Lark (album)
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Lark is the second studio album released by British singer songwriter Linda Lewis. It was recorded at Apple studio for Reprise Records and released in 1972.[1]
The cover was designed by English art director John Kosh with photography by Peter Howe.[1]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
In June 2015 Rolling Stone included Lark on their list of 20 R&B Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard. They describe it as "an unusual type of soul music: stripped down, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar and piano, casual, "a delight." [3]
In 1973 Rolling Stone critic Vince Aletti wrote "Linda Lewis has this very strange voice. It's like a little girl's: high, with a breathy sort of purity, full of recklessness and wit. But it also has an unexpectedly rough texture which cuts into the little-girl quality so that, while she sounds like no one else, there are moments when she feels like early Stevie Wonder crossed with Michael Jackson — an extraordinary combination. [3]
In April 2015 Gilles Peterson rated Lark at number 77 of his top 100 Albums that every Gilles Peterson fan should have. He described the album as "bold, dramatic and chilling yet smooth, soulful and comforting, this record encompasses the British musician at her best." [4]
Allmusic's Amy Hanson reviewed Lark as "the best of Linda Lewis' early '70s output" and concludes, "the end result is an album that, even today, defines Lewis at her dramatic best – and sounds as fresh to modern ears as it did to Bowie fans back then."[5]
Lewis performed "It's The Frame" and "What Are You Asking Me For" live on BBC Two's The Old Grey Whistle Test in April 1972.[6]
Track samples
Track 2 – "Reach for the Truth" (whole track) was sampled in "Reach Out" by Midfield General (2000).[7]
Track 8 – "Old Smokey" (hook/riff) was sampled in "Go!" by Common feat. John Mayer and Kanye West (2005).[8]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Spring Song" | Linda Lewis | 02:08 |
| 2. | "Reach for the Truth" | Linda Lewis | 04:48 |
| 3. | "It's The Frame" | Linda Lewis | 03:38 |
| 4. | "Feeling Feeling" | Linda Lewis | 03:05 |
| 5. | "What Are You Asking Me For" | Linda Lewis | 02:50 |
| 6. | "Lark" | Linda Lewis | 04:31 |
| 7. | "Rock A Doodle Do" | 03:26 | |
| 8. | "Old Smokey" | Linda Lewis | 03:21 |
| 9. | "Gladly Give My Hand" | Linda Lewis | 02:40 |
| 10. | "More Than A Fool" | 03:24 | |
| 11. | "Been My Best" | Linda Lewis | 02:53 |
| 12. | "Waterbaby" | Linda Lewis | 03:55 |
| 13. | "Little Indians" | 02:53 | |
| Total length: | 40:08 | ||
Personnel
All personnel credits adapted from the album's sleeve notes.[1]
Linda Lewis
Vocals, guitar, electric piano, guiro, tambourine, wind chimes
Additional musicians
- Jim Cregan – guitars
- Emile Latimer – percussion
- Pat Donaldson – bass
- Phil Chen - bass (on Rock-a-Doodle-Doo)
- Gerry Conway – drums
- Jean Roussel – Piano, electric piano, organ, marimba
- Eric Oxendine – bass
- Poli Palmer – vibes, marimba, flute
- Paul Williams – guitar
- Michael Eve – saxophone
Production
- Engineer – Phil McDonald
- Engineer (2nd) – John Barrett
- Engineer (Cutting) – Malcolm Davies
- Executive producer – Tony Gourvish
- Producer – Linda Lewis, Jim Cregan
- Written by – Linda Lewis
References
- ^ a b c Lark (LP). Linda Lewis. London, UK: Reprise Records. 1972. K 44208.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|titlelink=(help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Hanson, Amy. "Lark – Linda Lewis". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b "20 R&B Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard". Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Gilles Peterson / Must Have Album #77". Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ Hanson, Amy. Lark: Linda Lewis at AllMusic
- ^
Presenter: Richard Williams (18 April 1972). "The Old Grey Whistle Test live performances by Linda Lewis". The Old Grey Whistle Test. London. 5:45 minutes in. BBC. BBC Two.
{{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|episodelink=and|serieslink=(help) - ^ "Reach for the Truth sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "Old Smokey sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
External links
- Lark at Last.fm
- Lark at Discogs
- Linda Lewis at MTV
- Linda Lewis at BBC