Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly
A n n e k e S c h o n e v e l d
Recently, the soulful siren from NewJersey, Laura Cheadle, released herfifth album:
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.The artist already has an enviablerésumé peppered with a number of impressive highlights. She was voted “Best Female Singer of 2009” by hitradio station 93.7 FM (WSTW) andbecause of her charity work,
SouthJersey Magazine
named Cheadle “Super Woman of South Jersey!” Shehas appeared on ABC and has openedfor such groups as the Jonas Brothers,Sister Hazel and the Spin Doctors. Butall that was just Laura getting warmedup.
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has adepth, range, sincerity and skill thatmake you forget to breathe whilelistening. Her subtle intensity leavesbehind warm embers of longing thatyearn to be reignited by her hushedand sultry vocals. Whether it’s acomfortably fun latin romp, an upbeatcountry-spiced stroll or a steamyromantic saunter, each track on thealbum is a moment that is not onlyalive, but feels lived. “Every single song is about a moment Ipersonally went through,” Lauraconfirmed. “As a songwriter, I alwayswrite directly from the heart.” And as aperformer, Cheadle sings everythingfrom her heart. “I truly feel every pieceof music.” The previous statement is most evidentin the fevered “Hey There Devil.” Thelyrics are delivered with a breathypassion that deserves at least a PG-13rating for intensity. There are nonaughty words, but the ferocity of desire is truly palpable. “‘Hey There Devil’ is my absolutefavorite track on the entire album,” Laura expressed. “My best friend NoraTargonski and I co-wrote this songtogether (along with my father whowrote the music). It’s about a lovereach of us had at some point in ourlives who we knew wasn’t right for us,yet we kept going back to them. I feellike everyone currently has or has hadsomeone in their lives like this. I love
Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly
B i l l H o c k
how it turned out. It really came outwith the exact feel that I wanted it to.” The uptempo “Sunday Naps” is a funtrack about a favorite weekend pastimeshared with a special someone.Cheadle’s creamy vocals provide asmooth contrast to the bouncing
bossanova
groove. Again, the lyrical detailsring true, like this is, indeed, somethingthe artist has personally experienced.However, one can’t help but wonder, isthis an indulgence Laura shares withthe aforementioned “devil?” “Ha-ha! Yes, I wrote this entiresong lyrically and musically frompersonal experience,” sheadmitted. “But no, it’s not thedevil,” she grinned.On the flip side is a song aboutloss. “Everywhere But Nowhere” is unlike anything else on thealbum. It’s haunting andvulnerable, yet about three-quarters of the way through, itbecomes acompletelydifferenttrack. The arrangement is ratherbold and unquestionablyexpressive. “This song is about alonging for someone that youknow will never surface,” Lauracommented. “I wanted to makeit haunting and different aspeople go through so manyemotions and could identify with theheartbreak of this song.” Though
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exhibitsa wide variety of influences, Laurapointed out that her favorite type of music to listen to is jazz. She noted itwas something she could enjoy all daylong. As much as it would be pushing itto classify her album as purely “jazz” —a definite pop residue lingers in the mix— there is an underlying influence thatmost assuredly places this album in theouter rims of the genre. And, as
Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly
Bill Hock
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Songwriter's Monthly Feb. '11, #133 - Laura Cheadle
Laura talks passionately about her new album "Change (It's Alright)" and writing songs she lived!
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