An Interview With Charlie Landsborough

Up until a few of weeks ago I was aware of but not very familiar with Charlie Landsborough, then I was asked if I would like to do an interview with him. In the process of preparing that I went looking around for information about him and what I found has impressed me very much. His new album “Under Blue Skies” is also very impressive.

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A: I was born in Wrexham in Wales then brought straight back to Birkenhead where I grew up on the banks of the Mersey.

Q: When you’re not on the road where do you spend most of your time now?

A: Apart from 4 or 5 trips to Spain each year I spend my time in my hometown, writing songs, playing with my grandchildren or having a beer with old friends.

Q: Was there anyone in particular who played an influential part in shaping your career?

A: My faith in Jesus has played a large part in everything but on a human level my family have had a great influence upon me.

Q: Obviously you have impressed other artists because there are some “big names” who have covered your songs. Tell me about them.

A: One of the great things that has come from the songwriting is the great people I’ve come to know through their recording of my songs. Foster & Allen, George Hamilton 1V, Daniel O’Donnell, Pat Boone, Dana, Jack Jones, Mary Duff and Brendan Shine have all covered songs of mine and many other Irish singers and as a result I’m privileged to say that most of these lovely people are now friends.

Q: You don’t allow yourself to be categorised, but is there a particular style that you have a “soft spot” for?

A: I suppose my forte is the gentle ballad but I love the country stuff, bits of blues and the odd slightly Rocky number. As a listener I love bluegrass, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Paul Brady, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kate Wolf, Gordon Lightfoot, Barbara Streisand etc., and I’m a big fan of your own Sara Storer and the wonderful Eva Cassidy.

Q: Although you knew you had talent at an early age, you worked at many things before you became recognized as an artist, tell me about some of those jobs.

A: Down the years I’ve been a postman, soldier, driver, navvy, grocery store manager, teacher and worked for the gas board, on the railway and in the flour mills and also as a storeman. Of these I suppose being out and about as a postman and as a navvy were about the best but none of them compare to my present job!

Q: Charlie I know it’s not that long really, since you started in the industry, but how long is it since you first got started?

A: I’ve been singing since I was a small boy and later spent years playing small pubs and clubs. One pub I played in for 22 years. My break came in 1995. After another rejection and the obvious disappointment my old spirit re-emerged and I sought to do something positive. I phone a major TV show in Ireland and tentatively asked about possible inclusion. They told me they’d been trying to get hold of me for a while and could I come the next week. I went and sang two songs with just my guitar and the following week I was at the top of the Irish Charts. Unbelievable!

Q: What year did you do your first recording?

A: My first recording was a tape which cost me all that I had. It was called “Heaven Knows” after one of eleven songs of my own on the tape. The tape set the ball rolling and led to me recording an album “Songs from the Heart” in Tony Allen’s (of Foster & Allen) studio in Moate. This was later taken by Ritz Records and when my Irish TV appearance later provoked such a response Ritz were there and able to feed the demand.

Q: What was it that made you decide to go into the recording industry?

A: I’ve always loved music with a passion and it was always a dream to someday hear my own songs on the radio, not because of the fame or fortune, although they’re lovely when they come, but because of my love for one of God’s best gifts to mankind the music.

Q: In total, how many cds have you recorded?

A: I’ve recorded 11 studio albums to date although there are quite a few compilations available also.

Q: In the time you have been in the industry there would have been some changes, some good, some bad, are there any that stand out to you?

A: So many towns and cities in England now look the same, all the same shops and stores, housing and even the people are in danger of all looking the same. I fear similar things are happening in music and the airwaves are dominated by the same musical fare. I love diversity and individuality. It would be good to see charts which featured blues, bluegrass, rock, folk, celtic, novelty as well as pop and girl and boy bands etc. I also think its cruel for TV shows like X factor to make stars of somebody overnight and then drop them to obscurity shortly after.

Q: “What Colour Is The Wind” was THE song that got you recognized, tell me about how that happened.

A: I was playing in a little club as a solo singer supporting Hugh Moffatt a fine US singer songwriter. It was my birthday and friends arrived with books and CD’s etc. However later I received the best gift, a fellow singer songwriter arrived and we had a pint together. He said Charlie I’ve got a great song title for you. A blind child was overheard saying to her father “What Colour is the Wind Daddy”. He said I can do nothing with it so I’m passing it to you. I thought the title was beautiful and the following night wrote the song. I wasn’t really aware of its potential until I began playing it to people and receiving this wonderful reaction.

Q: Was that your biggest hit?

A: Yes, that song plus Forever Friend are probably my most recognized songs although Foster & Allen had a hit in Australia years ago with one of my songs “I will love you all my life”.

Q: Did you have any idea it would that big?

A: I never dreamed that “What Colour is the Wind” would achieve what it did and give me the life in music I’d always wanted.

Q: Have any of your songs been included in movies?

A: No but I do feel that songs like Centuries, Song of the Ocean, If Only I had wings, The Bluebell Man and Fog on the River have a bit of atmosphere about them which might sit well in a film. Maybe one of these days.

Q: Your new album…. Under Blue Skies …. This is one hell of an album! I really like it, it is so easy to listen to, most relaxing and enjoyable, with most tracks written by you …. Which ones stand out to you?

A: I’ve always loved John Prine and his “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” is one of his best. It was great to do that plus Early Morning Rain and I can’t make you love me. Of my own songs I like “Some Mother’s Son” for its message and the arrangement and great saxophone in “Fog on the River” as well as the backing vocals and great guitar on “Long Way Down”.

Q: Your most memorable occasion

A: That night in January of “95” when I performed on the Pat Kenny show in Dublin.

Q: Your most embarrassing moment

A: Whilst in a Belfast hotel I’d had a few drinks with friends and slightly the worse for wear I went to bed. During the night I got up to go to the toilet. I opened the door to a bright light and heard the ominous click of the room door behind me. I was not in the toilet but on the landing of one of the city’s best hotels and stark naked. Not a pretty sight!

Q: Is this your first tour to Australia?

A: No I’ve been coming for a few years now and love the place.

Q: Being the artist that you are I would assume that you have been awarded some pretty special awards & special recognitions, would you like to tell me about them.

A: The two awards that mean most to me are for Irish album of the year when the other candidates were among others the wonderful Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. The other is my Scouseology Award, which is awarded to people in the industry from Merseyside. Previous winners include Paul McCartney.

Q: You are married to Thelma, I gather that the plans for your wedding were a little different to “normal”?

A: Well supposedly to raise money for our wedding I left to play with a band in Germany. After months I came back with as little as I’d left with. We married without telling anyone and there were just five people present, myself, Thelma, 2 friends and the priest. Humble beginnings but its lasted.

Q: You are still singing and doing appearances, any thought of retirement from “life on the road” yet?

A: No, I love what I do and I’ll keep on as long as I feel able to. Besides, I’ve got all these Grandchildren to look after now!

Q: I have placed the titles of the tracks below, and you may add a comment to any or all of them if you wish.

A: It might be best initially to let the listeners draw their own conclusions about the songs without being
coloured by my explanations.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t already mentioned?

A: Just a thank you for your kind words and support. God bless you.

Under Blue Skies

A 17-track CD with a 10 track Bonus Album Available From: Charlie’s own Web Page
http://www.charlielandsborough.com/merchandise.html