In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose , which earned her a couple more Grammy nominations.
Ledisi's fifth album, Pieces Of Me, was released on June 14, 2011 debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200, her first entry on the top 10 of the album chart.
She and her band are from a new breed of modern soul singers (that fall into the New Organic Soul movement in the U.K.) that do not bow to the formulated 'pop' format that permeates the national charts of the U.K. and the U.S.A.
Her mother sang in an R & B band and opened her daughter's ears to classical music, then to jazz and gospel.
‘My mother is an inspiration to me because she was an R & B singer when I was growing up, and I'd watch her perform in the park by our house. I grew up on Earth, Wind and Fire. Tina Turner is my favorite’.
As a teenager Ledisi first sang in a friend’s band, but soon realised she'd have to form her own if she was going to get the creative freedom she desired.
She formed the group Anibade.
The band consisted of:
Sundra Manning (keyboards)
Cedrickke Dennis (guitar)
Nelson Braxton (bass)
Wayne Braxton (saxophone)
and Tommy Bradford on (drums)
Anibade means ‘my mother is great’ in Yoruba and also happens to be Ledisi's middle name.
The band the group performed at several nightspots including Bruno's, The Black Cat, and Rasselas, in the San Francisco area before, successfully, getting a local radio station, KMEL, to play the single ‘Take Time’, without any major label distribution.
Ledisi said, ‘We took it to other labels to try and get a deal, but we found that they didn't get it 'cause it wasn't already out there. We got frustrated with that.’
Ledisi is said to be recording a jazz record with bassist Marcus Shelby on Noir Records.
That album was due in early 2000, although the set has not yet surfaced.
Her first solo album ‘Soulsinger’, was, however, released in 2000, to critical acclaim.
The album addressed several personal issues, none more so than the track ‘Papa Loved To Love Me’, a harrowing tale of a father sexually abusing his daughter.
The track is uncomfortably close to home.
Ledisi said ‘My family heard it, though, and they said, 'Wow, you went and told everything!'. I know it's giving something away about myself, but it's a part of me. That's why people relate to a story like that.’
Eric Benét and Rahsaan Patterson recently attended her groups' concerts and they have opened for Eric Benet, D’Angelo and Angie Stone.
A second album entitled 'Feeling Orange And Sometimes Blue' was released in early 2002.
Ledisi travelled to London's Jazz Cafe in March 2003 for more gigs following a successful concert at Subterranea in the autumn of 2002.
She was supported by the Braxton Brothers along with several other performers.
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year, New Year's Eve
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations you received
But in case I stand one little chance
Here comes that jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
But in case I stand one little chance
Here comes that jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
In Ledisi's song "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", the singer is expressing her interest in spending New Year's Eve with someone she cares about. It's possible that it's too early in the relationship, but she wants to know anyway. The singer wonders whose arms this person will be in at midnight, when the New Year begins. This person has many invitations to choose from, making the singer feel like she might not have a chance. However, she still asks the question in hopes of finding out if they can be together on this special occasion.
The song evokes a sense of vulnerability and longing for connection. The singer is putting herself out there by asking this jackpot question, fully aware that the answer may not be in her favor. But despite this, she still takes the chance. The song captures the essence of how New Year's Eve can be a time of hope and possibility, but also of uncertainty and doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe it's much too early in the game
Perhaps it's premature to bring up this topic, but I'm going to ask anyway.
But I thought I'd ask you just the same
Despite the risk of coming across as pushy or presumptuous, I still want to know.
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
What are your plans for ringing in the New Year?
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
I'm curious about who will be there to embrace you when the clock strikes midnight.
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
At the precise moment when the new year begins.
Welcoming in the New Year, New Year's Eve
Greeting the arrival of the upcoming year on the holiday of New Year's Eve.
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
It's possible that I'm foolish for thinking this.
I'd ever be the one you chose
That you would select me from all the possible candidates.
Out of a thousand invitations you received
From the numerous invitations to celebrate that you've been offered.
But in case I stand one little chance
However, if there is a miniscule possibility that we could be together:
Here comes that jackpot question in advance
Then I might as well ask the important question without further ado:
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
What are your plans for ringing in the New Year?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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