Modern Woman by Lauren Field

They found a definite creative connection and have written numerous songs together including "In Blue" the first single to radio from Randy's new album "Jazzthing".

"Modern Woman" also has a strong jazz influence. "Jazz was something I grew up with. My parents were always playing Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ella, and it kinda gets in there, though I was into rock and blues - Steely Dan, The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt - but it's all in the mix."

The album's producer and another co-writer, Charles Foskett, had originally decided to make an album along the lines of the Buena Vista Social Club, but rather than old Cuban musicians he wanted to create new works for some of the greats of the British jazz scene of the 50's and 60's. He asked Lauren if she fancied writing for the project and they duly made some demos which they took along to Universal Classics and Jazz label for feedback. "The MD there, Bill Holland, loved the songs and particularly the voice and suggested we make an album with me - so we did."

At that point the writing started in earnest. " It feels like Kismet. Everything seemed to come at the right time. Emotionally I needed to do this album, and the songs speak to so many people because they're about life. I've called it my mid-life crisis and everyone I talk to is either having one, about to have one or has just had one!"

-------------------------

Lauren started her career as an actor and trod the boards for a few years before finding her real vocation in singing. Her versatile voice put her in great demand as a session singer for many top artists including Cliff Richard, Elvis Costello, John Farnham and many others. She fronted several of her own bands but over the last few years has concentrated on writing whilst raising a young family. As well as Randy, she has been writing with Peter Callander, Amy Powers (Sunset Boulevard, Barbra Streisand) and is about to do some sessions with Chris Difford (Squeeze) and also slated to write a male / female duet with £1m Universal signing jazz singer Jamie Cullum.

Now, however, she is eager to get out on the road again and start gigging. "I have a great band of fabulous musicians and I really can't wait to get out there, playing the gigs and doing the promo." The album features Randy Bachman on guitar, as well as famous jazz guitarist Jim Mullen.Bass player Gavin Scott, Clark Tracey and Alun Harries are two of the name drummers featured and the leader single includes an extended track from the album featuring the wonderful bottleneck blues licks of ex- Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.

--------------------------

The album launch took place at the 606 Club in Lots Road, Chelsea to a packed house of music industry, television and radio executives, along with representatives of the press. Lauren performed two storming sets with her band and garnered huge admiration from everyone present. Stuart Epps (producer for Elton John / Robbie Williams / and many others ) instantly offered his services for co-producing Lauren's next album.

-------------------------

Radio 2 producer Paul Ging promised scheduled plays for the single and true to his word the station has already started playing tracks from the album "The Story of Us" - described as "An Exquisite Tune" by presenter Mathew Wright.

-------------------------

Lauren has interviews on BBC Radio 2's Richard Allinson Show, BBC Radio Suffolk, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Greater Manchester, Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Jersey and BBC Radio Cornwall are playing "Wicked Game" as "Single of the Week". Lauren is also a guest on The Mike Mendoza Show on LBC.

Regional radio stations all over the UK are lining up to interview her and have both playlisted and are playing the extended "Wicked Game" single as "Single of the Week"

--------------------------------------------------------

Lauren 's "Wicked Game" single was released on May 10th 2004 - through Shmusicmusic Records / BMG ( available at HMV records and all good record stores throughout the UK) Her "Wicked Game" record launch party gig was a SELL OUT!

"Pizza Express Jazz Club" - Dean Street, London W1. on Sunday 2nd May 2004.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Shmusicmusic Records and Veracruz Music Productions - Press Release - Recent and Future Record Productions

(1). Record Producer Charles Foskett is in the initial stages of developing an album and singles for "4 Poofs and a Piano" - "4 Poofs and a Piano" feature regularly each week on BBC's "The Jonathan Ross Show".

Charles will encompass various name guest singers who are fans of the Poofs into the record - Sir Elton John has already said he'd like to make it "5 Poofs and 2 Pianos" - Will Young, and various others will probably be lined up to guest on the album. Lauren Field will be also writing songs for this project.

-----------------------

(2). Singer / Songwriter Lauren Field will be co/writing with long-term song writing partner Randy Bachman

( Bachman Turner Overdrive / The Guess Who ) who will be arriving in London with fellow rock legend and longtime friend Neil Young and his wife Peggy.

