Phil Manzanera

ROXY MUSICIAN

What music are you currently grooving to?

My wife Claire is a massive Joni Mitchell fan, and whilst looking for new versions of Joni’s music over lockdown, I came across an album of hers called Both Sides, Now. It’s quite different, because it’s Joni singing standards like You’re My Thrill and At Last.

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

The Beatles.

I’d go for Revolver by

I loved Tomorrow Never Knows. That led me on a new path. In fact, I did a version of that with Brian Eno on [experimental supergroup’s 1976 album] 801 Live.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? A Shadows EP, with Apache on it, in 1960, just before coming to London. It was in a place called Chacao in Caracas. Those were really the only records you could buy there then.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? A composite person of Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and any of The

Beatles. Then I grew up and realised you have to be yourself.

What do you sing in the shower? Summer Holiday by Cliff Richard and The Shadows. I sing my own version, and I add “Not” before each line of every verse and every chorus. It makes me laugh and sets me up for each day.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Having a South American mother and being brought up in a Latin groove, it’s got to be Celia Cruz singing La Vida Es Un Carnaval. Everything is on the up, so it’s guaranteed to get everyone up and dancing.

And your Sunday morning record? Max Richter – Recomposed Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Max Richter’s like a continuation of Brian Eno, a wonderful, ambient type of classical composer. Either that or Miles Davis, In A Silent Way.

“I sing Summer Holiday but add ‘Not’ before each line.” PHIL MANZANERA