Gail Ann Dorsey: From Bowie to The Appearance of Life

I speak with Gail Ann Dorsey about her long musical relationship with Bowie, her experiences working with him onstage and in the studio, and the creative freedom that characterized their collaboration. Gail describes Bowie as someone who encouraged the musicians around him to contribute their own ideas rather than simply telling them what to play. She recalls being pushed beyond her comfort zone when Bowie asked her to sing Freddie Mercury’s part on “Under Pressure,” and describes how that became an important part of their performances together.

We explore several examples of Bowie encouraging that same spontaneity in the studio. Gail recalls recording her unusual vocal contribution to “If You Can See Me” after Bowie asked her to come up with something for a particular section; she improvised it in one take, and Bowie immediately accepted it. She also discusses “Planet of Dreams,” the song she co-wrote with Bowie for a Tibet-related compilation, and recalls how Bowie would sometimes use breaks during tours as opportunities to record new material.
Gail shares memories of Bowie’s visual creativity, including the origins of the horse costume she wore during the Earthling period. She remembers Bowie sketching the outfit while they were waiting for a flight and then arranging for the costume to be constructed, complete with specially made feet, prosthetic horns and a real horse’s tail. Years later, she unexpectedly encountered both the costume and Bowie’s original sketch in the David Bowie Is exhibition.

We also discuss Gail’s experience performing Bowie’s music since his death. She explains what draws her to particular Bowie-related performances and describes performing “Lazarus” with Donny McCaslin, including how the instrumental section provides a moment in which she privately expresses gratitude to Bowie.

Gail also discusses her forthcoming album, The Appearance of Life, and the ideas informing it. She sees the record as thematically connected to her first solo album, The Corporate World, revisiting some of its concerns from the perspective of the decades that have passed since its release. She discusses songs dealing with corporate influence, technology and artificial intelligence, social and political division, isolation, and the erosion of human connection. At the same time, she explains that the album is not without hope and reflects her concern with how people might reconnect with one another.

We also talk about the practical side of making The Appearance of Life, including the financial realities of recording independently, the disappearance of much of the record-company infrastructure that once supported artists, and the challenge of financing her own work while continuing to earn a living as a touring musician. Gail also discusses recent performances and her hopes for bringing the new material to audiences through future live work.