Deborah Cox._______
She's best known for her R&B and dance hits such as Who Do You Love? and Nobody's Supposed to be Here, but on her latest album, Destination Moon, singer Deborah Cox embarks upon a new direction—and showcases her versatility—by covering the songs of legendary chanteuse Dinah Washington. Cox talked with Windy City Times about Washington, her gay fans and being covered.
Windy City Times: If I had to describe the album in one word, it would be 'gorgeous.'
Deborah Cox: Thank you! That means a lot, because that word—'gorgeous'— [ describes ] how I feel about the music. When people really get it, they say those kinds of things.
WCT: I actually listened to the album's last song [ Look to the Rainbow ] first, because I wanted to compare it to Aretha Franklin's cover of the same tune [ on Franklin's 1986 CD, Aretha ] . Her version is very grand and sweeping while yours is more intimate, but they're both pretty powerful.
DC: Thank you. I did not know [ about Franklin's cover ] . I'm going to go digging, and see if I can find it.
I always loved singing with just the piano; it's one of my favorite things to do. I love a simple sort of presentation. I felt that, at the end of the album, it was appropriate, and I felt that the song was very intimate, and I wanted the words to really resonate.
WCT: You've said that you have some things in common with Dinah Washington.
DC: Yes. I discovered her passion and her love for performing live. If I could be on the road [ all year ] , I would. I love being the storyteller and having the people listen—to communicate to them through song, and with raw passion.
She was also a lover of all different styles of music. Gospel was the most sacred to her; once she sang R&B, she would never sing gospel again. I'm different in the sense that I understand how serious she was, spiritually, but I feel that if you can reach people—no matter if it's through gospel, jazz or R&B—then, why not? I like the fact that I have such a diverse background and an ability to sing a message through any style. [ Being a lover of different musical genres ] was the thing that I found most similar [ to Washington ] .
WCT: So is Destination Moon more of a natural musical evolution or is it more like an interesting side project that you wanted to tackle?
DC: It was an interesting ... well, I don't want to call it a side project because I want everyone to see the tremendous amount of commitment I have to her music. I try to be 'in the moment' with everything I do. It's my life—and, right now, Destination Moon is my life. I feel that this is a part of me—that this is who I am. I want people to see that this is a side of Deborah Cox that has not been exposed.
[ Showing versatility ] is important to me. It's important to have longevity. Look at Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson and Tina Turner; they're still doing it. When I'm 60 or 70, I still want to be rocking. [ Laughs ]
WCT: When were you first aware that you had a large gay following?
DC: I first became aware in 1997. Things Just Ain't the Same was out in the clubs. I did a show at [ Los Angeles' Hollywood ] Palladium ( and, in fact, it was the last one there ) . I was told that I had legions of gay fans—and they've been absolutely loyal through the past 10 years. It doesn't matter what move I take; they've been on the journey with me. That's what being a true fan is about.
WCT: Since Destination Moon features Dinah Washington songs, let me ask you this: How would you feel if someone did an album of Deborah Cox tunes?
DC: Oh, that's a great question! I've never been asked that before.
I would be so flattered and honored; I would love to hear their interpretation of that. It would be awesome.
WCT: So it wouldn't matter who covered them—like if Britney Spears wanted to sing them?
DC: [ Laughs ] No; it's all about interpretation. She would probably do some cool, quirky versions of some of the remixes. I could see her doing Absolutely Not or Things Just Ain't the Same. It would be interesting to hear her renditions.
WCT: You're a mother of two. How has motherhood changed you as a singer?
DC: I'm much more conscious of the things that I do. Every choice as an artist is going to affect them, because they're watching me. Also, I feel more creative now that I've had them. I feel like I have so much more to say.
Deborah Cox's newest CD, Destination Moon, is slated to go on sale June 19. For more on the singer, see www.deborahcox.com .
