Artist Interview by: Joe Montague
May 2006 - Lori
Perry grew up in Bakersfield, California, listening to Spanish, Gospel and
Country music. Yet today, Lori Perry is best known as the soulful passionate
lady of Jazz and R&B who has recorded with the likes of Brian Culbertson,
Cher, Elton John and George Michael. Along with her three sisters Carol, Darlene
and Sharon, Lori Perry comprised Perri one of the most talented Jazz vocal
ensembles to grace the airwaves during the eighties. In 1986 Perri provided the
backup vocals for Anita Baker during her international tour. During their time
together Perri went on to tour with George Benson, Seal and Roberta Flack.
Recently
Perry called me from her home in Studio City, California, to discuss her solo
career and her new CD release I Found It In You, an appendix to the
earlier version of the CD which was called Wrote This Song. I
Found It In You has enhanced grooves and a couple of more songs than
the earlier album. She says of the songs on the album, "The music represents
(the songs) that I have been holding in my heart for sometime and that I have
wanted to put out. The CD is my baby."
When you
listen to Perry's passionate vocals on songs such as; "Nine Eleven", "On My
Mind" and "Wrote This Song" you may think her music sounds other worldly. It is,
sort of. While some of us are content to talk in our sleep, Perry has raised the
bar and sings in her sleep. "It's funny how I get melodies in my head while I am
sleeping so I keep a little digital recorder at my bedside. When I do hear these
melodies I just put them on tape. (The next morning) I will listen to what I
have recorded in the middle of the night," she says explaining her sometimes
unconventional method for writing songs.
In creating
the album, she called upon an old friend George Duke. "I have worked with George
for about eight years. I have learned so much from that man. He is a
brilliant wonderful producer, father and husband. I have nothing but respect for
him. He has a lot of knowledge about music. He will sit and tell me stories and
I tell him, 'You need to write your memoirs.' It is always a pleasure to work
with him because he allows me to be who I am. He always gives me a place to
stand out front. I love artists who are not intimidated by the talents of
others. He enhanced what I have to offer. When I asked George to be a part of
the CD yes couldn't come out (of his mouth) fast enough. He gave us the
studio free of charge. It was just him letting me know that he appreciates
me."
Perry was
very involved in the production of I Found It In You. "I am hands on
because nobody knows better than you what you hear inside of your head. I don't
want to hold all the reins. I am not greedy in the sense that, 'it's my thing
and I am going to do it my way,'" she says mimicking a bratty tone with her
voice. She adds, "I welcome any idea that (others contribute)."
Perry also
collaborated with Jazz icon Brian Culbertson to write "Going To Miss You" and
"Getting Over You". "I had met Brian through a former manager of mine who
died of leukemia. His name was Howard Lowell. Nobody knew he was sick. He was
just this loving guy who would try to hook you up with anyone that he thought
you should collaborate with. In his dying days he (Lowell) kept calling Brian
and I and saying, 'You have to meet.' After we (Culbertson and her) met (Lowell)
went into the hospital and died. I went over to Brian's house and we were both
so saddened by Lowell's death that we wrote "Going to Miss You". We toured
together and I am looking forward to (the opportunity) to work with Brian again
in the coming years."
While Perry
has always been highly regarded by those in the music industry, fans, radio
stations and critics have often overlooked, not panned her work. "Sometimes I
can get mad because I am not up there receiving a Grammy but I am happy for
those that do. I know that my turn is coming if I don't faint. I cannot give up
no matter how long it takes. I believe my turn is coming. I need to work at my
craft and sooner or later somebody will say, 'Hey this girl is good.' I see the
changes (in the industry) and I try to adjust. I am trying to reinvent what I do
and not be left behind in an eighties world." "I Found It In You" should
go a long way towards a new generation of music listeners recognizing Perry as
possessing one of the most gifted voices in Jazz music.
Perry
recalled two career highlights for me. One stems from her song "No Place To Go"
recorded on a Perri album. The inspiration for the song came from her
conversation with a homeless person on the streets of Los Angeles. The song was
a big hit in Detroit and the mayor of the city presented the Perry sisters with
the key to the metropolis. The gesture was acknowledgement that they had
elevated awareness to the plight of the homeless.
She
continues, "I think that (whole experience) has been the most rewarding for me
as well as singing with Donald Fagan (Steely Dan). I just love him as a writer,
singer and producer. We did "The Caves of Altrima" on one of the Perri albums
and at that time he wasn't letting anyone use his publishing rights. He
(allowed) us to do "The Caves of Altrima" and it turned out great. She received
an invitation to perform with Fagan in Los Angeles. It was in part orchestrated
by her friend Ricky Lawson who was the drummer for Fagan. I couldn't sit quietly
(during rehearsal) listen to all that great Steely Dan music and not sing a
word. He was like, 'Wow you know all of my stuff!' I told Donald, 'I will just
sing the background (vocals) for you (during the concert). That was probably one
of my great highlights as well."
For more information: http://www.loriperryonline.com
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