JAMES ALDRIDGE & LESTER GOODWINE

9 JULY 2001

Interviews Menu - Interviews

The album is mostly mellow, allowing your rich vocal to come through.  Is this the kind of material you particularly like?

(James) Yes, I have always been moved emotionally by mellow sounds. They inspire me to sing and compose. Who are your influences and inspirations?

(James) Well there's James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Babyface, Luthor Vandross, & Freddie Jackson to name a few of my inspirations and influences.

The tracks going down here seem to be the more up-tempo ones like "I Want Your Love".  James Ingram has just come out with a very upbeat track - Lean on Me - do you see yourself doing anything like that?

(James) James Ingram has always made deep impressions on me and doing music like that is possible. My writing these days takes me into different musical styles, tempos & feels.

Tell me how the album was conceived, how long it took to make  - when was it released - and what do hope it will achieve?  How is it going down both in the US and internationally?

(James) The album was conceived based on a five year collaboration (and an even longer friendship) between Lester & myself. The title "Close Your Eyes" embraces all the songs. I hope that it's received not just coast to coast, but globally as well. It's received well here in the U.S. and I'm pleasantly surprised how well the album's received in the U.K., Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden.

Now say a few things about your past - Lester as well - What other releases have you had individually and jointly?

(James) I've been writing songs since I was 11 years old, and always dreamed of singing songs that people could remember. Being an adult in the building demolition trade, gives me the freedom to sing everyday. I come from a musical family; Mother and father sing & father plays piano. My Grandfather plays piano and all my aunts had great voices.

(Lester)I've been making music as far back as I can remember. There's always been a piano in our house, and all of my family either plays instruments or sings. I've played just about any instrument placed in front of me. The recording studio has become another instrument and an outlet for my over-abundant energy. The music James and I have created doesn't really cater to specific styles, just music we'd like to "Listen for Pleasure" to, Hence the Company name. All of the folks I've composed with / for follow that same principal, Listen for Pleasure. I really couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Lester is responsible for producing the album and most of the writing.  How did you two get together and what have you done in the past.  You collaborate on several of the songs -the stronger cuts on the album if I may so like Don't let me go and Close your eyes - how does this work.

(James) We were introduced by a local producer, David Hester. I had been searching for someone who could compliment my songs with quality sounds. Sometimes I'd have melody, a song idea, or even just a lyric or a mood, Sometimes a groove or tune sparks the process. Whether I write the songs or there is collaboration with other writers, Lester & I sit down and inch by inch work at a balance of lyrics/melody/feel until the finished product shows itself.

What songs have been particularly successful for you and which do you prefer

(James) We've found that different areas of the world like different songs. Leora, Special Night, The Change In Me, and Close Your Eyes come to mind when we've received reviews or favorable responses, although if I had to pick favorites I'm partial to Close Your Eyes, Don't Let Me Go, The Change In Me, while Lester keeps playing Leora, I Want your Love, or Give Me a Chance.

Do you have any particular projects at the moment other than your solo album?

(James) The potential for another CD is in the works behind closed doors.

(Lester) The process never ends, there's promotion for the current material, remix options, new material, Live performances, so much "stuff".

Are you or have you been touring at all - what are the chances of seeing you in the UK.

(James) Not much touring yet, I'd love to come to the U.K. and perform.

Do you have any international deals or are any in prospect?

Currently we have a distribution connection in the U.K. Soul24-7 and Dee Jays from the U.K. have been wonderful helping to create a buzz with our music. Our CDBaby.com web site helps to get the songs to people all over the world and the responses get better and better.

Is Listen for Pleasure your own label - how difficult is it to get recognition for a small label. Is there anything else coming out - by Kim Flores- for example.

(Lester)Listen For Pleasure is an independent label I formed to produce the music we like to do and enjoy creating. We're not out to just make a buck, We really want to make the next "classic" that people remember and not the one hit wonder. Kim's material is on the near horizon, ready to release, and we're learning a lot as a small independent.

Any more comments?

Just a big thank you to all the new (and old) listeners for letting our music touch you and we hope to visit soon.

Visitors: