Linda Lewis' Brilliant Low-Key Debut
Saying just a bit about the 1971 Say No More
If you need any more proof about the enduring resonance of the music that happened in the early 1970s, check out the low-key, astonishingly underknown debut of British folk/soul singer Linda Lewis. This song, written by the prolific Ian Samwell, catches the upbeat tones and sly melodic sophistication that prevails throughout the album. It’s one of those instant mood-altering works; put it on and the skies suddenly look brighter.
Lewis — who is still alive and active — has a five-octave range, and like other similarly gifted vocalists (Minnie Ripperton, et al), she’s comfortable using all of it without over-emphasizing its extremes. Everything about Say No More is delicately understated; Lewis’ original “Come Along People” unfolds gradually over a firm but tactiturn rhythmic foundation that allows the vocals to become more dimensional with each verse. Lewis sang background vocals with lots of stars during this period — she’s on David Bowie’s Alladin Sane and Cat Stevens’ Catch Bull at Four — but after hearing Say No More….you wonder why she’s talked about so little.
It’s nice to remember when popular music was so optimistic about life and romance.
I haven't thought about Linda for years...shame on me! But, good on ya, Tom, for shining a light! She's British, so I wonder if that had any reason for her lack of promo/radio play here in the States. There's no excuse, but that may be a reason. I had a couple of her early '70s Reprise albums ("Lark" especially I recall), and I remember her multitude of session work for Bowie (as you mentioned) and several other (mostly) Brit artists. THEY knew what she could bring to a session!
It wasn't until her '75 Arista album that I paid a little more attention, as Clive, I think, took it upon himself to try to radio-friendly her, with "The Shoop-Shoop Song" and "The Old Schoolyard," both released as singles (even doing some recording in NYC, as well as London). Still, she just couldn't "stick" in the U.S. Pity....but, happy to see her still around and performing, if not recording! Well done, Tom, and thanks!