MusicTaste got a chance to sit down and speak to Joseph Williams before his new album, “This Fall”, hit stores in Japan. We asked him questions about his new release, his family/background, Toto, and his career. We’re excited to share the interview with you once every week for the next month. Enjoy, and don’t forget to leave your thoughts, opinions, and feedback as a comment below!
BUY This Fall
West Coast All Stars
MusicTaste: What was your motivation in working on these albums?
Joseph Williams: Originally, the idea came from Joey Carbone. We became friends when I met him on Star Seach in 1984. Twenty-five years later we are still friends and I am working with Joseph as my manager/producer.
MT: What album was your favorite? California Dreamin’ or Naturally?
JW: I like California Dreamin’ better because it was first album.
MT: What were your most memorable moments in working on these albums?
JW: The entire 3 weeks it took to produce the album were memorable especially the amount of laughing with Bill Champlin & Jason Scheff , from Chicago.
“Two of Us”
MT: What was it like producing a voice and piano recording?
JW: It was great fun. Joey and I tried to think something original. My idea to sing in the Frank Sinatra, lower range was something different from the accustomed higher range. The atmosphere was always nice and relaxed.
MT: What was the idea behind this album?
JW: The idea was to covers famous songs. The album name came from the record company.
MT: How did you go about choosing songs for these albums?
JW: Joey and I went through list of songs.
MT: What was the idea behind your 2 album concept “Tears” and “Smiles”?
JW: The idea came from Kaz Hori and we happened to have enough songs for two albums. Originally, there were no themes.
Career
MT: You spent a number of years on a new career in film and TV, in many different roles – such as singer, music composer, music supervisor, and actor. Tell me a bit more about your experiences.
JW: I like singing original work, but got a chance to perform covers of many well known hits sung by famous artists such as Elton John.
My career is like a circus where I am a troubadour. I have different jobs but all in the same business. I started in my twenties, singing tv commercials and then went to a solo career. After, I worked as a staff songwriter at Universal (writing songs for other people). After that, I sung background vocals for Jeffrey Osbourne. Next, I became lead singer Toto, and afterward I wrote tv/film music for 12 years – and now, I don’t know what’s next.
MT: What has been the most exciting thing that has happened to your career?
1) joining Toto
2) asked to sing main part of Lion King (Kunamkata, Can You Feel the Love Tonight)
MT: What would you have done differently in your career?
JW: I would have spoken more strongly when I needed to while apart of Toto. If I had not left Toto, I wouldn’t have my family and opportunity to work in TV/film.
MT: If you could only do one thing now, what would that be? (singer/performer, music composer, etc.)
JW: That is tough answer since my four careers are very different. Probably somewhere in between lead singer of Toto and background singer. My perfect job would have a band like Toto, only Fergie, me and Bobby.
MT: What kind of music have you been listening to lately?
JW: (answered previously about music genres he likes)
MT: How was the music scene in the 1980s in comparison to nowadays? Where do you see the music industry is heading?
JW: Tom Petty and Beatles became stars because of their music. But nowadays stardom and music is like a gameshow. For example, American Idol is creating pop because it forces few people in front of audience.
Also, lip synching for background parts was okay, but it’s embarrassing and fake when the lead is not singing.
MT: What do you think music fans want and how would you provide that need to them?
JW: I think they want variety, but you are never going to please everyone.
Check like our artist you might like:
Joseph Williams
West Coast All Stars
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BUY NEW RELEASE: THIS FALL
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