Guy Stax upArticle from: Sunday Herald September 30, 2007 12:00am
GUY Sebastian has no problem covering Otis Redding.The original Australian Idol, Sebastian has recorded a version of Redding's classic hit, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.
But, like Redding, Sebastian cannot nail the song's whistle outro.
"It's super high and I can't reach the note," says Sebastian with a laugh. "Otis couldn't do it either. He found a whistler."
Recording with the famous Stax label house band in Memphis, Sebastian asked for a volunteer.
"Everyone I approached couldn't hit the note either. And none of them could remember who did it for Otis," he says.
Amazingly, the musicians, including guitarist Steve Cropper, recorded the Redding original, too.
"This is the band that played on the original versions of In the Midnight Hour and Knock on Wood," says Sebastian excitedly. "This is where it all started."
Aptly, Sebastian's success on Idol had a soul glow, too. His best moments came from his savvy rhythm and blues picks.
Then, after winning, he fell into formula and followed the Idol rule book diligently.
He has enjoyed three hit albums, but the as-yet-untitled Memphis album is closest to his heart.
It is due for release in November.
"To be honest, it's a stamp," Sebastian says. "I've tried other things in the past. I almost tried to cater to what I thought I should be doing.
"So, this is me saying, 'This is what I do best', not in an arrogant way, but it's what I grew up on. I know I do this well."
The track listing is Stax label heaven. It includes Knock on Wood, Midnight Hour, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Hard to Handle, Under the Boardwalk and I Can't Stand the Rain.
Sebastian dusted off a Sam Cooke rarity, That's It, I Quit, I'm Movin' On, and wrote a new song in the Stax vein.
He said recording with the Stax house band was a privilege extended to very few.
The musicians have turned down Joss Stone and every soul wannabe who makes a request.
They took Sebastian after seeing footage of his live performances.
Sebastian said they worked quickly and insisted on recording live to analogue tape. They tracked 15 songs in four days.
"It's about getting a vibe," Sebastian says. "A guitar might do something, then you follow it vocally. It's about capturing those spur-of-the-moments."
So how did Sebastian build a rapport with the ultimate soul band?
"Ribs," he says. "Ribs and barbecue sauce is the language of the South.
"All you need is ribs, beef -- a whole lot of meat -- and it breaks down all barriers of culture."
Sebastian reached out, nightly, at a Memphis diner called Texas de Brazil.
"They bring out massive racks of chicken, beef and lamb, cut it and plate it. It was all-you-can-eat," he says with a groan.
Away from the dining table, Sebastian said the Stax band helped lift his game.
"I sang the best I've ever sung in my life," he says. "They just bring it out of you. When you are amongst that calibre, you lift.
"These guys have been in the same room as Otis, Elvis -- the greatest of the greats. They were so encouraging."
Sebastian will preview only a few Memphis cuts at upcoming intimate, acoustic shows.
The set-list will lean heavily on his previous albums.
Sebastian denied reports he considered quitting show business after post-Idol abuse and taunts.
"I'm a solo male pop singer doing love songs," he says. "That's bait for ocker blokes. I cop it from 2 per cent. The other 98 per cent are cool, encouraging and sweet.
"But I'd never pack it in over a bunch of knobs." Guy Sebastian will perform at Manchester Lane on October 24 and Palms at Crown on October 26 and 27.
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