World class singer songwriters Randy Bachman, Lauren Field, Graham Gouldman, Dennis Locorriere and Polly Polusma appeared at London's Bloomsbury Theatre on Sunday 13th June 2004 in a Gala evening of classic songs to aid the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The evening was a huge success all around and Lauren Field was offered the oppourtunity to headline an evening with her band at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Lauren Field brought the house down when she performed songs from her debut album "MODERN WOMAN" and also her new single "WICKED GAME" (already single of the week on many regional stations) released through Shmusicmusic Records / BMG on Monday 10th May 2004. Her backing band on this occasion also featured Randy Bachman on guitar.

Lauren also helped Randy perform his Hits "You Aint Seen Nothing Yet" - she also co/wrote for his recent single "In Blue" from his highly acclaimed jazz album "JAZZTHING" (Maximum Jazz Records / Canada )

After the show Shmusicmusic also clenched a considerable licensing deal for Lauren's "Modern Woman" album and singles to be licensed throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and The Benelux countries with ZYX Records/Germany. They will rush release "Wicked Game" as a summer hit throughout all these territories and get the album out there at the same time.

-------------------------

(3). Randy Bachman and his wife Denise Mc.Cann also made their twice yearly Dunstable song writing trip to co/write with Lauren Field and Charles Foskett

This promised to be a major creative few days and add a new bunch of song gems to the ever-growing Shmusicmusic song catalogue.

--------------------------

(4). Meanwhile Charles Foskett is planning another trip to the USA to produce a Lauren Field penned classic song entitled "This Is My Time" with top country crossover artist T.G. Sheppard.

Sheppard lived with Elvis Presley at Graceland for seven years and was with The King the night before he died, he has toured with The Beach Boys, claims Clint Eastwood as a duet partner and friend and has also flown beside George Bush on Air Force One. The main point about T.G. Sheppard that impresses Charles and Lauren is the fact that he has already clocked up (17) seventeen number one hits of his own. They are hoping to make their song "This Is My Time" T.G's eighteenth number one Smash hit!

-----------------------------------------------------------

LAUREN FIELD'S debut album "MODERN WOMAN" is available at HMV Record Stores throughout the UK and from www.shmusicmusic.com also www.amazon.com and all other reputable outlets.

Lauren's single "WICKED GAME" was released on Monday 10th may 2004. Also available through HMV records.

LAUREN FIELD (and her exceptional band of premier league musicians)

Performed the celebratory launch of her single "WICKED GAME" taken from her debut album "MODERN WOMAN" at "PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB" 10. DEAN STREET, LONDON W1D 3RN.

The show was a sell-out! A queue of fans lined along London's Dean Street and many were turned away unable to get in to the packed house.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Blues Matters! Issue 20 - Live Gig reviews by Pete Sergeant

LAUREN FIELD

Dean Street Jazz Club - Soho - May 2004

Jazz clubs aren't this writer's natural habitat. This gig, set below the Pizza Express in deepest Soho provides a Sunday night venue for the very alluring Ms Field and her slightly amended line-up, speaking of which much of the cohesive feel and bursts of energy peppering this performance are down to drummer Alun Harries. In our original interview piece on Lauren she duly acknowledged his skills and effort.

The hallmarks of this establishment are a cosy atmosphere, pretty good views wherever you choose to be, excellent service, a great live sound, mostly monied audience, interesting bill of acts to come (including Jacqui Dankworth, funk saxman Eddie M, The Electric Underground Orchestra, Mike Carr with his Blue Note incarnation) and a pre-show playlist that varies between the beguiling and the unlistenable.

Field opens with 'Body Double' and then rolls through 'Teamwork', fluid acoustic guitars to the fore. Neil Anguilly's keyboard work is mainly piano, a tasty, less busy Bruce Hornsby in style plus occasional accordion. The two guitarists work well especially on the version of 'This Is My Truth' a co-write with of all people Randy Bachman ('Nice work, mate!') of BTO renown. But the focal point throughout the show is the forceful singing of Lauren Field, at best easily within Janis Ian territory on 'Bring On The Rain' and the shuffling 'Havana', which has the bonus of Steve Waterman on flugelhorn. There is something of Donald Byrd about this man's playing and commenting thus later causes no bad reaction from him.

When Field, whose between-song comments hint at a nervousness that is never present in the actual performances, chooses to cover a song (her new single release) 'Wicked Game' she always makes it special and something of her own. Tonight she gives us a cool 'Baby Now That I've Found You' and then better still an aching reading of 'I Can't Make You Love Me', a song that Bonnie Raitt sings exquisitely but after this showing she'll never own 100% again.

