On his debut CD, singer Ricky Fanté recalls a bygone era when the airwaves were filled with the soulful sounds of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke.
Fanté talks with NPR's Susan Stamberg about how these and other great soul singers inspired him. He also discusses working with songwriter and producer Jesse Harris on the CD.
"It didn't seem like work," says Fanté. "(Jesse) laughed at my jokes, so that kind of make it easy." Harris was a key to the breakout success of singer Norah Jones on her debut CD, Come Away With Me.
A former U.S. Marine, Washington, D.C., native Fanté chose to attend and finish college after his discharge from the service. That's why in this age of young teen idols, he may seem to be coming a bit late to the party at 27.
Fanté has heard it before -- from himself. He recalls feeling washed up at the age of 11 when he wasn't as famous as his childhood idol Stevie Wonder. But ask any of his new fans: One listen to the CD and they know it was well worth the wait.
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