Exclusive interview with the original disco diva as she hits the dancefloor yet again
Welcome to DMCWORLD Candi, an honour to speak to you today and congratulations on the new single with Analog People In A Digital World which we shall come to later. An incredible career spanning seven decades that could have been in real jeopardy if everybody had listened to your mother who when you were five or six refused to believe you had a good voice. Thankfully a family friend convinced the local pastor and a career was born! Did you and your mom ever look back and laugh at that moment in later life?
“Good morning Dan. No not really, my mother did not have a musical ear but back in her days they did not have TV’s and barely a radio, so she never heard very much singing. But, when people started to congratulate her on my singing she was very proud.”
What thoughts were running through your head at those first church appearances when the crowds would get so emotional they used to burst into tears and throw their purses at your feet?
“As a child at five years old, I did not know how to process all of that in my mind, so needless to say, I was a bit frightened.”
Creating music was a whole lot different back in the 60s. You didn’t have a producer come into the studio and tell you how he was going to arrange the song for you like nowadays, back then you all had your own opinions and you used to simply try songs out, if they didn’t work, you’d move on and try something different. Do you miss those days of how the music industry used to work?
“Yes. An artist is a creative being, and we have to have some input into what we sing. I think that should also be true today’s artist.”
After four albums working with producer Rick Hall you were able to sign directly with Warner Brothers, the timing was perfect as Disco was on it’s way in as the whole Stax/southern Soul sound was fading out. Had you any idea just how enormous Disco was going to be, it was the sound that changed EVERYTHING!
“No, I had no idea at the time that it would literally take over the music industry. I’m just happy that I was a part of it.”
One of your first major hits was written by the new producer in your life, David Crawford. You were going through an abusive relationship at the time and poured your heart out to David, hence he wrote ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ for you. Would it be fair to say, that ‘Young Hearts…’ was your life story in one song at that time?
“Yes. He and I would talk about my relationship for hours as he took notes. That’s how he was able to pen Young Hearts Run Free.
In 2012 musicians take usually about 2-3 months to record a new album.
How long did it take you to record the album ‘Young Hearts Run Free’? We hear it was a quick process…
“I did my vocals in one day. It took me about an hour. I did one take on each song, and I got on plane right after the session and flew to North Carolina to do a show.”
Looking back at that whole Disco era, how hard did you party? Where were the clubs and who were the DJs that you partied with?
“I partied at Studio 54 and The Garage among others. I worked in these clubs and many more all over the country. Too many names to mention, and too many years to remember! I partied with the legendary Frankie Crocker out of New York.”
What were the songs created by others that you will always remember fondly from that period of your life?
“‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor, ‘To Be Real’ by Sheryl Lynn, ‘It’s Raining Men’ by Martha Wash from The Weather Girls, ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge, ‘Shame’ by Evelyn Champagne King and ‘Freak’ by Chic, all of the Donna Summers catalogue…..and many, many more.”
That era will always be remembered also for the decade of the diva – Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Cheryl Lynn and Evelyn “champagne” King were all tripping the light fantastic with you. Who were/are your big mirror ball buddies from back in the day?
“So many. David Ruffin, Bobbie Womack, Tyrone Davis, Al Green, Lou Rawls, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, and Taka Boom to name but a few.”
You had turned your back on the church earlier in life, citing it as too judgmental. That all changed in the early 80s when you got sober and formed a gospel label called Beracah – meaning ‘blessing’ in Hebrew. Many people see those songs similar to your soul albums, only with different lyrics. Would you agree?
“I did not turn my back on the church, but the church turned its back on me. My style will never change. Wether I sing Gospel, Pop. Disco, House, R&B, Southern Soul etc…I’m a soul singer. I create music from my heart. That’s my deliverance. Yes, because I don’t sing songs with “bad” lyrics…anymore. The message is in the lyrics, not in the instrumentals.”
