Glamorous singer Rebecca Ferguson has become one of the biggest selling soul artists of our decade and performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK. Compared to the likes of Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfeild, she has had 1 million sales of her debut album. Director of Oracle Magazine, Myles Lockwood, caught up with Rebecca to talk about her upcoming album, cover of Billie Holiday’s famous record, “Lady Sings the Blues”
I studied Billie Holiday when I was at school, and the events that took place in her life have always touched and moved me. Especially how much pain she went through and how she used her voice to get through that period.
So I’ve always been inspired by her life and her music. But when I was
approached by my manager with the idea it was an easy decision for me to make, as I’ve always loved Billie Holiday.
accompany the release?
The album will be released on March the 9th and there will be shows at St. James Theatre in London. I’m really excited because I will be performing in a room with a real Jazz Style feel to it, so it will be a very up close and personal atmosphere.
The performances will be on the 19th, 20th, and 21st March. More shows are also planned throughout the year.
Oh my, I’ve got lots of favourites but if I have to choose a couple “Get Happy” and “Blue Moon” would be at the top of my list. I love performing them and they have always been favourites of mine.
Oh wow! It’s so crazy when you say that, I just don’t think of myself as anything special, certainly not compared to such legends.
Of course I’m flattered, it’s amazing
that people have compared me to such incredible performers but I just don’t think of myself like that, I’m just me (she laughs).
Troy was amazing to work with; I didn’t realise how brilliant and educated he was! We originally started on the songs on a piano and worked on them together every day until we were ready for the studio.
I didn’t want this album to be a cover of Billie or me trying to imitate Billie, so I wanted to learn the songs. I then
interpreted them in my own way, and then put my own stamp on it which makes the songs current for people listening today.
I’d tried lots of times before to get onto the Xfactor at the auditions but had never got anywhere. But this time when I received an email from them asking if I wanted to try out again at the auditions, I almost didn’t go! But I thought… why not, I’ll just go for it, and I went along.
Yes it really was! (she laughs).
“I was approached by my manager with the idea and as I’ve always loved Billie it was an easy decision for me to make”
Oh God, I was so nervous, especially performing in front of Simon Cowell. I just tried to lose myself in the music and not think about it. It certainly was difficult, because at that point I had lost all my confidence from the previous knock backs. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but I’m really glad I did it.
A whirlwind (she laughs)! It was an amazing experience and all the judges were so lovely.
Simon is exactly like he is on TV. How he acts, the things that he says, the way he dresses, he’s just like that. With him, what you see is what you get.
I haven’t seen Cheryl since I went back on the X Factor to perform. We have both been so busy with our own projects but she did tweet me Good Luck with the baby which was nice. I see Louis sometimes, I love Louis.
I’ve just downloaded Nina Simone’s album which I’m loving. Funny enough, I was just listening to it before this interview (she laughs)! I also like listening to a bit of dance music too.
I started singing when I was in school, I can’t remember the age but I’ve always sang since I can remember.
Yes I’ve been writing songs since I was a little girl. I’ve always preferred to write and perform my own songs.
When you have sung and performed in front of lots of people its hard to give that up. Plus I’ve got lots of loved ones, family and friends that love to see me perform and I just couldn’t ever stop doing that for them.
Be yourself, never change who you are and sing from your Heart and Soul, but most importantly, just go for it!