Colin Vearncombe, Black's real name, kindly answered my call from his home in West County Cork a few weeks ago. Tired of a hostile London, Colin went to Ireland with his second wife, a Swedish singer called Camilla Griehsel, with whom he was married for almost twenty years. They have three children, Maximillian, Marius and Milan. "I went to Ireland because it is a beautiful country, but it is crazy and they don't care if you're a little crazy too." The truth is I do not have minded that extended telephone conversation for hours, Colin is a type elegant as his songs, with good conversation and a sense of humor.
Black told me that he has a very fortunate life thanks a Wonderful Life and other songs he composed in the eighties. Most of the days he does not get up too early, takes the kids to school, does some exercise, cooking, writing or painting. Currently, he is passionate about creating a music scene in the quiet village where he lives, and began performing his songs in churches and other landmarks with his wife and built a studio in his home so they can use to rehearse and give concerts with young composers in the area, is in permanent contact with them. Last year along with other people created a film festival in West Cork. "I like to think and participate into action. In London if you want there's always something you can do, here you have to do it yourself".
A Black also passionate about cooking: "If I do a song or an album do not know if people like it until much later, but when cooking a dish or eat or not eat it, is immediate. So as I am, I like playing with things, almost like a child. " Colin told me he loves Spanish food. "What I miss most of the eighties is being able to travel a lot. I once visited Sevilla and ate scrambled eggs. It rained a lot, but has tried to prepare in more than one occasion and not come out as good as those tested in Spain." I offered to invite if you ever come back here ...
If you're wondering if he's stopped publishing records, far from it. It is true that we have not heard too much, but the music was and is his life and has for years cultivated a dual musical identity. On the one hand, Water On Stone just see the light this November with the seal and character of Black, on the other, Colin was naked with his real name becoming a child who likes to play and experiment (his last record was released as Colin Vearncombe, The Given, a free download on its website last summer).
Returning to Wonderful Life, Black said, laughing: "I have three children, one is a teenager now, and the song is bigger than all of them. I always wonder how it will all end someday?, Do you ever go away from home?". But the fact is that still gets letters from people who say that when they got married they wanted it to play at their wedding. Other people want to hear the song played at their funeral. Looking at the video and seeing Colin in black suit we can understand, a Wonderful Life surrounds a somewhat sinister atmosphere and quite nostalgic, natural habitat and a hallmark of Black.
"I think people understand that a great life does not mean no problems, maybe it means is that you know carry them, you are able to handle them. Wonderful Life is a good song for these times, people need a bit of positivity at this time. " Just like him in the eighties, because before the arrival of the Black singing glory to the winds that life was really wonderful when his was punishing him, but in the end the story had a happy ending, as the song made his life really wonderful, bringing recognition and warmth of the public in many countries, including ours.