Tell us about your new album?
Alright. Well, I went up to yellow Arch Studios with Richard Hawley and Col Elliot to put something down. I had already spoken to Richard about it after I saw him play, he had this big wide open spacey sound which I loved and thought it’d be great fun to get in the middle of that and play around. They arranged for me to get over to Sheffield and in 11 days we recorded the album. All the guys pitched in writing the songs and we had a lot of fun.
Why has it been so long since your last record?
I don’t really have an answer for that! I suppose no one was really interested in doing it. I’m an old man now you see! They seem to think that when you reach a certain age you can’t rock ‘n’ roll anymore. Ha ha haaaa
How was it working with Richard Hawley?
Oh man. Richard and his band are amazing. They are all brilliant musicians and so much fun to work with. The studio was like being in your own lounge, everything we did was so laid back. We got to record the whole album live which was great because I’d never done that before.
Launch at 100 Club, you must be excited?
That’s right. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be over in a couple of weeks and we’ll rehearse at the weekend then we’ll be there on the 21st. I’ll be getting to borrow Richard and his band too, it’s very sweet of him.
Do you have any particular favourite moments on the new record?
I do. Normally I wouldn’t have something that I especially like but ‘Desert Song’, it was something that just fell into place whilst me and Richard were playing along together. It was a lot of fun playing it and felt pretty.
How did it feel to win the Mojo Icon Award?
Oh, that was amazing. I didn’t know how to act. How does an icon act? It was a great honour. I’m in the rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame and the musician’s hall of fame and now I get to be an icon too! Ha ha haaa
When did you first pick up a guitar?
I was around 5 years old. My dad had a guitar leaning against the wall in the cellar. I ask him what it was and he told me, he showed me some chords; I learned to play them and never looked back. When I saw people playing guitars in movies I tried to copy them and when I listened to the radio I tried to play along. I soon picked up on the licks and things until I started to work in clubs and dances when I was 15. I remember the first song I learnt to play was ‘You Are My Sunshine’.
What inspired your trade mark twang?
It was when Lee Hazlewood and I were recording ‘Moovin’ and Groovin’. I had noticed from doing sessions and things that the low notes recorded much better than the high notes. They had so much more power in them. They were meaty, full and stronger. When we heard the recordings back, I just loved the sound of it.
Do you have a career highlight?
I guess ‘Rebel Rouser’ was the thing for me. Being the first big hit it kinda changed everything for me. I guess that’s what enabled me to get the tour in the 60’s. That was a big time for me.
What was your most memorable tour/show?
It has to be the British tour in the sixties. At first it was a little strange for us. The audiences would stand quietly and clap politely after each song. We were used to people screaming at us all the way through and having to turn up so we could hear ourselves. We weren’t sure if they liked us at all. But at the end of the show people were standing in their seats, whistling and yelling. We couldn’t believe it. They kept on chanting ‘we want Duane, we want Duane’. I really felt like I had arrived then.
Which British artists most impressed you when you toured in the early 60’s?
Tommy Steel did a nice thing, he sent me a picture which said ‘Welcome to England Duane’ and I kept it in my dressing room every night. Later on I got to play with Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Those guys were great, at the time it was such a new raw sound, it changed everything and they got bigger and bigger. I love the Beatles and I think it was amazing they came along when they did.
Are there any artists of the younger generation that you like?
Oh yeah, I hear groups all the time but my age gets the better of my memory these days. Ha ha. But one band I really love at the moment is The Low Anthem, they make beautiful records. Mumford & Sons I like a lot too, they’re real good. I loved their show on the Grammy’s with Dylan and the Avett’s.
Are you still using the Gretsch?
For sure. I’m using a newer model now as my original was a ’57 Chet Atkins. It plays and sounds just the same, it’s like my ’57 when it was brand new. I am amazed and so pleased with it.
Who are your top three guitarists of all time?
Wow, that is a tough question. I’ll say what comes off the top of my head, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Eddie Van Halen. I also like Prince, he’s amazing. If I could add a few more I would say Jimmy Page and of course Richard Hawley. I really do love Richard’s playing. There are too many great guitar players to list. I can listen to them all day. They’re all different and I love them all for those different reasons.
What else is on the calendar for you this year?
Well, other than 100 Club I’m going to be playing at Glastonbury this year then I think we’re going to come back over in September and do a proper run of shows.
Mad Monkey Records
www.duaneeddycircle.com