In a week when London's Evening Standard reported Norah Jones' anger that a front row punter at one of her capital shows was fast asleep (something to do with the material and pacing perhaps ?) I can vouch that no one here or any other Lauren Field gig could ever be spotted with their face in their Marguerita.

Field does write exceptionally great songs and could sell them in her sleep, there is more than plenty to enjoy here

Pete Sargeant

-----------------------------------------------------------

"MODERN WOMAN" is available from HMV Records and all good record shops throughout

the UK and also from Shmusicmusic Records online :- www.shmusicmusic.com

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Modern Woman" / "Cant Do This Anymore" - when I eventually got the call, arrived at Shmusicmusic Studios and heard the high standard of the songs, the knockout vibe of the production, and most of all Lauren Field's burnished and sexy expressive voice, I knew I was up for taking part in a major gig waiting to happen!"

"Lauren has got great songs - they are vulnerable, heart-warming and worldly-wise. They are brought to life wonderfully by her unique and beautiful voice. This album should be treasured by true music listeners of all ages!"

Mick Taylor

(The Rolling Stones / Bob Dylan / The Allman Brothers / Little Feat )

-----------------------------------------------------------

" I am convinced that "Can't Do This Anymore" is a number one song - it's an instant classic! - Lauren Field is going to be big news out there in every-ones ears and face "

Steven Paul Davies.

Entertainment critic for The Guardian.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"When I heard Lauren Field's version of "Wicked Game" I was totally mesmerized. Somehow she took the original version and made it even sexier, more haunting, and more moody.

The production and vocals on the track are top notch and I would definitely pick this as the first single to hit radio if I were a promo guy".

Randy Bachman ( Bachman Turner Overdrive / The Guess Who )

-----------------------------------------------------------

"The Story of Us" has got to be the most exquisite tune I've ever heard"

Mathew Wright - BBC Radio 2 presenter

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Lauren Field's sophisticated and soulful vocals are extremely pleasing, and she has also assembled some fine accompanists. With one exception, the songs are all originals by Field, either self penned or written with Randy Bachman or Charles Foskett.

"Modern Woman" and "The Worm Has Turned" are defiant manifestos, while "Body Double" takes an ironic look at the flip-side of the perspective for contemporary women, not so much "having it all" as "having to do it all"

There is plenty of variety in Lauren's songs, The Modern Woman album is very strong and sensitive with smooth Latin inflections, both of which sit really well with her sensual honeyed voice".

Kenny Mathieson, Jazzwise Magazine.

-----------------------------------------------------------

" Modern Woman is a Great! album and I want to review it again in our august edition"

Stephen Graham - JAZZWISE

-----------------------------------------------------------

"A worthy follower in the footsteps of female singer - songwriters such as Sade and Norah Jones, Lauren enters the fray with her debut album Modern Woman. Lauren's smoky, seductive voice is draped in jazzy blues music, with the occasional flourish of Latin spirit."

HELLO! MAGAZINE.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"I loved listening to Lauren Field's album. She has a big talent both as singer and songwriter. I believe she has a great future ahead of her"

Helen Shapiro.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"A superb piece of work! Lauren is an original singer - songwriter and has a natural laid back style. This CD ( like the NORAH JONES debut album ) will be a slow burner and become a big seller (YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST). So if your bag is Diana Krall or K D Lang I urge you to buy

this...!!!"

Bob Bonsey - Blues Matters.

-----------------------------------------------------------

FIELD Good.

Don Carnell welcomes an impressive debut with echoes of some of the greats. The Jewish Chronicle.

Lauren Field sets her bittersweet observations of the current state of play in the battle of the sexes (women are still losing heavily in the tear-stained pillow stakes apparently) in a restrained, bluesy ,jazz-tinged setting on her impressive debut album.

Like the current critic's darling and fellow Jew, Amy Winehouse, the north-west London-born Field has bypassed what passes for current chart fodder. Instead,she has constructed the sound of a restrained Janis Joplin and a joyous Billie Holliday swapping stories over a tequila in a smokey after-hours bar.

Field's charms are best represented on the almost mournful "Havana", where backed by a plaintive flugel horn, her breathy vocals suggest both the sultry heat and genuine other worldliness of Fidel`s fiefdom.

Similarly, on "The Story of Us" which ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor decorates with as much restraint as he's ever shown, she manages to be both reflective and raucous at the same time.

