00:38 Monifa Johnson introduces herself and Abbey Lincoln. 01:11 Abbey Lincoln discusses the context of each of the names she’s been known by. Mentioned: Anna Marie Wooldridge, Gabby, Aminata Moseka, and Abbey Lincoln. Max Roach and Miriam Makeba talked about. 04:50 Abbey answers a complicated question regarding a controversy about racism related to a quote about herself in Downbeat Magazine. Abbey offers her perspective on her career and the entertainment media. 06:55 Abbey talks about working with Max Roach. She mentions meeting and writing for Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. 07:46 Abbey talks about recording her 1974 album “People in Me” in Japan after she divorced. She tells a story concerning Miles Davis and other musicians. She talks of ancestors being integral. 10:23 “You and Me, Love” (composed by Abbey Lincoln and John Rotella) is played. 14:58 Abbey talks about the song, “You and Me Love.” 15:22 Abbey talks about her acting and her teaching careers. The movies “The Girl Can’t Help It” (in which she wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”) with Jayne Mansfield, “For Love of Ivy” with Sidney Poitier and Beau Bridges, and “Mo’ Better Blues” by Spike Lee. 18:27 Abbey answers a question regarding the circumstances surrounding the making of the movie “Lady Sings the Blues” (which Abbey Lincoln did not act in). Billie Holiday’s oral history of the same name, written by William Dufty is discussed. 19:45 Abbey talks about solitude as a requirement of a life filled with creative activities, and about her creative processes. 21:23 Abbey talks about how she learned by experience how to communicate with her audiences, whether live or via recordings. She tells anecdotes including one about seeing Billie Holiday in Honolulu. Lena Horn is mentioned too. She talks about younger singers’ trends. She talks about visiting Billie Holiday’s grave. 23:48 Abbey talks about judging the first international vocal competition to be held by The Thelonious Monk Institute recently. 24:30 From the 1992 Abbey Lincoln album “Devil’s Got Your Tongue,” the song “Music is the Magic,” recorded with The Staples Singers, is played. 27:11 Abbey talks about her producer Jean-Philippe Allard. 27:38 Abbey talks about her 1991 album “You Gotta Pay the Band,” on which Stan Getz played. Audio of the record queuing up seeps over the interview in places. She talks about recording with him. 28:40 Abbey talks about her current touring schedule and her current recording “A Turtle’s Dream.” She talks of writing lyrics for nine and music for eight of the tracks on this album. 30:07 Abbey answers audience questions now: She talks about Eric Dolphy and Max Roach. Booker Little, Wynton Kelly, and Paul Chambers are mentioned as great musicians. 31:44 Abbey responds to a question about her recording a live album and talks about recording an unreleased one in England not long ago. 33:37 Abbey talks about creating her album, “You Gotta Pay the Band.” 37:07 Abbey responds to a question with a story about how Melba Liston composed music to be used with Abbey Lincoln’s poem “Rainbow” providing the lyrics. 34:51 Abbey says all her songs are autobiographical, and have a variety of messages. She quotes some songs with commentary about life. She mentions seeing a rainbow and writing ways the vision impacted her into lyrics. 37:07 Abbey responds to a question with her memories of working with Betty Carter in the past. 37:39 Abbey tells when she will next perform in New York. 38:09 Abbey talks about Oscar Brown, Jr. putting Lawrence Dunbar’s poem “When Malindy Sings” to music for Abbey to sing. 38:55 Monifa concludes the interview and plays “Throw It Away,” from Abbey’s most recent album at the time, A Turtle’s Dream.
