Ross CAT- Reports have surfaced that the QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS incredibly successful “The Cosmos Rocks” record and tour will be the “Swan Song” so to speak, where does Q + PR stand?
PAUL RODGERS- I’m really quite proud of what we achieved with the successful world tours and subsequent album. It truly was an honor to be a part of BRIAN & ROGER returning to the stage and studio once again.
At this point we are just stepping back from it for now, it’s similar to my arrangement with JIMMY PAGE with the FIRM, it was never meant to be a permanent situation.
As I mentioned earlier I always like to keep things loose. It’s kind of an open book as far as I’m concerned; if something arises that inspires us then I would always be open to the possibility of working with BRIAN & ROGER anytime anywhere.
Ross CAT- I wanted to touch a little more on that inspirational partnership you where able to forge with the surviving members of QUEEN.
As I stated in the introduction you helped BRIAN & ROGER capture that magic once again with tracks like “We Believe”, “Time to Shine” & “Small”. The song that really stood out on the record was “Warboys”, a relevant radiating Rocker that accentuated the sorely missed, often overlooked talents of QUEEN as a whole behind FREDDIE.
That was actually a song from your "Certified Gold” solo LIVE IN GLASGOW CD/DVD. Q + PR really breathed new life into the already powerful track, how did that tune find its way onto the album?
PAUL RODGERS- I couldn’t agree more, it was really unbelievable what they did for not just that particular song but the entire album. When we decided to go into the studio we didn’t really have an agenda so we were just noodling around with some ideas.
At some point I just threw “Warboys” out there to get things rolling not even thinking it would go beyond the rehearsal. Instantly they just fell in with it and it became this monster track, to my pleasant surprise it ended up on the record sounding bigger and better then it had originally.
As a whole this album was very exciting to make, we got so carried away at times we laid down too much music, we actually had to bump some songs off the record.
One of the other songs you mentioned “A Time To Shine” was inspired by the QUEEN sound. To write those lyrics and create that song was incredibly inspiring, to envision that song in my head and then actually hear BRIAN & ROGER perform it was absolutely exhilarating for me.
Ross CAT- Lastly PAUL, it’s apparent the fires “Still Burnin” strong creatively for you, what does the rest of 2009 have in store for you?
PAUL RODGERS --You know I wish I could give you something but I don’t even know what lies ahead just yet.
What I can tell you is that I have several ideas floating around musically, I keep thinking to myself what or who would be a good fit for this particular song. It’s all a matter of synchronicity, bumping into the right people at the right time. At this point the exciting thing to me is that anything is possible.
This is great news that we might see this collaboration happening again sometime....nice to see the door is open on both sides to do something together in the future. Whatever happens it was a great partnership that was never meant to be a long term arrangement.
There are some really interesting answers here and maybe some more songs to be heard. We live in hope.
I don't mind if someone dares labeling TCR as "incredible successful"; what really matters here is Paul's words...
Actually my wish number one, anthologies aside, would be enjoying new music by Brian and Roger together ... but I wouldn't mind new music with Paul on board, neither