http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...9985/-1/NEWSMAP


By Tony Sauro
Record Staff Writer
September 02, 2009 6:56 PM
Chris Isaak, the Stockton-born rock singer/songwriter, showman and TV entertainer, took some time out as he traveled between tour stops recently to engage in an e-mail conversation with The Record.

The affable, personable and witty Isaak, 53, has been touring to promote “Mr. Lucky,” the 13th album of a 24-year recording career. He's heading for Australia next.

Isaak, who plays guitar, and Silvertone — his veteran band anchored by drummer Kenny Dale Johnson, bassist Rowland Salley and guitarist Herschel Yatovitz — performs Sunday at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys.

Brian Setzer and the Nashvilleians open.

Q. How has the new album been received and how are the songs working out on the road?

A. The best thing you can hear about a record is not that someone bought it. It's that they still are playing it after a month or two. People are telling me they keep playing the record. I always try an album out by putting it in my car and driving. If I can keep it in the player all the way from San Francisco to Stockton and Los Angeles, then I know I'm doing it right. This album also has been really fun to play live. We have a nice mix of upbeat songs and ballads and it works into our live show great.

Q. How have things been going on the road in this economy?

A. This tour has been wonderful. At the start, I told my manager I wanted to have the biggest stage show possible. I built a 30-foot 1950s-style TV screen as a backdrop, and have a stage that's white sparkle tuck-and-roll upholstery. It looks kind of like a mix between a hot rod, a state fair and someone's 1950s living room on steroids.

My band and I dress up in clothes that Liberace would have turned down for being too flashy. I have one suit covered in mirrors that weighs more than 30 pounds.

The bottom line is people want to have a good time, and they want to get some value when they take the time and trouble to come to a show. It has to be fun.

Of course, the music is the main thing. But we make it a point to make it a show, and make it fun even if you're just coming along with a friend and didn't know all the songs.

We show up on time, we dress up and, of course, we have fun playing. My band has been together more than 20 years and we're having a ball. If we have fun then the crowd will have fun, and that's what it's all about!

Q. What's the story behind “We Let Her Down” (the sadly empathetic first single from the new album)?

A. I wrote that after talking to a woman who told me her father never had told her he loved her. It seemed obvious he did love her, but he never had said the words. I realized she never really was hugged, kissed and told “I love you” by her parents.

She told me she used to pretend to be sick so her mom would kiss her and hold her. The good thing is that, after the album came out, she has a perfect way to let her dad know her story: “Listen to this track, dad.”

I guess a lot of people love without really saying “I love you.” Too bad, because life is way too short to leave out the good stuff.

Q. Amazon.com describes you as the “epitome of modern musical cool.” Is that true?

A. I doubt if I'm any kind of cool, but I'm glad somebody thinks so. When I think of “cool,” I would think of Louis Armstrong. He looked sharp. He played sharp. He swam through a sea of injustice and tough times and did it with grace, love and a smile. That's very cool.

Q. Do you Twitter?

A. You know, I have a computer, a cell phone and lots of electronic toys. I end up spending most of my time playing with my guitar or just sitting and drawing cartoons.

The electronic stuff is fun, but it's a lot more relaxing for me to just pick up a pencil and draw something or pick up a guitar and sing something.

I have a buddy who is a brain surgeon. He needs to have a cell phone and be in touch 24 hours a day. Nobody ever had an emergency that required a songwriter at 3 in the morning” “Quick. I need a romantic third verse and it has to end with Romana.”

Q. Have you ever worked with (former Stray cat) Brian Setzer before?

A. I've had the pleasure of playing with Brian, as far back as early Stray Cats days. What can I say? He sings great, plays crazy good guitar, and he's really a showman. He's also a fun guy to hang with. He would rather talk about guitars or cars than himself. He actually gave me one of his really fancy guitars, but I think maybe it's broken. Because, when I play it I don't sound like Brian.

Q. Aside from the tattoos, do you share any musical roots/similarities/tastes with him?

A. We both love a lot of the same stuff: Elvis, Ricky Nelson, rockabilly, Louis Prima. I'm hoping we can jam together at the show. I know plenty of his tunes and am more than willing to screw them up.

I don't have any tattoos. Funny, but nobody in my band has a tattoo. So many bands have lots of ink. I guess we just wear flashy clothes instead.

Q. Will your family be at this gig? Will (older brother) Nick do a song or anything like that?

A. I've used up all my guest list on my family. In fact, I'm buying tickets to my own show. It had better be good or I'm asking for my money back. I invited my brother to come and play a song or two.

I try not to let him do too many songs or the crowd turns on me: “Hey Chris. Let your brother sing.” It's always extra fun when you have a lot of your friends and family at the show. This is my chance to show off and I'm gonna take it.

Q. What were your impressions of Ironstone when you first played there last year?

A. Great place. Sometimes as an entertainer you show up to a venue and it really isn't much without the lights and music. Ironstone isn't one of these places. It's just a knockout. A really pretty location, nice folks who work there and lots to do before the show. I always walk around and check out everything before the show.

