The new book from Jason Thomas Gordon features interviews and contributions from 70 legendary vocalists.
Slated for initial release in September via Permuted Press, the forthcoming book – which is entitled The Singers Talk – The Greatest Singers of Our Time Discuss the One Thing They’re Never Asked About: Their Voices – sees a slew of musical stars discussing their respective approaches to singing, the work that goes into becoming a successful vocalist, technique and more. It’s been billed as a “groundbreaking collection of conversations with the greatest vocalists of the modern era”.
Artists including The Cure’s Robert Smith, Thom Yorke, Stevie Nicks and Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – alongside Nick Cave, Norah Jones and Bruce Springsteen – are among the 70-plus artists spotlighted in the book from Kingsize lead singer Gordon. The likes of Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis and Wendy Melvoin also feature in the book, sitting down to discuss vocalists David Bowie, Whitney Houston and Prince respectively.
“Singing is so much more than hitting the right note,” Karen O explained in her conversation with Gordon. “It’s about connecting with the audience, connecting with something divine to a certain degree. It’s connecting to your most primitive and deepest intuition, and to your nature as a human on this planet.” While Yorke, meanwhile, said: “This is the most geeked out I’ve ever talked about my voice!”
The Singers Talk royalties will go toward the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via the Music Gives to St. Jude Kids campaign, which raises funds and awareness for the hospital through music-based initiatives.
The Singers Talk is due to be released on 5 September, with UK stockists advertising a release date of 9 November. Find out more information here and revisit the Thom Yorke cover story.