask you how is it that your fabulous diva vocals never fronted a disco or dance music number. Would you consider it if the right  producer were to ask you? 
LLB: I sure would!

DBB: La La, it is truly special to be doing this interview with you. Happy New Year to you and your family.  Any last shout outs to your fans? 
LLB: I shout out to all my fans, "I'm for real and love all of you. Have a blessed and Happy New Year."