You and Jack Nicholson have been good friends since working together on the film, “Carnal Knowledge.” Have you two discussed working together again? Never in specific.
What led you to teach mathematics at a private school in Litchfield, Connecticut? The school was near my house. I was dropping out after "Bridge Over Troubled Water". I was in a relationship. The black and white of Math appealed to me.
What parts of Angel Clare were recorded outside the studio? Roy's dog, Hans, in his yard in Tiburon (S.F.) for "I Shall Sing". Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill for the end of Side 1.
“Second Avenue” (U.S. #34) was a hit single for you in 1974. Why was it not included on the Breakaway album? I never liked it as much as other people do. Heavy handed back beat.
What led you to perform the vocals on the mega-hit “Bright Eyes,” Mike Batt’s song from Watership Down? The demo came to me in Malibu. I loved it.
With the exception of “My Little Town,” all the songs on the Watermark album were written by Jimmy Webb. What led you to produce an album with just Webb tunes? Why not? He's great.
What led you to sing the Stephen Bishop song, “One Less Holiday?” Love the meloday. To me, it's "Streisandesque."
Have you continued your walk across Europe? How far have you traveled? I leave next week (ed. note: June 2011) for the final 10% - northern Greece.
“I Wonder Why,” a favorite for many from the Lefty album was recorded with the late Kenny Rankin. What led you to perform with Mr. Rankin? Great singer. Don't remember the specifics of how it came together.
You co-produced Lefty and The Animals’ Christmas with Geoff Emerick who engineered several Beatles albums. What led you to work with Mr. Emerick? His brillance as an engineer. Our mutual friend, Jimmy Webb.
In 1990, at the request of the U.S. State Department, you performed before 1.4 million people at an outdoor rally to support and promote democracy in Sofia, Bulgaria. What memories do you have of that performance? Being held in an attic apartment, seeing the enormous crowd below at the huge city crossroad.
Was Marvin Hamlisch in the studio with you when you recorded “Brooklyn Bridge,” the theme song for the TV show Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge?” Yes. And so was the wrtier Alan Bergman.
Where did you learn to juggle (as seen on Songs of America)? In my alleyway between my Queens house and the neighbor's - 8 years old or so.
You performed an exquisite partial harmony duet with Julio Iglesias on the Everly Brothers tune "Let It Be Me." What was it like to record with someone with a heavy Latin accent? Thank you. It was for me a 'tour de force', a funny hybrid of diction.
You performed “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” for the film As Good As It Gets. How did this come about? What was it like to work with Hans Zimmer? The great director, Jim Brooks, called me (he knows me through Penny Marshall).
Where did you learn to shoot foul shots so well? One summer in the Catskills in the 50s I had "whooping cough". I loved basketball but I was a one man player.
You have performed for the British Royal Family on several occasions. It must have been quite an honor? It was. My friend, Nicole Hambro, invited me. She chose "Kathy's Song".
Where were you and how did you learn about the attack on your home city on 9/11? In my hotel in Nashville, about to go to the studio and do vocals for my trio album for Billy Mann. Maia called my room - "You watching tv?"
You recorded “Morning Has Broken” with Diana Krall. How did that recording come about? What was it like to sing with Diana? On a cruise, from the tip of South America to the Antarctica, at the turning of the millenium 12/31/99, Paddy Moloney (Chieftains) pulled us into the ship library where he had set up recording equipment. It was a challenge - she is a different kind of singer from me.
I understand Dame Julie Andrews requested you to record “Grateful” for her illustrated children’s book. It must have been quite an honor to be asked by Dame Andrews to record a song? She and I both honored John Bucchino's fine song.
You and Paul Simon ended your 2004 European tour with a performance in front of 600,000 fans outside the Coliseum in Rome, Italy. Tell us what you remember about this performance? It was a "home run" of an experience. Very much full of love from the Italians. They seemed like American cousins.
Are you and producer Richard Perry planning to record another album of classic songs? Not at the moment. But I like this idea.
Will you ever re-release Lefty? Yes. We must.
Joanne Woodward specifically asked you to perform at the Celebration of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps hosted by Robert Redford and Julia Roberts. Were you friends with Ms. Woodward and Mr. Newman? I knew Paul a little bit.
What are some of your guilty pleasures? I like the smell of the sweat under my arms.
You possess a uniquely beautiful counter-tenor voice (or is it tenor?). Is there anyone recording today that has a similar vocal pitch? A few have my pitch. No one has my sound.
Did you turn down the role of Tom Hagen in The Godfather? No.
What qualities or specific strengths do you look for when selecting an outside producer for a project? I don't "select." Life happens. Compatibility is about having "a good ear". Ie. What I call "the good stuff". (the good take), he calls the same.
Have you considered releasing a live album from your tour with Nicky Hopkins in the 1980’s? No.
Gustav Klimt or Piet Mondrian? George Gershwin or Cole Porter? Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols? Gustav Klim. George Gershwin. Don't ask a Phillies fan to choose.
You have walked across America, Japan and Europe. Is there such a thing as unique topography? Not really. It's all unique unto itself.
If we were to open your cd player or walkman, what artists would we be likely to find? Chet Baker. Snatam Kaur. James Garfunkel
Are there artists currently recording who have told you that you were a major influence on their musical career(s)? I suspect I influenced the Fleet Foxes.
What are the most important future projects that you would like to accomplish? I want to write a bookl. I want to tour with Paul. I want to see a 2CD or 3CD set of the best of my life's recording with and without Paul.
What is your favorite song to sing, simply for the enjoyment of it? "The Promise" by Nick Holmes.
Do you still play the guitar and piano? Any other instruments? Not really. The voice is my instrument.
Is it terribly strange to be turning 70? ;-) It's a little strange. The meaning of the number changes with the changes of vantage point.
There have been several Simon and Garfunkel rarities released over the last several years. Do you plan to release rarities from your solo career? "Rarities"; aren't those the things that are put out inspite of the artist's intentions?
