Linda Lewis

Linda Lewis (born Linda Ann Fredericks, 27 September 1950) is an English vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. She is the eldest of six children, three of whom also had singing careers. She is best known for the singles "Rock-a-Doodle-Doo" (1973), "Sideway Shuffle" (1973) and her version of Betty Everett's "Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" (1975),[1] and for albums such as Lark (1972), Not a Little Girl Anymore (1975), 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, Peter Bardens,[3] Hummingbird, Joan Armatrading and Jamiroquai.[4]

For the author, see Linda Lewis (author). For those of a similar name, see Lewis (disambiguation).

Linda Lewis
Birth name	Linda Ann Fredericks
Born	(1950-09-27) 27 September 1950 West Ham, Essex, England
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

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

Linda Fredericks was born in West Ham, Essex. At the age of three she was sent to stage school and was regularly cast in non-speaking television 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. She 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 a club in Southend-on-Sea. 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 honour 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 1967, Linda Lewis formed White Rabbit with Junior Marvin, moving on to replace Marsha Hunt in the soul rock band The Ferris Wheel in 1970 and touring 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 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 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 as 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 the United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom, 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

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] 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 that of Mariah Carey. Reviewer Melissa Weber commented that her voice had similarities to that of Minnie Riperton, 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
"You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet"	05/1984	producer: Kev Roberts Injection Records	"Breaker"
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 My 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	Lark	1972
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

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 320. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights – The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. pp. 507–8.
3. "Linda Lewis, biography". lindalewis.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
4. "Linda Lewis, Credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
5. Get Ready to Rock (May 2009). "Linda Lewis, interview". myspace.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
6. Lewis, Linda (3 July 2007). "interview, Linda Lewis". Big Al Unleashed (Interview). Interviewed by Alex Dyke. Isle of Wight Radio. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
7. Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Fathoms Deep". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
8. Lewis at 45cat
9. "Linda Lewis at Glastonbury 2003". myspace.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
10. "Common, the single (EP) Go". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
11. "Common, Be". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
12. National Portrait Gallery. "exhibition of Photographs 1965–2006". www.npg.org.uk. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
13. National Portrait Gallery. "Portrait of Linda Lewis(1950–)". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
14. "Soul Britannia Allstars". barbican.org.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
15. Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Second Nature". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
16. Hanson, Amy. "Linda Lewis, Lark". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
17. Weber, Melissa (1999). "Linda Lewis -- Bold Soul Sisters". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.

Additional sources

• 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

External links

• Official Linda Lewis website
• Linda Lewis Myspace