A Conversation with Warren Cuccurullo – HuffPost 9.4.14
Mike Ragogna: What was your vision when creating The Master?
Warren Cuccurullo: Initially I thought we’d have my ambient guitar loops and he would sing & play over them. Some lovely relaxing soundscapes with the haunting sound of sarangi. When I saw his reaction to certain acoustic pieces I previewed for him I knew we would have to be developing those. I thought if I could surprise him with something intricate we would have the entire project complete. Some contrast to the free form of the more textural tracks. That’s what led to the creation of “4D Suite.”
MR: Do you consider Ustad Sultan Khan one of the great masters in music? What resonated most with you about his music?
WC: I believe that, like the great Pandit Ravi Shankar, at any given moment he could’ve been considered the greatest instrumentalist on the planet. His playing could have me in tears in about three minutes. When he played it went right to my heart.
MR: What are your personal high points of this new album? Are there any performances on The Master that are your favorites perhaps more than other moments on the album or even your past recordings?
WC: When he was recording his parts it was like a concert performance. There were about 9 people in the room and there would be applause after he’d finished. The one that sticks out for me is the take for what would become “The Lost Master.” It was glorious, amazing, but he wanted to do another one! We did, & that’s the one we used on “4D Suite” but his first performance warranted it’s own new track.
MR: Ustad Sultan Khan was considered an Indian music icon and Warren, you’ve played with icons such as Frank Zappa and Duran Duran. Warren, what are your feelings and observations about your bodies of work and statuses?
WC: We have both been in the presence of very great masters in Frank Zappa for myself and Ravi Shankar for Khansahab. Much is learned from these types on many levels not just musically. I feel we are always responsible in our output to somehow be true to where we came from & to bring the listener back to the original source of inspiration.
MR: Do you have favorite songs or performances from yours and past catalogs?
WC: Some of my current faves would be “US Drag” by Missing Persons, “4D Suite” from The Master, “Be My Icon” by Duran Duran, and “Sid Arthur’s Message” from myPlaying In Tongues CD.
MR: What advice do you have for new artists?
WC: Be yourself, never compromise, always do your very best, work hard. That’s what I did. Not sure if it still works.
MR: What was the best advice you ever received?
WC: Frank Zappa once said to me during a parting embrace “don’t spend all your money on scenery.” I had just explained our Duran Duran ’93 stage set to him.
MR: What does the future bring for Warren Cuccurullo?
WC: I am hoping to connect with Sultan Khan’s son Sabir who also plays sarangi & sings. We’ve been in touch and are discussing the possibility of performing the music of his father & myself. That would be the immediate future.