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| Ledisi's New Album Debuts At #14 Overall And #5 For R&B Chart Ledisi's 'Turn Me Loose' (Verve Forecast), released last week, has given the soul singer her highest ever chart position, debuting at #14 on The Billboard 200 and #5 on the top R&B albums. Last Sunday, Ledisi explained to NPR Weekend Edition's Liane Hansen the importance of her favorite red shoes, and her philosophy for putting on live shows. She says, "for me, I want to touch you, I want to feel you, I want you to feel me. And all the greats did that. They made you feel something...I imagine myself as an audience member. I want to be tired after and be like, ooh, that was so great, like, I had a workout, I'm uplifted and I'm energized. That's me. That's me fire hot with the microphone. That's how I am." This "soul diva [who] belts with rousing abandon" (PEOPLE, 8.24.09) certainly demonstrated her connection with fans and embodied the unrestrained spirit of 'Turn Me Loose' at album release parties/CD signings in NY and DC last week. While the NY gig was a private affair, this snapshot below shows some of the over 5, 500 people who stood in the rain and sweltering heat to watch Ledisi perform a free set at the National Harbor in DC. Fans aren't the only ones clamoring about 'Turn Me Loose.' Here's what critics are saying: "This soul diva leaves no doubt as to why she earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist... when this lady sings the blues on the Al Greenish 'Love Never Changes' and the fiery title track, turning her loose is the last thing you'll want to do" - People, Ivory Jeff Clinton, 8.24.09 "she sounds free-spirited and fully in control, her raw-honey vocals soaring with hard-won authority and delicious abandon." - USA Today, Elysa Gardner, 8.18.09 "more youth-oriented than 'Lost & Found, ' ... Ledisi yowls like a punk-rock Tina Turner." - Los Angeles Times, Mikael Wood, 8.19.09 "The Grammy-nominated (for Best New Artist) songstress brings raw, aggressive vocal power and uninhibited songwriting reminiscent of her higher-profile peers to the plate...Ledisi's sound encompasses blues-funk, gospel and vintage soul as well as searing contemporary cuts" - Boston Herald, Lauren Carter, 8.21.09 "Ledisi follows up her fine debut with a more vibrant and bolder album that really shows off her versatility as a vocalist... Ledisi has, no doubt, arrived." - Boston Globe, Ken Capobianco 8.17.09 "turn her up...fantastic...even as she yearns for the good old days, Ledisi breathtakingly bares her funky soul here and now, amid horns, Hammond B3 organ and handclaps. The results aren't merely old-school; they're timeless." - Cleveland Plain Dealer, John Soeder, 8.23.09 write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |