April 7, 2015 La Presse Canadienne by ALAIN DE REPENTIGNY
This article originally appeared in French: http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/201504/06/01-4858582-engelbert-humperdinck-le-secret-de-la-longevite.php
Engelbert Humperdinck will be 79 years next month. Not only does it still gives almost a hundred concerts a year, including three in Quebec these days, but already preparing three more albums. Conversation with an artist that lasts.
The newest album Engelbert Humperdinck includes two CDs twenty songs he interprets duet with guests, some contemporaries as Cliff Richard, Neil Sedaka, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson and the venerable Charles Aznavour.
"And the great Gene Simmons of Kiss! Group," immediately adds the phone one who prefers to describe it as a romantic singer and not as a crooner because a crooner, he says, has not a record three and a half octaves.
Duets albums are very popular for years, but it is by chance qu'Engelbert Humperdinck decided to make one. He watched a concert by Elton John reminding that when he was a songwriter penniless, he dreamed that Engelbert Humperdinck sings one of his compositions.
"I had not known at the time, but I did recently to ask him if he would do me the favor to sing on my album of duets, tells Humperdinck. He agreed and, from the time when Elton was on board, everyone boarded. That's why I titled my album Engelbert Calling. "
There are no virtual duet with a singer Engelbert Calling gone on, but there may well be some on his next album, which will be called Engelbert Redialed: "When I started in the business, Nat King Cole was my favorite singer and, of course, I became a good friend of Elvis. I would love to sing with him because I've never had the chance. "
Missed appointment with Gorillaz
There are a few years, Damon Albarn and Gorillaz have informed the agent Humperdinck they would like the gentleman singing on their album. When the main person knew that his agent had refused this proposal, it immediately turned the officer in question and entrusted his career to his son Scott.
"My agent had no idea who it was, Humperdinck said, laughing. I was absolutely furious he refused. My son Scott is more in tune with what is happening today. It was he who established contact with all these legendary artists on my album. He did a very good job and it'll do even better for the next record. I am convinced that it will communicate with them [Gorillaz]. "
To stay current, Humperdinck is not content to listen to records, it also looks at shows like The Voice ". When I hear a song I like, I steals and adds it to my show"
In one he will give the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier Saturday, it may well be that he takes to the country so I'm On Fire Bruce Springsteen: "I bathe in the long country universe. Release Me was a country song like Am I That Easy To Forget and There Goes My Everything, "recalls one born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras and returned to England with his parents shortly before the independence of India .
His current directory also has at least a newer song, Thinking Out Loud, his young compatriot Ed Sheeran, he boasts the talent and admire success. "But I sing my way, inimitable," he adds.
With Cat and Jimi
On his album of duets, he also takes with his other son Bradley a song all indicated: Father and Son by Cat Stevens. "I worked with Cat when he was not well known and already singing Father and Son says Humperdinck. We shared the bill with the Walker Brothers and Jimi Hendrix. It was incredible! "
Scott Walker reincarnated from an artist a little left field, ultimate proof that anything can happen as long as we last. Humperdinck nods. "I was under the spotlight for quite some time and I always do something unusual for it to remain interesting."
Unusual as its interpretation quite serious song Lesbian Seagull for the soundtrack of Beavis & Butt - Head Do America, irreverent animated film of 1996. "I have the sense of humor and the audience that comes see appreciates says Humperdinck. I never took my picture seriously. I realized it when I saw my friend Elvis on stage. He was very humble. "
If he willingly mocks his image, Engelbert Humperdinck never neglected so far, who dyes his hair since the age of 20 years.
"I grisonnais already and I do not want people to think I'm older than I was. I'm not ashamed to say that I dye my hair. I do not want us to see in me a person, not just yet, anyway, "he laughs.
His famous favorites are not a blip. When he borrowed his stage name to the German opera composer Engelbert Humperdinck in the mid-60s, he makes hair grow and favorites to distinguish themselves from other singers: "Thereafter, Elvis and the Beatles all had favorites and everyone, including Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers, followed. I launched the fashion. "
At the Maurice-en O'Bready Sherbrooke April 10, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal on April 11 and the Capitole de Québec April 12