Out of the 10 tracks on Let's Stay Here, only two song aren't original cuts: "Feeling Good" and "Don't Explain." What is it about those two particular songs that made you gravitated towards them? How did the lyrics resonate with your soul?
Well, "Feeling Good" I did a little late, but I sang the song for a national commercial that Buick made for the Enclave a couple of years ago. I was asked if I was going to put that song on my album. And at that time, I didn't want a swing-sounding thing on my record and had told them I wasn't going to record it. Then later on – much later on – after I had nothing to do with them anymore, I started thinking about it. I have a girlfriend who sings that song it in sort of a reggae style. So I got an idea from her and Paul Peterson, one of my bass players, to produce the record. He came up with this wonderful style that worked out pretty cool and went all the way there with it. That was fun. As far as the Billie Holiday song, I was just listening to a collection that I have of Billie Holiday songs one day as I was preparing songs for a jazz concert that I did in Holland. That song just hit me, "Wow, how much fun would that be to really sink my teeth into that!" I did a version but then Paul Peterson's brother did a fantastic arrangement of that tune. I guess he's been influenced by Clare Fisher and his accordion stuff. He's great. I can't play but he does. Wow, it was fun singing to it. I like doing unique versions of songs.
Let's Stay Here offers a rich listening experience and will be a definite treat for your fans, both new and old alike. Although I was introduced to your music some time ago, with your take of "Get Here (If You Can)," what words would offer as a selling point to new discoverers of your music?
Well, I think enjoy it for what it is worth today. Listen to the sound and hopefully the music will grab your heart, the way "Picture You" grabbed yours. It's the same person, the same kind of maturity, really the same styling. Enjoy what it has to offer. Hopefully, it will sound fresh every time you hear it. The fact that it is not a stamped version of everything else that you hear today, the fun thing about music is exploring, exploring types of music that you probably wouldn't listen to everyday. Hopefully, we can somehow be able to pull that into our culture the way the rest of the world does, the way Europe does, the way South America does. To listen to music of all forms at its purest without somebody else having to tell you whether or not you should like it. Accept it at face value.
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
I first Oleta Adams sing on the Tears for Fears records and have loved her voice ever since. Well done, Clayton.
2 - Carol Light
I love Oleta !!!
She is fantastic Q I was fortunate to see her live in concert with the Colors of Christmas tour. I am so excited to get her new cd !
Thank you Oleta
3 - Dr. Ollie Malone
I have loved the music of Oleta Adams for decades now. She was a favorite of mine when she sang in clubs and restaurants in Kansas City. I'm glad to know that she's still going and blowing. She has a lot to say--and it sounds mighty good when she says it.
4 - mari dunford
Have loved her singing for many years- So glad the rest of the world has a great respect for her talent as well!
Thanks, Oleta! Enjoy the velvet soul of your special delivery
5 - Tab Atlanta, Georgia
I too first heard Oleta on a couple of Tears for Fears album. Her voice is amazing, and upon hearing her in a song from Jason's Lyric, I googled her to see what she was up to now. So glad the rest of the world is getting to enjoy her voice. Big ups Oleta!