RIP Jim Ladd

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by bwboy

I was intrigued by this, because as you know, Talk to Me is one of my favorite songs, so I looked for the interview on YouTube, and I think you may have misheard or misunderstood Jim- he said pretty much right from the beginning he wanted to discuss Talk to Me even though she hadn’t written the song. So he did know Stevie didn’t write it, but he still wanted to ask her about it, specifically about the line “a wound gets worse when it’s treated with neglect.”

This was the first time I’d ever listened to one of his interviews, and he was really good. I presume he was knowledgeable with all his interviewees? Thanks for bringing this up.

I have solved the mystery. My memory was an early phone interview with Stevie when Talk To Me was released. I remembered it for 2 reasons. It was where I learned Talk To Me was not written by Stevie and for the awkwardness of the interview when Stevie corrects Jim that she did not write the song.
I went and found the Jim Ladd interview that you did where they discuss Talk To Me and he acknowledges she did not write the song. But there are clues in that interview that it was a mop up job. Jim starts with Talk To Me and profoundly proclaims that Stevie did not write the song. I found that odd and knew there must have been a reason he seemed to be over correcting himself. Sure enough I found the interview. My memory was her on the phone from Australia but its from her home in Phoenix right before she goes. And sure enough he starts praising her for the writing on Talk To Me and then asks her how she came to write the song. There is phone silence and then Stevie says "Jim, I did not write it." Clearly embarrassed Jim says "Thanks alot Stevie" Then Stevie fires back in a funny way "well you asked the question Jim" In Jim's defense Stevie was a prolific songwriter and she always wrote her own songs. But this was a new era for Stevie in more ways than one.
My chiffon may be worn out, tattered and stained but my idol worship memory holds.
This is why when she shows up in the studio many months later he starts right away about Talk To Me and goes out of his way to point out that she did not write it. I found that interview hysterical how Stevie over embellishes and says its a song she would have written anyway. I personally hate the professional empty pop songs that she sings. IMHO it would be like giving one of those songs to Bruce. Its like nails down the chalkboard: Talk To Me, Everyday, Cry Wolf. Stevie's songs usually have mystery, hidden meanings, metaphors. I think she feels the same way which is why she does not do them in concert.
Hold on to your chiffon. Here we go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJyOaOEiOcU