Guitar stylist Gary Lucas is headed for London to play the Jazz Cafe. Having worked with Captain Beefheart, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Dr John and of course the late Jeff Buckley, Lucas is an axeman with a history. We thought we’d ask him a few things we had been wondering about his career and work…

( I met Captain Beefheart briefly between sets at a gig in Tolworth, Surrey. ‘Strictly Personal’ lineup so that material plus ‘Rollin’ & Tumblin’ ! This was on a bill with John Mayall feat. Mick Taylor. We weren’t sure whether CB would be doing a further set, so I asked him ‘ Will you be coming back ?’ He stared into space and smiled. Then sighed ‘Certainly !..but what as ?…’ )

1. What’s your fascination with Chinese pop songs ? And how did you first hear them ?

I lived with a Chinese woman in Taipei in the mid 70’s whom I later married, who first introduced me to 30’s Chinese pop–she had grown up hearing the original recordings in Singapore and played me cassttes of her favorites– and I immediately fell in love with this music, which flourished in Shanghai in the 30’  in film musicals and recordings. The combination of Western swing, jazz and Tin Pan Alley/Broadway influences and traditional Chinese scales and occasionally instruments I find inspired—each song is a little treasure– the melodies are iincredibly memorable with such truly lovely vocalists involved, particularly Chown Hsuan (known as “the golden voice of China”) and Bai Kwong (“the Chinese Mae West”). Also, I later discovered that many European Jewish musicians were involved in the creation of this music, émigrés on the run from the Nazis and Fascists who found a safe haven in the free port of Shanghai  before the war, who eventually found work in the recording studios there. I like that a lot.

2. Which band or lineup that you have played with put you most out on a limb as a performer ?  Miles used to say ‘Don’t play what you KNOW..play what you DON’T know..’

I guess that would have to be Beefheart—with the paradox that we weren’t allowed to play what we didn’t know!! There was no improvisation allowed, we had to rehearse and memorize these fiendishly difficult pieces note for note and play them back that way. That aspect of it—performing these pieces accurately live each night—really put  me out on a limb, as difficult in a way as playing guitar with the Yale Symphony Orchestra. Which is why I enjoy really taking this music even further out in Fast ‘n Bulbous, where we all can improvise off the original compositions—there I am playing what I don’t know, every time.

3. Where did you find the Strat guitar you use on the ‘Paradiso’ live solo album ?

I bought it used for $200 in 1974 from a couple of kids who went under the name “Guitars Unlimited”. Also got a 1966 reverse Firebird for the same price from them!! Makes you wonder where they acquired them from originally, doesn’t it?

4. The writer of ‘Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro’ on that set was Abdullah Ibrahim. Formerly known as Dollar Brand as he liked cigars that cost a dollar ! What is the Gary Lucas indulgence ?

Hmmmmm…I’m into Yohji Yamamoto. And bratwurst.

5. What’s your guitar amp of choice? I am wary of festivals cos you’ll probably be playing through an unfamiliar amp…

I like the Roland JC-120 and the Fender Blues Deville, sometimes in combo.

6. Does any current pop music appeal to you ? If so, what artists ?

Well , some…I love Paolo Conte, I’ve been listening to him endlessly all year.…Yael Naim, Juana Molina, Brazilian Girlls, Radiohead, Joanna Newsom. Good Weather Girl.

7.  You sing on ‘Vampire Circus’ – who would be your ideal singing partner for that song, male or female ?

Female. Preferably Barbara Steele.

8.  What inspired ‘Poison Tree’ ?

The opening shots of the remake of “Cat People” (Paul Schrader, 1982) with the tigers lurking under this enormous withered tree. And William Blake’s poem “A  Poison Tree”. from Songs of Innocence and Experience.

9.  Do you ever play bass ?

yes

10. Are any of your family musical ? Were there instruments in your home ?

A piano, my sisters took lessons. My mom and dad didn’t play any instruments, but they loved music , and  played tons of records for us growing up—lots of Broadway musicals and classical music. I am the only one of their 4 children growing up that continued with it.

11. Do you have a favourite Captain Beefheart cut ? Say, one that you played on and one that you didn’t

For one I didn’t play on–”Sun Zoom Spark”

For one I played on– “Cardboard Cut-out Sundown”

12. When the ‘Clear Spot’ lineup played at the Royal Albert Hall, the crowd shouted for ‘more’ and Don broke into the ballad of the same name ! What song did he close with on tours you did ?

“Veteran’s Day Poppy”

13. I don’t and never have ‘got’ Nick Cave – what am I missing ?

I think he’s quite a compelling and charismatic personality, and an amazing live performer, I like his American Southern Gothic fixation a lot and his devotion to blues, spirituals and roots music mixed with his literary sensibilities

14. Do you have a favourite US venue ? Any reasons ?

I still am partial to the Knitting Factory though its moved now to Williamsburg. The new place is great. The old place on Houston Street where I began my solo shows in 1988—I’ve stayed loyal.

15. Have you recorded recently ? When might we hear the results ?

Yes, there is the debut album coming from Chase the Devil (my spiritual roots duo with the singer Dean Bowman), we recorded it over the last year and its due out in November, we are embarking on a European tour then…I have a great Gods and Monsters album in the can produced by Jerry Harrison, should come out next  year. Meanwhile I am delighted with the way my “Rishte” album with Najma Akhtar is doing—#4 on the World Charts Europe this month! I am working on several solo guitar albums as well.

16. If I step back and think about favourite pieces of music, they invariably take me somewhere else. What tracks do that for you ?

Mary Wells’ “My Guy”— a little room, an everywhere, early 60’s style

Ferrante and Teicher—“Canadian Sunset”—just like the title implies

Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1—Ralph Vaughan Williams—mystical, timeless , transcendental

All these pieces transport me to the edge of heaven…

16. Is it fair to consider your works alongside Fred Frith and maybe Adrian Belew ?

I dunno, I think they are both great players, I will leave that for the listener

17. The phone rings and it’s Bowie offering a tour – do you accept ?

Of course

18. I don’t hear much new music now that uses space…everything seems synth-swamped. Who for you can still play or sing with depth and I suppose bravery ?

Van Morrison, Dylan, all the singers I mentioned above

19. Three things you like about London ?

The National Gallery

The Spaniard’s Inn Hampstead Heath

The Cinema Shop Upper St Martin’s Lane

Pete Sargeant www.fairhearing.co.uk