MacD on Music: I’ve Got The Music In Me

Back in my university days, there were a few records that I would listen to on repeat. Among them, Suzi Quatro’s ‘If You Can’t Give Me Love’, Peter, Paul and Mary’s ‘Leaving On A Jet Plane’, Blondie’s ‘Denise’ and Kiki Dee’s ‘Amoureuse’. As you probably guessed by these songs, I was a student between 2013-2017.

In recent years, Kieran Dunlop and Music Capital have been bringing some brilliant artists to play in our fine city (including quite a few that I’ve been listening to for years) such as T’Pau, Ralph McTell and, the subject of this week’s column, the legendary Kiki Dee. I spoke with Kiki recently about her upcoming gig in St. Augustine’s with Carmelo Luggeri on March 1st.

Kiki told me that she first came to Ireland “many years ago”. This is going to be one of a number of small-scale gigs, a way for her and Carmelo to test the waters.

The two have been playing together for around thirty years now and have built up quite a following in England. Kiki also told me that she was excited to play Ireland as we have “so much musical heritage”. As for Derry itself, she told me that, while she’s not totally sure, it is her first time here “in at least twenty years”.

Speaking about the gig itself, Kiki says that they “try to take people on a musical journey”. The show, featuring just Kiki on keyboards and Carmelo on guitar, features a number of classic hits, as well as a few covers. Recent additions to the set include numbers by Kate Bush and Robert Palmer.

During our chat, I asked Kiki about her time signed to Motown records. Kiki told me that she’s had “an eclectic journey” over the course of her career. She told me how she went to Detroit, meeting Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. She added that, despite not having any “big, big hits”, she was “very proud that they invited me over”.

During her time there she got to work with Frank Wilson, singer of ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)’ (recently covered by Bruce Springsteen on his album ‘Only The Strong Survive’) and got to meet Pam Sawyer, writer of such classics as ‘Love Child’, ‘I’m Livin’ in Shame’ (both hits for the Supremes), ‘Love Hangover’ and ‘Last Time I Saw Him’ (both solo hits for Diana Ross, the latter also a hit for Dottie West) as well as countless other songs.

Of course, I couldn’t interview someone like Kiki Dee and not ask about Elton John.

Kiki told me that they are still in touch, with Elton inviting her on stage as part of his recent farewell tour during his gig in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. She tells me that they still keep in touch regularly and that they “always connect well”. Safe to say he won’t be breaking her heart (he couldn’t if he tried).

Next, we spoke some more about the song selection during her gigs. I asked if she has any particular favourite song to perform. Kiki said that “no two gigs are the same” but added that songs like ‘I’ve Got the Music In Me’ are “always fun”. She also said that “different songs pop in every night” and that they “try to connect with the audience as much as possible every night”. She also said that they try to keep a certain spontaneity in the shows, something that is made easier by the stripped back nature of the gigs.

I asked her about some of her favourite artists next. Kiki said that she “always listens to Bob Marley”, as well as Canadian singer Jane Siberry and Kate Bush, who she described as a “maverick”. Another name she mentioned was Robert Plant, who’s band Saving Grace opened for Kiki not long ago. This came about in the early days of the group as they didn’t yet have enough material to fill a set themselves.

I asked Kiki if she ever got starstruck meeting these big names, but she said that, in the seventies, she got used to being among other legends, telling me about the time she met John Lennon, first with Elton John and later again on her own, telling me that he was “really down to earth”. Kiki also got to mingle with icons such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, being personally invited to watch the latter record ‘Sexual Healing’.

Kiki Dee has certainly been among the best in the business over the course of her career, and this upcoming gig will certainly be one not to miss.

Kiki Dee plays St. Augustine’s on March 1st. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

Now, on to other business. This past Friday saw TRAMP release their cover of ‘Jerusalem’ (originally by Sinead O’Connor). The song comes ahead of their appearance at Femme Sesh in Sandino’s on March 8th (see next week’s column for more about this gig). Also, Louise DaCosta’s DaCosta Records will be hosting a party this Saturday in Sandino’s featuring some of the best DJs and artists the label has to offer. Admission is free and it promises to be a great night of music and craic.

Finally, socials time. TRAMP can be found on Instagram @thisistramp, DaCosta Records @dacostarecords and Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri can be found @kikiandcarmelo.