In this week’s episode of Joe Bonamassa’s hit interview series Live From Nerdville, the guitar virtuoso talks with renowned artist Ben Folds who is currently in Australia! Intros start with their mutual connection, producer Kevin Shirley, before they dive into discussing the one and only William Shatner who recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Folds, who notes the iconic actor and singer as “complicated but artistically refreshing,” produced his 2004 solo album Has Been.
“What was Shatner like? Considering that he just turned 90? What an international treasure he is!” – JB
BF – "Insane!
Ben Folds continues, "He’s complicated but he’s artistically just refreshing for a musician, because one he’s used to working on quick time frames so that’s really a difference when you work with an actor. He’s like well, the shoot is booked at 8 o’clock, I know my lines, let’s do this take and move on! And that’s really kind of amazing you know? We have deadlines but it creates an atmosphere for an actor, but it’s old school one. So, if I asked him to do something again, he would ask ‘why?’ Or he would do it differently than the last time. So, I would tell him that I need him to do it the same way so I could edit, and he didn’t understand that at all. Which is why it actually was good for me is because it reminded me that you only need that one. So, if you’re prepared for that, and know that you don’t have a second chance, that is the moment of truth! This experience really kept me on my game! I learned so much from him! I hung out a lot with Shatner and we’ve become friends, and, on our birthdays, we call or text each other and I would get a text or call with Shatner saying ‘Bennie, it’s Billie! Happy Birthday!’”
They two continue discussing the Shatner project along with the psychology and motivation around trying to find that perfect situation in capturing an artist’s raw moments. Joe, who has also done his fair share of producing, talks about his time with Chicago’s Queen of Guitar Joanna Connor, who scored a #1 album on the Billboard Blues chart with her latest release, 4801 South Indiana Avenue, which was produced by Bonamassa and released on his label Keeping the Blues Alive. Ben gets into his time with the multi-talented showstopper Sara Bareilles and they both share some tips, tricks and secrets they’ve found along the way.
“The main psychology has to do with the self-perception when each artist. Self-perception is also the same reason why some artists will continue to make the same records over and over.” – BF
Joe and Ben go on to discuss their different upbringings, the ultimate battles of trying to get record deals, and how being “contrary” to popular music actually helps build an artistic and establish their career. Then, as both men are incredible connoisseurs of their instrumental talents, they round things out with an intriguing comparison of their guitar and piano collections that surely music fans will really enjoy. For more on Bonamassa’s deep discussion with Ben Folds about the pandemic, touring, Joe’s upcoming Blues Power Trio livestream at ACL Live, past performances at Carnegie Hall, the infamous songwriter Nick Lowe “The Basher” and everything in between that you don’t want to miss, catch the entire episode here.
“You have to respect the environment of each venue whether it’s Carnegie or you’re just recording in your house.” – JB
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