As Jamie Cullum has shown, there is a market far beyond the local wine bar for stuff like this. Like Cullum, Field seems set for a solo career as Lengthy as that of Lady Day herself.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Review from "Modern Woman" Fan.

Wow,Wow,Wow..........Your CD turned up yesterday and I spent all evening and most of the night listening to it very loudly. Not sure if when I arrive home there will be an eviction notice awaiting me or a note from the chap upstairs asking me who the artist is and can he have a copy.

It is brilliant. I love every track. Have always been a fan - am now an apostle! How well you know my life. Cried a lot, would have listened to it again in the car this morning but would not have been able to drive for tears.

Track 13 "Wicked Game" is the best ever cover version of anything ever for all time - you break my heart! Skip then to track 15 and I am smiling as I am crying, the simplicity / reality / finality of the last track "Cant Do This Anymore" is just......just......just. Ok, so please bear in mind that you are the poet here so my email may fall a tad short in descriptive stakes.

I am told that I can buy at HMV Records so I'm off down there at lunch time to get some more copies for friends who I know will love it - not just because you wrote their life as well but because the style, vocals, music, everything is just....just....just ( did warn you, I am an unpoetic apostle ).

Cant wait to hear it again, don't know if I can cope with the emotional turmoil but better out than in, I think it will keep me out of therapy for years.

Thank you xxxxxxx

Denise Jones

Hassocks,

West Sussex

-----------------------------------------------------------

Quote from "Modern Woman" Fan

I've had your album nearly a week now - it is great - vocals, lyrics (exceptional), songs, arrangements, production are the Best. Not only that, but it has knocked Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Silje Nergaard off my turntable (or whatever the CD equivalent of a turntable is??**!!). Well done and good luck! I sense a big market out there, on a number of different counts.

Keith Bates

Coulsden

Surrey

-----------------------------------------------------------

FIELD STUDIES

Lauren Field's take on the Blues and the highs and lows of Relationships

by Pete Sargeant

How refreshing and invigorating to meet someone musical, well-turned out, knowledgeable and witty - I can tell that's what songstress and performer Lauren Field is thinking as she settles down with me for an all-too-brief ( well for me, anyway - PS) pre-show chat. Taking care not to spill drink on Lauren's alluring white trouser suit I carve a small space in Chelsea's exhilarating 606 Club ; it's a warm September evening and the crowded venue is hosting the launch of Ms Field's 'Modern Woman' album and the related and haunting single 'The Story Of Us'.

Don't let the album title let you think this is a dose of strident feminist propaganda as it assuredly is not, but one thing's for sure :

BM: Are you excited about this record then ?

LF: Very! We've all worked very hard and it's all culminating now in the launch of the album, so yes - very excited!

BM: And here we are at the 606 Club which has a jazz flavour of course..is this the right place for you or do you think, you're more rock, folk, whatever..

LF: No I don't think I'm rock or folk..I'm definitely 'crossover'..you're right in that I'm certainly not 'jazz' as far as say purists are concerned, but there's a lot of jazz influence in what I do and the musicians we're playing with and make up my band do perform here on a regular basis, so they're well-known at the Club. So all that means I'm happy to play here and this makes it the venue for me, I think.

BM: Now I've listened to the record quite closely. There's no obvious modelling on any one artist but do you have any real favourites?

LF: (Warmly) I LOVE Bonnie Raitt though my stuff is not overall as blues/rock as hers..we may do one Raitt cover tonight, we'll see how it goes. I have so many influences that are eclectic..and if you really listen you might hear them I suppose or they all melt together to create something new, of mine. And I love Jennifer Holiday, a singer with real soul..though you may not hear that (outright) in my singing, I just love her records

BM: Nobody wants to be The New anything or anybody..there are a couple of influences I detect, conscious or not! Are you a Bill Withers fan ?

LF : Not 'a fan' but I do like his songs..

We speak about Dinah Washington and Basia, who pulled together many strands of music, not least Latin rhythms

BM: It's definitely 'night music' isn't it?

LF: (Emphatically) Yes it is that kind of mellow. And it's a woman's album..I don't know, maybe because I wrote the lyrics and I'm a woman.. a lot of women do relate to the stories in the songs

BM: Now - 'The Story Of Us', the single..it's a very catchy number and it draws you in, sort of like Chapter One of a novel

LF: I suppose so, I guess it is. And there is a lot in there that is autobiographical

BM: There's very languid rhythm guitar on the following track and by then the overall sound of the record is beginning to evolve..'Modern Woman' itself, it's bosa nova isn't it?

