Express Yourself! Features
ELOISE LAWS
By Alan Mercer
The mid-70's saw the emergence of a new kind of sophisticated female vocalist.
Deniece Williams and Natalie Cole were cutting their first records. Angela Bofill
and Phyllis Hyman showed great promise. Stephanie Mills, along with Melba
Moore, was making the transition from Broadway cast members to long lasting
solo recording careers There wasn't always enough radio airplay for these artists,
but for the adventuresome listener who was willing to research new releases,
there was much musical wealth to be found. Among these new and upcoming
chanteuses, one stood alone by the sheer magnetism of her "instrument", her
voice. The term "songbird" was never more appropriate, than to describe the
vocal abilities of Eloise Laws.
Eloise Laws' soulful, easy-flowing singing voice is a direct representation of her
regal, articulate personality. She was born in Houston, Texas as a member of the
multi-talented musical Laws family, which also includes vocalist sister Debra,
flutist-saxophonist brother Hubert, and soprano saxophonist brother Ronnie.
With the kind of talent she possesses, she had no choice but to follow a musical
path. For those who listen and cherish her all too small, recorded output, we are
grateful that she has persevered. She sings with vibrancy and with the masterful
control of an expert vocalist skilled at nuance and after thirty years in the
business, she is still doing what she does best - singing with that sweet-sounding
voice.
Eloise began her recording career with the Holland-Dozier- Holland team in 1972
on their Music Merchant label. The famous songwriting team then signed her to
their Invictus label. They were able to release a few singles, most notably "Love
Factory", "Stay With Me", "Tighten Him Up", and "Touch Me". There is a sassy
quality to these cuts, reminiscent of the time. The full-length album, "Ain't It Good
Feeling Good" came out in 1977 and is a soul classic. The eight songs on this
album include the singles, "Put A Little Love Into It", and "Love Goes Deeper Than
That", along with such sultry songs as the title cut, "Where Did We Go Wrong",
the deeply soulful, "I Believe In You Baby", and the power ballad, "Camouflage".
Unfortunately, Invictus folded soon after this release, though it did not keep Eloise
down. She signed with ABC Records and released what many consider a classic
recording, the self-titled "Eloise", produced by the late Linda Creed. A famous and
respected songwriter, Creed wrote six of the nine cuts on this release especially
for Eloise. Each song is just as special as the next, from the opening number,
"Baby You Lied" to the last notes of the final cut, "Forever Now". So timeless is
the quality of these songs that Eloise chose to re-record five of them for her
long-awaited new 2000 release, "The Key".
In 1980, Eloise released her next full-length recording, the self-titled "Eloise Laws"
for Liberty Records. She again chose Linda Creed to produce this sophisticated,
quiet storm-styled album. A cover of the classic "You Are Everything" (written by
Creed and longtime collaborator Thom Bell) closes side one. Other highlights of
this album are the lush "Moment To Moment", "Strength Of A Woman", and "Let's
Find Those Two People Again". Brother Ronnie Laws produced "Almost All The
Way To Love" to complete this record.
Two years later, and now on the Capitol Label, came "All In Time" produced by
Ronnie Laws and William Jeffery. This album contains the cut "If I Had My Way"
co-written by Eloise and "While The City Sleeps" co-written by Ronnie. By now
her reputation as a distinctive stylist was well known. "I've Loved You Somewhere
Before" and "I Did It For Your Love" are both gorgeous and meaningful in content
and style.
After this time, Eloise slowed down her recording career. In fact it would be
seventeen years before she would record another full-length album. What did she
do in the years in between? She took time out to be a good mother to her
daughter, Alexandra and focus her attention on some other aspects of show
business like being on stage in a variety of musical productions like, "South
Pacific", "House of Flowers", and "Candide". She won the Cherry Blossom Award
with the Tokyo Music Festival in Japan in 1987, and performed at the Playboy
Jazz Festival with her musical siblings.
Her most recent accomplishment has been with the acclaimed Broadway show,
"It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues". As a cast member of this prestigious musical, she
had the opportunity to use the raw, primal side of her voice on such numbers as
"My Man Rocks Me" and "I Put A Spell On You". Eloise also sings "Someone Else
Is Steppin' In" accompanied by the already legendary 18-year-old blues player
Jonny Lang in this live recording. The original Broadway cast recording of this
show from Lincoln Center is available from MCA Records. Eloise has also taken
this show to the West Coast and marveled audiences with her impassioned and
inspired performances.
