"Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise is a stunning album from Leah-Carla Gordone...Take a deep breath. Light a candle. Turn out the lights. Pour a glass of you favorite wine. Put your headphones on. Listen.
Inspired by real-life stories, Leah-Carla Gordone crafts exquisite beauty on this CD which is the musical appendage to her upcoming literary autobiography. Both haunting and captivating in equal measure, Gordone's music is cinematic in scope, no doubt inspired by her fight with bipolar disorder and subsequent victory. Lyrically, she is hauntingly beautiful and tellingly effective and vocally she emerges as an ethereal cross between Alanis Morisette and Rickie Lee Jones but with a uniqueness that separates her from the two. Gordone is throaty and full when necessary and when the mood calls, subdued for effect, never overbearing or obnoxious.
'Naked' is the strongest track on the CD. Gordone is at her peak vocally hitting both ends of her range and everything between without restraint or effort. Dez Lawrence on keys is a magnificent accompaniment and really shines but make no mistake, this is a statement song by Gordone. Immersible in mood and setting, 'Naked' is a breathless dive into percussive waters, both invigorating and bound to the need for love and the feeding of that fire and passion. Its parts compliment each other in sum, as one would be helpless without the other, and this is reflected superbly in its arrangement. To put it more simply, 'Naked' is one of 2009's most knee-buckling beautiful songs.
Additionally the CD features a number of highlights, including the achingly poignant 'Sweet By-And-By,' a tear-jerking ballad that is sublimely fragile and packed with sad but beautiful words. The instrumentation on 'Flyin' High' is atmospheric and effectively manifests an effervescence that flawlessly expresses its mood. 'Words' is a defiant lament that delimits the repetitive nature of bad relationships. This enigmatic song has an upbeat and hopeful tempo that offsets its underlying, melancholy orchestration and dispiriting message. Kelly Simmons on viola is superb throughout this song and the emphasis on the snare is extremely effective as well. 'Sleeping Dogs' is a funky groove/r&b/rap hybrid reminiscent of Me'Shell Ndegeocello.
Built on well-layered instrumentation and the stunning vocals of Gordone and an effectively understated band that includes Dez Lawrence and Kelly Simmons as well as Ryan Combs on bass and Tim Armstrong on drums, Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise is a work of magic. Because of the autobiographical foundation created by Leah-Carla, this CD will always hold a special place in my collection. But there is more to it than that. The album speaks for itself musically and were Gordone's life story not attached it would still rate very favorably. But the combination makes it that much more special." - Michael Canter, www.sonicjive.com
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Currently Gordone is performing a one-woman show that combines her
music and reading from her new book! Check out her schedule to the
right for UPCOMING SHOWS/APPEARANCES in Columbus, CA, AZ and around the country throughout the year! ALSO: You can usually find her at COMFEST every summer!
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Musicians featured on her latest CD
"Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise" are:
Kelly Simmons: VIOLA
Ryan Combs: BASS
Tim Armstrong: DRUMS
Psycho-1: BEATS
Dez Lawrence: KEYBOARDS
Rap Artist Too Juicy feat. on "Believe In Me"
Influences
Leah-Carla Gordone's DISCOGRAPHY (All CDs available at cdbaby.com):
PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES: RISE
DANCING ON THE DRAGON
BUTTERFLY CHILD
Featured Artist ~ September 2006 - INDIEGRRL.COM
INTERVIEW (www.indiegrrl.com/Sept2006featurearchive.htm)
1. How old were you when you started writing songs and how many years have you been writing and performing?
I started writing songs, singing and performing (as an actress as well) at the age of twelve - the guitar playing came later.
2. Who were your major influences with your music?
My mother was a big Carole King fan...Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega gave me hope that music with some substantial depth could be appreciated on a mass commercial level and be rewarded by the industry...Sinead O’Connor was a combat boot-wearing rebel and I identified with the power with which she sang on "The Lion And The Cobra". I feel there are so few commercial female singers that sing like their lives depend on it. That's me too!
3. How would you describe your music?
It’s alternative/rock/soul/R&B/folk and funk all rolled into one with a pop sensibility.
4. What is the best review or statement that someone has written about you and your music and who said it?
"Leah-Carla Gordone is a powerful, authentic singer who lives her music by voicing her convictions through her passionate, poetic songs. In a way she is a throwback to the best traditions of the sixties, but she simultaneously leads the cutting edge of the new millennium, for those who appreciate music as substance rather than style and hope for it to ‘light the way’". - Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary)
5. How many personal CD projects have you finished and are you working on or have any future project in the works? Also how involved are you in the recording process and producing of these projects?
