‘I’ve never lived here before but guess what? I love it!’
R&B LEGEND HAS SET UP HOME IN OUR CITY
NOT many people will know that American soul and R&B legend Alexander O’Neal has set up home in Manchester. The hitmaker from Minneapolis moved here four months ago with his wife Cynthia – and he’s fallen in love with the city.
Alexander can often be spotted out cycling in the city centre where he lives, or enjoying walks while taking in the sights, and he even loves our notoriously wet weather.
He told us in an exclusive chat from the swanky Hotel Gotham, one of his favourite places in the city: “My new team is based in Manchester and I’m working with a new team of producers here in the city.
“There’s a lot of great bands that have come out of Manchester.
“My very good friend Russell Watson is from Manchester.
“Coming to Manchester and being part of the city, my manager told me I would love it. I’ve been here several times before but never lived here and guess what? I love it.
“I’m even loving the weather because we love that overcast weather and rain.
“We’re just enjoying ourselves and the move. People here are so friendly.”
Alexander’s 1987 album Hearsay, including the classic hit singles Criticize and Fake, has been re-mastered and rerecorded with new vocals and a nine-piece band here in Manchester.
The album is out on Friday as Hearsay30 and he feels it’s his proudest work to date, creating what he describes as a ‘Maneapolis’ sound. “So far I like to be in Spinningfields and I love to go for walks along the river,” he added. “It’s a great chance for me to clear my head and everything here is so accessible in Manchester. “I’m just finding my way around. I do ride a bicycle and I ride my bike around so you might see me out on the road sometime. “That’s how I get to learn the city. “Some people recognise me and can’t believe I’m in Manchester and ask me ‘what are you doing in Manchester?’ “And I say ‘I’m loving it, dawg, that’s what I’m doing.’ “The city of Manchester has so much character and I’m enjoying being part of it.”
Manchester has so much character and I’m enjoying being a part of it Alexander O’Neal