Frazey Ford

VANCOUVER SOUL

What music are you currently grooving to?

I’ve been revisiting Nina Simone’s live 1968 album, ’Nuff Said! She’s the master of impeccable, sparse groove. I also love Khruangbin and Leon Bridges’ collaboration EP, Texas Sun, and Deva Mahal’s cover of her dad’s [Goffin & King cover] Take A Giant Step. I’m newly obsessed with an Ethiopian nun and solo pianist Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou. She’s otherworldly. Joan Armatrading’s Whatever’s For Us, was my summer go-to record. Jennifer Castle’s Monarch Season is dreamy.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album?

It would have to be Al Green, I’m Still In Love With You. I’ve listened to it thousands of times. I never tire of it.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

When I was about 11, I used to get a $5 allowance for doing chores. I’d ride the bus every weekend to A&B Sound in Vancouver. The first record I bought was Prince, Purple Rain. My best friend and I would change the light bulbs to blue and stay up in our purple ’80s outfits, lip syncing and air guitaring to When Doves Cry and Let’s Go Crazy.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? I really wanted to be Diana Ross, when I was 10.

What do you sing in the shower? Lately, Joni Mitchell’s Court And Spark, J.J. Cale, Don’t Go To Strangers.

What is your favourite Saturday night record? Funkadelic, Maggot Brain, or D’Angelo, Voodoo.

And your Sunday night record?

I’ve spent Sunday mornings since the pandemic began watching Phil Cook’s livestream gospel show, Spiritual Helpline. It’s a beautiful vibe.

Frazey’s U Kin B The Sun is on Arts & Crafts.