STEPHEN BLACK
(SWEET BABOO)
answers the MUSIC WORKS Questionnaire
1.QUALIFICATIONS?
10 GSCEs, 3 A levels and a degree in playing the clarinet.
2.CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
It’s difficult to pick just one as it’s been a pretty fun ride over the years so I’m opting for the vague option of ‘I’m happy to not have to work in an office’.
3.AMBITIONS?
Please see above.
4.WHICH SONG(S) YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?
Today I wish I had written Make it Easy on Yourself by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
5.DESERT ISLAND DISCS?
How many do I get to choose? One ? Maybe something by Robert Wyatt, Ruth is Stranger than Richard? That’s a pretty varied listen so would keep me going.
6.FAVOURITE ARTISTS/BANDS OF ALL TIME?
The Beach Boys, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Paul McCartney, Daniel Johnston, and recently Arthur Russell, Robert Wyatt and Harry Nilsson.
7.WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW?
I’m not, I’m listening to Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast with Johnny Vegas. It’s a good one.
8.THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
It was a book on the music biz called Cowboys and Indies. I’ve just started reading Dracula but haven’t got very far.
9.HOBBIES?
Gardening, badminton and music.
10.VINYL, CASSETTE, CD, MP3, WEB STREAMING?
I mainly buy vinyl as it’s the biggest and best but I use all of them I guess. Vinyl looks good. Cassettes are affordable to make. I use CDs in the car and I use MP3s and streaming to share songs and for ease of use on the interweb. I’m pro-formats.
11.(INDIE) MUSIC IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET?
I’m not sure to be honest. It’s certainly easier to get your music out there but I’m not sure it always gets heard. I’m getting older and lazier though so I wouldn’t listen to me. I’m all for doing it yourself.
12.PERSONAL MOTTO?
Not Applicable.
