TONY IOMMI, GLENN HUGHES Discuss Songwriting Process For 'Fused'

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) recently spoke to GlennHughes.com about their latest collaboration, Iommi's upcoming solo album, "Fused". An excerpt from the interview follows:

Q: If someone was to listen to a Glenn Hughes record, and then listen to a BLACK SABBATH record, as far as styles, the two sound not really alike. Ultimately, "Fused" is a representation of both of you. To what extent is your cooperation a way of exploring new musical horizons?

Tony: "It's just a great combination, you know. The two of us just create a certain sound and we got a good way of writing together…"

Glenn: "And I get to wear a more heavier rock hat than I wear on my other stuff. Which isn't that far away really. I mean, my solo work is funkier because that's a way I like to write, but I love to work with Tony because he's a great songwriter of hard rock songs. I love wearing two hats like this."

Q: Have there been song ideas that were either too funky for you Tony or too heavy for you Glenn, and… (here the question gets interrupted by the two shaking their heads simultaneously)

Glenn: "No, not at all. A very good question. I don’t bring the funky element into the Iommi/Hughes thing at all because its inapropriate. Tony is the master of his universe, if you'd excuse the pun. With 'Fused', we might even show more of his domain that he masters so well. With the sensitivity, the drama, the light and shade… When 'Fused' gets very heavy, it's heavier than bloody hell, and then when it's light it's extremely powerful as well."

Tony: "You know, in the past for me, working with other people, there has always been a sort of limitation of how far you can go with someone. Some singers won't sing on riffs and some won't sing on chords. But Glenn will sing on everything so you're not limited on what you're gonna play. You can sort of play whatever you like. There's no restrictions there which really opens up a whole new world."

Glenn: "Well, I guess it must be interesting then to have me sing for Tony, because he hasn't got a clue what I'm gonna sing, because, you know, I just started to realize today what he means that when I sing he's thinking, 'Now what the hell is he gonna sing here?'"

Tony: "(laughing) ‘Cause I can never put me finger on what he's gonna do. With most other singers you get an idea on where they are gonna go…"

Read the entire interview at GlennHughes.com.