2006年VOA标准英语-John Legend Releases Sophomore Album, 'Once Aga

By Larry London
Washington, DC
13 November 2006
 
watch John Legend report

How do you follow up a debut¹ album that earned three Grammys in 2004?  Songwriter, singer and pianist John Legend has just released his sophomore² album, "Once Again."  It is the follow-up to "Get Lifte," which earned him four Vibe Award nominations³, two Brit Award nominations, two Soul Train Awards, and led to an appearance at this year's Superbowl (American football championship) in Detroit, Michigan.  Larry London sat down with Legend to talk about the differences between the two albums.

John Legend

"I think this album just shows me growing up as a musician a bit more,” says Legend.  “I think I have learned more about different kinds of music and listened to different kinds of music.  I think that range of influence shows itself on this album more so than it did on the first album.  I think as a songwriter and as a singer, I have developed more and learned more, and I think this album is more interesting overall." 

"There will be some elements that people did not hear on the first album that they will hear this time.  Some more alternative sounds, more jazzy sounds.  And different vibes [feelings] than they might have heard on the first album. I went different places [musically], and that is the only possible surprise there will be.  But I think my fans expect me to continue to grow as a musician, and to do what feels right musically."

John Legend is 27.  In a short time, he has achieved what many artists fail to do in a career.

"It has been an amazing two years now, I guess.  We put the album out, "Get Lifted", in late-2004.  Now it has almost been two years since that point.  We have had amazing success and it feels good."

Legend has achieved superstar status not only in the U.S., but around the world as well.

"People have just really embraced me everywhere I go.  It is funny.  You go places where they do not speak much English.  But they know your songs by heart.  It is a pretty amazing feeling to know that the music travels the way it does."

In 2004, Legend's song "Ordinary People" reached the top 30 in the U.S. and in Britain. That led to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  Last December, he performed in South Africa.  Legend plans to tour extensively for his second album.

"We start in the U.S. for about a little over a month and then we go to Europe for three weeks.  Next year (2007) we will probably go to Asia, Australia, hopefully Latin America, and Africa as well."

John Legend sang with Tony Bennett on his new CD, "Duets - An American Classic", and also contributed to the new Fort⁴ Minor⁵ CD.  In addition, Legend found time to record a song for the United For Africa benefit CD.  His music is something that is enjoyed and shared by many people across the globe.

"What I love about music is that it brings people together.  It is universal.  It travels so easy it makes the world smaller.  It makes it a better place.  And so I look forward to sharing that with people around the world."

Music video courtesy:  Columbia

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 sophomore   

n.大学二年级生；adj.第二年的

参考例句：

• He is in his sophomore year.他在读二年级。
• I'm a college sophomore majoring in English.我是一名英语专业的大二学生。

3 nominations   

n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nominations are invited for the post of party chairman. 为党主席职位征集候选人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Much coverage surrounded his abortive bids for the 1960,1964, and 1968 Republican Presidential nominations. 许多消息报道都围绕着1960年、1964年和1968年他为争取提名为共和党总统候选人所做努力的失败。 来自辞典例句

4 fort   

n.要塞，堡垒，碉堡

参考例句：

• The fort can not be defended against an air attack.这座要塞遭到空袭时无法防御。
• No one can get into the fort without a pass.没有通行证，任何人不得进入要塞。

5 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。