When Rickie Lee Jones’ single “Chuck E’s In Love” was released in 1979, it became a smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic, earning praise for her elastic vocals, vivid wordplay and distinctive fusion of folk, jazz, pop and blues. The song’s accompanying video immortalised her as a Jack Daniels-swigging, beret-wearing hipster - and during her career she’s faced up to serious problems with alcohol and drug addiction.
But throughout three decades of making records, she’s refused to fit comfortably into any one musical niche, and her restless and creative spirit still seems to be the driving force behind her song-writing.
Jenni talks to her about the motivation behind her music, and the highs and lows of her “rock and roll” life.
Rickie Lee Jones’ new album The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard is published by New West Records (Feb 2007).
