#With his fifth studio album, “Heart Blanche,” which hit stores in November 2015, he decided to return not only to his soulful southern roots but also to what he feels is the purpose of music itself. He’s applying the same sentiment to his southbound The Love Train Tour, which stops in Jackson on Tuesday, March 8. The Jackson Free Press spoke with Green over the phone to discuss his musical philosophy and the many hats of his career.
“Heart Blanche” is fun album but deals with deeper issues, as well. Why did you decide to go that route?
#Well, I do believe it’s a bar that I set for myself with projects prior. One specifically could be either one of the Gnarls Barkley albums; those tend to probe more in depth inside the psyche, that emotional instability or emotional issue, and just internal dialog. So therefore, it’s become a practice of mine, and I think, in general, music serves as a means of (catharsis), or at least it should.
#I’ve allowed it to be that for me for any real issue or any real question that I’ve ever had for myself or for the world because you also want to be able to communicate to those who’ve yet to have that conversation with themselves or out loud. I believe it’s something that we all deal with either indirectly or directly, and I don’t think it’s anything anyone should be afraid of; we’re all just kind of looking for answers or looking for sense in everything.
#How would you say the way you approached that variety of material differs from your approach in the past?
#I think the biggest noticeable difference is the fact that Gnarls Barkley is under that moniker, as opposed to “CeeLo Green,” which is an extension of actual self. If there’s any emotional situation addressed, then you associate it immediately with me, as opposed to the enigmatic quality of Gnarls Barkley. It’s meant to be taken more vague, more general and more subject to your interpretation.
#Is it difficult, then, to now be the name and be presenting things that are a little more “heart on your sleeve”?
#No, because it’s definitely a part of my personality traits, a part of my impassioned point of reference, in terms of where I write from. You know, and I just happen to be a kind of shameless person, if you will. I really don’t have the hang-ups or the fear or apprehensions of the average individual, you know what I mean? I do believe I’m exceptional in my ability to be honest and live out loud, and I think that, typically, that’s the connection between consumer and creator—them having that need to live vicariously through something.
At least, that’s the way music was for me because I lived vicariously through a number of individuals, and ultimately, I found myself and became myself, and not so much the things that inspired me. … I’m not imitating or emulating anybody. I get the opportunity to be exactly who I am because of the best examples.