My debut CD was BUTTERFLY CHILD. My latest CD is called DANCING ON THE DRAGON. They are both available at cdbaby.com/gordone and /gordone2 I have many new songs -- enough new material for a third CD -- coming soon! Also, I have a lot of older material that could be used for a fourth album...I am very involved in the recording process. I cultivate the musicians, arrange the music considerably, and produce the albums myself...I always have a clear vision for the final outcome.
6. What special honors or awards have you received over the years in your music career?
I have yet to receive any awards, although we just submitted me for seventeen categories of Grammy nominations, as well as for The Independent Music Awards. I think of myself as a sleeping giant, when I wake up - watch out! It’s more like, when everyone ELSE wakes up - my fans are mystified by the fact that no record label has snatched me up yet.
7. What is your favorite venue to perform live and why?
I have no one favorite. I appreciate all the many different venues for different reasons...The coffee house - for the attentiveness and intimacy, the rowdy bar - for the festivity in the air and the challenge of winning the crowd over and the concert venue for the sheer ego-enhancement (hah!). But seriously, a large stage, great lighting and sound usually accompany the concert venue...they really help create a very dramatic crowd anticipation. A rising black curtain or a video screen as a backdrop add to the excitement. I’m very dramatic and these little extras really give me butterflies! I have a six foot, full-color banner of me but I don’t get to use it much!
8. What music organizations are you affiliated with?
Indiegrrl, Songs Alive and ASCAP
9. What is your view of expressing political view points in songs?
For those who are especially informed and feel a passion for a political topic, by all means...educate us. I, myself don’t feel a strong pull toward putting politics in my songs.
10. Do you have any politically themed songs and if so tell us about one of them?
I have a new song called "Sleeping Dogs" which addresses homelessness, not specific to America. It also touches on my compulsion to follow my conscience when it comes to recycling "Garbage is disposed but where does it go? It’s not recycled, NO", to quote some lyrics. I want to write a song about war, but it’s such an overwhelmingly complex topic...I’m not sure where I’ll begin. My songs are very emotional so my heart will go out to ALL the soldiers in that song - American, Iraqi and the many others. I try to stay really positive in my music. I try to get people to look upward--I sing of peace and hope and "The trees, they are my friends, and I say ‘Thank you’" and "When a tree falls in the forest, my heart hears the sound." That’s about as political as I get. I think all that positive singing puts out some good war-counteracting vibes.
11. Do you find as an Indie artist it is easier to express yourself and view points in music instead of following main stream marketing in songs?
I’ll always express myself EXACTLY as I need to. Nothing holds me back. I think it’s called freedom of speech. If it hits mainstream...even better.
12. What does Indie mean to you?
It means "independent"...not needing to rely on anyone but yourself. But in reality, don’t we all get by with a "little help from our friends"? Musically, it means you’re making things "happen" regardless of the "movers and the shakers"-- you’re doing your thing, singing your song, marching to the beat of your own drum. And you’ll keep doing that. I’m like a locomotive. I’ll keep rolling. No actual destination. When I win a Grammy will I retire? NOT. That’s icing on the cake. First and foremost I do my music because I have to -- it is my lifeline and I will always make music regardless of any help I get from any outside sources -- major labels, indie labels, managers or agents. All I need is my guitar. I sing for ME, first of all. It gives me immeasurable joy and I am so grateful that I have this gift that continues to pull me through all my difficult times!
13. Do you own your own record label or publishing company?
Yes. Fat Dragon Productions, LLC is the record label and Butterfly Child Music, LLC is my publishing company.
14. If given the opportunity would you sign on with a major record label?
It all depends. Artistic control is important. There are a lot of factors but I certainly am very open to getting with a major label.
15. What advice can you give to someone who is just starting to market themselves in the Indie music market?
Advice for marketing? I’m the worst person to ask that! I just sing, write and play my guitar. I have a new band and I’m trying to get us as many gigs as possible. Touring and gigging like crazy seem to be the best focus of energy. My ultimate goal is to get my music heard...I don’t think of myself as a commodity to be marketed. I guess that’s where my mother comes in! She’s my manager and she works nonstop and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to marketing ideas. Ya gotta have t-shirts, music videos, cds to sell, try to do college gigs, festivals, conferences, showcases, radio exposure (satellite, college and commercial if possible)...music reviews are very important to me.
16. How many instruments do you play and what are they?
Piano and keyboard were my first instrument. I approached them humbly and wrote many "baby steps songs" on them but my expertise is in guitar. I am a self-taught musician. I don’t know the names of the chords I make up. I just know what sounds good to me. That’s it.
17. What are your main goals for 2006 and in your music career as a whole?
Well, a Grammy nomination would be amazing, though not very likely...but anything’s possible. A big goal is to play Madison Square Garden one day! Most of all, I hope that I continue to evolve as a musician, singer and songwriter...to just keep getting better and better. I do have a NEW MUSIC VIDEO of my charting single "The Road" which is now available for viewing on myspace.com/dancingonthedragon. A major goal is to get as many people to see that as possible!
18. What does Indiegrrl mean to you?
Indigrrl made me feel like I was part of the bigger picture...a band of women determined not to let anything stand in their way...their music being their driving force. I was one of the first performing members when it all began and toured with a little troop of Indigrrl rocker women through seven states! It was my first tour and the level of professionalism made me proud to be a member...And I still am proud. We’ve come a long way.
19. Is there anyone you would like to thank that has helped you along in your career or in the music industry as a whole?
My mother, my mother, my mother....my....
***Please feel free to contact me at any of these sites. I will always read your mail and write you back!
http://www.myspace.com/dancingonthedragon
http://www.myspace.com/leahcarlagordone
http://www.facebook.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/gordone and/gordone2
Sounds Like
WHAT MYSPACE FRIENDS ARE SAYING ABOUT GORDONE AND HER MUSIC:
"WOW! I love every single song! I'm planning on purchasing every song you have on there soon, I love your style. I don't usually add music pages, but your stuff is too awesome not to! If you're ever doing a concert in Columbus, Ohio or near there, please post a bulletin about it so I can go, I'd love to hear you live." - Charmed (Cbus, OH)
"thank you for your friend request...i like your music so much...and i love your hair style, your tatoos...you are so cool! i wanna be a woman like you..!
if you have chance to come to japan, i promise, i will go to your concert!
take care
xxx " - Azumi (Japan)
"dude, you rock!!!!!!!!! cheers to you and yer soul." - Ashley Girl (Chicago)
"your sound is very cooooooooooooool! i like your voice. your rockn'roll!"
- May (Japan)
"Kick ass!" - Buckeye Betty (Cbus, OH)
"Your music rocks!!!" - Pamela Hanscel (Cbus, OH)
"Your music is cool. Kind of relaxing and also uplifting..." - Jess (Cbus, OH)
"Hi im corey was really moved by your music you have a wonderful and powerful gift the words and the flow with your voice i love it" (Cbus, OH)
"you've got a very unique voice. i love it. Im a metal head and i can get into your music. nobody writes likes this anymore. it's refreshing hearing a new sound. Keep it up. You definately have a lot of talent. You know a song is good when you have chills run down your arms. The Road gave me those. Good song. My girlfriend is really digging your music too." - Insurrection Sickness (Cbus, OH)
"Wow.. that's awesome. I like the words. People should listen to this."
