Author: Jernej Vene
Interview date: November 12, 2006
I spoke to Mr. Glenn Hughes over the phone just before he boarded his transatlantic flight to Europe:
Vene: How do you see your career back in the old days and today?
Hughes: Good question. When I started performing many years ago, I was super excited, because I was young, ready for success and happy as a musician. It was great. Today I feel like I’ve been born again. These past few years I’ve been thrilled with the records Soul Mover and Music for the divine. They give me a whole new dimension, energy and inspiration in life. This new look makes me feel like I’m eighteen again. The present is a beautiful place for me.
Vene: On what to expect from the new record, Music for the divine:
Hughes: I trust the songs on the latest record. If you listen to them, you’ll find they’re really deep and rich in quality. I took a bit more time for the writing, and I wanted to add an orchestra and acoustic guitars. I wanted listeners and fans to understand me even better as a songwriter. This is my true songwriter’s record.
Vene: Why did you put a cover of the Moody Blues classic Nights in white satin on the new record?
Hughes: Last year, while we were recording the previous record, Soul mover, Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer, and I were talking about how it would be good to include a cover, something that could get a lot more radio play. One morning I called him up and suggested this song. Instead of strings, the Peppers’ guitarist John Frusicante played the middle section of the song. His sound is instantly recognizable, so the track ended up as a kind of mix between Glenn Hughes and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think it’s got a great arrangement too.
Vene: How did you pick the songs for the new record?
Hughes: We recorded sixteen songs, and eleven made it onto the record. A few are being saved for the future, because I wrote twenty-two in total. Then Chad and I worked out which ones were right for the new record. It’s got hard rock numbers, some funk and some acoustic stuff, and I think it’s a really good mix.
Vene: What’s your relationship with Chad Smith like?
Hughes: We’re kindred spirits, and as friends we’re very close. I’m godfather to his son, we love hanging out together and we really love making music together. When Chad isn’t working with Red Hot Chili Peppers, he’s working with Glenn Hughes.
Vene: Which guitarist would you still like to play with, but haven’t had the chance yet? Maybe Jeff Beck?
Hughes: Jeff Beck is a longtime friend of mine. In the early seventies he invited me to join his band, but I joined Deep Purple instead. We’re still friends. Since you brought him up as the one guitarist I haven’t played with yet, I’d really love to perform with him.
Vene: Who’ll be backing you at the Ljubljana show?
Hughes: Drummer Mark Mendosir played with Jeff Beck two years ago, and I hired him on Beck’s recommendation. He’s an outstanding drummer. Keyboardist Anders Olinder played with Peter Gabriel and he’s excellent. I think the Ljubljana crowd is going to be thrilled when we get there. Jeff Kollman will be on guitar. He wrote a few songs and co-produced my record Songs in the key of rock. This is the first time I’ve had world-class musicians at my side.
Vene: Thanks, and see you in Ljubljana!
Hughes: Likewise, take care, my friend!
