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"The idea first came about a couple of years ago," said the effervescent Eavis, "after the 40th anniversary festival when I sang 'Happy Birthday' on stage with Stevie Wonder. Now watching that back after the event, I thought to myself it's a good job I'm a festival organiser and farmer! But a few fairly high-profile record producers and the like that I talked to said they'd be happy to help me if I wanted to try that (singing) side of things, and they'd put me in touch with some people who knew some people".
At this point Michael's enthusiasm became almost palpable. "And after a few months of private singing lessons, I'd developed quite a smooth baritone, and I could finally start working towards something that I'd always dreamed of - an album of duets with some of my favourite artists that I'd booked at Glastonbury down the years. I'd hoped that we could release it over the summer, with proceeds going to Oxfam, Greenpeace and Wateraid - as they would be losing out with no festival this year."
"So I spent some time up in London at the famous Abbey Road studios recording with Glasto legends such as Tom Jones, with who I worked out a brilliant version of the Green Green Grass of Home. I did some things with Shirley (Bassey) and The Wurzels. I had wanted to do something with Bob Dylan and his song "Maggie's Farm" but Dylan is Dylan. We laid down some tracks when he was over here doing that tour thing with Knopfler, but I don't know if they'll ever see the light of day."
"But it was only when I sat down and played the recordings back to Emily one Sunday lunch that she said that I needed to get something more current on there to appeal to the kids. So she sets me up with a couple of young whippersnappers called Chase and Status, who reckoned that they could use my vocal stylings on a couple of tracks. They said they liked my nice West Country Flow. And it worked out so well, they mentioned it to a few of their friends, someone called Magnetic Man, and some other people all called Nero. So before I know it, I'm standing around shouting "Aaaaaarrrr" and "Get on my lannnnd" a lot into a microphone with DJ Fresh and all these young playas wearing hoodies, and I find myself doing a few club nights at clubs in South London.
"So I've shelved the original Duets concept now, and the album will be me and all the dubstep boys, and they'll be a tour to support it. I'm hoping to go from venue to venue with my caravan, as I'd planned a tour of the UK anyway. It's a four berth, with internal toilet, fridge and a gas hob, so I'm a bit worried that the posse might want to party til late after the gig has finished."
eFestivals has an exclusive track from Eavis and DJ Fresh for free download - click here for details!