Q. Is the Bio Channel show (“The Chris Isaak Show that ran from February through April) happening again? When?

A. I had a great time doing that show. I got to talk with Cat Stevens, sing with Stevie Nicks, and get a guitar lesson from Glen Campbell. Every week was a surprise. I never know what my schedule is from one week to another, but I had fun doing the show and made a lot of great friends.

The writer on the show, David Wild, was really a walking encyclopedia of rock and roll. I thought I knew a lot, but David must have interviewed or written for every musician there is. He wrote a book about Neil Diamond (“He Is ... I Say: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Neil Diamond”) that made me realize how much insight a real rock journalist brings to the table.

Q. Did you have a favorite guest? Very cool, you Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins playing “Nowhere Man.”

A. There were great moments with so many: Cat Stevens singing “I Love My Dog” to my Maltese. I thought that showed a pretty nice sense of humor on Cat's part.

Stevie Nicks coming on and singing a song she never had done before. I love that she was willing to take a chance and try something out of the box. Maybe that's why she's the legend she is.

Singing with Jewel was fun but it was scary because if you look at her eyes when you sing with her you can forget who you are and what the hell you are doing.

Q. Any guests lined up yet? Or a wish list?

A. I would have to say after reading David Wild's book and having done a cover of “Solitary Man” (on his “San Francisco Days” album in 1993), I would love to play with Neil Diamond. I also would love to have Metallica on the show. I almost did a version of “Nothing Else Matters” on my last record. We worked it up in my garage and had a pretty good version. But nobody sings it like James Hetfield. I went to their live show and man. Rock and roll lives.

Q. How about the Showtime series (“The Chris Isaak Show,” 2001-04) being released on DVD?

A. I wish someone would put it out. So many fans ask when it will be available. It is up to Showtime and I hope they put it out soon.

Q. Any other projects in the works?

A. I'm heading to Australia for a tour, then back home and get a few days off and probably start recording again. I already have a bunch of new songs I would love to start work on. It really never stops. For that I say “thank God.”

Q. Is a Stockton show possible? (Isaak has played in Stockton only four times since his recording career began in 1985.)

A. I love playing Stockton. I'm always bugging my manager to try to get us in town. Anytime I get a chance I push for it. After all, it means I get a free home-cooked Italian dinner, my hair cut by my mom and I can hang out with my friends.

My band was really amazed at how great the food was in Stockton. I took them for Mexican food across from the courthouse (Casa Flores) and we pulled up our tour buses and about 17 guys came in and we ate everything but the chairs. Stockton rules.

Q. You do lots of winery shows but don't drink the stuff. Do you get any good lines out of that?

A. You know, I worked in bars and clubs for so much of my early career and always thought it was more important for me to sing good than for me to “feel good.” I avoided drinking at shows and I was always so broke at the beginning that I would rather spend my money on a hamburger than a beer.

Q. Have you made any more overseas trips to visit the troops (in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan)?

A. We try to get by the military hospitals whenever we can. It's the hardest and yet most rewarding thing you ever will do. The troops are always so great. I just asked my manager when we can go again.

I feel bad because, sometimes in the comfort of our lives here in the states, we forget: We are at war. We have young people out in harm's way. I dress up in my full stage suit and go from room to room with a guitar when I visit the hospitals.

I talk a little and sing a few songs, and it's kind of like my live show. When they laugh or fall asleep, I move on.

Q. What was in those brownies Kenny gave Trisha Yearwood (on the first episode of The Chris Isaak Hour”)?

A. I'm guessing Rice Krispies?

Rice Krispies!!!!

'My' dog!!!!!!

And how hypnotic Jewel's eyes are to him......

The man might have revealed more in that interview than ever before.

Thanks for posting it, UP. I enjoyed the read. The man certainly has a sense of humour.

“Quick. I need a romantic third verse and it has to end with Romana.”

Do you think he forgot to type the "i"?

Jewel's eyes are hypnotic? He should try talking to himself one day with those eyes of his. Now he knows what it feels like!

More new songs are coming? !!!

Whoever is going to the show with Brian Setzer, please post reviews and lots of photos. Please!! Wish I could be there.

Thanks for posting the article/interview, Uncle Pat.

I think I read this whole interview with a stupid grin on my face! It made me smile.

Thanks for making me smile today!

By the way, the link to the article has changed:

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...RTAIN/909029985

Thanks for that article UP. I am going to that concert and hope to get some good pics. I am excited because I have never seen Brian before and I have heard from lots of friends that he puts on a great show. Ironstone is also a great venue and tons of fun! The actual newspaper story was very nice with a huge pic of Chris.

Munchie, I can't wait to hear all about the concert and see any photos you can get. What a fabulous double bill you are going to see!!! Lucky you getting the actual newspaper with the HUGE Chris in it.

Good for you, Munchie! Have a blast--sounds like it will be a humdinger of a show to end the summer North American tour. It would be great and so appreciated if somebody could get a vid or two. I hope you guys have great weather and a grand time.