Babyface

Babyface
a.k.a. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Kenneth Edmonds

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PLAYING FAVORITES
Babyface Returns with a Surprising Set of Classic Pop Remakes
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has written and produced hits for a who's who list of pop music's greatest talents - from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to Eric Clapton and Madonna. As an artist, he's best known for smooth Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds has written and produced hits for a who's who list of pop music's greatest talents -- from Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to Eric Clapton and Madonna. As an artist, he's best known for smooth R&B hits like "Whip Appeal" and "Tender Lover." So his fans may be initially surprised by the song selection for his latest disc, Playlist, a nostalgic set of mellow Top 40 classics including James Taylor's "Fire & Rain," Dan Fogelberg's "Longer," and Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle." B&N.com's Tracy E. Hopkins spoke with the award-winning triple threat prior to the album's release.

Barnes & Noble.com: Do you think your R&B fans will be surprised by the songs you selected on Playlist?

Babyface: Yes. These are songs that I grew up with and was inspired by. There are probably some [diehard] R&B fans that might not get it as much. But interestingly enough, many fans are probably a lot more familiar with the songs than they know. You involuntarily start singing along with the songs, like, "Hey, why do I know this?" So I think once they get over the shock that the record isn't R&B, they'll enjoy it.

B&N.com: How did you select the songs?

Babyface: I started writing down all the songs I loved. James Taylor was at the top of the list. There were some Beatles songs, but I didn't ever want to touch a Beatles song. I'm a big Beatles fan and a big Stevie Wonder fan, so to me it's almost sacrilege to touch their songs. I don't know that I would have something different to offer [those songs]. With the songs that I chose, I felt like I had something to offer to them. I didn't want them to just feel like remakes. I wanted them to feel like something that was part of me and that I would have [recorded] as an artist. So that was part of the whole process. That's how we ended up with this list.

B&N.com: There are two new songs on the album. One song, "Not Going Anywhere," is a message to your sons that you will still be there for them although you and their mother have divorced.

Babyface: The story kind of tells itself. It wasn't something I was planning to do. I was asked to do new songs on the record and I was a little anxious about that because I found it hard to add two new songs to these classic songs. How do you add to these classic records and make sure they even come close to standing up? So the only way for them to possibly stand up was for them to be personal songs and for them to be heartfelt. That was the criteria. The second song is "Soldier Song" and it's not a political song, but it is about showing respect to the soldiers that have gone to Iraq and died fighting for our freedom. So it doesn't make any difference if you're Republican, Democrat, or Independent. They still fought and died for you, so we should pay our respects.

B&N.com: After your divorce, did you ever think of making the cathartic breakup album?

Babyface: Like [Marvin Gaye's] Here, My Dear? I've never been one to live my personal life in front of everyone. [Tracey and I] were very private even during our separation and as much as we could be during our divorce. So to put it all out on record would go against all of that effort we made to keep it from people. And really my heart wasn't at that space. I wasn't feeling bitter or mad or hurt to the extent that I felt like that was something to write about.

B&N.com: As a producer you've worked with an array of artists, from Mariah Carey to Fall Out Boy. Are there still artists that you are dying to work with?

Babyface: On the creative side there are a number of artists that it would be fun to work with. It would be great to work with an artist like Sting. And I haven't worked with a country artist yet. That would be fun, to work with someone like Keith Urban.

B&N.com: Is there a new artist you are really feeling?

Babyface: I'm crazy about Chrisette Michele. I did two songs with her on [her debut disc, I Am], and I think she's great. I expect big things from her in the future.

B&N.com: After this album, what's next for you?

Babyface: I'm supposed to go in the studio with a lot of different artists but I've been busy promoting Playlist, so I have to put some things on the back burner. I will sprinkle some artists in here and there when I can get to it. Once this slows down, I will get back [in the studio] and have some fun. I want to get into some more rock as well as still doing R&B.

August 28, 2008