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Interview with Simon Climie
Topic Started: Apr 26 2010, 08:11 PM (2,483 Views)
evancol
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Simon Climie, producer of The Distance, was nice enough to take time out of a very busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions for us. He had promised this when the CD dropped, but before we could get it in, his schedule got busy and he was traveling. He was kind enough that when things settled down a bit, he honored his word, and now we give you ..... a few minutes with Simon Climie.

and ..... coming soon, be sure to watch for our audio interview with Simon's partner in the studio on The Distance. You won't want to miss it !!



1. Were you familiar with Taylor's earlier work when you were approached to collaborate on the new CD? If so, how much did that influence what was done?

I must confess – I Never heard Taylors original Indie Albums...But I was very familiar & Impressed with Taylor , having seen Clips from his American Idol performances ....And being amazed at his ability... And although at the time of watching them I had no idea I’d ever be asked to work with Taylor....I remember him creating quite a stir in the studios ....with all the Musicians / Artists I was collaborating with at the time saying things like.... “ Did you see that Guy on Idol...!! Wow he’s the real deal.”

2. To quote "there is talent everywhere, but what gets lost is the importance of developing that talent.... one of the most important functions with all studios is to create an environment that is conducive to creativity, and to try to discover where each individual writer/producer's talents lie and encourage them to develop their skills".

Other than his obvious talent of singing, where did you find Taylor's talent to lie, and what skills did you see him develop most over the time you worked on The Distance ?

Well Actually - I found Taylor to be blessed with all the innate abilities I’ve seen in other major stars... The first thing that struck me was his passion for Music...and in particular “Song Sense” where he really has vision , and the ability to recognize what’s special about certain songs and how to bring that through... In all honesty I think there are so many factors that determine success... At a given time ...Taylor might’ve had an easier path to success had he been born earlier and had the nurturing of a label like Warner brothers ,as Michael McDonald had...for instance.. And this may be controversial but we know how the first Album did directly following his American Idol win .... (I think it’s fair to say Taylor wasn’t 100% happy creatively with that Album ... )
My feeling is that had this Album “The Distance” been launched then ...it would’ve sold several Million ... Of course having the conviction of Taylor.

In terms of what developed... – I want to say that Taylor also has the Band leader type of thing- so he can read a situations.,,.a defining moment on the Album was : - (when it was beginning to get more like work than fun .... ) Taylor through in a curved ball and said - hey lets cut this Ray Charles song...”Hide nor Hair” - He got a few strange looks..... But once he got behind the Mike it really shook things up ... And with the musicians he gained even more respect...!!
From then onwards everyone knew this was going to be a great Album...


3. Can you describe your "work style" throughout the process of production?

I guess my work style / focus was to put Taylor to the test to find out what would bring out the best in him .... How to capture his real talent..which some felt had not shined through on previous records... It was really great to spend a week or two without the clock ticking.... on pre-production , writing , listening and really getting to know Taylor .. And based on my experience – (once we had a solid base of material..) . I decided the only way was to “turn the heat up” take some risks and “ Through him in at the deep end” .. Which is sink or swim time for some people.... Thankfully ,the songs & the Natural born performer in Taylor soon came through...

4. Can you tell us a bit about your background. your days as part of Climie Fisher, and other works? How did you get started producing as well as performing?

I started as Songwriter ...without a huge ambition to be a “Rock Star” - And when I met Rob Fisher at Abbey road - (he’d already had some success with his band Naked Eyes as part of the British invasion...!! Tears for fears etc...) We wanted to write songs and both loved experimenting in the studios....
It was fun having a band... like there was a force there that was definitely bigger than the both of us.......and lots of people around us at the time recognized something great was happening... I give huge credit to Steve Lillywhite.... Who recognized the potential and offered to produce the first few tracks for us...Which gave EMI the confidence to go ahead and sign us....... What we didn’t know at the time was that... I’d already written with Dennis Morgan.... what became a world wide no 1 “I Knew you were waiting (for me)” for George and Aretha.... So by the time “Love Changes” and our Album was ready to launch we had something to talk about .. Actually I’m now re-recoding some of those songs now with various guest artist....and I may call on Taylor to light up one of the songs... ( So please put a word I for me.. !!)

All of that kind of Lead into writing and production.. Which I really enjoy too..


5. You worked with Michael McDonald on his Motown albums. Taylor has drawn a lot of comparison to Michael. Do you see any resemblance, and if so, what?

They’re both going to hate me for saying this,,,but “the Hair !! “

6. Do you have a favorite track from The Distance ? What makes this one
stand out for you?

There are quite a few - for different reasons.... I will say that when we’ve finished an Album and have to decide what’s my favorite....& what’s best to go to radio with - I would usually have a different answer.... On this occasion though “What’s Right is Right” ....works on all levels for me- on a creative level I really liked all the songs.... And the B side too ... “Indiscriminate Act of Kindness & Hide nor hair “

7. Can you tell us a little about your work with the famous X-Sample, did you find working on Retail Therapy easier than The Road to Escondido ?

Kind of a trick question as there’s a code of secrecy on this one.... But I think I’m ok saying that I really enjoyed working on “Retail therapy” and everything I’ve worked on with Xsample since.... The road to Escondido was was also a privilege – getting to witness & work with some pretty amazing talent ....
In the room with Eric , ,JJ & his crew... , Dereck trucks...Billy Preston.. It don’t get much better than that...!!


