During the past year Emma ‘Velvet Tones of Teeside’ Wilson has produced her EP ‘Loveheart’ and featured on a compilation album in aid of the NHS, ‘Songs of Isolation’.
Other highlights were an interview on American radio and Cerys Mathews BBC Radio 2 Blues show playing her track ‘Wish Her Well’.
Her new project is a double A side single released 10 June 2021, and it features one of her vocal hero’s.
‘I’m a fan of Terry Reid full stop. I just love his tone and style – it’s a dream come true’ said Emma.
Affectionately known as ‘Superlungs’ Reid has enjoyed a long career in the music biz. He has recorded six albums, featured on film soundtracks and toured with Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and Cream.
‘In 2016 I was asked by Malcolm Bruce and Pete Brown to sing in the ‘Evening for Jack Bruce’ house band at Shepherds Bush Empire, London. I jovially said that I’ll only do it if you get Terry Reid. Of course Terry was already on the bill’.
Reid lives in the United States so he flew into the UK for the gig.
‘He turned up at rehearsals straight off the plane looking resplendent in white trench coat and silk scarf. He chatted with everyone and then sat down to talk to Pete Brown.
Being a little star struck I walked over and told him we haven’t really met yet, but I did say hello outside the toilets at his gig in The Newcastle Cluny. Pete and Terry both laughed singing my clumsy words back to me saying that would make a great song’.
Wilson and Reid got on well, they chatted about music and the London gig. Emma recalls that night at Shepherds Bush.
‘Terry was lead on ‘White Room’ and I was on backing vocals. At first we (backing singers) weren’t initially on the song, I asked Terry if he thought we could be on it with him and he said ‘Let’s ask Mick Taylor’.
Terry asked me to sing the part to Mick and he said, ‘yeah ok, let’s do it’. We got on well and afterwards Terry and I kept in touch, I’m happy to say we’ve become good pals’.
Over the past year people have found lockdown pretty tough going but by keeping a positive outlook, Emma used the time sharpening her song writing.
‘I had a song ‘See You in the Morning’ and I thought Terry would sound great on it, so I sent it over and he loved it.
To my surprise he asked if I had anymore, and he liked ‘Nuthin’ which we worked on over facetime as he’s in California and I’m North Yorkshire. He’s totally transformed my demos by adding heart and soul – which is what he does best’.
‘I’ve loved the process of making music with Terry even though it was remotely. I hope people love the feel of the songs they are very different from each other.
I think Terry’s influence on the recordings gives them such a cool feel and his vocal and playing are just sublime. I am delighted with how the songs sound’.
The single is available to download from all sites or order your physical copy from: www.emmawilsonbluesband.bigcartel.com
‘See You in the Morning’ (Wilson) Vocals – Emma Wilson & Terry Reid.
Bass, acoustic & electric guitars – Terry Reid.
Keys – Alessandro Brunetta, Drums – Graeme Robinson.
‘Nuthin’ (Wilson) Vocals – Emma Wilson.
Bass, electric guitars, drums, cabassa – Terry Reid.
Keys – Alessandro Brunetta,
Both tracks produced by Terry Reid, mixed by Larry Pederson & mastered by James Arter.
Interview by Alikivi June 2021
ALIKIVI : NORTH EAST UK 