After thirteen long years without releasing any music, Ray Quinn is back with a brand-new album titled “Undeniable”! It is now available to listen to on all major streaming platforms, and on CD – both of which can be found here.
“Undeniable” sees ten magnificent tracks including covers such as “Mercy,” “If I Never Sing Another Love Song,” and “Clarity.” The album also features two amazing original songs “They Say Love,” and “Smile.”
We caught up with Ray to have a chat about all things music, what it’s like to be back after so long, and what future plans he may have. Check it out!:
Hi Ray! How are you?
I’m sound, how are you?
I’m doing really good thank you!
It’s all About the Noise!! Not too loud is it? I’m a bit old fashioned!
Haha! So, Let’s start by talking about your new album. You’re just about to release your new album “Undeniable”, congratulations! Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about it?
Well, where to start really, there’s lots to talk about. It’s a big band orchestral album, it’s a collection of songs spanning four decades. I’m covering artists from Tom Jones and Leo Sayer, to Duffy. All different types of fantastic artists that I’ve admired over the years. There’s two original songs on there, which is the first originals I’ve ever released really, properly, apart from an old EP that I did about five years ago.
Yeah, it’s fab, I really love it! It’s been twelve months in the making. I recorded it in Parr Street in Liverpool, and I’m super proud of it. It’s been thirteen years since I’ve released any music, so it’s a bit strange, a bit weird but exciting all at the same time!
Yeah, I can imagine! You just said it was 12 months in the making. Could you describe that process for us?
Yeah, so basically, I chose a song when we were first discussing another album. I chose ‘From Russia With Love’. I’m a big ‘Bond’ fan, and it was the first song that really sparked the whole process. And then it was like ‘ok, we’ve got this song and we like it, let’s do some more!’ So, then it was a case of gathering some more songs together.
I think that was the longest process, trying to choose a compilation of twelve to fifteen tracks, I guess, that would fit together well, that I was happy with, and that I was able to perform vocally. I love songs that I can’t necessarily perform vocally, because they might not be my key, so I wanted to do my version of those.
It was a case of in and out of the studio, back and forth with the musicians and the orchestra, and getting that process done first. And then, when the tracks were ready, I went in and put down the vocals.
So, again, it was a tough one, because I found the whole thing to be like, a bit nerve wracking at first, but then I slowly but surely got into it. It was almost like brand new, after so long. But me being a perfectionist, that was the hardest bit, listening back to it and wanting it just that little bit more perfect.
Sometimes I would just have to sit back and let the producer go ‘listen, it’s fine, we think it sounds great’. And I would be like ‘Oh but I could do better” You just have to trust the people that you’re with and for that period, I did.
That’s good. So, if you could choose one song on the album then, what would you say was your favourite, and why?
Well going back to that last answer, I think ‘From Russia With Love’, because it’s where it all began. That’s what sparked my creativity, with choosing all the rest of the songs, and trying to make it not just one genre of one year. You know, a group of collaborative tracks that sat well together, even though they were from completely different decades, they’re all undeniable, they are all suited. So that’s why I chose the name ‘Undeniable”. And that’s why that’s my favourite song.
A massive trend we see in the industry nowadays are collaborations. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would you choose and why?
That’s a tough one! I’ve got a lot of artists that I like. I would have loved to do one with Sammy Davis Junior, because I always thought that he was really creative in the way he sang. He could do impersonations of different people, so it would be a job well done if he could come in and play everybody else and himself, and I would only have to play one person!!
You’ve been a performer pretty much all your life, and you’ve achieved so many things. What has been a particular highlight for you, and why does that moment stand out?
I guess winning my acting awards as a kid was a real accolade for me. I’ve got those memories. And obviously, winning ‘Dancing on Ice’, the champion of champions. That was another one that stood out for me. And then getting to record my album again is a story I can tell my grandkids, that I’m so proud of. They all stand out for different reasons. Any time there’s been a challenge, I’ve always opened myself up to them and given my all, being the competitive guy that I am. I got the best out of every moment I was given, I believe.
I think that’s a good attitude to have!
You were actually very young when you started. Looking back now, what advice would you give to your younger self?
