Laura Branigan - 'Dim All The Lights' [cc] Live plus interview and cooking! - Talking Food (1995)

[@debblackmore7460]

1982 till now 2019 always in my mind and heart xx

[@garymarquett2866]

She was gorgeous

[@LauraBraniganForever]

Transcript! Robin: We'll be talking food and we're going to be talking music now because we're going to sit back, relax and listen to the Best of Branigan. This is the new album, her seventh. It charts, of course, back to Laura's earliest and greatest success. Although a new addition to her work, no doubt you'll all recognize this song as one that gets your feet moving to the groove in an instant. From the Donna Summer version, and you'll do it fifty times better... Laura: Oh, thank you! Robin: Dim All The Lights! *** Song *** Robin: I said it would be great, and you came through! That was fabulous! Didn't you love our orch... Let's here it! Absolutely great! Laura: Thank you. Robin: And, just like in the Benson and Hedges commercials, our 100 piece orchestra was handing out, out on the skyscrapers Laura: They're all up there! Robin: of New York City! Now, you have this voice that really could do R&B, really great. Laura: Oh, thank you. Robin: Do you ever think about that? Laura: Yes, yes. That's what I want to do. Robin: So, that could be your next CD? Laura: I'd like to lean towards that, that's all.... My favorite music is R&B, and my idols; Gladys and Ray, Aretha... Robin: I'm going to spend the weekend with Aretha Franklin. Laura: Oh! Robin: I'm going to have lunch with her. Laura: Where! Robin: Sunday, up in Foxwoods Casino Connecticut. Laura: I've been up there, it's beautiful. Robin: Sit around, and watch the show. Laura: She's singing up there? Robin: Yeah, this weekend. So I go to listen. But, I'll tell her that you are an admirer. And, the two of you will talk. Laura: If I wasn't playing this weekend, I'd be there. Robin: We'll talk about that. Don't touch that clicker, we'll be right back with more Laura Branigan in just a moment. (Ti Amo) *** part 2 *** 05:09 Laura: What a voice, what a voice. Robin: Actually, she's still out there singing. Laura: She's still out there... Robin: I just saw a photograph of her this Sunday. Laura: I did, too. I saw it, too. She's great, and she has a wonderful voice, and, um... so... Robin: Since we're started talking about "Dim Out the Lights", "Dim Down The Lights", if ever there was a queue to look at a clip. Laura: Oh, yeah. Do you want to see this? Robin: Yes Laura: I hope they put the queens in. Robin: I don't know why you've come back to me, Brad, because I would have much preferred seeing some more of that. Laura: You know, did you see that, the one, the person going like this (motions her hands over her head) with the big wig. (gestures to Robin) That was Robin. Robin: No! Doing my RuPaul impression. It's totally untrue. A blatant lie by Laura Branigan. Ummm, but I've often wondered what it would be like. Laura: Have you ever? Robin: No, never. Laura: Do you swear? Robin: This is my show! Laura: Changing, changing. Robin: I don't sing, and you don't interview, alright? Is that a good deal? Now, this album contains, like, a few of your favorite cuts of music from all time? Laura: Yes. Robin: So tell us, walk us through the album, what's in it, and why you picked it. Laura: Okay, well, first I had to include the basis of my hits. And, then after it was through that, I thought oh my god, I forgot this one, and forgot that one. But, you know I've had greatest hits all over the work, but I've never had one here, and I've had so many requests, so, we did that and we cut four extra songs on it. Four new songs to bring something new to it. And, it's really a walk through from the beginning of my career to where I am now. And, a taste of the future. Then I'm going to go back into the studio in the fall, to start another album. Robin: When you win one, then a second... Laura: When you win... Robin: then a third, then a fourth Grammy nomination, Laura: yep Robin: Right? How do you keep wanting to get more? Do you know what I'm asking? Laura: You know, I don't think of the Grammy nominations as much as I think of getting, GETTING THAT HIT! And, getting that right song that will satisfy me artistically, vocally and yet have the commercial quality. Sometimes you get the artistic and it doesn't go commercially, and sometimes you go way too commercially and it just sounds like it's not you, which I've done. Robin: Seven albums. Laura: That's right. Robin: Seven albums, to date. Laura: Yes. Robin: Which is pretty impressive track record. This is a dance album? You've done dance before? Is this a return, like to... Laura: Oh yeah. I mean, my first song, hit was Gloria, and that came out of the gay clubs. Robin: See, I