Interview John Illsley , Testing The Water

Interview John Illsley new album 2014: Testing The Water

John Illsley Testing The Water Release June 2014 Tracklist : Railway Tracks / Nothing To Do / Testing The Water / Sometimes / Run For Cover / Darling Heart / When God Made Time / This Is Your Voice

After the interview we did with John after his Streets of Heaven album in 2010 we have now an excellent excuse to do a new interview with John, there’s a new release in the pipeline, Testing The Water and John will take the record on the road in the UK in Autumn.
John was so kind to spend some time on the interview and to releave a few more details.
Multiple Brit & Grammy award winner John Illsley returns with a new studio album ‘Testing The Water’. Recorded and produced with Guy Fletcher at A-Bay Studios and British Grove, ‘Testing The Water’ sees the “engine room of Dire Straits” in fine form.
‘Testing The Water’ is a welcome return to the recording studio for John whose last album ‘Streets Of Heaven’ was released in 2010.
“I was missing being in the studio and playing music seriously. This record was an important one for me to make.”
From the opening riff of the first single, ‘When God Made Time’, John’s classic sound is unmistakeable. As the man who was a significant element in the pace and feel of Dire Straits’ music from the outset, this familiarity is not surprising ""that's not me being influenced by the band, that's just the way I've always played and it continues in my own work"" he reflects.
Written over the last three years these songs are deeply personal narratives, “the last few years have been so turbulent politically, militarily and personally and I wanted to try and create some songs that reflected these strange times and perhaps were worthy of sharing with others.”
John also expresses himself through painting, a passion he has developed over the last twenty years, and has now had solo exhibitions around the world.
“For me art and music are interlinked - you start with a blank canvas and work away until you are satisfied that you have made something which is as close as it can to be to what you are trying to achieve. There is a great element of mystery in both processes which can surprise you and upset you in equal measure.”

Q. Hi John , nice to talk to you again, how are things going these days ?
A : All good thanks.

Q. The new album called "Testing The Water" is on his way, can you list the songs for us and tell us what about the songs are?
A :Railway Tracks - Nothing To Do - Testing The Water - Sometimes - Run For Cover - Darling Heart - When God Made Time - This Is Your Voice.
"The last few years have been so turbulent politically, militarily and personally and I wanted to try and create some songs that reflected these strange times and perhaps were worthy of sharing with others." .

Q . Can you tell us more about "When God Made Time" ,was it really 12 years in the making and is it based aroud a phrase you heared whilst touring?
A . I was in Ireland with my family about 12 years ago and sheltering from the rain with an Irish family ,I said it was a shame we didn't have enough time to see the gardens we were visiting and the wife said "when God made time he made plenty of it."

Q. Darling Heart is reggea influenced, what can you tell us about that song and do you like reggea?
A : The idea being -in a turbulent unpredictable world try and stay calm .Always loved the feel of reggae.

Q. Is there a central them on the album and is it the same style as previous albums ?
A : Different from the last in some ways -but still just a bunch of songs reflecting where one is at at that moment in time.

Q. Do you have again little Youtube clips about the recordings like last time?
A : We have some acoustic sessions of 3 of the songs that will be put out in the near future- recorded at British Grove.




Q. Is your daughter Jess also involved in this album?
A : Jess did some backing vocals.

Q. How is her project with The Native Roses going?
A : They are still pressing on doing gigs and writing -they could do with a break !

Q. Who are the musicians on your record?
A : Robbie Mcintosh and Simon Johnson on guitars ,Paul Beavis on drums ,Guy Fletcher on Keys ,Nigel Hitchcock -Saxophone ,Tom Walsh on Trumpet,Mark Nightingale on trombone,Jess Greenfield and Jess Illsley on BV's.

Q. You also do a little tour to promote the record, is the band on tour the same as on the record? You can find here already an impression
A : Pretty much the same musicians as on the record.

Q. Where will this tour take you?
A : At the moment just the UK but later some dates in Europe.


Q. Is your good friend Mark Knopfler on the album?
A : Not this time .

Q. Last year you presented "Guitar Stories" , how did that happen?
A : An idea I had with a friend of mine who has a production co..




Q. Can you tell us where the profits from this record are going to? Can you give us more details about PledgeMusic and Anthony Nolan ?
A : There are specific things that people can buy on The pledge music site ,profits after costs go to Anthony Nolan.

Q. How did you came in contact with them?
A : I wanted to help promote the Anthony Nolan register to help people with blood disorders.

Q. I still have a print from your painting from the blue strat in my living room,how's your art going, are you still painting?
A : Still painting when not working on the music ,not much time at the moment.


Q. Is there an exhibition around we can visit this year?
A : Not in the pipeline yet.

Q. Whats for you the link between music and art, painting?
A : Both are creative and communication activities.

Q.You still play some Dire Straits songs on your gig's, it that to please the crowd or to please yourself or is it a combination?
A : Great songs from the past are a pleasure to play.

Q. Are there any songs that are influenced by JJ Cale on this album?
A : Sometimes .

Q. You also play songs from Neil Young, so I suppose you like his songs?
A : Very fond of his music.

Q. Are there other projects coming your way at this point?
A : Busy with my own at the minute.

Q. You worked again with Guy Fletcher at his A-Bay studio and also at MK's British Grove , I suppose Guy is a very good friend?
A : Yes always a pleasure working with Guy.


Q. A few years ago we could read in the press about problems with your ears , is it a big problem that you have?
A : Not really only what you would expect from a lot od flood music.

Q. Are you nostalgic about the old very busy Dire Straits days or do you prefer your life like it now is?
A : Those were good days -great memories but I love my life right now .

John , I would like to thank you very much for this interview and I wish you all the best with your new album “Testing The Water”. It is a pleasure and an honour to talk to you , Henk

Tourdates
September:

24 Milton Keynes, The Stables - Telephone booking only: 01908 280 800
26 Skegness, Embassy - tickets here
27 Derby, Flower Pot - tickets here

October

2 Wolverhampton, Robin 2 - tickets here
3 Fletching, Trading Boundaries - tickets here
4 Southampton, The Brook - tickets here
5 Watford, Colosseum - tickets here
7 Cardiff, St David’s Hall - tickets here
9 Isle Of Wight, Shanklin Theatre - Box Office: 01983 868000 tickets here
10 Exeter, Corn Exchange - tickets here
11 Ipswich, Cameo Hotel - tickets here
12 Horsham, Capitol Theatre - tickets here


Published April 2014

Approved by John Illsley

You can order “Testing The Water” (2014) here .
You can order “Streets Of Heaven” (2010) at Townsend Records here and you can listen to some snippets here .
You can order “Beautiful You” (2008) at Amazon here
. You can order “Live in Les Baux de Provence” (2007) at Amazon here .