What keeps Engelbert going

Talking to Engelbert Humperdinck (you won’t believe he’s pushing 78, will you?) even just on the phone is like listening to his songs (After The Lovin’, The Last Waltz, There Goes My Everything and, of course, Release Me). You play them over and over again and you don’t get tired of them; you feel as if you’re listening to them for the first time, even Lesbian Seagull, theme song of a Beavis and Butthead movie, that connected him to the MTV generation.

In his younger years, Engelbert would throw his underwear to the audience and how the ladies gleefully scrambled over one another to catch it. Of late, if he ever does, Engelbert throws only hankies. Almost half a century in the business with more than 150 records, he has beautifully mellowed.

Two weeks ago, Engelbert was on the phone again for another exclusive Conversation (our seventh so far, since 2005), as engaging as ever, not losing his cool even when  the line was sometimes garbled, this time to talk about his new CD Engelbert Calling (recently released locally by MCA Music, Inc. [Universal Music Group], another collectors’ item).

If you were not a singer, what would you have been?

“I would have liked to be a doctor. I’m very interested in medicine, but I don’t think I have the education for that. So I’m glad that I’m a singer instead.”

As a singer, you can also heal people with your music, can’t you?

“Well, if people think that my music has a healing effect, then I’m very happy about that.”

If you were to describe your career with one of your songs, what would it be?

“The song that started my life is the one that I would praise to the hilt and it’s none other than Release Me. It came out in 1967 and it was No. 1 around the world. For me, that is the song that launched my career; it’s my life savior. I love that song.”

One of your songs is called Am I That Easy To Forget? I suppose your fans will answer with a resounding “No!” Why do you think you’re not that easy to forget?

“I think it’s because I chose an avenue to go down in the movie world with romantic songs. I think if it’s romance what makes the world go ’round, I guess the kind of songs that I sing relates to a lot of people, they fall in love with my music. I’m very pleased that I chose this style to be in.”

You have recorded all kinds of songs including Lesbian Seagull, theme song for the Beavis and Butthead movie. That song sort of connected you to the new generation of music-lovers. How do you feel about that?

“Oh yes, it did connect me to the younger generation. I think young music-lovers would love to listen to my new album, Engelbert Calling, along with the seniors.”

Please tell me more about the album.

“You know, it took two years to make this particular CD —  two years of hard work of putting the songs together. Elton John was responsible for everything because he was the first one that I called. That’s why the CD is called Engelbert Calling. Then, I started calling the other artists who willingly said yes. I’m truly thrilled to be working with some of the greats of show business. Elton was one of the sweetest and nicest people I have ever worked with. We had a great time singing together. He’s 76 and sounds as good as ever.”

Who helped you choose the songs for the CD?

“It was my son Scott Dorsey (of Dorsey Productions), my manager, who helped me pick the songs, along with Martin Terefe, my producer. We sat down together. A few of them are mine, like After The Lovin’ and of course Release Me, but mostly we chose the songs that represent the artists.”

(The artists and their songs [on DC 1]: Elton John, Something About The Way You Look Tonight; Cliff Richard, Since I Lost My Baby; Olivia Newton-John, Never Never Never; Il Divo, Spanish Eyes; Willie Nelson, Make You Feel My Love; Lulu, I Need You Now; Gene Simmons [of Kiss], Spinning Wheel; Shelby Lynne, Real Love; Wynonna Judd, Release Me; Kenny Rogers, She Believes In Me; and Louise Dorsey, Better; and [CD 2] Andrea Corr, Ain’t That Peculiar; Johnny Mathis, A Certain Smile; Tini, Kiss Me Honey; Neil Sedaka, The Hungry Years; Dionne Warwick, It Matters To Me; Charles Aznavour, She; Beverley Knight, After The Lovin’; Armando Manzanero, It’s Impossible/Somos Novios; Luis Fonsi, Quien Te Dijo Eso; Ron Sexsmith, Something To Hold On To; and Bradley Dorsey, Father And Son.)

You’re happily married (to Patricia, for almost 50 years; the couple has four children and nine grandchildren). How are you as a father?

“I’m OK. I’m a happily married man, yes. Some of my children are married; they are spread out over the United States. Scott, the one who manages me, is in Australia. By the way, with this new CD, I’m thinking of going on a world tour again and I’m hoping to visit the Philippines again. I love it over there.”

What keeps you going, singing after all these years?

“You know, I love the business, I love the industry. I love singing and I love walking on the stage, I think it’s the best feeling in the world for any performer, especially if you have a fantastic audience as I’ve always had. And no matter where in the world I am, I always have a wonderful audience. I just want to keep going until, you know, God says, ‘Okay, you’ve had enough, let me take you home.’ You know.”

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