wouldn't have described that as "dance". Laura: Yeah, right, it's more of a celebratory song, you know. That's the way people see it. But, it came, radio resisted Gloria for a long time. And then, the gays jumped on it. Robin: (Radio) Probably 'cause they played it backwards and upside down. Laura: lol Yeah. Well, it was very European sounding. Robin: all right. We're going to be back with more Laura Branigan, in just a moment. And, we want to find out when we do, is just why some of these hits about women you've sung about, they all tend to be on the verge of a... Laura: Of a nervous breakdown! Robin: We'll be back in just a moment. (The Lucky One) *** part 3 *** 08:40 Robin: Why do you find those songs? How do you get them? Some of them, I mean, it's sort of like a theme. Laura: It is, it's a... Robin: I mean, there's nothing troubling you, is there? Laura: No! LOL But, there's nothing more satisfying for a vocalist, to find a song that's just packed with all of that emotion and have the vocal range as well. So that you're completely wrung dry when you're through singing it. I think that pain is the greatest, the most powerful emotion in the world. Reaching an audience through pain... the greatest thing is to see them sit there and cry. Robin: I guess, but emotion is what it's all about. Laura: Yeah. Robin: And, you can still do that with disco, by the way. Laura: Oh, yeah. Robin: And, you'll do that with R&B. Laura: Yeah. Robin: Now, on a Tuesday night, here in NYC, as we're battening down the hatches with hurricane Felix headed our way, and goodness knows where the rain and snow and sleet will storm. It'll be interesting, my cab driver said to me this morning, he said, "I've never driven in a hurricane Mr Leach." I said, "I pray you don't, my friend". But, you're taking off. You're off tot he far east. Laura: I'm going to Korea. I play Westbury this weekend. This coming weekend, on the 20th. And, the 19th I'm at Fernwood, in the pocanos. And, then after that I go to Korea. Robin: Right, and Singapore. Laura: And, Singapore, and Shanghai. Robin: Shanghai?! Laura: Yes, Shanghai is beautiful. Robin: I've been there! Laura: You have?! Didn't you love it. Robin: It's a wild city! It's a great city! Are you going to sing there? Laura: I love it there. Robin: Are you going to hop over to the Great Wall. Laura: I might. Robin: And, do "Dim The Lights" "Dim The Lights". Laura: If the traffic is good that day. LOL Robin: I like the idea. Are the Chinese big fans of Branigan? Laura: Yeah! Robin: Yes? Laura: The Chinese are. I have a huge international following. Robin: And, what about "Dim The Lights"? Are you going to that, get them disco dancing over there? Laura: I'll get them, yeah. I'll sing my Chinese song. Robin: When you go on the road, how do you look after yourself food wise? Shanghai, there's no problem, food... Laura: I eat everything in site! Robin: Everything in site?! Laura: LOL No, you know, I have to always watch it, because I saw myself... I remember when I started out, I was a... I was a well fed girl. Robin: Yes. I did say that to you once, didn't I. Laura: And, I saw myself on TV. LOL Robin: So, you've lost a couple. A couple of pounds. Laura: A couple. Robin: Looks great, though. Laura: Thank you. Robin: Do you cook as obsessively as you sing? Laura: Yes. When I'm, if I'm stressed out about something, I'm like (ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta) chopping up things. I love cooking. I love it to relax, and to have fun. I think it's, the greatest thing to have a bunch of friends over, get the wine out, start cooking. Robin: Now, of course, our family of loyal viewers out there tonight watching, it always amuses me... Tonight I was in a restaraunt and somebody said, "Are you Robin Leach?" and I said, "Yes, most of the time." (they said) "Well, why are you here?" And, I said, "Well, probably for the same reason you are, actually. Why are you here?" (they said) "Well, I came to have dinner." I said, "Well, what do you think I came to do, the dishes or...?" Laura: I eat! robin: A lot of people out there, don't know that we can actually cook in the kitchen. Right? Laura: Isn't that strange? Robin: It is strange. But, there is a vision of you, in preformance, on the stage, gorgeous ball round, evening gown... Laura: (Laughing hard) Robin: Or, black chantilly lace blouse, Laura: Right. Robin: You don't conjure up immedietly a picture of Laura Branigan in the kitchen. But, you're a pretty good chef, as well. Laura: Oh yeah, I'm really good. Robin: Collect recipes , right? Laura: I read... I love cooking. I this show all of the time, learning things. It's the great expression of art, for me. Robin: And, therapy. Laura: And, therapy. It really is. Robin: Because, it does clean out the old brains. Laura: Sure, because all you think about is cooking. Get that knife out and (ch ch ch ch ch). Robin: That's right. What sort of things do you favor at recipes, what do you favor of foods? Laura: I'm cooking tonight, something special. It's a very light, summer thing, with garlic. I love garlic. I love sauces. And, I like things that take a long time. And, garlicy. Robin: Garlic's very healthy for you. A bit smelly, but it's very healthy for you. Laura: It's very... Cleanses your body. Robin: So are those brand new vitamin pills, that don't smell. Laura: Zonk, right! LOL Robin: You're done after you take it, and it's done the same as the old herbal medicine. Laura: You know, the thing, when you chop garlic for a couple of hours, or an hour and you go to bed. And, in the middle of the night, you wake up and you (smells her hands) your hands. So, you put lemon on your hands, to get rid of it. That's a tip. Robin: That's right. Actually, you put the lemon on before you cut it. Laura: Oh, you do? Robin: Well, if you do, you won't get the ... Laura: Oh, is that true? Robin: Yeah. You didn't know that? Laura: (Shakes her head) Robin: You can put lemon on your hands for many things. You can put lemon on your hands, and then put on plastic gloves, as well. Laura: LOL Robin: No, it's true. For whatever purpose, you know. If you're gutting the inside of a turkey. Laura: Or a fish. Robin: Or a fish. Laura: Which we did this weekend. Robin: Yes? You did? Laura: A blue, this big. (hands out) Robin: So, before I let you go into the kitchen and cook with our Jennifer, what's your favorite cut on the "Best of Branigan"? Laura: Probably, Power of Love. Robin: Why? Laura: Because, as I've said, as I was just explaining, it's the kind of song that takes every ounce of my being, every minutia of anything that's inside of me, emotionally and vocally, to sing. I have to give everything I have. Robin: Now, I think of you as this "one take" genius. Laura: Part of the time. Robin: But, many times you have to do take after take, becasue the engioneer isn't right, or the tape is wrong. Laura: Right, yes. Robin: How do you summon that emotion you've just described, if you do it more than once. Laura: You just feel it. You be there now. When I sang "Power of Love" in the studio, you know, sometimes when you hit the big notes, the air goes to your head. I fainted. Robin: Really?! Laura: LOL "Where is she?" Robin: Really? That emotion? That intensity? Laura: Well, it's also the vocal power. If you hit the vocal power right, it shoots to your head. It comes from here (diaphgram) and it shoots up, and sometimes it hits you so hard, that you get dizzy. Robin: I guess I haven't been doing this show right, becasue I've never fainted. Laura: Anyway, pleasing to our ears and to our palates, it's the fainting Laura Branigan, makes hits in the kitchen, next with our Jennifer Morris. (Self Control) *** part 5 *** 20:51 Jennifer: Isn't it nice? Robin: Well, both of it's sense of aroma and... you've whipped that up pretty fast. Laura: No fat, you don't have to put the olive oil. Robin: No fat, no cholesteral? Laura: I had to whip it up fast they were going...! lol Robin: Look at those healthy portions that you're serving! Jennifer: It's good! Good harty, nutritious. Laura: Can you show this? Robin: We've shown it. Laura: I want to show the juice. Robin: The juice? Oh, here you go! Laura: See all the juice that's collected. Robin: yes. That's great. Laura: Yeah, isn't that great. All natural. Robin: So, this is how you go through a day, right? Laura: Yeah. Robin: Do you eat a big breakfast? Laura: Yes. Robin: Big breakfast. Laura: No lunch. Robin: No lunch. Dinner? Laura: Yep. Robin: Early. Laura: Or, light dinner. Robin: Light dinner. And, if you're singing, late dinner? Laura: Yeah, a side of beef. LOL (Hugs Robin) Robin: How much weight do you lose when you've been singing for a night? Laura: Oh, a couple of pounds, yeah. I'm pretty tired. Robin: And, have you fainted while you've been emotionally singing? Laura: No, but I've gotten really dizzy where I had to sit on the drum riser or something. And, sing from there. Robin: Really?! Laura: Yeah. Robin: This is a whole new dimension. I have a great new respect for all of you from this! Laura: Well, not everyone gets that. Because, you know, it's the range. You've got to have 4 octaves. Robin: Is that the secret? Laura: Well, yeah. It doesn't have the big big range. You get those big notes. Zonk! Go right to the top of your head. Robin: It's unbelieveable. Tomorrow night, ....... Laura Branigan, it's been a delight! If this works, we should here the "Power of Love". Laura Branigan, on the "Best of Branigan", Atlantic CD. (Power of Love)

