Linda Clifford Asks 'How Long'

All Photos:  Alan Mercer   Make-up:  Rudy Calvo

After being a long-time fan of her music, I met LindaClifford many years ago and fell in love with her personality! We bonded againmore recently when we took these photos a couple of years ago.  When I found out that Rick Gianatos was goingto release the Phyllis Hyman song 'How Long' as a follow-up to Linda's recenthit 'Baby I'm Yours' I was elated.  Beingthe long-time Linda Clifford fan that I am I decided to call Linda on the phoneand ask her about this new release and her recent return to the charts!

Linda Clifford parlayed a jazz background, booming voice, and sassy manner into disco andcontemporary R&B stardom in the Seventies and Eighties. A former Miss New York State,she sang with the 'Jerico Jazz Singers' and led her own trio in the '60s beforeswitching to R&B and pop.

She signed with Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label and had her first hit in 1978 with 'Runaway Love,' a song thatpeaked at number three on the R&B charts. The highly stylized 'If MyFriends Could See Me Now' was a club favorite that same year.

Her next hit was the soulful duet with Curtis Mayfield, 'Between You Baby and Me,'in 1979. She continued recording for RSO, Capitol, and Red Label in the Eighties.  The song 'He's All I Need' was originallywritten about Linda and her husband and Linda recorded it in 1982 for her 'I'llKeep On Loving You' album.  WhitneyHouston had a number one hit with the song in 1992.

Since the early Nineties, Linda Clifford has recorded trackswith various producers including Rick Gianatos and Georgie Porgie.  

AM:  Linda, your newsong 'How Long' is so sensational!  Ijust love it!!!  I know you recorded it alittle bit ago didn't you?

LC:  Yes when you andI did our photo session is when I recorded it. The song was released and it started to do well and then for whateverreason it didn't get the promo it needed. Everybody kept saying how good the song was, so thank goodness Rickdecided it was too good a song not to do anything with it. 

AM:  He was smart tothink of re-releasing it.

LC:  They startedremixing and re-mastering.

AM:  I have heard themand they are all sensational.

LC:  I just got themand was listening and every mix sounded better than the mix before!  I'm just freaked out!  I love it!

AM:  How did you feelabout recording a cover of a Phyllis Hyman song?

LC:  I was so excitedand happy to do it because Phyllis and I worked together for quite  a few years in the clubs.  We were regulars at Studio 54.  She and I got to be kind of close wheneverwe'd see each other on the road.  Ireally liked being close to Phyllis and talking with her.  When Rick approached me with this idea Ithought it would be tremendous to do an homage to Phyllis Hyman. 

AM:  I like the ideaof it being an homage to her.

LC:  She did such agreat job on her original version and I had to try and follow in herfootsteps.  I wanted to keep it real likeshe did.  The funny thing is ourrecording careers started at the same time. I had her very first album and I was singing 'I Don't Want To Lose You'in my show.  I just loved herarrangement. 

AM:  Then it is fullcircle to be singing her song now.

LC:  I think about herevery time I sing it.  Sometimes it's alittle hard.  I just think about thehappier days and keep going.

AM:  You're coming offa big hit!

LC:  Isn't thatexciting? 

AM:  How did it feelto be back on top again?

LC:  It's amazing tome!  I'm so blessed to have met so manywonderful, talented and giving people in this industry, one of whom is GeorgiePorgie.  He's been around the dance musicindustry for about seventeen years now with number one hit after number onehit. 

AM:  How did you meethim?

LC:  He was doing afood pantry benefit once a year in Chicagoand  someone told him to call me and askme to do the show so he did and I said, "Of course I'll do it."  At that time he told me we should dosomething together one day.  I thought itwas a great idea and the next thing I know BAM! I got a hit record!  He wrote it for me. 

AM:  You are one of myfavorites singers of all time!  Yourmusic is timeless.  'I'll Keep On LovingYou' is one of the best albums by anyone and it just came out on CD for thefirst time all remastered. 

LC:  Isn't thatawesome?  I could not believe that whenthat album was originally released they didn't promote it.  They just put it on the shelf.  There's so many good songs on that album.

AM:  It sounds verycurrent today.

LC:  Absolutely itdoes.  People ask me how it feels torecord a Whitney Houston song and I go, "Yo, wait a minute!  That song was written for my husband and I in1980 by Michael Gore.  Actually in a fewdays it will be our 34th Wedding Anniversary. Gold Legion did a wonderful job putting it on CD and I am grateful tothem for doing that!

AM:  Do you have anyplans to record anything now?

LC:   I'm going to layback and enjoy the holidays unless of course somebody wants to book me!  I'm more than willing to fly.  I do travel well.  I'd love to come to LA because my daughterlives there.

AM:  You do have tocome to LA again and we have to take new photos.

LC:  I promise you thenext time I am in LA I will let you know. I would never pass up the opportunity to do a photo shoot with you.

To learn more about Linda Clifford visit her web site http://thelindaclifford.com/ and http://www.lindaclifford.biz/

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The last of the autumn leaves

Wearing: Zara jacket and top (old), H&M Pleather pants, Acne boots, F&F scarf, Rings coming soon to S&F Shop!

Firstly I owe you all an apology! As you may have noticed there has been a huge lag of blog posts over the last couple of weeks and even tweets! I have got extremely busy with University now that I am in my final year, so I am trying to plan a blog schedule right now that is enough to keep you guys informed but little enough for me to cope with. It may have to be short and sweet for a little while. Please bare with me though, you are all such a support!

Right onto the post! I attended a beautiful wedding at the weekend and stayed in this lovely country manor house in sussex. I had such a good time, the wedding had some really original ideas like someone doing charactertures at the wedding after party as well as a huge vintage sweet stand which I loved! There was no internet there for the weekend which was actually really nice as I couldn't stress about reports or (lack of) blogging. It was so nice for me to wake up in the countryside once again and breathe in fresh air! 

I wanted to wear a simple classic outfit in earthy tones as it was for the wedding breakfast, I love wearing silk and leather together, they balance each other out perfectly! 

Model Emily Scott Pictures & Wallpapers

Luca Ellis Is The Crooner

All Photos:  Alan Mercer

Luca Ellis is best known for the original musical play'Hollywood To Hoboken' that he starred in and co-wrote.  It ran for seven months to sell-out crowds,and received rave reviews from over 30 publications, including the Los Angeles Times.

Originally from Michigan,Luca came to Los Angeles to be acharacter actor, even though he resembles George Clooney a bit, and couldeasily be a leading man.  He waitedtables for a while and then realized he could sing, and not just sing, but singmuch like Frank Sinatra, without imitating him. 

His singing ability got him cast as 'The Chairman of theBoard' in the play 'Louis and Keely Live At the Sahara.'  Then he played 'Ole Blue Eyes' in Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show in Las Vegas.  It seems fate was trying to tell him something.  It wasn't much longer and Luca was playing 'The Crooner' in 'Hoboken To Hollywood.'  He can count among his fans Lee Iacocca who has seen the show four times.

I met with Luca at his apartment building close to downtown Los Angeles to take these photos and learn a little more about this charnming and talented man.  First off, he is a modest person and instantly likeable!  He has everything he needs to become a big star!  I promise you will be seeing more of this man over the next few years.

AM:  Luca, from what Iunderstand you are an actor who sings and singing is rather new for you.

LE:  Singing hasalways been something I enjoyed doing for fun. 

AM:  Well you soundlike a professional singer.

LE:  Most people singin the car and in the shower and that's where I did my singing.  I never had an interest in being a liveperformer, I always wanted to be a film actor on a closed set with a couple ofdozen people, making the performance intimate for the camera.  Then I started singing professionally and Ifound it was more exciting and exhilarating than acting.  Music is such a personal thing topeople.  It essentially becomes thesoundtrack to their lives. 

AM:  Just to make sureI understand it all...You came out to Los Angelesto be a film actor but ended up being a professional singer and writing a stageshow, shifting the direction of your career.

LE:  Yes because Istarted making money as a singer so I decided I could do that for a living instead of waiting on tables.  I just started getting attention as avocalist.  I decided to put my effortsinto that.  I found a certain joy and Ididn't know I could share this joy with others. 

AM:  Were you awarethat you had a similar vocal quality to Sinatra?

LE:  Not until Istarted listening to his music. 

AM:  Did you listen toFrank and music from the great American Songbook growing up?

LE:  I listened to alittle bit of Dean Martin when I was young and Harry Connick Jr. in myteens.  It didn't really hit me untilsomebody gave me a Diana Krall CD that is was an actual genre of music.  I decided then to pick up a Sinatra album andwithin a week I was singing along. 

AM:  Did you everlisten to punk rock music?

LE:  Not really I waslistening to modern R&B like Bobby Brown. Then I started listening to classic rock like The Doors.  Jim Morrison said one of his influences wasFrank Sinatra.  Morrison's singing issimilar to Frank because he was always singing in his natural speaking voice.  That's what I learned from Frank...is to singin your natural speaking voice and not to go outside your range.  I didn't know I was a baritone until Istarted singing along with baritones and I saw how comfortable it was. 

AM:  It's hard to finda good singer these days.

LE:  It reallyis.  It's a lost art.  Singers need to realize it's never about thembut about the song.  I think it'sdisrespectful to sing around a melody. It's like paraphrasing and ad-libbing Shakespeare. 

