Upcoming 100: What inspired you to pursue a career in music and how did your journey begin?
Al Anderson: I needed a job that I can have a lot of fun with pay my bills. I came from a family of the musicians and there musical vibrations rubbed of on me.
Upcoming 100: Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines when creating new music?
Al Anderson: No, I hear the cords and melody first, find a rhythm that fits, the words come naturally.
Upcoming 100: Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Al Anderson: Peter, Bob and Bunny.Wes Montgomery, Chuck Berry, Albert King, Glen Campbell and, of course, Paul Kossoff. They have everything that a guitarist needs to fulfill his desires.
Upcoming 100: What themes or messages do you explore in your music and why are they important to you?
Al Anderson: It’s a spiritual experience, when you’re exploring the music within. It will tell you everything you need to know. This is important because then it becomes the real you.
Upcoming 100: How has your music evolved since your first release and what do you think has driven that evolution?
Al Anderson: Our first release was only in English. Today we have compositions in Espanyol and English. Espanyol and English speaking listeners are my largest audience. Artists and musicians come together and we become the United Nations of sound.
Upcoming 100: Can you share a memorable moment from your live performances that stands out to you?
Al Anderson:
• Playing with Bob Marley and The Wailers in front of 120 000 people in Milan Arena, Italy in 1980.
• Performing 7 shows over 4 nights in October 1979 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem N.Y.C.
• In 2019 The Original Wailers performed as headliner for King Mohammed VI Birthday Celebration in Agadir, Morocco in front of hundreds of thousands of people.
Upcoming 100: What role does collaboration play in your work? Do you have any dream collaborations you would like to pursue?
Al Anderson: Collaboration is an idea on a subject that more then one mind and one mouth that makes the decisions. I would like to work with Vybz Kartel, because he has the voice of the people in Jamaica today as I had with The Wailers when I was living in Jamaica.
Upcoming 100: How do you handle creative blocks or challenges during the songwriting process?
Al Anderson: When you’re in the studio creating, if it doesn’t happen in the first 15 minutes and the song sounds like it could be a challenge to complete and you don’t have a lot of studio time, just move on to the next tune and try again another day.
Upcoming 100: What do you hope listeners take away from your music and how do you connect with your audience?
Al Anderson: Hopefully the listeners understand this cultural music and lyrics. It’s all about the performance, sound and all the vibes that goes down in a Roots Rock Reggae show.
Upcoming 100: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of your music career and what can fans expect from you next?
Al Anderson:
#1 Finish the album “Mirror Of Heaven”
#2 I would like to stay on the road continuously playing the music we all love.
#3 What can fans expect from you next? Expect our very best we can give.
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COMMENTS
#4 go home to NJ,and play for your old friends!?
Watched Al’s brothers band win a battle of the bands in high school. A long time ago. All I remember is they were really good.?
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