만약 댄스 뮤직이 사라진다면, 어떤 사람은 FATBOY SLIM에 대해서 말하는 것을 잊게 될 것이다. 지난 2년 동안 팻보이 슬림의 공연을 다년간 백만 혹은 그 이상의 사람들 역시 알지 못했을 것이다. 사실, 거의 10년이 넘는 경력을 되돌아 보면, 팻보이 슬림이 이보다 더 유명했던 적은 없다. 2년 전 여름, 그의 고향인 브라이튼에서 2번째 'BIG BEACH BOUTIQUE'를 공연했을 때, 클라스톤베리 페스티벌 관중의 2배인 25만명이 파티에 참석했다. 올해 3월 리우에서 열린 또 다른 'BIG BEACH BASH'에서는 팻보이의 단일 파티로 최고의 관중이 운집했다. 36만명의 브라질 사람들이 참여한 경이적인 기록이었다. 팻보이의 DJ 일정은 이보다 더 바쁠 수 없었다.
노먼 쿡에게는 그의 슈퍼스타 DJ 위치에서 안주하는 것이 쉬어보였지만, 음악을 만드는 것에 대한 그의 열정은 음악을 연주하는 것에 대한 열정만큼이나 크다. 팻보이 슬림이 2백만 장의 세일즈와 함께 세계 각국에서 차트 톱을 기록하고 1년 이상 공연을 했던 지난 앨범 [HALFWAY BETWEEN THE GUTTER AND THE STARS]을 낸지 4년이 지났다. 쿡은 항상 다음 앨범을 작업하기 전에 휴가 계획을 세웠었다. 그러나, 그가 몰랐던 것은 팻보이 슬림 사운드가 변화를 경험하게 된 [PALOOKAVILLE]의 작업을 작년에 시작하기 위해서 스튜디오로 돌아갔던 때이다. 초창기에 팻 보이를 유명하게 만든 샘플을 활용한 곡보다는, 쿡은 진짜 뮤지션들과의 작업을 원하고 있다고 확신했다.
"가장 큰 음악적 영감을 받았던 것은 아마 이번에 블러와 함께 보낸 시간들일 것입니다."라고 작년 비평가들의 찬사를 받았던 블러의 [THINK TANK] 앨범에서 2곡을 프로듀스 했던 '쿡'은 말한다. "과거에는 가열된 컴퓨터의 노예가 되어 사람 냄새 나는 음악을 만들고자 혼자서 스튜디오에서 작업을 해왔습니다. 블러와 함께 보낸 시간은 나에게, 때론 내게 필요한 모든 것은 사람들이라는 것을 일깨워주었습니다. 그것이 훨씬 빠르고 훨씬 즐겁다는 것을… 그리고 아이디어를 활발하게 교환할 수 있기 때문에 혼자서 완성할 수 있는 결과물 보다 훨씬 훌륭한 결과물을 이끌어낼 수 있었습니다. 그래서 나는 이점이 바로 이번 앨범 [PALOOKAVILLE]로 이르는 게이트 웨이였다고 생각합니다."
쿡에게 있어서, 이번 앨범을 통해 'FATBOY THE DJ'와 'FATBOY THE ARTIST' 사이에서의 진정한 차이를 처음으로 만들어 냈다. [PALOOKAVILLE]이 형태를 갖춰감에 따라, 계획은 단순히 다른 사람들과의 작업을 한다는 것보다는 샘플들 대신 진짜 악기를 연주하는 진정한 공동 작업을 하고 전통적인 악곡 구조를 가진 곡들을 작곡하는 쪽으로 가닥이 잡혀졌다. 아직 댄스 리듬들이 많지만, 기승전결의 음악전개를 보여주고 있다. 게다가 쿡이 베이스 기타를 연주하게 되었는데 사실, 그는 'THE HOUSEMARTINS'시절에 베이스를 맡기도 했다.