LF: Yeah, true

BM: Alun Harries is a bit of a star drummer! He is totally in sympathy with the mood of each song

LF: (Sighs) That's why he's here in the band tonight

BM: The other thing I like is the 3/4 intro on 'So Cold', with the trumpet..I'm risking offence but it's almost like torch songs without the melodrama

LF: Definitely! Yes!

BM: 'Body Double' is more Maria Muldaurish in tempo, with the walking bass, bluesy guitar

LF : It reminded me of a sort of cross between Bonnie Raitt and Shania Twain

BM: In a way I think that should have been the opening track on the CD..it seems to have your own personality strongly present..er, as I perceive it

LF: (Smiles) Funnily enough, we're starting with that one tonight..

BM: 'Sentimental Trio' has a great late night bar vibe AND it features one of my heroes, guitarist extraordinaire Jim Mullen ( Scottish axeman who picks at a tele with his thumb to get a CTI era sound - PS)

LF: (Enthusiastic) He plays on about seven tracks on the album ..(Lauren's admiration of this guitarist shines out of her. I momentarily consider growing a beard - PS)

BM: 'The Worm Has Turned' - there's a great line in there about throwing letters into the shredder and I like muted trumpet. I wrote down 'Is this the heart of the record?'

LF: It probably is..it's about a woman making changes in her life, to be the person she wants to be. I actually wrote that one a few years ago ( Lauren relates how she saw a newspaper story about a cheated woman who stood up for herself, cut up her partner's clothes. Hope he was out of them at the time - PS)

BM: Then on 'Team Work' you suddenly sound very vulnerable again..the most poetic song on this set to me is 'Bring On The Rain'

LF: I don't even know where that came from (ie what inspired her, precisely - PS) but yes I just love that song!

We discuss 'Gimme Some Space', though Lauren is not familiar with Terry Callier whose mood this number recalls ; I explain Jim Mullen's involvement with the US songsmith, especially on 'Timepeace'

BM: 'Wicked Game' is fine because you eschew the Hank Marvin guitar in the Isaak version to get your own way of performing it. I enjoyed that a lot as it wasn't 'the obvious thing'

LF: Oh thank you!

BM: On 'The Woman I Want To Be' I felt the backing was somewhat held back, needed to be stronger for the song

LF: (Ponders) We did rework that a number of times, to get to where we felt comfortable with it.

BM: How did you get Mick Taylor to do the slide on the single's version of the 'Can't Do This Anymore' song? Quite a coup!

LF: We asked him and he liked the song a lot so he just did what you hear on there, wonderful

We speak briefly about Carla Olsen's 'Ring Of Truth' album, where Mick Taylor is all over the place with his best playing in years

BM: Although this is a 'latenight' record, you've not got a sax player on there! A cliche avoided?

LF : Well we thought the trumpet was better for these songs...and the guitars

A curious thing : if you enter 'Lauren Field' on Google some of the entries are about a totally unrelated US female footballer! I show Field the copy - this American Lauren has scored four goals in a big match)

BM: (Affecting D Telegraph voice) Well of course the key to getting these interviews working is to do your research properly - so how did you manage to score four goals in Waco?

LF: (Deadpan) It's amazing isn't it ? Just another of my many talents. You've done a very good job...

Lauren explains that they are starting to write songs for the follow-up album. She thinks for the current album that everything came about at the right time, personally, musically. It sounds like it. For a moment we speak families and then tonight's band. The latter includes drummer Harries, keys/accordion man Pete Rosser, Andy Jones on electric, Tristan Seume on acoustic, Gavin Scott on double bass. Plus I think Mark Armstrong on trumpet and he is excellent. Lauren plays keyboards sometimes and will for one solo song tonight.

The show itself is a two-set job, they include the Isaak cover and also Bonnie's 'A Thing Called Love' as first encore. The band are tight, cool, quietly muscular. None of them tread on the vocal lines, solo's are airy, measured. Field herself has a excellent live voice, losing herself in her own favourites, she features the players throughout, manages to look composed even by the very end of the second set. I think we have a welcome talent here, with a warmth that other similarly competent performers cannot always muster..this is the sound of a great night out and on record, an even better one in.

Pete Sargeant

BLUES MATTERS

With thanks to Charles F, the 606 Club and Ms Field

Average Customer Review: