There would be a riot if I didn’t play All Around The World!

British soul singer Lisa Stansfield tells MARION McMULLEN the secret of touring success... a plate of steak and chips

AWONDERFULLY dirty laugh rings out from Lisa Stansfield at the end of one of the tracks of her forthcoming album, Deeper.

It’s a glorious moment for the 51-year-old singer with the distinctive set of pipes. Her music has been filling dance floors and airwaves around the world since 1989 and the album opener, Everything, recently topped the UK soul charts.

“It’s like being given a beautiful big kick with a soft shoe up the a***,” contends Lisa happily, as she points out that Deeper is the perfect album to play before a Friday night out – and the ideal Saturday morning comeback soundtrack.

Her eighth studio album was recorded with her husband and long-time song-writing partner Ian Devaney at their studio in Rochdale – “We’re very self-contained,” she laughs, “it’s like our own bijou cottage industry” – and follows the success of Seven, four years ago.

The couple celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year, but have been together for 30 years and Lisa reveals there is no big secret to the success of their relationship, saying they just enjoy each other’s company and have always worked well together right from the beginning.

The northern lass, who was born in Manchester, also took on the role of executive producer for Deeper and says working on the tracks reminded her of how they used to make the first albums.

“I’m so serious about this and I’m wearing all sorts of different hats,” she says. “Creating this album was a wonderful adventure.

“I really believe there is special something in this record. I’m so excited to let it go out into the big wide world with pride.”

Lisa’s contribution to British soul is undeniable with a string of hit singles including All Around The World, All Woman and The Real Thing, plus many award-winning albums.

She has sold nearly 20 million records worldwide and had a string of international top 10 hits, but says she will never stop making music and touring because she just loves it so much.

“As long as I can and people still want me to do it, I’ll be doing it,” she smiles, “and no one is wailing ‘Oh, not her again. They’ve let Stansfield out.’”

She will be back on tour – including dates in London, Birmingham and Gateshead – when her birthday comes around on April 11 and laughingly wails: “I always end up working on my birthday.”

But she says she will be sticking to the bland and boring when it comes to eating on tour and dairy products will definitely be off the menu.

“It’s bad for the voice,” she says. “When I am working and singing there is a lot I can’t eat like cream, milk and cheese. I have to make sure I’ve got a good voice for the concert.

“I also don’t want to fall ill so I’ll normally end up eating steak and chips wherever we go. You can’t go far wrong with a big plate of steak and chips. It’s a bit like Donald Trump eating McDonalds. I’m very satisfied if there’s steak and chips around. I never have anything else.

“When we’re touring we are all on the coach together and we sort of look after each other.

“It was hard work going on tour in the beginning, but now I know to expect the unexpected.

“Things can go wrong, but we’re ready for them. If you can see the pitfalls coming then you can work around them.

“I don’t have to tour. I’m really doing it because I love it and I’m excited people still want me to do it.”

The Grammy nominated, multi-Brit, Ivor Novello and Silver Clef award winner describes the forthcoming concert dates as “a night out!” and is looking forward to playing old favourites as well as some of the new tracks from Deeper.

She adds: “The concerts will be a chance to truly let yourself go and forget about the every day. A fun show with seriously good music.

“I’ve been doing it for so long, but it’s what I’ll enjoy. I always play the hits especially you know what.”

That would be All Around The World for those who cannot guess Lisa’s biggest hit.

She admits: “There’d be a riot if I didn’t do that. People sing it to me all the time. I’ve got in cabs and had drivers start to sing it to me.”

The famous laugh roars out one more time as she says: “I just go ‘oh, yeah good one,’ but I don’t sing it back to them.”

■ Deeper is released on April 6 and the new tour begins on the same date. Go to lisa-stansfield. com for further details.

Lisa Stansfield, above, whose new album Deeper, inset below, is released next month

Lisa Stansfield on stage in Paris in June 1992