작년 가을에 완성된 첫 번째 트랙은 브라이튼을 근거지로 활동하는 신인 밴드 'JONNY QUALITY'와 공동 작업한 <LONG WAY FROM HOME>이다. "그들은 'THE BEASTIE BOYS'와 'THE STRAY CATS'가 사랑을 나누는 것을 'THE JAM'이 보고있는 듯한 사운드는 냅니다."라고 쿡은 말한다. "그들은 내게 데모를 보냈고, 그들의 라이브를 보러 가서 좋아하게 되었습니다." 같은 주에 쿡은 지금의 <PUSH AND SHOVE>이 된 트랙의 작업을 위해서 절친한 친구인 'JUSTIN ROBERTSON'를 초대했다. 둘 모두 기타를 연주했고, 'ROBERTSON'은 쿡이 묘사한 데로 'STONE ROSES 또는 HAPPY MONDAY와 같은 느낌의 맨체스터 스타일의 보컬'로 노래했다. 결과는 멋진 싱얼롱 코러스와 폭발적인 하모니카 연주까지 이번 앨범에서 수작으로 뽑힐 정도가 되었다. "전에는 단지 코러스, 코러스, 코러스, 브레이크 다운, 코러스, 코러스, 더 큰 브레이크 다운을 반복했으며 그것에 질려있었습니다. <PUSH AND SHOVE>는 댄스적인 요소를 아직 갖고 있지만, 진짜 밴드가 진짜 음악을 연주하는 것 같은 사운드를 냅니다."
그 견지로부터, 쿡은 '팻보이 슬림' 사운드를 새로운 방향으로 이끌 수 있다는 확신으로 가득했다. 그는 샌프란시스코로부터 'LATYRX와 DJ SHADOW'S QUANNUM COLLECTIVE'의 래퍼 'LATEEF'를 2곡의 게스트로 초청했다. 나중에 <WONDERFUL NIGHT>이라는 싱글이 된 곡에서는 'LATEEF'의 주술적인 랩이 앨범에서 가장 펑키한 튠을 들려주며데이비드 베컴과 슈퍼 모델 들에 대한 가사, 카우보이 랩 트랙인 <THE JOURNEY>에서는 아마 세계 최초일 4분의 3박자 랩으로 뽐내고 있다. "LATEEF는 내가 의도하는 바를 가장 잘 이끌어낼 수 있는, 내가 생각해낼 수 있는 유일한 래퍼였습니다."라고 쿡은 말한다.
앞으로도 더 소개할 2개의 공동 작업이 있다. 팻보이 슬림의 오래된 동료 'BOOTSY COLLINS'와 함께 'THE STEVE MILLER BAND'의 곡을 커버한 <THE JOKER>와 블러의 데이먼 알반이 피쳐링했으며 디본에서 있었던 [THINK TANK] 앨범 쫑 파티로부터 시작된 노래인 <PUT IT BACK TOGETHER>이다. "데이먼 알반이 스페인에서 블러 일정을 소화하는 중에 왔을 때, 이 트랙을 브라이튼에서 끝마쳤습니다. 완전히 녹초가 되어 불쌍하게 보였고, 그는 사실 책상에 고개를 묻고 잠에 빠져있었습니다. 우리는 그를 깨웠고, 어떤 특정한 방법으로 각 파트를 노래 부르게 했습니다. 그리고 그는 다시 골아 떨어졌습니다. 그건 그가 진정한 프로라는 것을 보여줍니다!"라고 쿡은 말했다.
'FATBOY THE DJ'와 'FATBOY THE RECORDING ARTIST' 사이에 점점 커져 가는 차이가 있겠지만, 그 둘 사이는 아직 서로 어깨를 함께하고 있었고, 이번 앨범에도 쿡으로서는 버려지기를 원치 않았던 몇몇 전통적인 것들이 살아있다. 그렇기 때문에, [PALOOKAVILLE]에서 <JIN JO LO BA>와 같은 쿡이 앞으로 진행될 일본9월, 영국10월 및 미국11월의 투어에서 그의 DJ 리트스에 올릴 수 있는 광란적인, 댄스 클럽에 어울리는 넘버와 아내인 'ZOE'에게 받치는 노래로 런던에 살 때 자주 산책하던 'PRIMROSE HILL'에 대한 가사를 담은 차분하고 소울풀한 <NORTH WEST THREE>을 만날 수 있다. 물론, 첫 싱글 <SLASH DOT DASH>는 강렬한 기타와 난도질 된 보컬이 인상적인 신구 .... ....
