Sarah McLachlan talks about her "sexual reawakening" before playing Sarasota (courtesy photo by Kharen Hill).
As a singer, songwriter and founder of Lilith Fair, Sarah McLachlan became the angelic voice of Generation X. On Friday, she will perform the 1990s hits that won her Grammys and lifelong fans. She’ll also sing songs from her acclaimed new album “Shine On,” interact with the audience and maybe even throw in a crazy cover. McLachlan’s concert at Sarasota’s famed purple hall will follow the annual Van Wezel Foundation Gala held to support the theater and its art education initiatives. The 47-year-old Canadian talked to this reporter, about everything from reviving Lilith Fair to her libido, while at home in Vancouver.
Q: What’s up with you covering “All About that Bass” recently at a show in Australia?
A: It was more of a completely impromptu thing (laughs). During shows now I get folks to sit in my living room with me. It’s controlled chaos. In between songs I talk and ask questions. One question I got was, “What are you listen to these days?” And my kids are just obsessed with Meghan Trainor’s big hit and I just started singing, “You know I’m all about that bass” and the band started playing along. It’s a great song.
Q: It sure would be exciting to see you put together a festival lineup with Meghan Trainor and a bunch of the many other talented women out there. Could Lilith Fair happen today?
A: What it would take is someone of that generation doing it. It needs to be led by someone of the moment. If, say, Adele decided to, it would work.
Q: So if Adele revives Lilith Fair would you participate?
A: Hell yes! I’d throw a coat over a puddle for her.
Q: So back to the format for the show coming here. You invite questions from the audience and a few people are asked on stage to sit on a couch and watch the performance. What are the toughest questions?
A: There haven’t been a lot of tough questions. I just get hugged a little too long. It goes in all directions. Some people start jumping up and down and screaming, but no one has terribly misbehaved.
Q: My favorite song off your new album “Shine On” is “Flesh and Blood.” What inspired that one?
A: A sexual reawakening, to put in bluntly. I was divorced and it was a long, dry spell and I was well into my 40s and I just kind of put it up on a shelf. Then you meet someone and fall in love and it is amazing how quick, and with what fervor, that animal passion returns.
Q: You realize you just made me blush?
A: Oh, I’m so sorry (laughing).
Q: What’s something else that will come as a surprise to your fans?
A: I love to surf.
Q: Anything you want to add?
A: I’m super excited about coming to the sunshine!
Top 5: Sarah McLachlan songs
1. “Angel”
McLachlan’s poignant original, a song inspired by a musician’s heroin overdose, has been covered by everyone from Beyoncé to Susan Boyle since being released as a single in late 1998.
2. “I Will Remember You”
Originally co-written and sung by McLachlan for Edward Burns’ 1995 film “The Brothers McMullen,” the song wouldn’t become a huge pop until a single was released four years later from McLachlan’s live album “Mirrorball.” The latter version won the singer her third Grammy Award.
3. “Adia”
The song that made her a major star in 1998, McLachlan co-wrote it with her longtime producer Pierre Marchand.
4. “Building a Mystery”
The first single from her career-defining 1997 album “Surfacing,” the song paved the way for future hits and won McLachlan her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
5. "Possession"
Mclachlan's first U.S. hit, off her 1993 album "Possession," was written about a few of her creepiest male fans.
Sarah McLachlan
8 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $65-$135; 953-3368; vanwezel.org. Tickets for the Van Wezel Foundation Gala can be purchased by calling 941-366-5578.
8 p.m. Sunday; Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater; $53.75-$104.75; 727-791-7400; rutheckerdhall.com
