TONY LEVIN talks about „From The Law Offices Of LEVIN MINNEMANN RUDESS“

GuitarMania caught up with TONY LEVIN for a short interview to talk about his new album with fellow virtuosos MARCO MINNEMANN and JORDAN RUDESS by the title „From The Law Offices Of LEVIN MINNEMANN RUDESS“ (All images courtesy of www.levinminnemannrudess.com).



Born on 6 June 1946, TONY LEVIN is probably best known for his work with PETER GABRIEL and progressive rock pioneers KING CRIMSON. Not only has he been PETER GABRIEL’s sideman for many years, but he has also an excellent reputation for being a prolific session musician. Since the 1970s, Tony has played on more than 500 albums, including those of CHER, ASIA, ALICE COOPER, JOHN LENNON, PINK FLOYD, DIRE STRAITS, DAVID BOWIE, and countless more. He specialises in the electric bass, the Chapman Stick, as well as the upright bass. He also sings and plays synthesizer.

Thank you for this opportunity to briefly talk about the new album Tony. You are a very busy man and we understand you have just been on tour with PETER GABRIEL again - the Peter Gabriel/Sting 2016 tour. Where did you find the time to write the songs for the new LEVIN MINNEMANN RUDESS album?


I did a lot of my writing while on the road -- taking a recording setup while out with King Crimson as well as with Peter Gabriel last year. I didn't use the recording setup to start the album, but just to write ideas and pieces, to get a head start for when, from December 2015, I was home at my studio.

 

How did you guys exchange ideas?


We pretty much each wrote our pieces and then passed them on to the other guys, to add to, or to replace melody parts - different method on each piece.


What is your approach to composition - do ideas come to you spontaneously on the instrument, do you sing them first, and/or do you keep working and elaborating on certain elements for a longer period of time?

I have a few ways that my pieces come together. Sometimes start them on the instrument (usually the Chapman Stick, which has guitar and bass strings, so very versatile for writing.) Sometimes, though, the idea comes to me without instrument, and I write it on music manuscript if I have some handy (usually I do) or sing it into my cellphone to write down later. Sometimes, though not with this album, the piece begins with lyrics -- usually something from my journals I'm often writing in, that starts to suggest that it's a song.


How important was the improvisational aspect when doing the record?

Plenty of improvising, but in home studio, not as a group, so it ends up being what the part is. And, of course, lots of solos, by Jordan, are improvised.

 

Image above: DREAM THEATER's keyboarder JORDAN RUDESS.

 


Besides being an accomplished virtuoso on your instrument, you are one of the most respected and highly regarded bass players in the music business. Would you have any piece of advice for a young musician?

It's not an easy field to be in, and never really was, but for those of us who just love the music too much not to be players for life, it's very rewarding. If only in the sense that you get to do what you love for your whole professional live - that's pretty good - if only you can make ends meet. I'm no expert at that, or marketing, or selling yourself or your music. The only advice that comes from my experience is, if you have the chance to be a lifelong musician, to be grateful for that.

You have been sharing your road experiences in your blog since 1996. What is the biggest change in the music industry  since you first started making music, and what are your views on (free) streaming providers?

Lots of changes, and I think it'll always continue to be that way - so once you start to get it figured out, the rules will change on you! I have no useful insights about streaming providers and such -- I'd just recommend, if you want to do better at selling your music, that you find someone who's really good at it, and pick their brain for how it's done. (And that wouldn't be me!)

 

Image above: Drummer MARCO MINNEMANN also played guitars on the trio's new record.



What is your favourite track on the new album?

Don't really have a favorite -- I like all the tracks and think we created some really interesting, challenging, and a little surprising music.


Thank you and good luck with the release of „From The Law Offices Of LEVIN MINNEMANN RUDESS“!


My pleasure, Richard.

 

 

 

Read our review of „From The Law Offices Of LEVIN MINNEMANN RUDESS“ here

LINKS

Tony Levin's Road Diary


www.levinminnemannrudess.com

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save