In the latest edition of Record Collector (UK magazine), Mae is interviewed in the News section - primarily about a forthcoming release.

During the brief interview she mentions being invited by Prince to record at Paisley Park. In anticipation, she enquired when she would receive details about what she would play (specifically, which notes). Prince explained that he hadn't come up with the concept at that stage, let alone any musical detail. However, he suggested to her that she listen to Weather Report and Herbie hancock's 'Headhunters'.

At the recording she admits to finding it difficult to jam with the rest of those present, and that her own contributions were therefore added to the original recording.

Neither the Record Collector website (currently being revised) or the Sony-related Vanessa Mae website appears to make mention of the interview.


(Apologies if this has already been reported - I can't trace it on recent inspection of the relevant forums)

Interesting.... Wonder what it's gonna sound like. Can't wait!

Um, it's gonna sound like "Xpectation" which is the CD/album to which she was referring.

jsb23nc said:

Apologies for not knowing the ins and outs of Ms. Mae's recordings.

Whoa - I apologise for any misleading here ... she is referring back to her involvement in recording contributions to the Xpectation (nee Xenophobia) session(s).

(I appear to be unable to amend the original thread).

There was no intention to raise anyone's .. err .. Xpectations!!

The primary reason for the interview is a different (and - as far as I am aware - totally Prince-free) new release..
.
[Edited 12/29/04 13:21pm]

langebleu said:

Thanks for clarifying That was my confusion. I thought it was a new recording.

VanessaMae said

That's one of my fav albums and try as I may, I don't see
any distinct similarities between it and Xpectation.

Herbie Hancock...everyone knows it John Hancock...wait that would have to be your bull.

langebleu said:

Funny he would be so blatant about it even himself, because everybody was referring to the sound of Headhunters and Weather Report when Xpectation and N.E.W.S. came out. It was just too damn obvious for Prince's standards.

that's a shame, too. If I'm not mistaken, she did a very haunting violin solo on Janet's Velvet Rope album, and it's one of my favorite moments on that album. She would have made an excellent band member, maybe not for Musicology, but something on One Nite Alone. Oh, well...

Happy New Year, ya'll!

poetbear68 said:

You're not mistaken, and oh yes, what a wonderful solo it is on "Velvet Rope". That is one of my favourite albums of all time. Unfortunately, it was so good she hasn't really touched its standard with any of her subsequent releases, good though they are.

Who da hayyyl iz Vanessa Mae?

lilmexjlo said:

Haven't you been paying attention? We've just been paying attention. Hellow?!?!

poetbear68 said:

Yea, but I meant that I have never heard of her b4. All I could figure out was that 1) She is a recording artist, 2) She is a violinist. Is she known in areas other than the US?

lilmexjlo said:

She's probably best known in the UK, having been born in Singapore and lived in London for most of her life since the age of 4.

She was most recently in the headlines last year when a stalker received a 6 month jail sentence for breaking a restraining order given to protect her.

http://entertainment.iafr...343401.htm