His Music Will be a Part of My Life Forever

by Robert Pally

Lisa Mychols and our own Gary Pig Gold have released a Gene Pitney tribute: He’s a Rebel: The Gene Pitney Story Retold (To M’Lou Music). Lisa talks about what Gene Pitney's influence and her career.

Robert Pally: What does Gene Pitney mean to you?

Lisa Mychols: Oh gosh....I heard him and just knew his music would be a part of my life forever!

Robert Pally: When did you discover Gene?

Lisa Mychols: I was in High School. I wonder if my mom listened to him when she was pregnant or something! I swear I just knew his music already before I discovered it! Does that make sense?!!!

Robert Pally: When came the idea for the tribute and what triggered it?

Lisa Mychols: Well, after learning that his career was way more than just a few recordings and records, I started to seek out more about him. This led to the start of my book writing career. Well, after hours and hours working on it, gathering more information, getting dates, people he worked with, etc. etc., I realized I am NOT a writer! I am a musician! So the CD sort of came to mind. All I wanted to do was pay tribute to him! Sort of a thank you!

Robert Pally: What was the biggest problem?

Lisa Mychols: The bands we couldn't fit on the disc! The songs we couldn't fit on the disc! I even got bumped! Ha!

Robert Pally: Was there a song that many bands/artists wanted to cover?

Lisa Mychols: There were soooo many songs that we NEVER ran into that problem! Gene was very wise with the songs he chose to do! AND THERE ARE SOOO MANY! I HAVEN'T EVEN DISCOVERED THEM ALL STILL! :)

Robert Pally: What was inportant for you doing the tribute?

Lisa Mychols: Oh yes! The book I never finished just waved over my head! Then inspiration hit! A tribute CD!

Robert Pally: Has Gene heard it?

Lisa Mychols: Gosh...you know, I don't know, yet! He is so busy all the time!

Robert Pally: What song would you have covered and sung?

Lisa Mychols: "Last Chance to Turn Around"!

Robert Pally: Why didn't you sing on the tribute?

Lisa Mychols: Well, I would have but there were soooo many tracks we couldn't include! You know, it's cool because there are many many fans of his that are probably bummed that we didn't know them to ask! I know I would have been crushed if someone else put this out and didn't ask me! Oh gosh....I would freak!

Robert Pally: It’s a kind of special doing a tribute for someone who was more an interpreter. Was it more an tribute to the voice of Gene Pitney?

Lisa Mychols: Well, it was a tribute to his soul! He inspired...he told stories...he made us feel sadness and pain...how fun would it be to have artists who appreciated this about him sing those songs in their OWN eyes. Also, I found it fun to get tracks from people doing these great classics from great songwriters Gene specially picked. Of course there were a couple artists demanding to only do a song that Gene wrote himself...speaking of which...I would really like to see an album released of just the songs he wrote!

Robert Pally: How did you get Al Kopper to cover a song?

Lisa Mychols: Ha! I think you should ask Gary Pig Gold! Al Kooper rawks! I was sooo happy to meet him via e-mail! I got his book soon after! What a pleasure to have him on the disc!

Robert Pally: Pretty different from the rest is the Deviants cover of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". What were your thoughts when you used this version for the tribute?

Lisa Mychols: OH SHIT! Seriously, I love that the band did their own interpretation of this song! They really respect Gene's work and you can't really go wrong with being genuine and just doing what you do!

Robert Pally: Since Gene has a pretty extraordinary voice what was important when you chose the bands / artists?

Lisa Mychols: Well, I had already gained respect for the artists and their own music but the fact I could hear their respect for Gene in their track was a big bonus!

Robert Pally: Was there a song that you didn't want on the tribute?

Lisa Mychols: Ha! Impossible! Though, I regret we couldn't get a bonus track of something new from Gene himself...sigh!

Robert Pally: Do the Masticators still exist? If yes, will there be another album?

Lisa Mychols: I really hope! The songs we started on a year ago are still up in the air! I would LOVE to do another album.

Robert Pally: I heard that Lost Winter Dream (collection of beautiful songs recorded with Darian Sahanaja of The Wondermints) will finally see an official release on Rev-Ola. When did you actually start with it, and what was the original idea?

Lisa Mychols: We started back in 1990. The original idea was to get a bunch of pain and heartbreak out of my system! I am now presently working with the guy that WAS that heartbreak! We are now great friends!

Robert Pally: On what other project are you working?

Lisa Mychols: The big Lisa Mychols solo project and a sixties covers CD.

Robert Pally: What do you work for living?

Lisa Mychols: I sell sporting goods on the side!

Robert Pally: What is / was your own favorite project / band?

Lisa Mychols: Always what I am presently doing!

www.tomlou.com/pitney.html

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