When I heard that Craig McLane was going to interview Bobby Womack – I immediately tried to get involved. When else would I get to meet a soul legend of that calibre? The man behind the awesome tune 110th Street, which made both the entry and exit scene of Tarrentino’s Jackie Brown film. He was what is great with the 70’s look. Big on glasses and ‘big collar, big flares” suits. Now he just radiates ‘cool’ in a more casual attire, but still with a repertoire of glasses to hand.
In the lobby we met up with Bobby’s right hand man. About the same age as Bobby and they’ve worked together for years. He crossed the lobby floor giving everybody ‘the fist’ with a touch of respect. He introduced himself as Arthur and continued by saying he was the new James Bond. Not only would he be the first coloured James Bond but he would also be the first James Bond over 60 years old. Why not!?
It was in a small hotel room in Kensington the shoot took place. I managed to squeeze the backdrop in between the bed and the mirror. Bobby himself is out promoting his new album. His voice is as soul-full as ever but this time it seems to exuberant experience. The music is new and fresh and in some tunes he has collaborated with great and contemporary names such as Lana Delray.
Just before the shoot I was given the CD and on the artwork is an image of Bobby’s hand with a double-jointed thumb. I asked if he was up for doing it for me and he was happy to play along. A truly multi talented man ;-) - young at heart, playful and full of groove.
It is impressive to see a man doing so well, still moving on and trying to explore new boundaries in what he loves, after having lived through the death of two of his sons at a young age, drug addiction, diabetes, pneumonia, colon cancer and is now in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 69. In fact, he is not only enjoying what he is doing but he is still a great success at what he is doing. Although the big collars and flares have long gone, the shades – not quite as grand as 40 years ago - are still there. The future is still bright…..
