Lisa Stansfield listening party @ Big Chicks (5024 N. Sheridan Rd.) March 14
The appropriately titled greatest-hits collection Biography (Arista/BMG Heritage) is a thorough compilation of Lisa Stansfield's best known songs that takes the listener on a smooth and soulful musical journey.
Beginning with dance-floor classics such as 'Change' (from Real Love), 'Someday (I'm Coming Back)' (from The Bodyguard soundtrack) and 'This Is The Right Time' (from Affection), the collection serves as both a reminder to some listeners of Stansfield's substantial contributions as a blue-eyed soul diva and as an introduction for a whole new generation of listeners. The versatile vocalist from the U.K. can belt out a dance-floor tune ('People Hold On,' 'Live Together,' and her cover of Barry White's 'Never Gonna Give You Up') with the same dramatic intensity with which she effortlessly delivers stunning ballads (including 'In All The Right Places,' 'All Woman,' and Cole Porter's 'Down In The Depths'). With this 'biography' completed, Stansfield is prepared to move onto the next chapter, as she told me when we spoke.
GS: A consistent part of your solo albums has been your musical collaborations with Ian Devaney, who is also your husband. What makes your creative partnership such a success?
LS: We don't really bring our domestic life into the studio. We never have done that before anyway. It's not really a problem.
GS: What is the significance, to you, of having a greatest-hits disc, such as Biography, released?
LS: I just think it was the right time to do it because now there's enough stuff to put on there. I think that if I went out and bought a greatest-hits (CD), I'd want it to be chock full of stuff and not be filled with remixes and new tracks. I'd just want to listen to what that person has done so far. That's what this albums all about. It's about my life in music so far, before I go on to the next chunk of music that I want to do.
GS: Now that you've gotten the greatest-hits disc out of your system, do you feel like you are ready to begin the next musical chapter?
LS: (enthusiastically) Yeah, definitely.
GS: What is the next musical chapter?
LS: We've got a tour to do. We tour in Europe and in Britain and then we go straight into the studio and we start writing. But I would imagine whatever comes out of there will be sort of soul/R&B based music because it always has been because that's what we're passionate about.
GS: You have also made a name for yourself as an outspoken activist. Are you involved in efforts to protest a war with Iraq?
LS: I'm not involved, but I've got my opinions sure enough. I've got my opinion and I think it's absolutely futile and I think the only reason why Bush and Blare want to go to war is because of oil. They're going to ruin so many lives in the process. I think it's just a complete waste of money and it's the money that they're spending on this war, they could be spending on finding another alternative fuel.
GS: Additionally, you are known for your AIDS activism, which includes being a contributor to the Red, Hot & Blue fundraising compilation ('Down In The Depths') and as a performer at the Concert For Life-Freddie Mercury tribute ('These Are The Days Of Our Lives'). What has that work meant to you?
LS: I'm really glad that I got involved with that because I do feel quite passionately about it. It's really upsetting at this time because everyone has forgotten about this. I think everyone should be taught about this and there's a new generation now who don't really know anything about it. They're the people who are going to be suffering and I think it's a criminal thing for the government not to actually inform people of this more often, because it's just been swept under the carpet and it's ridiculous. It's just getting bigger and bigger.
GS: You had an acting role in the movie Swing (1999). Will there be more film work forthcoming?
LS: Yeah, I should be doing another movie this year. I can't really speak about it yet because it's not up to me to talk about it. I might get told off (laughs). But, It's a British movie and it's set in the North of England and it's not a music-based movie at all. So, it's quite refreshing for me to be actually asked to do a movie because of my acting ability and not because of my voice.
GS: What about a role in a stage musical, Chicago, or any of those current musicals that are playing? Have you been offered a role in any of those or would you like to do one?
LS: I just got offered Chicago in London, but I really don't like musicals. The only musicals that I like are My Fair Lady and Gigi, but I wouldn't want to be involved in anything like that.
GS: In April of 2003, as you mentioned, you'll be performing at the Royal Albert Hall as part of your tour. Are there plans for you to come to the States for a tour?
LS: I would absolutely love to! That all depends on my record company over there (in the U.S.). I really don't know. You're going to have to ask them that.
