A Chat With The Boss

John Taylor (keeper of Rick Stephenson's Home Page) gets into a candid discussion with Rick about his musical & personal motivations.

(June '96)

J.T. : What on earth, would possess a person to enter an increasingly tough music business with a style that doesn't fit into its standard categories?

R.S. : ...simple... I'm not really mentally stable! Aside from that, I think it is really the fact, that it's the only thing I do that feels the most natural to me. I know sometimes it doesn't necessarily fit into a common mold but I'm still driven to continue.

J.T. : I guess people like Frank Sinatra have always kept people aware of this style, and maybe this helps you?

R.S. : I'm not too sure about that. Mr. Sinatra has certainly tuned the public ear to this music, and sometimes people make a comparison, which doesn't always help me along. I'm not a competitive person... I only hope that I breathe some new "life" into some great songs and introduce this music to a new generation of listeners. I think the only reason that I'm able to do this is because of my honesty. My heart is devoted to this style... and I mean everything that I sing. In the past few years I've heard some mainstream pop artists attempting a swingin' style, but it seems what is missing is their "heart". They all have lots of money to produce the albums.. but we all know money can't buy you everything!

J.T. : So, does this have a significant impact on your new album "...the swing of things"?

R. S. : Well... there's only one problem with honesty. It's all or nothing at all! I purposely recorded my band (5 woodwinds, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, bass and drums) all in one day, as well as my vocals done "live", to capture our energy and to make the recording "honest". I didn't want any over-dubs but, I had to leave the "clams" in.

J.T. : What do you mean... "clams"?

R.S. : It means you get me and the band together... making music... and what ever "funky" notes go along with it. I was completely confident in the ability of my musicians and I knew that our collective talent, great music and arrangements would be there.

J.T. : Tell me a bit about the music selections on the album.

R.S. : I think you'll recognize most of the songs by title; but most of the arrangements are new. One of my trombone players, John Wilson, scored a couple, including one of the freshest arrangements of "Mack the Knife" around! Also there are several selections showcasing the great writing talents of Ron Collier (Duke Ellington, Gordon Lightfoot, CBC Orchestra, and numerous film scores.) My pianist and close friend, John Brown and I did a few, including a beautiful treatment of "By the Way" written by Barbra Streisand. John Brown also wrote an original for the album called "Flying High", which in my opinion, takes this style into a new Era! This is a tune you have got to experience "live"!!!

J.T. : Do you think "swing" is entering a new era?

R.S. : Absolutely! ... Our audiences are getting younger, not older. I'm really fortunate to be supported by people of all ages. As long as you've got some "cool" blood flowing in your veins and you can snap your fingers... man... you can swing!!

J.T. : So I guess all you have to do is be cool and get into the swing of things... what a good spot to conclude with!

R.S. : Right on... !!