The Eloise Laws story is not complete without mentioning that she was in The
Fifth Dimension for about three weeks when Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
left. Feeling it just wasn't right for her at the time, she summoned up her courage
and quit after being a guest on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."
Eloise can be heard as a guest vocalist on many of Hubert's and Ronnie's albums.
A standout cut is the classic Ira Gershwin/Kurt Weill penned, "My Ship" on
Hubert's "Storm Then The Calm", proving there is no standard Eloise cannot
make her own. On "Mirror Town" from Ronnie's album of the same name, she
sings in a funkier style than usual. Once again, a standard, "When I Fall In Love"
from Ronnie's "Brotherhood" release is a knockout. She can also be heard on
sets by Lee Oskar, Ahmad Jamal, and The Jazz Crusaders. She duets with Harry
Belafonte on "So Close" from his "Play Me" release and is on the soundtrack to
the Clint Eastwood film "City Heat".
In 1999, Eloise restarted her recording career full time. Released on Scepterstein
Records, "The Key" is the long-awaited new release. This is truly a family project
with Hubert producing this time. Ronnie plays soprano sax throughout and Debra
sings backup on the title cut. This is an instant Eloise Laws classic. Twenty years
from now it will be just as timeless as her work from twenty years ago is today.
Opening the album is the cool, classy cut, "The Last Days of Summer" moving
into two duets, "Ecstasy" and "You're Lovely" before we revisit "Forever Now"
from the 1977 "Eloise" album. She co-wrote the next cut, "The More Things
Change" proving she is a formidable songwriter. Hubert wrote "Ecstasy", "False
Faces", and the sensational title cut. "The Key" perfectly suits the Eloise Laws
style and philosophy. She is a musical High Priestess who follows her Muse and
is able to deliver the healing quality through her presence and her voice to any
audience .
Perhaps her first producer, Brian Holland, sums her up best when he states,
"Eloise Laws is one of the most spiritual persons I know. Her karma abounds with
a joy that touches everyone she meets and brings forth 'good feelings'."
The only thing left to say is, "Thank you Ms. Laws". Thank you for being who you
are and sharing your gifts with the world around you. There is absolutely no one
else with your special talents and abilities.
You can contact Alan at: amphotos@sbcglobal.net
By Alan Mercer
The mid-70's saw the emergence of a new kind of sophisticated female vocalist.
Deniece Williams and Natalie Cole were cutting their first records. Angela Bofill
and Phyllis Hyman showed great promise. Stephanie Mills, along with Melba
Moore, was making the transition from Broadway cast members to long lasting
solo recording careers There wasn't always enough radio airplay for these artists,
but for the adventuresome listener who was willing to research new releases,
there was much musical wealth to be found. Among these new and upcoming
chanteuses, one stood alone by the sheer magnetism of her "instrument", her
voice. The term "songbird" was never more appropriate, than to describe the
vocal abilities of Eloise Laws.
Eloise Laws' soulful, easy-flowing singing voice is a direct representation of her
regal, articulate personality. She was born in Houston, Texas as a member of the
multi-talented musical Laws family, which also includes vocalist sister Debra,
flutist-saxophonist brother Hubert, and soprano saxophonist brother Ronnie.
With the kind of talent she possesses, she had no choice but to follow a musical
path. For those who listen and cherish her all too small, recorded output, we are
grateful that she has persevered. She sings with vibrancy and with the masterful
control of an expert vocalist skilled at nuance and after thirty years in the
business, she is still doing what she does best - singing with that sweet-sounding
voice.
Eloise began her recording career with the Holland-Dozier- Holland team in 1972
on their Music Merchant label. The famous songwriting team then signed her to
their Invictus label. They were able to release a few singles, most notably "Love
Factory", "Stay With Me", "Tighten Him Up", and "Touch Me". There is a sassy
quality to these cuts, reminiscent of the time. The full-length album, "Ain't It Good
Feeling Good" came out in 1977 and is a soul classic. The eight songs on this
album include the singles, "Put A Little Love Into It", and "Love Goes Deeper Than
That", along with such sultry songs as the title cut, "Where Did We Go Wrong",
the deeply soulful, "I Believe In You Baby", and the power ballad, "Camouflage".
