What happens when a young singer walks into a recording studio to work with Philip Glass, having never met the composer, heard the music or even seen the lyrics?

In 1986, Bernard Fowler was invited to record Changing Opinion for Philip Glass's landmark album Songs from Liquid Days, with lyrics written by Paul Simon.

Fowler recalls arriving at the studio terrified, repeating a rather colourful mantra to calm his nerves. After just a handful of takes, Glass appeared delighted with the performance.

Then Paul Simon walked in.

In this conversation with Fender Jackson on The Ireland Podcast, Fowler recalls Simon's reaction, how Philip Glass stood by his performance, and what happened after he left the studio not knowing whether his voice would make the finished record.

The conversation also explores Fowler's early musical ambitions, his desire to cross genres, his performances with Philip Glass, and a memorable appearance at Lincoln Center.

Fender shares his own connection to Songs from Liquid Days, including an extraordinary encounter with Laurie Anderson at her Meltdown Festival in London in 1997.

This is Part 1 of a three-part conversation with Bernard Fowler.

Coming next:

• Part 2: Public Image Ltd – recording Album and working with John Lydon, Bill Laswell and the musicians involved.
• Part 3: The Rolling Stones – Fowler's decades of performing and recording with the band.

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The Ireland Podcast is an independent, long-form series hosted by Fender Jackson, recording conversations with people whose lives and experiences help tell the story of our times.

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