Robert Neil Speaks with..‪.‬ Robert Neil

Robert Neil Speaks with… Chuck Smith (a.k.a. Stray Deuce), musician/singer/songwriter.
“I really enjoy finding artists whose names you might not know, but who have made important contributions to popular music.  Chuck Smith, who goes by the stage name Stray Deuce, is one of those artists.  He’s been in the music industry for decades and has played with some of the best musicians in the business.  At a young age he was signed to Columbia Records and later earned a contract from Motown Records.
“One of Motown’s biggest artists, Diana Ross, recorded a song Smith had co-written with Donald Dunn as the title track to her 1977 album ‘Baby It’s Me.’  Smith played guitar on the track, which also featured some legendary players, including David Foster, Ray Parker, Jr., Jeff Porcaro and Lee Ritenour.
“In this interview, we talk about Smith’s career and influences.”
- Robert Neil
 
Robert Neil recommends the following Stray Deuce songs:
“Billie Sings”
“Bluebell Marie”
“Him”
“The Real Skunk Funk”

Robert Neil Speaks with…
In the third of a three-part series about legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, Robert Neil speaks with music journalist and historian Nicholas Jennings about his book ‘Lightfoot,’ the authorized biography of the legendary Canadian icon.
In this final installment, Jennings tells Robert Neil about the serious health incident that threatened his life and put him in a coma for six weeks in 2002.
A video presentation of this episode is available on Robert Neil’s YouTube Channel, https://youtu.be/KneC4Mc3YVU
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Robert Neil is a journalist and songwriter based on the West Coast of the United States.
His current album of original songs is entitled ’20-22’ by The Robert Neil Network, and the collection has been described as ‘jazz-infused pop, rock and drama!’  Songs from the album include “Golden Beach” (feat. Scott McDavid), “You Can’t Touch Me Now” (feat. Abby London) and “…still it goes on…” (feat. Ron Hemby).

The topic, again, is Gordon Lightfoot as Robert Neil Speaks with music journalist and historian Nicholas Jennings about his book ‘Lightfoot,’ the authorized biography of the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter.
This episode is part two of a three-part series and focuses on Lightfoot’s character, and how the Canadian legend’s principles have sometimes kept him from achieving a higher degree of fame, yet, at the same time, have endeared him to his legions of fans.
The conversation includes stories involving Robbie Robertson and The Last Waltz, Bob Dylan, David Foster and Whitney Houston as well as the woman who inspired the very personal song “Sundown.”
A video presentation of this episode is available on Robert Neil’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuArgJm-6kaTVnILSic5lbQ).
 
Robert Neil is a journalist and songwriter based on the West Coast of the United States.
His current album is entitled ’20-22,’ by The Robert Neil Network, and the album includes the summer love song “Golden Beach” feat. Scott McDavid.
 
 
 
Folk music, pop, country

The topic is Gordon Lightfoot as Robert Neil Speaks with music journalist and historian Nicholas Jennings about his book ‘Lightfoot,’ the authorized biography of the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter.
In the first of this three-part interview, Jennings talks about Lightfoot’s early career and his incredibly strong connection to Canada, where he is revered.  Lightfoot’s friendships with Bob Dylan and Ronnie Hawkins are also mentioned.
A video presentation of this episode is available on Robert Neil’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuArgJm-6kaTVnILSic5lbQ).
 
Folk music, pop, country

Big Bands were on their way out when jazz musician Ron Aprea was ready to make his mark on the music scene.  However, that didn’t deter the young saxophone player from embarking on a career in that genre.  Without a doubt the New York native had talent. His sax playing and instincts were top rate, and eventually his ability to arrange and write charts would grab the attention of his peers.
So, with all that talent and a deep love for big band music, Aprea doggedly became a successful part of the final era of the great big bands.  Fittingly, his new autobiography is entitled ‘The Era I Almost Missed,’ and, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the places he went!”…and the people he met.
He has played major roles in performances with music legends such as Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Tito Puente and even rocker John Lennon at the height of his post-Beatle popularity.
In an interview with journalist and songwriter Robert Neil, Aprea talks about his career and how jazz seemed destined to be a part of his life.
The book is available at his website, www.ronaprea.com 

British superstar Cliff Richard has released his first album of new material in 14 years, and the man who launched his career in the late 1950s as England’s answer to Elvis Presley, still sounds fresh and energetic.
 
The album features songs written by some of Richard’s long-time associates, including Terry Britten (“Devil Woman,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It”), Christopher Neville Eaton ("Lost in a Lonely World,” “Saviour’s Day”) and Chris Neil (“All I Need Is A Miracle”).  Additionally, long-time friend Olivia Newton-John sings a duet with Richard, who, at 78-years-old, has apparently found the vocal Fountain of Youth. 
 
The album also features four of Richard’s past hits that have been given new arrangements with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Producers Juliette Pochin and James Morgan were charged with classically enhancing songs such as “Devil Woman” and “Miss You Nights,” and the husband and wife team speak to journalist Robert Neil about the process (as well as the nervousness of presenting the songs to Richard). 
 
This episode also offers a brief profile of Richard for the American audience, where he was never able to achieve the same level of stardom as he did in the UK, where he is one of the best-selling artists of all time.
 
Notable Quotes about Sir Cliff Richard, who was knighted in 1995:
 
Bob Geldof
“It’s never been said, but without Cliff and (his backing group) The Shadows, there’s no English pop business. As George Harrison said: ‘No Shadows, no Beatles.’”
 
John Lennon
“The first English record that was anywhere near anywhere was “Move It” by Cliff Richard. Before, there’d been nothing.”
 
Sting
“Cliff Richard is, in my opinion, one of Britain’s finest singers technically and emotionally. I’ve been a fan since “Living Doll.” Long may he sing.”
 
Queen’s Freddie Mercury
“A tremendous influence on my early days as a performer.”