Sing Lesley Sing: The Rca & Cbs Recordings 1968-1972

Two CD collection. Lesley was signed as a writer in 1963 and had covers of songs by the likes of The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Walker Brothers, Dusty Springfield, and in 1970 'Love Song' was recorded by Elton John for his Tumbleweed Connection LP. She paid her dues whilst honing her craft singing on sessions and performing live show backing vocals throughout the 1960s, notably behind Dusty Springfield. Lesley also sang on stage behind Elton John in 1970 and in return Elton played piano on tracks for Lesley's own Sing Children Sing LP. Following a string of solo pop singles Lesley caught the wind and changed direction in the later 1960s writing more personal material and her singles from that period are all included on this package. Disc One is Lesley's debut LP from 1971, Sing Children Sing - a reflection of the prevailing US sound recast as a British singer-songwriter. Whilst on Disc Two the second LP Earth Mother, released in 1972, is more brooding and concerned with the state of the world. Both entirely written by Lesley. Both with shades of contemporaries Carole King, Laura Nyro, Judee Sill. Four of the bonus tracks are on CD for the first time. Here are three early versions from 1968/1969 of songs later re-recorded on the LPs, including her first version of 'Love Song' which inspired Elton John to record his version. This was b-side to a towering almost theatrical Richard Hewson arranged version of Carole King's 'A Road To Nowhere'. All the tracks, LPs and singles, are taken from fresh analogue tape transfers and new mastering.