People: Adams says covering Swift was ‘humbling’
Rocker Ryan Adams said covering Taylor Swift’s entire “1989” album was “incredibly humbling” and helped him explore himself more deeply as a musician.
Adams’ version of “1989” was digitally released Monday. Swift released the original album – her first full-blown pop record – last October.
“It’s actually incredibly humbling to find a connection with someone else’s words and someone else’s songs and to open yourself up and to feel them fully, and find out where those stories take you,” Adams, 40, said in an interview last week. “It felt no less genuine than any song I’ve ever written for myself.”
So far, Swift’s fifth album has sold 5.2 million units and launched multiple hits, including No.1s like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space” and “Bad Blood.” Adams’ interpretation of “1989” offers a slowed-down take on her upbeat anthems.
“I got to work different parts of my brain, different parts of my heart and different parts of the musical aspects of my personality,” Adams said of covering Swift’s music. “It’s really its own thing. … It’s not the same record.”
After completing his version, the singer-songwriter-producer played it for 25-year-old Swift before taking it any further.
Adams said he has known Swift for about four years and counts himself as a fan.
Adams released his debut album, “Heartbreaker,” in 2000. His 2014 self-titled record, his 14th studio release, earned him two Grammy nominations earlier this year, including best rock album. He has also found success as a producer for acts like Willie Nelson and Jenny Lewis.
Global Citizen Festival roster grows
Leonardo DiCaprio, Bono, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill and Melinda Gates will be onstage for next week’s Global Citizen Festival in New York City.
The Sept. 26 event that stars Beyonce, Pearl Jam and Coldplay is a highlight of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will be there, along with several prime ministers and CEOs.
The previously announced celebrity hosts include Stephen Colbert, Kerry Washington, Salma Hayek Pinault, Olivia Wilde and Hugh Jackman.
Ed Sheeran, Common and Indian singer Sunidhi Chauhan will also be performing in Central Park for the multi-hour event. It will air on MSNBC and stream on iHeartRadio and Tidal.
The event will highlight the launch of an ambitious set of global development goals.
The birthday bunch
Actor Paul Le Mat (“American Graffiti”) is 70. Singer David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) is 64. Singer Nick Cave is 58. Classical crossover singer Andrea Bocelli is 57. Singer Joan Jett is 57. Actor Scott Baio is 55. Actress Catherine Oxenberg is 54. Actress Bonnie Hunt is 54. Actress Mireille Enos is 40. Actor Tom Felton (“Harry Potter” films) is 28.