I don’t know! Maybe enjoy each thing differently, and then learn something new each chapter. So, I guess, trust the process. Don’t be worried about it, don’t worry about making changes all the time. Enjoy the process and trust more in yourself, and listen to your own heart. Yeah that’s a tough one.
Yeah, because you kind of learn different things, no matter what you do, don’t you, you grow with it.
Yeah, that’s it! So, I don’t think I’d change much about what I would say to myself, because I don’t think the process would have been any different.
You’ve had your fair share of soap acting roles, but you’ve also performed in musicals including the lead role of Don in Summer Holiday a couple of years back. That looked like a lot of fun!
It was!
If you could choose another musical to star in, what would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to do Tony Manero from ‘Saturday Night Fever’, but I would have to get back to the gym for that!! I’m thirty two tomorrow (25th August) so it would be a lot more difficult now, with the slightly older body! They say your prime is in your twenties, but I don’t know! But that was one I’ve always admired, I’ve always loved it and wanted to do it, so who knows!
So, going back to the music industry, you said that the last time you released music was thirteen years ago. A lot in the music industry has changed since then. Are you more nervous about releasing new music now?
No, again, I’m just happy-go-lucky, and enjoying the process. I’m not thinking too much about what I should be achieving, or where it should be in the chart.
I know it’s changed, I’m not stupid! I know that downloads are a different subject, and streaming and things. But I’m open to the challenge again. I’m not putting too much pressure on the album, or myself. I don’t think it’s worth it. I don’t need to be doing stuff like that, it would weigh me down. I feel that all that I’ve achieved and set out to do, was making the album, and then I’ve let the rest just happen.
I think that’s the best way to be. As long as you’re releasing music, and you’re proud of what you’re releasing, then nothing else really matters.
Yeah, because at the end of the day, I’m the artist. I’m the creative side. So as long as I’ve done my bit, I’m happy with that. I don’t have to worry about much else really!
Is there anything in the industry that you would change?
Anything about the industry that I would change? I don’t know how honest I can be!
To be honest I wouldn’t change anything, because I think we’re all getting used to it now, online, on the internet. And everything is so accessible now. Years ago, there was never any of that. If you wanted to go and see your favourite artist, you had to go in the car and buy a ticket, and go and see the show. Whereas now, you can click a button and see what Beyonce’s doing on your phone! You don’t have to lift a muscle or get off the couch. You can stream and download all kinds now. I think people move with the times though, don’t they, and I’m part of that movement.
So, this is the final question for you then, before I let you go. What’s next for you? Can you tell us of any future plans?
I would love to do another album. I would love to get this current album on the road. But with this pandemic and everything, you’ve got to keep you’re glass half full, you know. Hope for the best when the theatres will open, but it doesn’t look like they will be open any time soon, which is a shame. You couldn’t anticipate this whole lockdown thing, it’s crazy. But again, I’m just taking each day as it comes and staying positive. Happiness is key, isn’t it? We hope for the best with that. But then, who knows? I’m always open to challenges, always open to opportunities, and grabbing them with both hands.
I suppose with everything that’s going on at the moment, it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen.
I know. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. I mean, we were supposed to go back, but then Boris changed his mind and said ‘no, actually, we’re going to do another two weeks’. So, we’re not allowed any more live entertainment.
Boris is always changing his mind!
Yeah, but hey-ho! I feel sorry for him sometimes, because he’s got a big job on his hands, and he’s got the whole nation thinking ‘what the hell, come on!’. Of course he’s had coronavirus hasn’t he? And his missus was pregnant at the time. That’s a lot in itself, never mind running a country, so fairplay to him!
“Undeniable” is truly an incredible album and we wish Ray Quinn the best of luck with it! The full tracklist can be seen below. Be sure you go check it out and follow Ray on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates!
Tracklist:
- They Say Love
- If I Never Sing Another Song
- Arthur’s Theme
- Clarity
- I Who Have Nothing
- Mercy
- Smile
- You Don’t Know What Love Is
- From Russia With Love
- When I Need You
What did you think of “Undeniable”? Let us know your favourite song over on our Twitter! – @AboutThe_Noise