Photo by www.eleventhvolume.com

Photo by www.eleventhvolume.com

Photo by www.eleventhvolume.com

Nigel Richards, Gavin Friday, Jarvis Cocker. Photo by cvodb

Gavin Friday and Jarvis Cocker. Photo by cvodb

?, Michael Henry, Owen Gilhooly, Nigel Richards, Gavin Friday, Jarvis Cocker, Damon Albarn. Photo by cvodb

With the ‘Drifting and Tilting’ shows at the Barbican in sight, Gavin answers a few questions about Scott Walker:
When did you first become aware of Scott Walker?
“Away from some of the Walker Brothers hits.. I’d say i first became aware of Scott Walker via Bowie in the early to mid seventies… it wasnt until early 8o’s when his music truly kicked in for me…” Continue reading “Q&A: Gavin Friday on Scott Walker”
Drifting and Tilting – The Songs of Scott Walker is on at the Barbican in London on November 13, 14 and 15. Tickets available through the Barbican website.

When did you first become aware of Scott Walker?
“Away from some of the Walker Brothers hits.. I’d say i first became aware of Scott Walker via Bowie in the early to mid seventies… it wasnt until early 8o’s when his music truly kicked in for me… Scott Walker sings Jacques Brel was a real touchstone.”
You’ve sung Walker’s song ‘The Plague’ live a few times. Any other Walker songs you’d consider covering?
“Thats a tough one …they are so very much swamped in his own uniqueness …. I’ve always wanted to cover ‘Plastic Palace People’.. of his later music… maybe ‘A Lover Loves’, but lets see how I get on in the next few weeks.”

You are thanked in the sleeve notes of the album ‘Scott 3′. How did that come about?
“Cally Calloman, the designer, was putting together the artwork for the re issues of the early Scott Albums at the same time he was working with me on the artwork for ‘Adam ‘n’ Eve’… and I threw in my twopence worth here and there regarding the Scott re issues.”
How did you get involved in the Drifting and Tilting production at the Barbican?
“I got a phone call from the Barbican saying Scott Walker had requested my involvement in the project.”
What can we expect from you at the shows?
“Something extraordinary…”

Gavin Friday will perform as guest vocalist at the world premiere of ‘Drifting and Tilting – The Songs of Scott Walker’, live performances of songs from Scott Walker’s albums including Tilt and The Drift.
These special concerts, produced by Scott Walker himself, will be set and designed for the Barbican Theatre stage. They include orchestra, Scott’s band, and feature special guest vocalists performing his songs such as Damon Albarn, Dot Allison, Jarvis Cocker, the Australian baritone Grant Doyle, actor Nigel Richards (The Black Rider) and the baritone Michael Henry. Walker himself will not be performing.
Also working on the show are director Ann-Christen Rommem (Black Rider, Il Tempo di Postino), designer AJ Weissbard and conductor Philip Sheppard, and a cast including dancers Philip Herbert and Lorena Randi and puppeteers Johnny Storey and Andy Jones.
The concerts take place on November 13, 14 and 15 at 7.45pm the Barbican Theatre in London.
Tickets: £20 / 25 / 30 / 35
Subject to availability, from the Barbican website.

• The Barbican: press release
• The Guardian: A Scott Walker gig, sans Scott Walker
• IndieLondon: A heavyweight cast of vocalists, musicians and dancers