[@reddragon3733]

If I close my eyes, and didn't know this was Laura Branigan, I hear The Great Donna Summer. Two Great Singers that Star dimmed to soon. I miss them both.

[@MissJensk1]

Really? She sounds totally different.

[@franckmonteiro6500]

Forever young lacy laura

[@GreenerHill]

Great to see Laura with a teddy-bear! :)

[@chaitomalabcad4303]

Excellent

[@karenkaufmann559]

wonderful video! Thank you for sharing.

[@cristianocarmo7140]

Que pessoa agradável de se conversar. Divertida e um pouco seria quando tem que ser. 🙏🙏🙏

[@celinemaher5761]

If the same thing happened today on TV, there would be a riot.

[@scottjulie27]

I would've done the same thing as Robin Leach in the beginning. :))) Just hold on to her and ask her not to let go. :)))) I freakin' love her!!! :))))

[@lmc2375]

I never knew she covered this song of DS ... just now read it. One of my fav songs for years.

[@johngreene9220]

Omg....did not know she did this. I only knew Donna's version

[@SammieBayShowsmb2k]

also a good at kitchen laura was... nice nice nice

[@freeride_unleashed]

Rock, Pop, "Rap", Cooking, acting and she also had a big heart❤💔

[@elionoraful]

Thank you!!

[@celinemaher5761]

What a jerk he was to say she could do it 50 times better. Donna Summer is a legend. Laura is too. Both great voices.

[@guitar11diary]

He is not a jerk. Just a lovely man who treated Laura kind.

[@joslinjoslin5246]

Laura 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 Branigan 🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋RIP

[@franckmonteiro5824]

Good day my lady Laura. You is beautiful kiss for you

[@wandajames6234]

interesting that she talks about dizziness and fainting on those big notes, may have been a sign of a weakness in the vessels of the brain which became the aneurysm that killed her.... my mother died the same way. likely i will too as both parents had them.

[@MissJensk1]

I had a similar thought. I've experienced what she describes when singing too. Worrying thinking about it now, as my Mum died from a stroke.

[@jorgevargas1280]

A preattyoman...forever

[@lmc2375]

And now, Aretha Franklin and Robin Leach just recently passed : ( Everybody has left, is leaving.