There's nothing like talking to Omar about Prince and his idol Stevie Wonder. In part 1 we discuss being hailed as a musical prodigy, influences, collaborators and the creative process. Not to be missed.
11/19/24 • 29 min
INTRO
2mins - Learning his craft as a child, and a musical education, culminating at The Guildhall School of Music.
3mins - Always being comfortable with music as a craft...and having to choose over football.
4mins - First Omar composition...at 14?
5mins30s - Scholarship vs a record deal...
6mins - Music theory vs feel...
7mins - Things Omar's Dad taught him about music.
8mins30s - The Talkin' Loud Acid Jazz scene in London in the early 90s
10mins - Having longevity
11mins30s - Maintaining a unique sound...and a new album - Omar's 9th
14mins - Not feeling burdened by the musical prodigy tag
15mins - Influences, Ohio Players, family and the music that shaped Omar.
15mins30s - learning Level 42 bass lines as a teenager
16mins - Collaborating with legends in the music business...
18mins - Hanging out with Stevie Wonder in London
20mins - Favourite Prince tracks
22mins - Best By Far?
23mins - Orchestral sounds, Philly Soul and peer respect
27mins - not courting the mainstream
How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!
The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.
LINKS
Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.
Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show.
#prince4ever #love4oneanother
INTRO
2mins - Learning his craft as a child, and a musical education, culminating at The Guildhall School of Music.
3mins - Always being comfortable with music as a craft...and having to choose over football.
4mins - First Omar composition...at 14?
5mins30s - Scholarship vs a record deal...
6mins - Music theory vs feel...
7mins - Things Omar's Dad taught him about music.
8mins30s - The Talkin' Loud Acid Jazz scene in London in the early 90s
10mins - Having longevity
11mins30s - Maintaining a unique sound...and a new album - Omar's 9th
14mins - Not feeling burdened by the musical prodigy tag
15mins - Influences, Ohio Players, family and the music that shaped Omar.
15mins30s - learning Level 42 bass lines as a teenager
16mins - Collaborating with legends in the music business...
18mins - Hanging out with Stevie Wonder in London
20mins - Favourite Prince tracks
22mins - Best By Far?
23mins - Orchestral sounds, Philly Soul and peer respect
27mins - not courting the mainstream
How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!
The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.
LINKS
Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.
Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show.
#prince4ever #love4oneanother
Previous Episode
Charles 'Chazz' Smith shares memories of High School years in Minneapolis, band battles, talent shows, parental advice and the influence of his cousin Prince growing up.
INTRO to Charles
1mins30s - Reflections on Lincoln Junior High School, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
2mins - Knocking on local doors in the neighbourhood just to listen
3mins - Hanging out in Sonny T's basement, and studying him
3mins30s - The MPLS drum beat: did Charles teach Prince? And influences...
4mins45s - MPLS fashions for young teens, dressing like Carlos Santana
5mins30s - Local schoolfriend Andre, starts out on saxophone, but is asked to play bass...
6mins30s - Having the same confidence of Prince
7mins - Getting the drum set in the bedroom
7mins45s - ...going to Seventh Day Adventist Church, but also Allstar Wrestling!
9mins - Going to the Sly & The Family show in MPLS
11mins - Prince's report cards and high school talent show notes!
13mins - The roots of the tree
13mins30s - Prince always wanted to be a 'badass musician'
14mins30s - Going to Prince's Dad's house - being immaculate and coming from a military background
15mins - everything matched, everything was hung up, everything was in order...
16mins- Prince's Mum had fur on the floor...and he turned out just like her.
16mins30s - Military fathers, Prince's Dad and complicated music
17mins45s - You let John play... and 2 different versions of The Horse With No Name
19mins - Jerry Hubbard, the bass player in The Time (in Purple Rain)
20mins - Family gatherings in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Charles Aunt Mary's house, staring at the organ
22mins - Charles Facebook post: Prince's school report in 1967
23mins30s - Charles Grandmother tells him that Prince is going to do something really special
25mins - He was on my band, I was playing and singing on the Delphonics... high voiced singing. Masculinity and dignity...
26mins - Prince becoming famous worldwide, 'he was built for it'
28mins - "You be you"
30mins - "While you were runnin' around chasing women, Prince was recording..."
31mins - "I used to go to jam sessions and bury dudes! Because of Prince..."
How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!
The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.
LINKS
Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.
Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show.
#prince4ever #love4oneanother
Next Episode
In part 2 we talk to Omar about the ownership of his work and masters, his many creative outlets, the resurgence of vinyl, being a vessel for music, spirituality and carrying the torch for a new generation.
In part 2 - we talk to Omar about the ownership of his work and masters, his many creative outlets, the resurgence of vinyl, being a vessel for music, spirituality and carrying the torch for a new generation.
2mins - Ownership of master tapes and adapting to the music industry as is now
5mins - Playing smaller venues, and keeping connected to communities... "where Prince was doing his after parties - that was where I was doing my gigs..."
7mins - Dabbling in acting, starring in BBC1s EastEnders and additional creative outlets
8mins30s - Writing for other people... Should've Known Better by Mica Paris
9mins - Collaborations with other artists - Leon Ware; Lamont Dozier; Syreeta Wright; Common; Erykah Badu; Kele Le Roc; Terri Walker; Angie Stone
9mins45s - Working with his brother Scratch Professor
11mins - Re-releasing earlier albums on vinyl?
13mins - Other things Omar wants to achieve, and live vs the studio
15mins30s - Favourite Stevie Wonder moments musically...Venue Fly Trap and The Bug
16mins30s - New album on limited vinyl - with monthly releases in 2025
18mins30s - Back in the US on tour for the first time in many years...but also seeing precious family members
20mins - Being a vessel for music...as a spiritual thing?
22mins - Testing songs out on the radio, Little Boy?
23mins - Re-recording an anthem...There's Nothing Like This...
26mins - Making parents proud and emerging talents on the scene...
28mins - Surviving the lockdown, earning money, and a new relationship with social media
29mins30s - Streaming live performances, and working on various projects
30mins30s - Passing the artistic baton on...
How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!
The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.
LINKS
Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.
Email me at: [email protected] if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show.
#prince4ever #love4oneanother
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