Some days after her Civic Theatre gig, Elkie Brooks took a short break from her Aikido session, very much part of her fitness regime, to talk to Panic Magazine.
Panic
I saw you play the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford a few days ago and I must say it was terrific performance. Showcasing your latest album “Powerless” and your performance is anything but that, I have to say. How was the gig for you?
EB
Yes, Powerless is my 20th studio album – and the third I’ve produced with my son and I’m really pleased with the results. Chelmsford was a really good gig for us; the theatre is excellent and we didn’t have to drag things up and downstairs too much and the members of staff were really very nice. That kind of this always helps when you’re touring. Although this is my 20th album, I did release some others prior to that count with the likes of Vinegar Joe and in fact my first single release was way back in 1964 – Something’s got a hold on me.
This album has taken something like 5 years to produce so I very pleased to be taking out on the road.
Panic
And you did some work with the late great Humphrey Littleton. What was it like working with him?
EB
I also did some tracks on an album with the lovely Humphrey Littleton in 1975, just about the time I went off to America to cut my first solo album – Rich Man’s Woman. He was a lovely man to work with and a fantastic musician.
Panic
You appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test with Vinegar Joe (around ‘74/’75) and rumour has it that they are set to bring the show back in the not too distant future… will we get to see you perform in the new version?
EB
Yes! In fact, I’ll be performing 3 tracks from the album and I’ll have Stevie Jones my saxophone player and my piano player Andrew Murray. These are some of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with and they are such nice people be with on a tour with – which always makes it easier when you’re on the road. Andrew plays a beautiful descending piano piece on the last track of the album; A song for you. We’ve tried to emulate what Johnny Hathaway did on the original and I really like to feel we paid him a tribute with this version.
Panic
There are a number of covers on the album, but I was delighted to see you had a go at Purple Rain. How did that come about?
EB
Well, I’ve liked Prince for quite a while – but to be honest, I didn’t know this was one of his (laughter). After hearing a few bars, encouraged by my son, I said, “Yep, I reckon I could do that,” so we put it in. We didn’t do the entire 15 minute version that Prince does but we really enjoy playing it so we will probably put it into next year’s show.
Panic
I enjoyed your version of Nights in White Satin, it gave your guitarist a monitor moment to rip up and down the fret board..
EB
Yes, we like that one too. Actually, I’ve been this song for some time and we did a fantastic version on the Amazing album back in 1996. It was a full orchestral version with Tony Britten conducting the London Philharmonic. Tony did all the arrangements on that and it was truly amazing. I’ve only done two orchestral albums including this one and Screen Gems with Andrew Pryce Jackman doing the arrangements. Another man who is no longer with us, bless him, but it was an absolute pleasure to work with him.
Panic
Famously, at least for northerners like myself, you hail from Salford; but you’re not there now..
EB
No, we moved down to Devon 32 years ago – to get away from the madness of London really. It’s a very peaceful place. Everyone thought we were crazy – being away from it all at a time before mobile phones. My husband of 34 years, Trevor, really wanted to get away from Fulham and this was an ideal place to settle for us. Trevor has been working with me too, on the sound, for all that time. In fact we met in June 1977 and we’ve been together ever since.
Panic
You’ve been doing all this a long time now, when did you first go on stage?
EB
Well that was a long time ago. In fact, I first performed back in 1960 when I was only 15 years old.
Panic
The lyrics of the last song on the album Powerless, A Song for You, sounds like this might be your swansong; you’re not giving it all up are you?
EB
Absolutely not! I’m working on a book at the moment – no title yet – and I’m being helped on producing that with one of my friends with whom I do Aikido; so when we get stuck in writing the piece, we go out on the balcony and try out some new martial art techniques to relax. I still have plans to tour way into the future.
Panic
I broke your Aikido training session earlier, can you tell us a bit about that?
EB
Well I came to Aikido about 20 years ago when my son wanted to do karate. There were no karate lessons nearby, but there was a man teaching Aikido, so we went along to that. In the end, my son – who was only 6 at the time – didn’t stick with it, but I got to know the teacher, who was running a vegetarian restaurant nearby, and I haven’t looked back since. I joined his dojo in Ilfracombe and managed to work my way up to black belt on my 50th birthday, some 17 years ago! I’ve been training consistently since 1988. It keeps me keep fit and in good shape which helps with my general health as well as supporting my singing of course. Speaking which, I should get back to my training…
Panic
Elkie Brooks, thanks so much for talking to Panic.
EB
A pleasure!