It's a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night Everybody can see It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night Go ahead and release It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
You know the music search engine need a tuneup Soon as they out the gate they all a wanna hear da corner, uh-huh Well that was cool but now but then I heard a rumor, uh-huh Your crew was ridin' for the White Cliffs of Dover, uh-huh
Uh let me tell ya how we do it in California We’ll attack on the run just like a Puma If it don’t move us Ain’t paid ya dues and it ain’t gonna get our roosers We gonna lose ya to the consumer solution c’mon
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
Girl I want it you got it Your body’s like a narcotic The thought is auto-erotic
Come on and break it on down
Can I get it on credit I guess your brick-house I’ll bet it Take it as far as you’ll let it
Come on and break it on down
That the spot will get hot That its ready to pop Don’t even look at the clock All of your problems forgotten It's time to rock till you drop Feel the force and just flock To the epicenter of the party’s bass drummers c’mon
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
We gonna stimulate your mind Everybody’s high Eyes just like a child Everything feels right
Once you’ve seen the light You're gonna move all night Feel your soul ignite Everything feels right, right, riggggggggghht
We live the masterful life that’s mythical Feel its chords and its vibes atypical Do what you want It's alright this mystical time you’ve got Alotted is plentiful.
If you stay in this moments so critical Let the music change your brain stem’s chemicals Make you feel like your spirit's invincible Force centrifugal reaching up to your pinnacle now
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
We rock like Colorado You're at it throwin’ bottles We give a fuck about your status Who you are tomorrow Whether you beg or borrow Or hit the super lotto Whether your girl look like a minga or a supermodel
Feel the connectedness, energy, disprojected the weighted The whole collective consciousness Arise like helium oh Groovin’ out of the question Won’t disrespect him, but Our styles fuckin’ Posh, like Dave Beckham c'mon
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down
The truth I’m at ‘em and rough ‘em As hard as the granite get Never hesitant upon a mic strike, quick Like an avalanche Hijack ya like a Comanche I’m a man on a mission Rhyme vigilante Keep all the jealous and the envious antsy Love to do the club though with the party people dancin’ uh-huh And set the mood for all the plottin' and romancin’ uh-huh
It’s a wonderful night We’ve got the answer c’mon It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta take it from me It’s a wonderful night Come on and break it on down
It’s a wonderful night You’ve gotta shake it for me It’s a wonderful night
To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night
Switch the channel on my TV, And the cameras are fixed on me again, I'm running and I'm running and I can't seem to hide, The skies so red that I'm loosing my mind I cant get my head to stop this feeling inside The four walls are coming and I cant get outside
The fours walls have come taking all thats mind There steeling my toys leave no memories behind Everythings changing nothing seems the same, They ? my thoughts not cars or trains The thoughts were bought but kept me sane Everythings changing nothing seems the same,
To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night
Stare out my window, I'm yearning for more Bust for my borrowers and settle the score I want my toys but the man out theres to hard Running around, feet on the ground Can't seem to understand this game there playing And no one seem to wanna sit with me.
To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night
To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night
To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night To tired to walk it was a long way from home, The moon froze the night
I was moving forward From the point I've come from I was rolling lowly This is our song now
I was moving forward From the point I've come from I was rolling lowly This is our song now
Gotta see it Nothing means I gotta gotta Feel it Everything is out I gotta Hold out Everything is out I gotta Day out Just invite them Gotta Bore them Til I take us out I gotta feel like Every single line I gotta Clean it out to the side When we're not down and out
Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together (yeah yeah yeah x3)
Burning down the city Warning out of something But I need to find it 'Cause I got no sun down
Dug a whole was so fun And a taste thats floating What it doesn't meet no Place to silent sleep now
I gotta feeling Doesn't mean I sad because I Love me Everything around it isn't better If you sing it loud and I Jam myself to dawn I got So much dissing at the side and When its Just another ride and you Sow yourself to the cat Bet it
Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together Put it back together (yeah yeah yeah x3)
(intro) My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Go, Give it up, give it up (x8)
(verse 1) (in background) Go, Give it up, give it up (x8)
(Main Lyrics) My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(verse 2) My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(verse 3) My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
(verse 4) Go, Give it up, give it up (x8)
(final verse) My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me My Masochistic baby went and left me Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
If one kiss led to another, baby I'm ready to forgive you honey There's a light that shines between us And it's worth the crying, lady
I was falling on sharp stones then And my bones were cracking daily No more weeping and lying now and I'm holding you forever and I'm holding you forever
[chorus] love love Lord above save us from the push and shove let us blend together bind us and forgive us love love Lord above save us from the push and shove let us blend together bind us and forgive us
Time they say, is the great healer But I believe in chemicals baby When the waves come crashing in We are closer now than ever We are closer now than ever
There was a cold space between us Still we bridged that chasm lady Desire love and friendship We are sanctified together We are sanctified together
[chorus]
love love Lord above save us from that push and shove love love Lord above save us from that push and shove love love Lord above save us from that push and shove love love Lord above save us from that push and shove love love Lord above love love Lord above love love Lord above save us from that push and shove
We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on Primrose Hill We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on Primrose Hill naver could be anything eles naver could be anything eles naver could be anything eles naver could be anything eles
We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill We went to see the sun go down on Prim Prim Prim Prim The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on The sunday evenin' sun go down on
We went to see the sun go down on Primrose Hill The sunday evenin' sun go down on Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill Primrose Hill
That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, an' have me wonderin' all my days That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, an' have me wonderin' all my days.