Some of your children have sang and played instruments on your records. Did you ever have that ‘parent sitting their children down and warning them not to follow the same career as them’ moment?
“No, because I advised my children to follow their own hearts. I encourage them to do what they love, and what will make them happy, because at the end of the day, that’s what matters.”
The world of dance music and more importantly, a younger generation of people on the dance floor will always remember the name Candi Staton for The Source’s record ‘You Got The Love’, an anthem that was created five years after you had laid down the original vocals. What was your reaction when you came over to the UK and saw this new epidemic coined Acid House going mental to your sounds?
“I was overjoyed! I could not believe what I was seeing. How people responded to a song that I thought that I would never hear again. I am so thankful for the UK and Europe for keep that song alive. I adore the audiences and I enjoy singing to them. That’s one of my biggest joys. Looking forward to the great audiences.”
You began to record again with that gritty sound you had become famous for – why had you been suppressing this up inside of you for all those years?
“Because I did not think that I had a platform or an audience who still wanted to hear me. You would be surprised of the multiple songs that I have recorded that are sitting on the shelf. I recorded a song with my son Marcus Williams and the late David Williams who played rhythm guitar. We covered our version of, “Papa Was Rolling Stone”. This will be available soon on iTunes.”
You have become a firm favourite on the European festival circuit – what is it about your music that generation after generation just adores?
“I guess they like to hear the authentic Soul music. I have more young people in the audience than old. They just seem to love it. Soul music has a feeling that no other music has, and it’s infectious.”
You battled your demons decades ago and was able to live a healthy life once again. How does it feel to be up on stage singing songs of love and hope knowing that thousands of kids in the audience are high?
“Regardless of how high they may be, the message still gets through. As I’m singing to them, I’m also praying for them that one day they may know the joy, love and peace that I am experiencing.”
You are back in the limelight in 2012, thanks to the incredible Analog People In A Digital World duo from Italy and your song ‘The Love Inside Of You’. Tell us how this stunning dance floor anthem happened?
“Matteo sent the track to my office and I listened and lived with it in my car as I was driving, in my ipod, and at home until I came up with lyrics to match the music. I love it, and I think it’s a great song with a wonderful message. What better way to share “The Love Inside of You”.”
Was this a modern day production method or did you actually get into the studio with the guys? They’re crazy huh?
“It was a modern day method of recording. They emailed me the track, and I recorded my vocals in my studio in the US. I wish that I could have been in the studio with the guys.”
What are your thoughts on our modern day divas?
“I enjoy Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys…they have great music with soul.”“
Television has of course played a big part of your life, shows such as New Direction a firm favourite on TBN. What are your thoughts on talent shows such as the X-Factor which is basically, the quickest way for an unknown to make the big time in 2012?
“I wish that type of platform had been available when I was getting started. I would not have had to have worked so hard getting promoted. The young artists should really take advantage of this opportunity. I think it’s great.”
And finally. looking back on a remarkable career that we are blessed to have witnessed, what four minutes of music are you most proud of recording…what is your most beloved song you have created?
“My most beloved song that I ever wrote and created was dedicated to my sweet mother, Rosie Staton, who passed from the life in 1979. The song is entitled, “Mama”.”
ANALOG PEOPLEIN A DIGITAL WORLD – THE LOVE INSIDE OF YOU FEAT. CANDI STATON (SUPERNOVA, RICKIE SNICE Remixes) [Hysterical]
https://soundcloud.com/apdw/sets/the-love-inside-of-you-feat
ANALOG PEOPLEIN A DIGITAL WORLD – THE LOVE INSIDE OF YOU FEAT. CANDI STATON (X-PRESS 2, GUSGUS, EAT MORE CAKE Remixes) [Hysterical]
https://soundcloud.com/apdw/sets/the-love-inside-of-you-feat
http://www.candi-staton.com
http://www.facebook.com/AnalogPeopleInADigitalWorld
http://soundcloud.com/apdw