8. Out of all of the varied aspects of your career, what do you consider your defining piece of work up to this point ?

That’s a tough question too..... The Albums I’ve done with Artists like Eric , BB... Michael , Taylor are more “Bodies of work...”


I guess if you were to ask if any one track / Song changed my Destiny it would have to be

“I Knew You Were Waiting For Me”




(this interview was done for TTHC/Connections, please do NOT re-post any part of it without our permission)
Edited by evancol, Apr 26 2010, 08:13 PM.
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tishlp
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What a wonderful interview!!

To read that Simon Climie & the musicians/artists that he was collaborating with all recognized Taylor's special talents is just thrilling.

Bravo!! :cp

P.S. can't wait for that audio interview :P
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san
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"The first thing that struck me was his passion for Music..."

Taylor's passion for music is evident to everyone!

Thank you, Simon, for your time and insight into working with Taylor on The Distance. We really appreciate your thoughts and the chance to know a little bit more about you and your career. Taylor was in good company.




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Gr8fulheart
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I must 'echo' what has been said above. What an honor it is for two artists to have such respect for each other. It is obvious to all of us that Taylor had the 'it' factor; but when an artist such as Simon Climie 'sees' it; the 'it' factor is taken to a much highter level.

Thanx evancol, for this wonderful interview & a Big THANX to Simon for taking the time to honor us with his artistic perception & evaluation.♥
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juliegr
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Another interesting interview. :wsh

You asked some good questions, I just wish you could make the entire audio available so the listener/reader could get a smoother understanding of the answers.

Thanks for the continuing series of interviews and I look to reading Rob Fischer's interview.

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kaitlin45

Girl, you rock!! :bls This was the interview that needed to be conducted, and it was wonderful, just wonderful. I haven't seen some of those names mentioned in that interview in a very long time (great musicians). Simon Climie is a straight-shooting man and an obvious talent. His words and experience are proof positive, all around, that Taylor's talent is a major force with which to be reckoned. My hat is off to you for this great interview! :cs
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tishlp
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Quote:
 
Well Actually - I found Taylor to be blessed with all the innate abilities I’ve seen in other major stars.


That's what we all sensed when we saw Taylor on American Idol, and then it was just reinforced for those of us that were
lucky enough to see him develop the Teen Angel character on Broadway in New York and then see the character evolve during the
national tour of Grease. And for those of us that were lucky enough to get to see Taylor live with his band, well it was also obvious.
You can't take your eyes off Taylor when he's on stage.

I have a feeling I'm going to be coming back to this interview more than once. :clap
Edited by tishlp, Apr 27 2010, 05:35 AM.
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mouser
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The HAIR comment aside ( how could anyone with a sense of humor resist making it ); Mr. Climie sheds some light on his "time with Taylor". What I found in his words was the underlying respect that musicians and music people have for Taylor Hicks. That is something for which Taylor can be PROUD.
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caroleinfla
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Thank you so much. A wondedful interview. Loved your questions and his answers.
Taylor is respected in the world or real music.
;wh
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mouser
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With regard to question # 7:


1. Clapton and J.J. Cale's album The Road to Escondido, which was released in 2006.

2. Retail Therapy was released on CD in 1997 under the artists TDF.

2. TDF was a dance act project featuring Climie and Eric Clapton, with Clapton working under the name of x-sample. "TDF" is an acronym for Totally Dysfunctional Family. The project released one album called Retail Therapy on the Reprise record label. The title supposedly alludes to Clapton's "addiction" to buying clothes. Eric Clapton states in his autobiography that he persuaded Giorgio Armani, a friend of Clapton's, to let them do the music for one of his fashion shows.
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tishlp
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Thanks for that explanation Mouser. I didn't understand it at all. I've read Clapton's book but forgot about that part.
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Really nice interview. Many thanks to Simon for taking the time for this for us all!
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Oldiebutgoodie
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Great interview-one that needed to be done.
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tishlp
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"In terms of what developed... – I want to say that Taylor also has the Band leader type of thing- so he can read a situations.,,.a defining moment on the Album was : - (when it was beginning to get more like work than fun .... ) Taylor through in a curved ball and said - hey lets cut this Ray Charles song...”Hide nor Hair” - He got a few strange looks..... But once he got behind the Mike it really shook things up ... And with the musicians he gained even more respect...!!"

This reminds me of the video of Taylor and the band in rehearsals for the 2007 when Taylor first came up with the idea of having a drumline on stage for The Runaround. Remember how everyone laughed at first?

And we all know how wonderful that turned out. :thumbsup

Can you tell that I love this interview? :P
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pc325

Wonderful interview! Thanks so much!
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KimMemphis
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Great interview .... very interesting.
Thank you to those who made it come together .........
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mouser
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It seems that Taylor is a "jack of all trades" when it comes to the music business. He is business savvy, he is production savvy , he is musically savvy and he cares about the people he works with and for.
He learns from his mistakes and learns from the wise advise of those who have " been there and done that ". Surrounded by peers of equal or even greater talent; Taylor absorbs and expands his own abilities.


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Barbieflausa
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I sure hope This Simon can be insturmental in Taylor finally getting the r-e-s-p-e-c-t he should have had 4+years ago!!!

;wh
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GwenB

It is so pleasing to see the respect other musicians give to Taylor, and the recognition of his talent. Thanks so much for an insightful interview.
:gs
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crazymomelon

That was a great read, evancol. Thanks! I always wondered aboutt Climie's take on Taylor. Good to see such respect.
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