Spanish diva Paloma San Basilio makes Turkey debut with ‘Invierno Sur’

Relatively unknown to Turkish audiences, San Basilio is actually an international star with performances at world-famous venues such as the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, the Caesar Palace in Las Vegas, the Bellas Artes Theater of Puerto Rico, the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, and the Jackie Gleason Theater of Miami, where she has her handprints on the Walk of Fame.

Apart from a prolific recording career with more than 30 albums to her name since her debut in 1975, San Basilio is a versatile artist with appearances in Spanish productions of famous musicals, including “Evita,” which toured internationally in the 1980s, and “Man of La Mancha,” in 1997, which was also released as a double album. San Basilio also shared the same stage with world-renowned tenors Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo in separate concert appearances in the US and Colombia. As one of the legendary divas of Spain, San Basilio received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2006.

The 60-year-old singer/actress spoke about her career and “Invierno Sur” in a phone interview from her house with beautiful ocean views in Cadiz.

You recorded your first album, “Sombras” (Shadows), back in 1975. Since then, you have released more than 30 albums. Do you feel like your dreams have come true?

If you dream, it means you're full of life. Dreams you really concentrate on somehow come true. I remember myself dancing and singing even at the age of 8. My mother used to say that I had started singing before walking. In the beginning, I was attracted to musicals and theater. I was a member of a theater company during my time at the university and I can say that my passion for singing started during those days on stage and since then I have always sung the songs I wanted to sing.

As one of the most popular singers on the Latin music scene, which kinds of music inspire you?

I grew up listening to flamenco songs in Sevilla. I was into soul and R&B during my teenage years. I still love listening to powerful voices like Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, but ethnic music inspires me the most. I love to discover different music from different countries. Recently, I've been so curious about Greek songs, and we even recorded one. Now, I listen to albums by Turkish singers a friend from [the Spain-based Turkish artist management company] Pasion Turca gave to me. Music is a deep ocean, and there are so many beautiful songs to be discovered.

You made an international breakthrough with the musical “Evita” in the '80s. Do you feel any similarities between you and Eva Peron in terms of personality?

Eva Peron was a very strong woman and her emotions were strong too. I think I'm a strong woman too, but I am not as ambitious as Eva Peron. Evita used other people for her own ambitions; I would never do that. Honestly, I feel closer to my role in “My Fair Lady.” Eliza Dolittle is a warmer [character] with good intentions, as though she hides a little girl inside.

In music circles you are sometimes compared to Madonna, who also sang the role of Evita, in the sense that you keep improving your visual image often, like she does. Would you agree?

Madonna is a great singer and she always reinvents herself. I think she is the most intelligent woman in the music industry, but I am not reinventing myself in order to surprise my audience. I sometimes change just because I want to change and I have no worries about causing any scandals or sensations. Madonna dances, sings and creates great shows on stage. I had to choose between singing and dancing, because when you dance, you can't play with your voice enough.

In 1998 you released the album “Clasicamente tuya” (Classically Yours), with symphonic arrangements and adaptations of Beethoven and other classical composers. Was it a huge challenge?

I have been into classical music since my childhood; my father was a classical music lover and we used to listen to classical music at home all the time. Especially on Sunday mornings, we always used to listen to classical music at home. “Clasicamente tuya” is the most challenging album in my career, but it's also the album I enjoyed recording the most. We wrote lyrics full of love for great pieces by great composers. I also wrote lyrics for the adaptations of [classical composers] and they are all full of love.

In 2006 you received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy. What more would you like to achieve for your career?

I have a career of almost 35 years full of tours, studio recordings and concerts. Now I enjoy all the experiences I had and I spend some time listening to myself introspectively as a daily routine. For instance, I love to watch the beautiful ocean view from my house, which is all surrounded by glass in Cadiz, and I listen to new songs. I have no plans about what more I can achieve. I am just enjoying this very beautiful time of my life.

You finally made your debut in Turkey with the release of “Invierno Sur.” How do you define this album?

I am so happy with the release of my album in Turkey and I even listen to some Turkish songs these days to feel closer. This album is more of me than all the others, where I felt the most liberated. I wanted to record an album that is quite simple and acoustic and we produced it together with Oscar Gomez. We rehearsed with great musicians and we recorded during live sessions. There are great Cuban musicians playing on the album. This album is sincere and warm. We staged a photo shoot for the album right on the beach in front of my own house.

You were in İstanbul once for an exclusive photo shoot in historical places for a Spanish magazine. How did you like İstanbul?

You can feel its cultural richness in every single corner. I was so impressed with almost all the places we visited for the shootings. I had a chance to see the Dolmabahçe [Palace], the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Aya Sofya [Museum]. We also had a great time on the Bosporus. I even did some shopping at the Grand Bazaar. It was planned as a two-day trip for the shoot but we missed the plane. But I didn't care about missing the flight because I had a chance to enjoy the city for one more day. İstanbul is a great city.

Throughout your career you released hundreds of songs. Is there a song you hate or no longer like to sing?

Actually, I don't hate anything and I would never want to feel that kind of emotion. Every time I perform my songs, I feel different emotions and the experience feels different each and every time. For instance I sang “Don't cry for me Argentina” so many times, but each time the audience, the stage and my feelings were so different from other performances. Moreover, I love to perform my songs with different arrangements during my live performances.

And I will be very excited while singing my songs in Turkey, soon.