Parkes Stewart Interview (2004) - Articles

Interview with Parkes Stewart

The music of Parkes Stewart embodies the essence of soul. From his esteemed work with Commissioned as songwriter, backing vocalist and vocal arranger, to his work over the years with Yolanda Adams, Virtue and others, the Detroit native has often resided in the shadows of major albums from major artists. Occasionally, he has ventured solo (in 1991 with Parkes on Light Records, and in 1996 with Another Chapter (Psalms 51) on Paradigm).

Stewart is back in the limelight, this time with a fascinating album, Heart & Soul (Nexus), on Comin' Atcha Music. It's a project filled with music that seems to define the artist, as he offers gorgeous blends of Gospel and soul.

Gospelflava.com spent some time with Parkes Stewart recently. Join in with us, and catch the flava.

Gospelflava.com: You are known, of course, for your association with Commissioned, both with your backing vocals and with the songs you wrote or co-wrote, such as "Hold Me", "Ordinary Just Won't Do", "I Am Here" and "I'm Learning". Can you tell us how you started out in Gospel?

Parkes Stewart: Well, my first big break was really writing for Commissioned. I had a friendship with Mitchell Jones and Fred Hammond —we fellowshipped at the same church. We also had connections because of our Wayne State University days. And all of us knew Bebe Winans and Daniel Winans, together we used to just sit around the piano and play songs and go over stuff.

One day, Fred decided to form Commissioned, and I knew Mitchell, so they knew that I had some songs. Fred looked at them, and then Commissioned came to me, and well, the rest is history.

Gospelflava.com: Anyone listening to your solo work knows that you have a love for the soulful sound. How would you yourself describe your musical influences?

Parkes Stewart: Artists such as Marvin Gaye, no doubt, and Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, all the old-school soul guys, they are who influence me. But also artists such as Michael Franks, Phil Collins and Sting have made their mark. Nowadays, lyrically I love what Brian McKnight does, and also Babyface and India.Arie. I'm kinda liking Musiq Soulchild too.

Gospelflava.com: What was the impetus behind your now third solo recording, Heart & Soul (Nexus)?

Parkes Stewart: This new CD is about the relationship between man and God, between brother and brother, and between man and woman. It's all about restoring the unity of love, even through the things that happen in life that may be tragic or heart-breaking. The album describes a journey through life —restoration and love is there too.

Gospelflava.com: The album contains songs that fit into both Gospel and R&B categories. Do you have any concerns about being viewed by some as "going too far" with the lyrical content of some of the songs?

Album Review: Heart & Soul (Nexus)

Without question, the quality of the tracks and lyrical potency of each of these songs rivals anything from Carl Thomas, Mario Winans or even Luther Vandross in the arena of quality love songs. These songs can easily be used to spice up a marriage or renew fire and passion in a love-filled relationship....

See full album review.

Parkes Stewart: I'm a songwriter. I let other people put a title on my music. They call it neo soul nowadays, but in the old days they just called it soul music. I'm just a soul singer. The Bible says we overcome by the word of our testimony. I just put into song the spirit of love.

Everywhere in the world you hear about sex, but in my songs, I talk about sensuality in scriptural context. Lyrical content in its purest form is still about love and about God —it's about the Gospel. I'm taking a page from The Song of Solomon.

The Bible is filled with life and spirit. If there were anything on my CD that was derogatory or such, then that would be a problem. I would say, don't prejudge my music. I belive that when a person listens to it, that they won't find it offensive at all. They will see the purity of the songs and see the purity of love. I think everyone can identify with that. And I'm quite sure that when Abram proposed to Sarah, that he didn't just use scripture!

Gospelflava.com: Are you looking to reach both the secular and Christian markets with this project, and if so, how are you going about that?

Parkes Stewart: Certainly, I have to approach the album as more of an urban project. We need to put it in two places [Gospel and R&B], because it is easier to separate it according to genre. It's something for everyone.

Gospelflava.com: Tell us what your engineers Steve Capps and Todd Fairall (who you credit in your liner notes), bring to the project.

Parkes Stewart: It's so important in my case, because I've been working with them for years, and they know what I'm about. They've become an extension of what my music is. They enhance the lyrical content and the musical aspect. We go into the studio, we set up, we know each other so well. We bring it together and it comes off as something special. I've been working with them since the Commissioned days, about 15 years now.

Gospelflava.com: You recorded you album in Studio A in Detroit. That's a studio that many give high praise to. What makes it so special?

Parkes Stewart: It's the professionalism and the atmosphere, it's business-like, clean-cut, comfortable and cosy. The engineers are easy to work with. Commissioned, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ramiyah, The Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond, Virtue, Deitrick Haddon, they've all recorded in that studio.

Gospelflava.com: On Heart & Soul (Nexus), you are working with producers and writers such as Charles Harris, Eric Brice, Daryll Dixon, Marcus Abernathy and Joe Otis.

Parkes Stewart: I usually work with people that I connect with. They know me as an easy person to work with,and I like for them to bring what they have to the table. And we design it from there. I allow a certain amount of creativity, and it works because of the chemisty.

Charles Harris is Lisa Page Brooks' brother. He's a very talented young man. Everyone who works with me, belongs. They fit my vibe. I grew up with Eric Brice, we go all the way back to elementary school. He plays guitar. I don't even need to be there in the studio, he knows my vibe so well, we're close like brothers and we have a lot of history together.

Aaron Lindsey played keyboards. He's excellent.

Joe Otis is young guy, you'll be hearing a lot more of him. He's talented, humble and nice to work with. I know him from church, he's great. Same thing with Marcus Abernathy, I've known him for years, and we finally got a chance to work together. Like I say, it's always a chemistry thing with me.

And then Darryl Dixon, he played for Fred Hammond. ,So we've all known each other for a long time. I like teamwork.

Gospelflava.com: Are you working with any new groups currently?

Parkes Stewart: Yes, I am working with a female group called Jus' Us. They are four girls, very talented, and I'm writing some songs and helping with their vocal arrangements and production.

Clearly, Parkes Stewart is a unique artist, content to deliver his artistry in the way that God has directed him. It's a matter of his heart, and his soul.

— interview by Stan North —