The momentum of George Soule's most recent release ‘Let Me Be A Man’ keeps on building. This is a man of many talents - singer/ songwriter/ musician/ producer/ broadcaster, etc - and a writer of songs performed by artists as diverse as blind blues/ soul hero Clarence Carter, Scottish legend Lulu and Motown icons Temptations and Supremes. The unsung king of blue-eyed soul happily donates a few spare minutes of his time to tell all about meeting his heroes, taking messages for rock legends, and being impressed by the possible and positive Stateside potential of a rising cult West Country rap artist, a fellow veteran blue-eyed soulster and a certain ex-girl band member turned reality show sweetheart. Black Sheep Mag's Felix Mensah got the lowdown.

Please introduce yourself to the readership of Blacksheep, who you are and your most recent album release.

Take a look at my Wikipedia info page, everything that you need to know about me is all there. 

How did the idea of the ‘Let Me Be A Man’ project came about?

Garry J Cape in Wakefield, England (Soulscape Records) put the project together with the help of my old writing partner Terry Woodford.

The 26-track project is a mixture of demos and masters is starting to get serious attention by specialist DJs and fans alike, winning new fans en route – why do you think that there is a buzz building up regarding this project?

There has over the years been an interest in Muscle Shoals recordings with collectors in Europe, more so in the United Kingdom. I feel the 'buzz' is a combination of love of Southern/Northern Soul and the age of the masters.

Have you ever had the pleasure of working with any of your heroes

Yes, Ray Charles during the taping of ABC's TV Show 'Shindig' in 1965. While living in Muscle Shoals many of my heroes came to town to record. I didn't work with them but one of the most memorable was the Rolling Stones session when 'Brown Sugar' was recorded. Terry Woodford and I were in charge of taking messages for them and the Atlantic executives.

Are there any artists that you would like to or would’ve liked to work with but have not?

I gotta think about this one! 

Hailing from the American South, did you ever encounter any unpleasant or problematic situations as a white soul singer?

Not one problem.

How does it feel to have worked in iconic establishments/music mecca’s like Fame, Muscle Shoals studios, Music Mill & Malaco Records?

Being very young at the time I didn't realize the worldwide impact the music from these studios would have now>>>>Awesome!

Your best known recording ‘Get Involved’ started out as a demo for Wilson Pickett….Were you delighted that R & B stations made it a hit and that it was a featured track on the iconic Soul Train show?

Very delighted, and writer George Jackson's lyrics are as true today as they were decades ago. Possibly more so today.

Have you met any of the artists that recorded any of your compositions?

Yes, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Judy Clay, Mavis Staples, (Pops Staples attended my bachelors party in 1970). Bobby Womack and many more I can't remember at the moment.

Are there any plans to visit the UK?

I would love to visit the UK again.....No plans at present.

Despite years of recordings, it took until 2006 to release a debut album project ‘Take A Ride’ – what was the reason for the delay for a debut album? 

Although I had several singles released in the 70s I considered myself a songwriter, and was not looking to be an artist on a serious basis.

For almost a decade from the late 70s, you took time out from music to work for the family iron smelting business , what made you return and did the sabbatical refresh you?

I returned to Muscle Shoals in 1987 and by that time many of the session players had moved to Nashville. Country music had become the largest radio format in America. I did demos for a few local Country Writers, wrote a few jingles etc.. During the Sabbatical I was miserable.

In the ‘2000’s’ , you were part of the much revered ‘Country Soul Revue’ are there any plans to revive it?

I don't know if there are any plans or not. Larry Jon Wilson passed away several years ago and CSR from my perspective would be missing a very strong link if that project was revived.

Who would be in your ideal supergroup?

If I ever needed a group "The Decoys" from Muscle Shoals. (They have a Facebook page),

Though you are fiercely proud of your Southern roots, if fate dealt an alternative hand for you to work for either Motown or Philadelphia International would you have accepted the offer to relocate North?

Philadelphia International without a doubt. I had several offers in the old days to relocate. Looking back that was a huge error.

What do you think of the recording artists of today and are there any current artists out there that you would like to work with?

There are so many good artists out there, but if I were to work with one I'd choose Seal. It's nice to know that generation is recording old school R&B.

From an American perspective, what are your thoughts of oversees recording artists, anyone from outside America do you think has potential Stateside appeal?

Kenny Thomas, he has been around for over 20 years, but his stuff past as well as current is absolutely great! My kind of music and it should do well in any market. Alesha Dixon, her vocal performance and videos are as good or even better than some current US productions. It's really up to her record company, or more to the point her management to bring her over here to the States, that lady certainly has potential for America, very impressive, Good Stuff!!

David Veale is a good rapper. Not quite knowing the US rap/hip-hop market, it is quite difficult for me to know what would sell here in the States. I have listened to his current release (No Pain, No Gain), and I 'think' out of those 18 tracks, that would work here in the States are ‘Anyone In The World’, ‘I Got Your Number’, ‘You Can't Hurt Me No More’, ‘Better Days’, ‘Miles In The Sky’ and ‘Where I Live’ – a musical breath of fresh air for US radio, well written and produced and what the US Hot 100 needs right now.

Finally, sir what are your future plans?

Future plans: A difficult question to answer, Being in my middle 60s the best answer I can think of is just "Roll with the Flow". I'm not planning any new projects but if one shows up, I'm ready.

Check out George's Wikipedia page: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soulé_(musician)