Linda Lewis (born Linda Ann Fredericks , 27 September 1950, West Ham, London) is an English vocalist, a songwriter and guitar player, renowned for her vocals. Linda is the older sister of Shirley Lewis (singer, and background vocalist, notably for Elton John), and Dee Lewis (singer, known for the song "Best Of My Love").

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Biography

Lewis is the oldest of six children. From an early age, Lewis showed promise in acting and singing; so much so that her mother decided to send her to a local stage school when she was only three years old. Over the next few years, Lewis was regularly cast in non-speaking TV and film roles: appearing in the 1961 film, A Taste of Honey , and in the role of a screaming fan in the first Beatles' movie (1964) A Hard Day's Night .

Acting, however, was never her first ambition. Possessing a five-octave vocal range, Lewis built her reputation as a singer instead, joining the British group Ferris Wheel in 1967. When the group disbanded in 1970, she went on to pursue a solo career.

A self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, Lewis was heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder and also drew inspiration from Joni Mitchell among others. With her blend of soul; folk, pop and reggae, she helped paved the way for today's artists like Des'ree and India.Arie.

In 1971, Lewis signed a solo deal with Warner Bros. Records/Reprise Records, having been introduced to the record label by her then boyfriend (and now label-mate) Jim Cregan, who went on to become her husband. She also launched a career as a session vocalist. Over the next few years, her powerful and amazing range could be heard on hit albums by Al Kooper and David Bowie (she appears on his 1973 Aladdin Sane LP), among others.

Her first hit single "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" reached #15 in the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1973 and was followed by the album Fathoms Deep , which featured former Jeff Beck group guitarist Bobby Tench. This album established her as one of Britain's most promising young female singer-songwriters but, although it was critically acclaimed it did not did have the success expected. ^[1] Lewis went on to release another album, but her big break did not come until Not A Little Girl Anymore (1975), featuring contributions from Allen Toussaint and the Tower of Power horn section, among others. A new single, covering Betty Everett's 1964 U.S. R&B Top Ten hit, "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in his Kiss)" appeared alongside it, reaching number 6 in the UK chart; now followed up with "A Tear and a Smile", on which she duets with Luther Vandross on "Why Can't I Be The Other Woman", she also appeared on the music video of the 1977 duet hit "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard" alongside singer-songwriter Cat Stevens (although the female vocal was by Elkie Brooks).

After over a decade of non-stop touring, performing and recording, Lewis went on hiatus during the 1980s, spending over ten years in Los Angeles out of the public eye.

Comeback

After a ten year hiatus, Lewis recorded 1995's Second Nature LP. A hit in Japan, the album reached the top of that country's charts. Its success sparked a string of gigs that were recorded and compiled on the 1996 live album On The Stage - Live in Japan (released, with one extra track, as Born Performer in Japan). An EP, "What's All this About", followed in 1996; 1997's Whatever... and 1999's Kiss of Life consolidated her comeback.

In 2006, Lewis returned to the spotlight with her newly released album Live in Old Smokey , which featured a string of new songs and previously released ones that have been re-recorded. She toured England the same year.

In 2007, Lewis toured with the Soul Britannia All Stars in the UK. BBC Four also featured Lewis in an hour-long recording from her Barbican gig with the Soul Britannia All Stars. She teamed up with Basement Jaxx for another collaboration, featured in a Japanese anime film released in June. Lewis also prepared demos for Warner Bros. Records, to be added to a second volume of her 2002 compilation Reach For The Truth .

In June 2007 the National Portrait Gallery, in London showcased the work and talent of black female musicians - this included items by Lewis, Shirley Bassey and others.

Vocal profile

The official Linda Lewis website has decribed the signer as having a five octave vocal range. ^[2] Charles Waring of Blues & Soul magazine, in Lewis' biography has decribed the vocal range, displayed in her 2003 The Best of Linda Lewis album, as powerful. ^[3] It has also been decribed as remarkable and dynamic by Allmusic reviewer Amy Hanson. ^[4]

Lewis' ability to sing in the whistle register is also mentioned by Amy Hanson in her review of Lewis' 1972 album Lark , where she writes: "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". ^[5] Discomuseum.com also refers to Lewis' ability in the whistle register and comparies her vocal prowess to that of Mariah Carey. ^[6] Although Lewis' voice has also been compared to that of Minnie Riperton, Lewis displays a wider vocal range with the ability also to sing in a lower register. ^[7]

Discography

Albums

• Say No More (1971) (Reprise)
• Lark (1972) (Reprise)
• Fathom Deep (1973) (Raft)
• Heart Strings (1974) (Reprise)
• Not A Little Girl Anymore (1975) (Arista) (#40, September 1975)
• Woman Overboard (1977) (Arista)
• Hacienda View (1979) (Ariola)
• A Tear And A Smile (1983) (Epic)
• Second Nature (1995) (Sony)
• Born Performer: Live in Japan (1996) (Sony)
• The Best Of Linda Lewis (1996) (BMG)
• Whatever... (1997) (Turpin)
• Best Of Linda Lewis (1997) (Camden)
• Kiss Of Life (1999) (Turpin)
• Reach for the Truth: Best of the Reprise Years 1971-74 (2002) (Rhino)
• Legend (2005) (BMG)
• Live In Old Smokey (2006) (Market Place)

NB. Chart placing relates to the UK Albums Chart

Singles

• "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" (#15, June 1973)
• "It's In His Kiss" (#6, July 1975)
• "Baby I'm Yours" (#33, April 1976)
• "(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard"The female vocalist on this is ELKIE BROOKS" (#44, 1977) (written for Lewis by Cat Stevens and inspired by St. Joseph's in London, where he went to school).
• "I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You" (#40, June 1979)
• "Reach Out" (with Midfield General) (#61, August 2000)

NB. Chart placings relate to the UK Singles Chart ^[8]

References

1. Linda Lewis - singer songwriter - Biography
2. Lindalewis.co.uk
3. Cmt.com
4. Answers.com
5. Artistdirect.com
6. Discomuseum.com
7. Angelfire.com
8. British Hit Singles & Albums