Linda Lewis
Linda Lewis | |
---|---|
Birth name | Linda Ann Fredericks |
Born |
West Ham, Essex, England | 27 September 1950
Genres | Pop, soul, rock, ska, funk |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 1968–present |
Labels | Polydor, Reprise, Raft, Arista, Ariola, Market Square, Turpin |
Associated acts | Jim Cregan, Ian Samwell, Luther Vandross, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, Al Kooper, Basement Jaxx, Bobby Tench, Jamiroquai, Common, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Rick Wakeman, Junior Marvin |
Linda Lewis (born Linda Ann Fredericks, 27 September 1950, West Ham, Essex, England) is an English vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. Lewis is the oldest of six children, three of whom also had singing careers. She is best known for the singles "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" (1972), "Sideway Shuffle" (1973), and her version of Betty Everett's "Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" (1975)[1] albums such as Lark (1972), Not a Little Girl Anymore (1975) and Woman Overboard (1977), and the later Second Nature (1995),[2] which became successful in countries such as Japan. Lewis also provided vocals for others such as David Bowie, Al Kooper, Cat Stevens, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Rick Wakeman, Rod Stewart,[3] Hummingbird, Joan Armatrading and Jamiroquai.[4]
Lewis is a self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, influenced by Harry Nilsson, Billie Holiday and Smokey Robinson, also drawing inspiration from others such as Joni Mitchell.[3] Her music blends folk, funk and soul.
Biography
1960s
At the age of three Linda Fredericks was sent to stage school and was regularly cast in non-speaking TV and film roles such as A Taste of Honey (1961) and as a screaming fan in the first Beatles film A Hard Day's Night (1964), she also sang to the public for money. Lewis joined The Q Set, a British band who performed ska and blue beat, Jamaican-style music[2]
In 1964, she sang "Dancing in the Streets" with John Lee Hooker at club in London. Hooker introduced her to Ian Samwell, who arranged for Don Arden to manage her. She signed with Polydor and recorded the single "You Turned My Bitter into Sweet", which is now a collectable Northern Soul record.[5] Polydor worried that her name, Linda Fredericks, would be confused with Linda Kendrick, who was also signed to Polydor. Fredericks used the name Linda Lewis in honor of singer Barbara Lewis. The surname would also be used professionally by her sisters, Dee Lewis and Shirley Lewis, and her mother.[6]
1970s
During 1969 Linda Lewis formed White Rabbit with Junior Marvin, moving onto replace Marsha Hunt in the soul rock band The Ferris Wheel in 1970 and toured Europe with them. She also recorded the album Ferris Wheel (1970) and the single "Can't Stop Now" with them before the band broke up the same year.[2] On 19 September 1970 Lewis appeared at the first Glastonbury Festival (where she jammed with Terry Reid and David Lindley), having been booked by the DJ and concert booker Jeff Dexter. After a chance meeting with Warner Bros. Records executive Ian Ralfini, Lewis signed to Warner Bros. Records imprint label Reprise.[5] Lewis also worked as a session vocalist in this period,[2] which led to her appearance on albums such as Possible Projection of the Future by Al Kooper, David Bowie's Aladdin Sane (1973), Cat Stevens's Catch Bull at Four (1972) and Hummingbird's first album Hummingbird (1975).[4] She then signed to Family's new Warner Brothers distributed "Raft" label.