I can't stay home, I gotta keep movin, I gotta keep doin', I gotta get out, I gotta roam, it's somethin' that moves me, It's somethin' that uses me without a doubt, 'cause somewhere abstract coincidence happens, see someone in passin' while out and about, next thing I know I'm happily travelin', puttin' in action ideas that I mouth, cause I speak it and do it, talk it and walk it, I'm so bad about it, I shout it out loud, but try to stay open, the forces in motion, They keep me on course, it's just clear that i've found (?), Imprissoned in flesh and reality's blesses, that made manifest every woman and child, I'll keep on expressin' reality's lessons, explorin' my prison until I'm let out.
That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, an' have me wonderin' all my days That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, have me wonderin' all my days.
Travelin' East and West, on every known highway, South to North carryin' that torch until I'm old and grey.
Well in the mean time inbetween I'm pushin' through this, I said in the main time inbetween I'm on my duty.
Sometimes I get beat up, sometimes I'm the beater, Sometimes man my feet hurt from walkin' so long, Sometimes I'm defeated, sometimes I get cheated, Sometimes I just need it, 'cause sometimes I'm wrong, So the question's repeated, why even try? When there's rocks in the road, pot-holes in the lawn, The victory's sweeter when obstacles either, Are side-stepped or crushed on the way to the door, So I go on my own, have faith in the road, I can share that control cause I'm never alone. I hear the creator speak to me through wispers, On winds the voices of friends and of foes, I listen to omens, the things that he shows me, Shows that he knows me and helps me along, And follow him closely, where he goes mostly, Guidin' my path on this map 'till I'm gone
That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, an' have me wonderin' all my days That journey-a call me quick, That journey-a call my name, That journey-a have it's way, an' have me wonderin' all my days.
And when they lay me down, To rest in my Earthly grave, And when they lay me down, Navigate that big sky wave.
But in the meantime I, I got my duty, In the meantime inbetween time I, I got to do this, In the meantime inbetween time I, I'm pushin through this, In the meantime inbetween time I, I got my duty.
I got my.. I got my, I got my duty. I got my duty I know!
Some people call me the space cowboy Some people call me the gangster of love, yeah Some people call me Maurice Cause I speak of the pompitous of love
People talk about me, baby (People talk about me, baby) They say I′m doin′ you wrong (doin′ you wrong) Well, don′t let that worry you worry baby (oh baby ....) Cause I′m right here, right here, right here, right here at home (Everybody Singing Along)
I′m a picker I′m a grinner I′m a lover And I′m a sinner I play my music in the sun
I′m a joker I′m a smoker I′m a midnight toker I get my lovin′ on the run Wooo Wooooo
...
You′re the cutest thing That I ever did see I really love your peaches Want to shake your tree Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time Ooo-eee baby, I′m gonna sure show you a good time
Cause I′m a picker I′m a grinner I′m a lover And I′m a sinner I play my music in the sun
I′m a joker I′m a smoker I′m a midnight toker I get my lovin′ on the run
I′m a picker I′m a grinner I′m a lover And I′m a sinner I play my music in the sun
I′m a joker I′m a smoker I′m a midnight toker I sure don′t want to hurt no one
Wooo Woooo
People keep talkin′ about me, baby (People talk about me, baby) They say I′m doin′ you wrong, (doin′ you wrong) Well, don′t you know don′t you worry baby (oh baby ....) Cause I′m right here, right here, right here, right here at home (Everybody Singing Along)
You′re the cutest thing I ever did see Really love your peaches want to shake your tree Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time Come on baby and I′ll show you a good time