People: The old dog’s still doing some old tricks
For his new CD, “Love Songs of the ‘70s,” Donny Osmond picked a dozen tunes from the era of bell-bottoms and platform shoes: Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together,” Barry Manilow‘s “Mandy,” the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” among others.
It’s his fourth CD for Decca, the label he signed with after reviving his career by starring in the stage musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
“I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time. I just didn’t think the timing was right,” says Osmond, a youthful-looking 49.
Now, he says, “This is my 55th album. I can look back. These are the songs that shaped my musical career.”
Q: Talk about the teen-idol craziness, from the early Osmonds furor and the first few solo albums to the “Donny & Marie” TV extravaganza.
A: To me those are two distinct, separate careers. When they first announced to me that they had decided to do a Donny and Marie show, I remember thinking, “There goes my solo career.” … It was a huge opportunity. … but it did exactly what I thought it would do. It killed my recording career.
Q: In 1977 “Donald Clark Osmond” was released, a calculated attempt at taking you into adult musical territory. It flopped, and you didn’t record solo for 12 years.
A: I grew up with my brothers singing barbershop harmony, doing “One Bad Apple,” “Puppy Love.” Let’s be honest: I was listening to Stevie Wonder and other bands I love, but unless you’re out in clubs singing, those songs are not going to come across.
Q: Then, in the midst of “Joseph” came your battle with social anxiety disorder, a debilitating fear of being in social situations, which you talk about in your autobiography.
A: Once I got my career back to standing-room-only shows, you’d think that would fix it, but it only made it worse ‘cause I couldn’t afford to lose it. I had everything back, and I couldn’t perform. … I’m glad I went through it because of the light at the end of the tunnel. But I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
Q: Finally, there’s the Decca resurgence. You’ve recorded a Broadway record, another conceptual covers album, a disc of original material and now “Love Songs of the ‘70s.”
A: I remember sitting down with the president of Decca … and we came up with the ‘70s project. … With this one, I have nothing to prove. Let’s just enjoy the music now.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Bea Arthur is 85. Actor Harvey Keitel is 68. Singer Stevie Wonder is 57. Comedian Stephen Colbert (“The Colbert Report”) is 43. Country singer Lari White is 42. Singer Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) is 41. Actress Samantha Morton is 30.