Unfortunately, Invictus folded soon after this release, though it did not keep Eloise
down. She signed with ABC Records and released what many consider a classic
recording, the self-titled "Eloise", produced by the late Linda Creed. A famous and
respected songwriter, Creed wrote six of the nine cuts on this release especially
for Eloise. Each song is just as special as the next, from the opening number,
"Baby You Lied" to the last notes of the final cut, "Forever Now". So timeless is
the quality of these songs that Eloise chose to re-record five of them for her
long-awaited new 2000 release, "The Key".
In 1980, Eloise released her next full-length recording, the self-titled "Eloise Laws"
for Liberty Records. She again chose Linda Creed to produce this sophisticated,
quiet storm-styled album. A cover of the classic "You Are Everything" (written by
Creed and longtime collaborator Thom Bell) closes side one. Other highlights of
this album are the lush "Moment To Moment", "Strength Of A Woman", and "Let's
Find Those Two People Again". Brother Ronnie Laws produced "Almost All The
Way To Love" to complete this record.
Two years later, and now on the Capitol Label, came "All In Time" produced by
Ronnie Laws and William Jeffery. This album contains the cut "If I Had My Way"
co-written by Eloise and "While The City Sleeps" co-written by Ronnie. By now
her reputation as a distinctive stylist was well known. "I've Loved You Somewhere
Before" and "I Did It For Your Love" are both gorgeous and meaningful in content
and style.
After this time, Eloise slowed down her recording career. In fact it would be
seventeen years before she would record another full-length album. What did she
do in the years in between? She took time out to be a good mother to her
daughter, Alexandra and focus her attention on some other aspects of show
business like being on stage in a variety of musical productions like, "South
Pacific", "House of Flowers", and "Candide". She won the Cherry Blossom Award
with the Tokyo Music Festival in Japan in 1987, and performed at the Playboy
Jazz Festival with her musical siblings.
Her most recent accomplishment has been with the acclaimed Broadway show,
"It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues". As a cast member of this prestigious musical, she
had the opportunity to use the raw, primal side of her voice on such numbers as
"My Man Rocks Me" and "I Put A Spell On You". Eloise also sings "Someone Else
Is Steppin' In" accompanied by the already legendary 18-year-old blues player
Jonny Lang in this live recording. The original Broadway cast recording of this
show from Lincoln Center is available from MCA Records. Eloise has also taken
this show to the West Coast and marveled audiences with her impassioned and
inspired performances.
The Eloise Laws story is not complete without mentioning that she was in The
Fifth Dimension for about three weeks when Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
left. Feeling it just wasn't right for her at the time, she summoned up her courage
and quit after being a guest on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."
Eloise can be heard as a guest vocalist on many of Hubert's and Ronnie's albums.
A standout cut is the classic Ira Gershwin/Kurt Weill penned, "My Ship" on
Hubert's "Storm Then The Calm", proving there is no standard Eloise cannot
make her own. On "Mirror Town" from Ronnie's album of the same name, she
sings in a funkier style than usual. Once again, a standard, "When I Fall In Love"
from Ronnie's "Brotherhood" release is a knockout. She can also be heard on
sets by Lee Oskar, Ahmad Jamal, and The Jazz Crusaders. She duets with Harry
Belafonte on "So Close" from his "Play Me" release and is on the soundtrack to
the Clint Eastwood film "City Heat".
In 1999, Eloise restarted her recording career full time. Released on Scepterstein
Records, "The Key" is the long-awaited new release. This is truly a family project
with Hubert producing this time. Ronnie plays soprano sax throughout and Debra
sings backup on the title cut. This is an instant Eloise Laws classic. Twenty years
from now it will be just as timeless as her work from twenty years ago is today.
Opening the album is the cool, classy cut, "The Last Days of Summer" moving
into two duets, "Ecstasy" and "You're Lovely" before we revisit "Forever Now"
from the 1977 "Eloise" album. She co-wrote the next cut, "The More Things
Change" proving she is a formidable songwriter. Hubert wrote "Ecstasy", "False
Faces", and the sensational title cut. "The Key" perfectly suits the Eloise Laws
style and philosophy. She is a musical High Priestess who follows her Muse and
is able to deliver the healing quality through her presence and her voice to any
audience .
Perhaps her first producer, Brian Holland, sums her up best when he states,
"Eloise Laws is one of the most spiritual persons I know. Her karma abounds with
a joy that touches everyone she meets and brings forth 'good feelings'."
The only thing left to say is, "Thank you Ms. Laws". Thank you for being who you
are and sharing your gifts with the world around you. There is absolutely no one
else with your special talents and abilities.
You can contact Alan at: amphotos@sbcglobal.net
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