Artist:
LEONIE PARKER
Album: SOUL & HEAL
Genre: Soul / R & B
Label
Digimix Records Ltd
Catalogue #: DGMX508
Downloads
at iTunes and Internet download stores worldwide
 | Geoff
Waddington thinks music wove its spell on him
at an early age. He can't remember a time when he didn't have some tune or other,
bouncing around in his head. He felt privileged to have been brought up listening
to the great music of the sixties, bands like the Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks,
Manfred Mann, artistes like Dusty Springfield , the list goes on and on, too many
to mention. Geoff started putting songs together at about fifteen years of age,
although he had been messing around with ideas before that. It was about at this
age, fourteen or fifteen when he was introduced to soul music by his good friend
and current d.j Johnathan (Shay) Richardson. Here was a new kind of music I'd
never heard before, by artistes like The Impressions, The Isley Brothers, Martha
Reeves, Darrell Banks and many, many more who I'd never heard of. Geoff was hooked
then and he still is today. Geoff started
working with musicians and recording my material whilst in his early twenties
A mixture of soul songs, rock songs and general pop or whatever felt right at
the time. Probably, looking back, this was the time he should have been looking
to front my own band, but he was happy to keep recording his material and sending
it record companies where he no doubt it ended up on a huge pile of unheard material
from writers like his self. his influences come from all styles of music,mostly
soul, from the classics right through to todays modern sounds but also atristes
like the Stones, Bruce Springsteen and who could fail to be influenced by the
latest offering from Alicia Keyes. his inspiration , like most writers, comes
from within him. After a short spell of performing his own material as a self
contained solo act he realised that to continue he would have to include cover
material, standards, etc in his act, a route he didn't want to go down - he thought
to perform covers you have to be either a great singer and do justice to the song
or interpret the song in a different way-and so he decided to concentrate his
efforts on writing.
Geoff didn't set out to write material for female
artistes, but the good singers he knew of at the time from his area were female
and so he adjusted his material to fit. Having worked with some really nice singers,
he was looking for a new voice to front his soul material, when a friend at work
gave him a tape of a young singer, the daughter of a friend. Her name was Leonie
Parker and he started writing for her then and still is today.
Seven
years later, having had two vinyl releases through Real Side Records and numerous
radio plays on both sides of the Atlantic. The release a debut album of soul and
soul related tracks with Leonie Parker through Digimix Records has come
to fruition. This is an album which is designed to cover the spectrum of soul,
something for everyone who likes soul.Geoff is currently writing material for
Leonies second album and if you were to ask Geoff when he will stop writing songs
the answer is,quite simply, on the morning I don't wake up... LEONIE
PARKER was raised on soul music by her father an avid soul
fan. Leonie Parker’s natural strong vocal ability creates the great
atmosphere of all those fantastic recordings from days gone by to current times,
where influences of the all time great female soul artistes such as Aretha Franklin,
Dinah Washington, Roberta Flack, Etta James, Ruth Brown, etc, to name but
a few, through to the more contemporary artistes such as Beverley Knight, Rhianna,
Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Joss Stone and others, can be heard on the twelve original
unique songs on Leonie’s Soul & Heal album. Leonie Parker is set
to become one of the best selling artistes of the future. SOUL
& HEAL is the 12 track debut album from the Soul / R & B artist
Leonie Parker following on from her two successful vinyl releases released on
Real Side Records, along with two tracks also released on compilation albums from
Sanctuary Records, which have generated great attention with radio plays internationally
to support Leonie’s concerts and gigs. 
1. Still You Don’t Call Me
2. Get Your Lovekicks
3. The
River Listen
4. Fool For Your
Lovin’
5. Even If (Your Love Is Hot)
6. Why Don’t You Love
My Love - Listen
7. Silly
Love Games (Remix 2010)- Listen
8. Come On Home
9. My Love Is Gonna Get You
10. What Do I Know- Listen
11. Am I Losing You
12. All The People All The Time
All
songs written by:
Geoffrey Waddington
All songs published byScamp
Music (mcps/prs)
*********************************************************************
Michael
Arens editor of Soul Train Magazine Germany
says:
““Soul & Heal” is simply a very honest and down-to-earth
piece of timeless Blue Eyed Soul-magic. Leonie Parker’s voice is a perfect blend
of Dusty Springfield, Meli’sa Morgan and the better half of Stacy Lattisaw. One
hell of a humble, yet unbelievably soulful ride…” Michael Arens, www.soultrainonline.de
Michael
Arens editor of Soul Train Magazine Germany
*************************************************************************************************
Barry
Towler of The Vibe Scribe
comments:
"Fresh,'blue-eyed'
soul from the vivacious Leonie Parker! What instantly struck me about this album
is Leonie's impressive vocals, as well as the more than soulful and perfectly
pitched musical backdrop.
Her style, her delivery and swagger encompasses
many elements of classic, traditional singers as well as some notable new ones.
I hear the phrasing of Gwen McCrae, the emotional depth of Joss Stone and the
smoothness of JC Bentley.
Musically we have a contemporary mode with a
stylish and superior UK flavour throughout. Drawing upon classier US sounds and
choice UK dancefloor echoes, this is a set to appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners.
I know that many will instantly be attracted to the brassy "Fool For Your
Lovin'" - this bounciness and hook-driven song should not be out of place
at a Togetherness event and devotees of Terry Jones' superb musical taste would
equally plumb for this - one I could imagine hearing at the hallowed Norfolk Village.
The opening song with it's piano, summery pace and George Benson styled guitar
portrays a singer comfy with a warm, southern / modern soul style and unafraid
to be smooth...yet allowing a rough edge to reveal itself...this is the mastery
of Gwen McCrae and the smoothness of JC Bentley. "Even
If Your Love Is Hot" is a line in the sand effort that harks back to the
confrontational songs of Southern divas such as Shirley Brown and Millie Jackson.
Leonie Parker is not a woman to be mucked around with, and acknowledging the highs
she is more aware of the worrying lows of a relationship and songs like this are
important as messages to the players and users out there who treat women with
little or no respect.
There is a remix here of "Silly Love Games"
which has a great uptempo Lisa Stansfield feel to it, especially where her vocals
glide effortlessly. the muted trumpet - almost Donald Byrd style - is a brilliant
addition.
As far as I am concerned the gorgeously executed ballad "Come
On Home" is a real must. Not only does Leonie sound sexy and adorable but
the musical backdrop reminds me of an early 90s Intimate Productions track - think
The Affair or Chris Ballin. For me this makes the CD an essential release.
Fans of the recent "This Is Northern Soul" compilations should take
interest in "My Love Is Gonna Get You" which contains some flavour of
the wonderful 60s sound.
The final cut, "All The People, All The
Time" is a real monster and as far as socially conscious records go one of
the most 'heart-on-sleeve' recordings you will hear. What I like about this as
opposed to many recorded in these desperate times is that Leonie and writer Geoff
Waddington acknowledge that change comes from within and not without. It's also
a top tune for the dancers too, and that's a bonus! catchy, hook-driven and a
sure-fire quality radio hit. A fresh new talent and one to keep an eye out for!"
Barry
Towler of The Vibe Scribe
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