AM:  So you care verymuch about the songwriting.

LE:  Yes I care aboutthe songwriter and the message.  I liketo stay true to the way the song was written. I don't have the liberty to change a song. 

AM:  Where did yougrow up?

LE:  I was born in Michigan. 

AM:  So Lee Iacoccameans something doesn't it?

LE:  Yes he is a fanof the show and has seen it four times. The last time he came he brought his daughter and granddaughter.  He is a sweet guy!  He hired me for a Christmas party inDecember.  

AM:  That's great tohave such a famous fan!  You must have alot of fans that like your striking good looks too!  It must get you some attention.

LE:  Thank you, goodlooks don't hurt in this town, but again there's a lot of good looking peoplein Los Angeles. 

AM:  There are a lotof good looking people but not everyone is striking!

LE:  I won't be flyingunder the radar then. (laughing)

AM:  Do you want tokeep doing the 'Hoboken to Hollywood'show?

LE:  Yes, since it'skind of my baby.  It's been a wonderfulvehicle for people to enjoy this music live. We have a live band with nothing pre-recorded.  It's a real and living work of art.  It's theater with a safety net.  The environment that we have created allowsus to flex and move.  I want to keepdoing this show and delivering the music to people the way it should bedelivered. 

AM:  Do you want to bea recording artist?

LE:  I want to be arecording artist for sure and have multiple CD's available at some point butacting has always been my biggest passion. 

AM:  Is this what youwanted as a child?

LE:  Ever since I wasseven years old.  The singing is a newkind of bonus for me that I've really enjoyed. I don't think I could ever walk away from the singing anymore.  

AM:  I'm surprised youdidn't realize all this sooner.

LE:  I think with thismaterial I probably wasn't old enough to really appreciate it.   

AM:  What would yourideal career be?

LE:  I wouldn't mindfollowing in the steps of guys like Dean and Frank, even Jennifer Lopez andWill Smith who have a strong presence in the music industry but also have aneven stronger presence in the film industry. 

AM:  What about TV?

LE:  I'd love to doTV...sure. 

AM:  I'd love to seeyou with a Variety Show!

LE:    You know I've been talking about doing a showthat would be interviews, skits and songs. Have candid moments with your guests and the host sings a song or twoevery night.  I think television needssomething like this.

AM:  Television iswhere it's at for getting people to see and hear you. 

LE:  It used to betaboo for a film actor to do a TV show but not anymore.  The sky is the limit.  I have these abilities that I'd love to lendto any project that could use them.

AM:  Would it be hardfor you to branch out and play a serial killer?

LE:  No, I'm acharacter actor.  I can certainly playany part.  I have the diversity to dowhatever I want to if someone gives me the opportunity.  It's a tough racket and quite the rat race inLos Angeles. 

AM:  Do you have whatit takes to endure and stay in it?

LE:  Yes, the musicallows me to do that.  I couldn't livewith myself now if I walked away from what I've accomplished in this shortamount of time.  I moved to LA six yearsago.  Within a year I was a full-timeSinger.  I stopped all the other work Iwas doing.  I've been supporting myself asa singer for the past five years.  LA hasbeen very good to me.  I love LA.  I love her dearly.  This will always be my first home.

AM:  What about New York?

LE:  I'd like to havea second home in New York.  I haven't even touched New York yet.  If Ican shake things up this way in LA, imagine how I would be received in New York!  Theylove Sinatra out there. 

To learn more about Luca Ellis visit his web site www.lucaellis.com

The Enthralling Rebekah Del Rio

All Photos:  Alan Mercer

RebekahDel Rio began her professional music career when she was just 11 years old inher hometown of San Diego, California.I met Rebekah a few years ago through my friend Rudy Calvo.  I fell in love with her and her artistry immediately.  We shot her album cover for 'All My Life' inher bedroom on her bed.  I have seen herperform live several times and she is always outstanding.

Herunique style is perhaps best represented in her signature song, the wrenchinglybeautiful ballad "Llorando,"a Spanish-language version of Roy Orbison's 'Crying,' which strongly evokesboth her Latin roots as well as such vocal influences as Patsy Cline, LindaRonstadt, Eydie Gorme, and Karen Carpenter.

DavidLynch cast Rebekah as herself in his nightmarish hymn to L.A.,'Mulholland Drive.' In apivotal scene, Rebekah plays an otherworldly cabaret singer who sings anelectrifying a capella rendition of 'Llorando.'

In aVillage Voice interview, Lynch describes his partnership with Rebekah as a"happy accident": Her noteworthy performance has been universallypraised as "a dazzling star turn," by John Powers in the L.A. Weekly, to "uniquelytwisted," and "utterly enthralling," by Gregory Weinkauf fromthe New York Times.

Ms.Del Rio was received with a standing ovation at the 12th Annual RainforestFoundation Benefit Concert at CarnegieHall after singing "Llorando" a capella. Rebekah was joined by Sting, Sir Elton John, and James Taylorclad in sombreros and maracas while she sang "La Bamba" for a tributeto the 60's. Rebekah has also performed with the Royal Philharmonic in England.

Youcan hear Rebekah’s haunting vocals on numerous soundtracks such as 'Sin City,' 'Streets of Legend,' 'Man OnFire,' 'Mia Sarah,' and she’s featured in new Richard Kelly film, 'SouthlandTales' where she plays an Opera Diva.  Rebekahis in another David Lynch film, his movie 'Inland Empire.'

Thisyear the European singing group Il Divo recorded her classic song 'Llorando' asa duet with Rebekah.  Her new album 'LoveHurts Love Heals' is a tribute to her son Phillip who lost his battle withcancer in 2009 at the age of twenty-three. Rebekah is a strong and passionate artist who will go on and create manymore hours of beautiful music for all of us to enjoy!  

 make-up:  Rudy Calvo

  

AM:  How did Il Divohook up with you Rebekah?

RDR:  I got an emailfrom Il Divo's management telling me they wanted to do a cover of 'Llorando'but they really wanted to do it with me and would I be interested in recordingit with them.

AM: How exciting that must have been!

RDR:  I said of courseI would but I was stuck in San Franciscodoing a show so I couldn't leave.  Theyput me in a fabulous studio and the boys were in London,the producers were in Prague andthey skyped in to me so I could sing along on the second verse. 

AM:  I really like it.

RDR:  It's harmoniousand beautiful, quite dynamic.  I justhoped for the best, just because you record something doesn't mean itwill ever be released. 

make-up:  Rudy Calvo

AM:  You are going togain a lot more fans!

RDR:  Yes!  They've sold 25 million records already inseven years.

AM:  Now tell me aboutyour new recording...

RDR:  In 2010 I hadbeen through so much.  I really needed toget my act together and figure out what my destiny is.  I am here and yes my son had to leave, butI'm still here.

AM:  You must reallymiss Phillip.

RDR:  I had such astrong connection with my child.  We madea decision that after he passed whenever I saw 11/11 I would know he wasthinking about me.  That was our sign toeach other.

make-up: Rudy Calvo

AM:  Do you see itoften?

RDR:  I see it all thetime!  I see it almost every day.  Once I was getting some things for his gardenand the total price was $111.11!  Thenwhen I was putting my show together the ticket sales were one thousand, one hundredand eleven dollars and eleven cents!

AM:  How unbelievableis that?

RDR: That was Phillip saying Mama everything is going to befine.   I realized 2011 was never goingto happen again.  I'd been wanting to dothis record with all these songs I wrote over the course of Phillip'sillness.  I wrote so many torch songsfull of hurt and gorgeous songs about the spirit and how we evolve. I decided Iwas going to set goals and make them happen. 

AM:  What did you dofirst?

RDR:  I got togetherwith these wonderful songwriters and musicians in New York.  In 2008I met Heather Holley who is this amazing songwriter and we started writingtogether.  She is responsible for gettingChristina Aguilera her first record deal. She has written many songs with Christina.

AM:  That iswonderful!

make-up: Rudy Calvo

RDR:  It was an honorto write with her.  Fast forward to 2010when I hear Heather Holley's name and I think to myself that I should reconnectwith her and ask her if she would be interested in doing one song for this new project.  So I wrote her and asked what she thought andshe told me she loved my songs and would do the whole album! 

AM:  I like the wayyou describe the music as cinematic and epic.

RDR:  It is like asoundtrack to a movie you just watched. 

AM:  It also soundslike rock music from England!  I love the song "Damned"

RDR:  Interestinglyenough Alan that song was written with Heather in 2008.  She had written this as a poem.  She asked me if I wanted to write music to thelyrics.  I said I would love to and I satdown at the piano and worked it out.  Wehad the great fortune of working with Dave Eggar who just played cello on thenew Evanescence album. He really made that song and he is part songwriter now.

AM:  It is one of themusical highlights on the album.

make-up: Rudy Calvo

RDR:  His take on itis so gorgeous.  This is all real musicwith real instruments, not from a computer. This song has become an anthem to 'Love Hurts Love Heals'.  When you want something so bad and having itis not good for you and you know it you are 'Damned'. 

AM:  Will you have avideo on Youtube soon?

RDR:  As soon aseverything gets approved we will have one! I really feel this is my destiny now. This is my son and I giving it to you. 

make-up: Rudy Calvo

To learn more about Rebekah Del Rio visit her web site http://rebekahdelrio.com/