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Laura Branigan is just a shy gal. The woman with the iron vocal cords, whose 1982 single “Gloria” remained at the top of the charts for more than a year, grew up in New York City, not the sort of the city that breeds shy, quiet types.
But when her self-titled debut LP hit it big on the pop market, Branigan was ill-prepared for success, despite years of acting lessons. She recalls her first interview. “It was Merv Griffin, I think, and oh, it was awful. I had my hair hanging over my face and my mouth was so dry that I couldn’t even speak.” What a difference a little experience makes. Branigan is currently promoting her fifth album. “Touch.” And is planning a tour and filming videos. She recently returned from Australia, where she lived for five months while filming the motion picture “Backstage” and recording songs for the movie’s soundtrack. (“The men in Australia are sort of strange,” she commented. “They’re very chauvinistic.”) Branigan’s moment of truth arrived in the usual way, when she was coaxed into auditioning for a school play. She was cast in the lead role and realized that the perfect outlet for her introspective nature could be found on stage. “I was very, very shy growing up,” Branigan said. “I never, ever thought of becoming a performer. “I think I’m still very internal. I’ve come out of it, certainly, but I’m not one to go to parties or things like that. It’s very hard on me to find friends.” Branigan studied drama and was soon recognized not only for her acting ability but her rich, emotional mezzo-soprano voice. She toured internationally as back-up singer for Leonard Cohen, and when she returned to New York to resume acting lessons found that the word was out among music industry executives that she was no flash-in-the-pan actress/singer. In May 1982, Branigan debut LP and first single, “Gloria,” were released. “Gloria,” a hard-rocking dance tune that, she says, does not do justice to her emotional style, was certified gold and she was nominated for a Grammy Award. The singles that followed were generally upbeat, dance tunes. Although Branigan admits that such songs are both necessary for her image and fun to sing, her true love is singing ballads. “At that point, when “Gloria” came out, I was a little too inexperienced to worry (about labels) anyways,” she said. “That was a great song. It got people talking about my voice.” She heard her second hit single, “Solitaire,” while in France. “I thought “God, the ring and emotions!” And I knew I had to do that song.” Branigan does not write her own songs, although she maintains a strong creative foothold in the tunes she chooses to record, often changing a word or two or re-arranging verses. “I try to find the songs that are the most emotional.” She said. “And I think they’re my strongest point. The great songs are the sad songs; they’re the most profound. I think for any real vocalist, it’s always those kinds of songs that are remembered.” But Branigan isn’t tossing upbeat tunes out the window, and she doesn’t feel that they hurt whatever image she portrays through her decidedly soft, smooth pop rock. Frankly, she said, she’ll sing just about anything she finds appealing. “With this album, I didn’t sit down and say,” This is the image I want to portray”. “Branigan said, “I did this whole thing almost on instinct. I looked for songs that had emotion, that were haunting. I think that in the long run, those songs will endure. “I could never, ever dream of not singing.” She added, when asked about turning back other first medium, acting. “I’d say singing is really my first love.” Copyright – News Hearld/Ohio |
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