On her new album, Linda Feller sings a duet with Dolly Parton. Feller reveals in an interview how the collaboration went.
For years she has been one of the most successful country singers in Germany: Linda Feller (54, "Minutes in Fever"). Her breakthrough came in 1985 with a cover of the Dolly Parton classic "Apple Jack". 38 studio albums and numerous awards followed. This year, the native Thuringian celebrates her 35th stage anniversary. On this occasion her new long player "35 Years – The Anniversary Album" will be released on September 25th.
In addition to five new tracks, you can hear cover songs that played an important role in the life of the 54-year-old. Of course, the hit "Apple Jack" shouldn't be missing. For this she has brought in a very special duet partner: Country legend Dolly Parton (74). "Dolly Parton is to this day, I would almost like to say, a teacher for me," enthuses Linda Feller in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
A dream came true
"In her songs she manages like no other to harmonize the lyrics, the melody and her vocals," enthuses Feller about Parton. "Nobody can convey emotions like her in a song that is maybe four minutes long at the most." For Feller, "my greatest highlight and unattainable dream came true" with the duet. Feller actually wanted to sing the song together with Dolly Parton in the recording studio. But the Corona crisis thwarted the bill. "I'm actually very sad that I couldn't sing the duet with her," explains the 54-year-old.
So far, the two country singers have only seen each other via WhatsApp video. "But there will be a time after Corona and we will see each other. I am firmly convinced of that." Linda Feller associates some great moments in her career with the song "Apple Jack". "After the recording, I was very fortunate to be able to join the Berlin band Country & Co," says the "Minuten im Fieber" interpreter. It was precisely this song that made the band so successful. "We had countless TV and live appearances." To this day she plays "Apple Jack" at each of her live concerts.
"People shouldn't complain all the time"
In addition to Dolly Parton, the two-time Grammy winner Ray Stevens (81, "Boogity Boogity") can be heard on the album. "Due to Corona and the entry ban in the USA, Ray and I unfortunately had to record in separate studios," reports Feller of the joint work. "But we still had fun. Thanks to today's technology, we were always in touch." They would not have let the joy of singing in, "what I think you can also hear".
The Corona crisis was not only a disruptive factor when recording her new album, concerts could also not take place. "I really miss the live performances. Above all, the close contact with the fans during and after the concert," admits the singer. However, the crisis opened her eyes: "The Corona crisis basically shows us how well we were and still doing, compared to other countries." In addition, Feller feels more grateful and humble for what she has: "People shouldn't constantly complain at a high level, rant and constantly criticize everything."
Not a bit tired
How does Feller look back on her career? "Full of gratitude, joy but also with a little sadness that these years passed so quickly." There were also lows, "but thanks to my positive attitude, the valleys were run through quickly." Feller last experienced such a valley at the beginning of June when she broke her shoulder in a bicycle accident and had to be operated on. "I really feel better after every physio and ergo appointment. Thanks to my very good therapists," she says of her recovery. However, she cannot avoid another surgery appointment: "The screws and plates will be out again in about a year."
Linda Feller celebrated her 54th birthday on September 23rd. "Normally the whole family would have sat at the birthday table," said the jubilee. But because of the album release, TV and press appointments would have been preferred this year. So it is out of the question for her to retire, and she does not want to know anything about retirement yet. "Ute Freudenberg had congratulated me on my 50th and told me that everything was only going to start now and she was right."