Her first hit single "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" reached No. 15 in the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1973,[1] and it was followed by the album Fathoms Deep,[3] which featured former Jeff Beck group guitarist Bobby Tench.[7] This album established her as one of Britain's most promising young female singer-songwriters and was critically acclaimed,[3] but it did not did have the expected success, probably due to Raft Records becoming insolvent at that time. However, several appearances on the BBC TV show Top of The Pops raised her profile and an extensive world tour with Cat Stevens followed.[2] On her return to the studio, she signed to Arista Records and recorded what would become her breakthrough album Not a Little Girl Anymore (1975), which featured Allen Toussaint and the Tower of Power horn section. A cover of the "The Shoop Shoop Song" was released as a single, under the title of "It's in his Kiss", at the same time[3] as Not a Little Girl Anymore, reaching No. 6 in the UK Album Chart.[1] On 5 July 1975 Lewis opened the Knebworth Festival, being followed by Roy Harper, Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, the Steve Miller Band and Pink Floyd. She sings on the Go Too album, released in 1977, with Jess Roden. Three more albums followed over the next few years. In 1986 and 1987 she recorded with her sisters Dee and Shirley as Lewis, then Lewis Sisters.[8]
1980s–present
During the next decade Lewis retreated from public life and moved to Los Angeles, although in 1984 she again appeared at the Glastonbury Festival. In 1992 she worked on the Joan Armatrading album Square the Circle as a backing vocalist, along with her sister Shirley and Sylvia Mason-James. She then returned to record Second Nature (1995),[4] which found success in the Japanese charts. Its success led to live performances, which were recorded and released as On The Stage – Live in Japan (1996). Three more albums followed. Warner Bros. Records released Reach for the Truth-The Best of The Reprise Years (2002), an anthology of her work during the previous thirty years. This was followed by BMG releasing The Best of Linda Lewis (2003),[4] which included her hit singles. During 2003 she also appeared at the Glastonbury Festival,[2] and was filmed by BBC Television whilst she appeared on the Jazz and World Stage.[9]
Her song "Old Smokey" was used by the rapper Common, on his single "Go!" (2005),[10] which appeared on his album Be (2005).[11] This was produced by Kanye West and reached No. 1 on the United States R&B and Hip Hop charts.[3] She recorded Live in Old Smokey (2006), which featured new and previously released songs and toured UK the same year. On 28 October 2006 The National Portrait Gallery opened an exhibit entitled Photographs 1965–2006,[12] this featured a portrait by Lewis's former husband Jim Cregan[2] and other sitters, such as Shirley Bassey.[13] In 2007 she toured with the Soul Britannia All Stars in the UK and on 3 February 2007 BBC Four featured performances by Lewis, in a sixty-minute recording of a Barbican show with The Soul Britannia All Stars.[14] In June of the same year, she collaborated with Basement Jaxx on "Close Your Eyes", which featured in the Japanese anime film Vexille.
Critical reception
Linda Lewis has a five octave vocal range.[3] Charles Waring of Blues & Soul magazine described her vocal range, as heard on The Best of Linda Lewis (2003), as "powerful". In her review of Lewis's album Second Nature (1995) for Allmusic, Amy Hanson described Lewis's voice as "remarkable and dynamic",[15] and of Lewis's ability to sing in the whistle register Hanson comments in her review of Lark (1972), "No longer a wild weapon that can soar from childlike lilt to screaming dog whistle without a moment's notice, she channels her range to the emotions it demands."[16] Lewis's voice has also been compared to Mariah Carey's. Reviewer Melissa Weber commented that her voice had similarities to Minnie Riperton's and that Lewis had "a wider vocal range [than Riperton], with the ability to sing in a lower register."[17]
Discography
Studio albums
Chart positions from the UK Album Chart[1]
- Say No More (Reprise, 1971)
- Lark (Reprise, 1972)
- Fathoms Deep (Raft, 1973)
- Not a Little Girl Anymore Arista, (1975)
- Woman Overboard (Arista, 1977)
- Hacienda View (Ariola, 1979)
- A Tear and a Smile (Epic, 1983)
- Second Nature (Sony, 1995)
- Whatever... (Turpin, 1997)
- Kiss of Life (Turpin, 1999)
Live albums
- Born Performer: Live in Japan (Sony, 1996)
- Live in Old Smokey (Market Place, 2006)
- "Hampstead Days (The BBC Recordings)" (Troubadour, 2014)
Collaboration
- Have You Noticed? Ludmilla featuring Linda Lewis (Reprise, 1993)
Compilations
- Heart Strings (Reprise, 1974)
- The Best of Linda Lewis (Compilation) (BMG, 1996)
- Best of Linda Lewis (Camden, 1997)
- Reach for the Truth: Best of the Reprise Years 1971–74 (Rhino, 2002)
- Legends (Compilation) (BMG, 2005)
- Hampstead Days (Previously unreleased 1970s sessions and concert material) 2014
Singles
CHARTING SINGLES | |||
---|---|---|---|
Title | Month/Year | Recording info | Chart peak for UK unless otherwise indicated |
"Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" | 06/1973 | producer: Jim Cregan Raft 18502 B-side "Reach for the Truth" (album Lark) | 15 |
"Play Around" | 10/1973 | producer: Jim Cregan, Linda Lewis Raft 18505 B-side "On the Stage" (album Fathoms Deep) | "Breaker" |
"Sideway Shuffle" | 03/1974 | producer: Marc Berthoumieux, Will Nott Raft 18507 B-side "Safe and Sound" (album Heart Strings) | "Breaker" |
"It's in His Kiss" | 07/1975 | producer: Bert DeCouteaux, Tony Silvester Arista 17 B-side "Walk About" (album Not a Little Girl Anymore) | 6 #9 (Ireland) #19 (Italy) |
"Rock and Roller Coaster" | 10/1975 | producer: Bert DeCouteaux, Tony Silvester Arista 25 B-side "The Seaside Song" (album Not a Little Girl Anymore) | "Breaker" |
"Baby I'm Yours" | 04/1976 | producer: Bert DeCouteaux, Tony Silvester Arista 43 B-side "The Other Side" | 33 |
"This Time I'll Be Sweeter" | 10/1976 | producer: Bert DeCouteaux, Tony Silvester Arista 65 B-side "So Many Mysteries to Find" (album Not a Little Girl Anymore) | 51 |
"I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You" | 06/1979 | producer: Mike Batt Ariola 166 B-side "The Best Days of My Life" (album Hacienda View) | 40 |
Midfield General featuring Linda Lewis "Reach Out" | 08/2000 | producer: Damian Harris Skint 54 B-side 1."Triangle" by Midfield General 2. "Reach Out – Hakon Remix" (album Generalisation by Midfield General) | 61 |
Songs
Song | Primary Release | Notes |
---|---|---|
(Close The Door) Take Your Heart | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
(Remember the Days of) the Old Schoolyard | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
(You Are An) Angry Young Man | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
109, Jamaica Highway | Hacienda View | 1979 |
All Comes Back To Love | Best of | 1997 |
All My Laugh | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
And of The Sun | Whatever | 1997 |
Baby I'm Yours | Best of | 1997 |
Been My Best | Lark | 1972 |
Beggars And Kings | Hacienda View | 1979 |
Best Days of My Life | Legends | 2005 |
Bonfire | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Born Performer | Second Nature | 1995 |
Breathing Space | Whatever | 1997 |
Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine | Live in Old Smokey | 2004 |
Can't We Just Sit Down And Talk It Over | Best of | 1997 |
Come Along People | Say No More | 1971 |
Come Back And Finish What You Started | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Comes Back to mMy Love | Legends | 2005 |
Cordon Blues | Legends | 2005 |
Da'lin' (Groove) | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Destination Love | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
Do Ya Know Dino? | Second Nature | 1995 |
Doin' The Right Thing | Whatever | 1997 |
Donkey's Years | Say No More | 1971 |
Don't Come Crying | Whatever | 1997 |
Don't Let It Go | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
Dreamer of Dreams | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Earthed Again | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Easy | Whatever | 1997 |
Far Cry | Whatever | 1997 |
Fathoms Deep | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Feeling Feeling | Lark | 1972 |
Flipped Over Your Love | Best of | 1997 |
Follow The Piper | Say No More | 1971 |
For Love's Sake | Second Nature | 1995 |
For Mama | Say No More | 1971 |
Funky Kitchen | Say No More | 1971 |
Gladly Give My Hand | Lark | 1972 |
Goodbye Joanna | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Grandaddy's Calypso | Live in Old Smokey | 2004 |
Guffer | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Hampstead Way | Say No More | 1971 |
He's A Diamond | Whatever | 1997 |
Hymn | Say No More | 1971 |
I Am What I Am | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
I Can't Get Enough | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
I Do My Best To Impress | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
I Don't Do Don't | Live in Old Smokey | 2004 |
I Dunno | Say No More | 1971 |
I Keep a Wish | Live in Old Smokey | 2004 |
I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You | Hacienda View | 1979 |
If I Could | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
I'm in Love Again | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
I'm Not A Little Girl Any More | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
In The Heat | Second Nature | 1995 |
It Don't Hurt | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time | Hacienda View | 1979 |
It's in His Kiss (Shoop Shoop Song) | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
It's the Frame | Lark | 1972 |
Kingman-Tinman | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Kiss of Life | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Lark | Lark | 1972 |
Last Call | Whatever | 1997 |
Light Years Away | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Like I Dance | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Little Indians | Lark | 1972 |
Lookin' Forward (To Lookin' Back) | Born Performer | 1996 |
Love Inside | Second Nature | 1995 |
Love Plateau | Second Nature | 1995 |
