Bob meets up with Arthur Lee at the Guilfest Festival
6th July 2003
BH: (Plays track) I know you haven't heard the single, but that's the Calexico version of 'Alone Again Or', and 'Alone Again Or', well, it's amazing how that song has sustained through the years. I mean it's 37..38 years ago now.
AL: Right
BH: What do you think it is about that record, looking back at it now, Arthur.
AL: Oh, I think it's all Bryan Mclean and David Angel. I had nothing to do with that except I sang it. I sang the lead and I may have overdubbed harmony as well, but Bryan sang the song with me, I think he did the harmony. Yeah, I think it's a very good song.
BH: It's not just that song, though, is it? It's the whole album. When you look at people's 'Greatest Album of All Time' lists it's incredible how often 'Forever Changes' comes up in peoples lists.
AL: Sorta timeless isn't it.
BH: Yeah. What qualities are there about this record that have lasted so long?
AL: Well, I guess I told the truth. I called it like I saw it..about life. I've called it like I saw it about things happening yesterday...that are going to happen tomorrow...that's how I saw it and I wrote about it and I formed music around it, you know. I had a lot of trouble getting Bryan up to do that, and I had a lot of trouble getting my band up to do that. Before we even got to the finishing point those guys just weren't into doing anything. You know I'd hired Neil Young to help me. They said Al Blaine played drums...I think Dallas Taylor played drums on 'The Daily Planet'. I think 'Alone Again Or' is the best cut on the album.
BH: Because one of the key statements in that record is the moment that voice says 'We're all normal and we want our freedom, all God's children got to have their freedom'
AL: Oh yes, that's exactly right. Of course we'll never get it. (laughs)
BH: That informed, to me, the approach to the record. It wasn't that there was that expression lyrically...
AL: I had to have my freedom away from those people that I was working with, I tell you that.
BH: There was a lot of tension in Love at that time.
AL: It wasn't really tension for me. I had something to do. When GOd puts you on this planet to do something you gotta do that. Whether you're Cyrus or Moses, or whoever the heck you are. If it takes 35 years or two weeks or what have you, you gotta do that. Everybody has excuses, you know, Cyrus was a non-believer, he was a Persian but he overthrew the Babylonians. Moses didn't want to talk because he had a speech impediment - so you tell your brother Aaron to do it. But you're gonna do it. That's the way I am 35 years later.
BH: To what extent is Jimi Hendrix still a big influence.
AL: Jerry Hendricks? Never heard of him (ha ha). Oh Jimi Hendrix. Well put it like this: Jimi Hendrix and I were closer than two coats of paint. You know what I mean.
BH: Vindicator is a record that was very Hendrix-inspired, wasn't it.
AL: I think it was the best. I think his playing is timeless like the 'Forever Changes' album is so-called timeless. Because it's the truth, you know. To me Jimi Hendrix was like John the Baptist with Jesus. He sort of paved the way for me. You understand?
BH: Yes
AL: I definitely paved the way for him. But I think he sort of paved the way for me as well. I don't know if I told you this, but I'm very critical of music. My favourites are like Beethoven and Charlie Parker, if you're familiar with those names. you know I'm really a musician's musician. If I can please God first, then in myself I think I can pretty much cover the round with the people. But people turn out and they come and see me and it makes me feel real good. It made me feel so good at the Royal Festival Hall that I became one of the audience. I forgot what I was doing on stage...chopping back and forth and carrying on. I forgot the words to my songs and stuff. It's the truth.
BH: And just finally..all the reissues of the old Love albums. They're back out now. In Britain at least we get them on the Elektra/Rhino label.
AL: That's totally amazing to me because I haven't heard one. I haven't had a copy of one.
BH: They're beautiful, some of the unreleased stuff...
AL: That's fantastic, but I did it and they don't send me one. That's my point. You understand? You know more about me than I do. Which is good for you and good for me as well I guess.
BH: You've given me one of the best albums of my life. 'Forever Changes' is always in my top ten list.
AL: Oh thank you sir
BH: Thanks very much
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