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] It was re-released in 1973 with the hit single Rock A Doodle Do added as the first track of side 2 of the LP.
| Lark | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1 October 1972 | |||
| Recorded | Apple Studio, London | |||
| Genre | Soul, Rhythm and blues | |||
| Length | 40:08 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Producer | Linda Lewis, Jim Cregan | |||
| Linda Lewis chronology | ||||
| ||||
The cover was designed by English art director John Kosh with photography by Peter Howe.[1]
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[3] |
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."[4]
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.[4]
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."[5]
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."[6]
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.[7]
Track samples edit
Track 2 – "Reach for the Truth" (whole track) was sampled in "Reach Out" by Midfield General (2000).[8]
Track 8 – "Old Smokey" (bridge) was sampled in "Go!" by Common feat. John Mayer and Kanye West (2005).[9]
Track listing edit
All tracks composed by Linda Lewis. Note: The album was re-released in 1973 with the hit single Rock A Doodle Do added as the first track of side 2 of the LP.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Spring Song" | 02:08 |
| 2. | "Reach for the Truth" | 04:48 |
| 3. | "It's the Frame" | 03:38 |
| 4. | "Feeling Feeling" | 03:05 |
| 5. | "What Are You Asking Me For" | 02:50 |
| 6. | "Lark" | 04:31 |
| 7. | "Rock A Doodle Do" | 03:26 |
| 8. | "Old Smokey" | 03:21 |
| 9. | "Gladly Give My Hand" | 02:40 |
| 10. | "More Than A Fool" | 03:24 |
| 11. | "Been My Best" | 02:53 |
| 12. | "Waterbaby" | 03:55 |
| 13. | "Little Indians" | 02:53 |
| Total length: | 40:08 | |
Personnel edit
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 edit
- ^ a b c Lark (LP). Linda Lewis. London, UK: Reprise Records. 1972. K 44208.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Hanson, Amy. "Lark – Linda Lewis". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: L". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 1 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b "20 R&B Albums Rolling Stone Loved in the 1970s You Never Heard". Rolling Stone. 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.
- ^ "Reach for the Truth sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "Old Smokey sample". WhoSampled. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
External links edit
- Lark at Last.fm
- Lark at Discogs
- Linda Lewis at MTV
- Linda Lewis at BBC