Love Where Are You Now (That I Need You) | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
Love, Love, Love | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
Lullabye | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Magic in the Music | Say No More | 1971 |
Makes You Wonder | Whatever | 1997 |
May You Never | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
Moles | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Moment of Diamond | Second Nature | 1995 |
Moon And I | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
More Than a Fool | Lark | 1972 |
More Than Enough | Second Nature | 1995 |
Mr Respectable | Whatever | 1997 |
My Aphrodisiac Is You | Hacienda View | 1979 |
My Friend The Sun | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
My Grandaddy Could Reggae | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
My Love Is Here To Stay | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Never Been Done Before | Best of | 1997 |
No.1 Heartbreaker | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Nobody But You | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Number One Heartbreaker | Best of | 2003 |
Old Smokey | Lark | 1972 |
On The Stage | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Our Day Will come | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Peter's Garden | Say No More | 1971 |
Play Around | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Reach for the Truth | Lark | 1972 |
Red Light Ladies | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
Rock A Doodle Do | Heart Strings | 1975 |
Rock and Roller Coaster | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
Rolling For Awhile | Hacienda View | 1979 |
Safe And Sound | Heart Strings | 1975 |
Save The Last Dance For Me | Hacienda View | 1979 |
Shining | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
Sideway Shuffle | Heart Strings | 1975 |
Sleeping Like A Baby | Hacienda View | 1979 |
So Many Mysteries To Find | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
So Sixties | Second Nature | 1995 |
Soon Come | Second Nature | 1995 |
Spring Song | Lark | 1972 |
Sweet Heartache | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
Sweet To Do Nothing | Second Nature | 1995 |
Take Me for a Little While | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
That's Love | Hacienda View | 1979 |
The Best Days of My Life | Hacienda View | 1979 |
The Other Side | Legends | 2005 |
The Same Song | Say No More | 1971 |
The Seaside Song | Legends | 2005 |
This Boy | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
This Time I'll Be Sweeter | Not a Little Girl Anymore | 1975 |
Too Good To Be True | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
Walk About | Legends | 2005 |
Waterbaby | Lark | 1972 |
Waving | Live in Old Smokey | 2004 |
We Can Win | Say No More | 1971 |
Wearing wings | Kiss of Life | 1999 |
What Are You Asking Me For | Lark | 1972 |
Whatever | Whatever | 1997 |
What's All This About? | Second Nature | 1995 |
Why Can't I Be The Other Woman | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
Winter Wonderland | Legends | 2005 |
Wise Eyes | Fathoms Deep | 1973 |
You Came | Woman Overboard | 1977 |
You Don't Know What You're Missing | A Tear and a Smile | 1983 |
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 320. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights – The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. p. 507,508.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Linda Lewis, biography". lindalewis.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Linda Lewis, Credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- 1 2 Get Ready to Rock (May 2009). "Linda Lewis, interview". myspace.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Lewis, Linda (3 July 2007). "interview, Linda Lewis". Big Al Unleashed (Interview). Interview with Alex Dyke. Isle of Wight Radio.
- ↑ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Fathoms Deep". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Lewis at 45cat
- ↑ "Linda Lewis at Glastonbury 2003". myspace.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ "Common, the single (EP) Go". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ "Common, Be". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ National Portrait Gallery. "exhibition of Photographs 1965–2006". www.npg.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ National Portrait Gallery. "Portrait of Linda Lewis(1950–)". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ "Soul Britannia Allstars". barbican.org.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Second Nature". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Lark". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Weber, Melissa (1999). "Linda Lewis -- Bold Soul Sisters". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
References
- Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights – The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963–1976. Borderline (2006). Reprinted (2008). ISBN 1-899855-15-7
- Roberts, David. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th edition. Guinness World Records Limited (2006). ISBN 1-904994-10-5