Hey guys, I did this last year for my interview with Sheila E. (http://prince.org/msg/5/302528), and now that I am about to interview Monte Moir, I thought I'd see if you guys had any questions for the man.

Ask away. Anything related to him, his work with The Time, anything at all that you want to know about his career. I'm doing the interview through email so try and get me your questions by this FRIDAY!

After I get the interview back I will be sure to let you all know.

I would like to know why he didn't write and produce more? He was incredible!!
He can write a great song, why did he choose these artists to work with and is there anyone else he would like to work with?

Janet - "The Pleasure Principle"
Denice Williams - "All I Need"
Ruby Turner - "In My Life" (with a KILLER guitar solo from Jellybean), yes BEAN!
Alex O'Neal - If You Were Here Tonight"
Junior - "If Ever" (A CLASSIC SONG)!! OMG!
Only A Breath Away - Patti Austin
Love's Been Here Before - Cheryl Lynn

The cat has skills. If you haven't heard these songs, do your ears a favor a find them!!!


Did he enjoy the success of "If You Were Here Tonight?" What the back story on that song and can he share the back story of some of the other songs?
[Edited 2/9/10 12:56pm]
[Edited 2/9/10 12:56pm]

Ruby Turner - In My Life (It's Better to be Loved) -
Written and Produced By Monte Moir
Guitar Solo by Jellybean Johnson.

Junior - If Ever
Written and Produced by Monte Moir

Deniece Williams - All I Need
Written and Produce by Monte Moir


[Edited 2/9/10 13:11pm]
[Edited 2/9/10 13:14pm]

I forgot about this classic.
Deja - That's where you'll find me"
Written and Produce by Monte Moir

Is he working on another solo cd and if so when does he think it will be released?

Keep the questions coming guys, only a few more days!

Rhastus said:

He told me he was. I was hoping it would come out this year, but it'd be nice to know when. I LOVE his first solo CD, This Side of Paradise. I still listen to it on a regular basis.

When I did a phone interview with Monte in 2001, he was so nice, kind, and patient with me. Love that guy, and his talent as a songwriter.

What are your favorite synthesizers?

ernestsewell said:

Oh yeah Monte's a great guy. I always look forward to visiting with him at the shows

Love your playing, writing and producing Monte! Hope you don't mind answering a handful of questions... thanks in advance!

What was it like to work with Jimmy & Terry?

Why did you guys go your separate ways?

Tell us more about what was was like recording "If You Were Here Tonight" or how that arrangement came together.

Tell us about yours & Jimmy & Terry's cameo in the Alexander O'Neal "Innocent" video. It was almost like you were sneakin' by the camera.

Even though your 1st solo album showcases a different side of you, we know from your production work that you know how to get down and make some serious funk. How did you get introduced to the style and who are your funk influences?

One of the best performances of The Time I've seen is the Night Times Variety Minneapolis TV show. So you remember anything about that performance?

Can you tell us anything more about "The Secret" and why that project never materialized?

Was the synthesizer solo on "Oh No It's U Again" by Cherrelle recorded on an old Oberheim 8-voice or on one of the newer OB-X's or OB-8's?

Thanks!!!

plymouthavenuenorth said:

Really???? I always find those questions odd. "What was it like working with..." I mean, unless it's someone extreme, what is the person expected to say? "Oh God, they're just assholes." or something? I'd think that they're more friends than coworkers. A band is a gang, and if anyone was a gang, it was The Time.

I do know Monte told me that once Jimmy and Terry left The Time, he didn't have any desire to stay around after that.

Hmmm, maybe I should pull out my Monte interview and podcast it for ya'll.

Uncle Monte, u have always been one of my favorite musicians and people, how are you able to stay so grounded and level headed?

What or which artist was fun to work with and why?

How did you manage to get out of working with Pia Zadora?

When it comes down to writing a song, and your wide range of musical interest, do you find yourself writing to a certain style (R&B, Pop, Gospel)? Or is it more like just what feels right?


Is Steve Hodge still working with you on some level. Or is he just doing his on thing?


Also, as part of "The Secret", will any of those tracks ever be released in some form or fashion?

Thanks uncle Monte, Ken

He did a track in the early 90's for R&B group Force MD's called "Someone is crying over you" I believe that is the title.

Okay guys, I'm gonna be sending this in to Monte tomorrow evening. You have a few more hours to get more questions asked if you want

Ask him pleaz:

We have heard for years that a New Time Album is ready, does he know if the Album is ready and when will it be released?

thanx
[Edited 2/12/10 23:57pm]

Do you regret appearing in Graffiti Bridge? Also tell him I love the stache. Thanks.

How did the interview go?

tricky2 said:

I am sure it went well.

Interview is in Monte's email inbox, hopefully will get the answers back soon. I will let you all know when I have it back.

ernestsewell said:

Maybe I wasn't clear enough... what I was specifically asking was: what was it like for Monte to be practically a member of Flyte Tyme productions (we're talking the post-Time years here) and to work so incredibly closely with Jimmy & Terry on album projects like Alexander O'Neal's first album, Janet Jackson's Control album, Cherrelle's High Priority Album and several others as a producer, writer and performer, as well as putting together an amazing new project/group that included the three of them called "The Secret" (which never materialized) and then eventually parting ways with Jimmy & Terry and having Flyte Tyme productions go on without Monte to ultimately become the most successful production company in history. What was their Flyte Tyme relationship like? Did they work closely together on songs or did they produce separately for the same album project? Was the parting of ways painful? What are his best memories of working together with Flyte Tyme? Did they jam together? Write together? Hang out together?