By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
February 15, 2002
Even Vonda Shepard is sick of rehearsing the theme to “Ally McBeal.” “I’ve sung it and heard it so many times on the radio that I can’t believe anyone still wants to hear it,” the singer says, phoning from the Los Angeles set of the Fox series. “But once we start playing the opening chords and I see how excited the audience gets hearing it, then I start to get excited, too. It’s the song that put my name out there, so I’ll perform it as long as people want to hear it.”
In other words, it’ll be one of the songs she performs this weekend at the House of Blues. But she’s more excited about a couple of new tracks she’ll be debuting tonight.
“We’ve put out a lot of ‘Ally’ albums, but I’m working on my first solo album in three years,” says Shepard, 38. “I’m going to do ‘Rainy Days’ and ‘Sunset Marquis’ at [the Chicago show] and see how the audience reacts to
them. As much as I like working on ‘Ally,’ the thing I get most excited about is doing my songs and going on the road.”
Besides being the resident chanteuse on “Ally McBeal,” Shepard produces all the music on the show, including the numbers sung by cast members Calista Flockhart and James Marsden.
“Jimmy’s like a Backstreet Boy. He’s a very good singer and he’s so cute. He’s very easy to work with in the studio and usually only takes three takes. It’s different working with actors than it is [musical guest stars such as] Al Green and Sting. You’ve got to be a little more sensitive with actors to keep their confidence up. Musicians generally know they sound good.”
SPEAKING OF CHICAGO, Shepard had this to say:
Favorite restaurant: I can’t remember what it was called, but it’s this gorgeous Italian restaurant downtown with open space and white walls.
Favorite Chicago food: Pasta in Chicago is always great. I usually get a vegetarian dish made with tomato sauce.
Most memorable Chicago experience: The first gig I played in the United States was opening for Rickie Lee Jones in Chicago 18 years ago. It was fall and windy, of course, and it was just a magical time.
Favorite hotel: The Drake. I love playing a show and then going back to a quaint hotel.
Favorite bar: The little bar at the Drake.
Favorite Chicago sports team: The Bulls, especially when Michael Jordan was on the team.
Favorite Chicago personality: Michael Jordan, even though he doesn’t live in Chicago year round anymore. He’ll always be remembered as a Chicagoan. I’d like to say Oprah, but I’ve never seen an episode of her show. I only watch my show ’cause it’s my job.
Favorite thing to do in Chicago during your time off: I like to go walking around Michigan Avenue. I’m not a big shopper, but I like to shop along there occasionally.
Favorite item you bought in Chicago: I know this is going to sound weird, but I bought kitchen supplies for my sisters here. It was the first time I had any money to buy something kind of nice.
Best thing about playing to Chicago audiences: They’re enthusiastic and fun.
The last word on Chicago: There’s a great buzz about Chicago. It’s a city like New York and I like it much better than Los Angeles. Chicago’s a cool balance of the best of both coasts.
