This new project, I went to my old, DEAR friend, VIRGIL
FRANKLIN who owns LAME DUCK DIGITAL to produce. My 16year-old son Russell played drums on it and he did so with the
sophistication of a seasoned professional. We recorded the
rhythm tracks live and spontaneous to give it an old-school live
feel. Virgil laid down organ and sax parts as well as a solid bass.
We wrote some of the songs in-studio, and others were ones I
had written before for previous projects. “Look My Way” was an
improv jam at an open-mic night. I liked it and decided to keep
it. I'm glad I did.
ION: What kind of a songwriter are you?
Tucker: My songwriting is inspired a number of ways.
Sometimes I mishear lyrics from other songs and write around
the mistaken lyric or hook. I write about injustice, sadness,
addiction, love, lust, poverty, pain, joy...the human condition.
The song has to move me or I scrap it. Regardless of the genre,
the song must move me musically and spiritually or it will not be
pursued. I want my audience to feel something during each song
and know that I felt it too; it's our journey.
ION: Tell me about the live experience for you--what’s it like to
be up on stage getting your music out to an audience?
Photo credit: Virgil Franklin
Photo credit: John Russell/Torch 1 Productions