- Ciera (Cbus, OH)
"Leah, I dig your sound. I'm usually into more aggressive and testosterone driven rock, but I definitely plan to listen to more. I agree with the review that compares you to Alanis Morissette. While listening to your music I was definitely feeling the vibe I get when I listen to 'Jagged Little Pill'. Good luck with everything." - Andy (Cbus, OH)
"Wow, I like your music. You have a pretty unique sound, that's kind of a rarety these days I think. Good luck!!" - Jeff (Cbus, OH)
"Hey i listened to ur music and absolutly loooved it!!! Your voice actually remindes me of the singer Pink which i love her music 2. Yah all always stop in and listen to more of ur music!!!! Oh and i really like ur hair color in ur profile pic : )!!" - Lisa (Cbus, OH)
"I really enjoyed listening to your music. You have a Tori Amos-ish quality that goes well with your over all style, I like it. =) Rock on Leah ^_^"
- Chris (Cbus, OH)
"Girl, I LOVE it, FOR REALLLLL!!!!!!! BREAK and NAKED!!!! I love them both cause I am just about to break, lol. Keep that hot sh-t flowin through your vains and f-ck all these lames and don't be the same as the rest of them cause your sound rolls with the best of them.!!!! Believe that...." - Your girl B.Stylez (Cbus, OH)
"i like u a lot ... you sound like Alanis Morissette but intense." - julieson (Cbus, OH)
"YOUR SONGS GO HARD THEY HOT I LOVE THEM
MOS DEFENATLEY IM REPIN COLUMBUS ALL THE WAY AND YOU GOT TALLENT PEACE AND GOD BLESS LOL" - Kashif (Cbus, OH)
"your music is pretty awesome =)" - Lilith (Cbus, OH)
"Loved Your Music. It rocked my socks off and smoothed my soul both at the same time." - Jason (Cbus, OH)
"that's great. you're in your own lane." - RDevonRiley (Cbus, OH)
"You kinda have a cross voice between Alanis Morisette and Janis Joplin. The music isnt really my taste but its good." - Abby (Cbus, OH)
"Listening to your music can put me in such a trance of enigmatic thought, though at the same time prompt me to do something I have never done before. It moves me to another realm of reality aligned only with the enchanting voice of freedom and soul. Thank you again for sharing."
- Tim (Cbus, OH)
"i like your style. is all that original? your sound is something the game's been looking for. keep your head up and keep making good quality music" -
1 Lov chief (Cbus, OH)
"I listened to I AM YOUR FRIEND. It was very emotional for me. You remind me of Melissa Etheridge and Alanis Morissette." - Sophia (Cbus, OH)
"I love that you're just you even if no one understands as long as u do and love u they will. Keep being you :-)" - Lavon (Cbus, OH)
"I really am feeling your music... it's new old, but something real.... im working on my album too and just wanted to say keep up the great work keep me updated on your progress o. k. peace n' luv." - Michael Phillip (Cbus, OH)
"Your songs THE ROAD and NAKED made me cry. I also like BREAK. It's like I can feel your pain through the music and vocals. I love music. I listen to anything that moves me." - Ace (Cbus, OH)
"I saw your show a few weeks ago when you were playing near campus, it was a great show. You have a beautiful voice. I also bought you 1st CD (Butterfly Child). I love it."
- Natalie (Cbus, OH)
"yea. ur sh-t's hot, i love it, i would totally be down to come watch u." - Sarah
"I heard some great beats, good drive. Enjoyed some of the syncopation. Your voice is unique. I don't listen to a lot of female musicians, but I must say I would put your cd on if I had it. Image is dynamite too. Keep up the good work." - Gabriel (Cbus, OH)
"I like the songs you sing.... It's deep...." - The 1 and Only Christine (Cbus, OH)
"NAKED and I AM YOUR FRIEND are my new favorite songs!!" - Simone (Cbus, OH)
"I love them all!" - Tara (Cbus, OH)
"HEY GIRL JUST WANTED 2 STOP BY SAY HI AND TELL U I CANT GET YOUR SONG BREAK OUT MY HEAD.. DO U WRITE FOR MOVIES? MUCH LUV"
-MICHELLE (Cbus, OH)
"Thank you for taking time out and sending some love my way. Your music is excellent. Keep in touch!" - Devon (Cbus, OH)
"I listened to your songs and I liked them. It's different than what I am used to. Your style reminds me of Alanis and Gena Gershon, from the movie 'Prey For Rock n Roll'...The songs I really liked were NAKED and THE ROAD." -Jessica (Cbus, OH)
"i checked out your music and i love it. you definitely have the voice for this type of sound." - natasha (Cbus, OH)
"I do really like your music. It is very spiritual and up beat and free."
- Crazy Gemini (Cbus, OH)
"it's wonderful... we need a new change when it comes to music... you're music... wow is all i can say it's fresh and different, it hits your heart.. keep doing what your doing you'll go far! you're music can be the breaking point in a change of all music.. you're gonna hit alot of bumps on your way cause my generation isn't very accepting to new things even though we try to play like we're not followers.. we are." - Misz Natashia (Cbus, OH)
"Yes. I do like your music. You have a wounderful voice. I liked the song BREAK... loved the music.. wow.. u are a very sweet person..."
- Marisa (Cbus, OH)
"Your voice is beautiful! I love your sound and style! I personally think you are, I dont know how to put it, refreshing maybe??? All the music coming out right now is just clones of the previous hit. I think your sound would be an interesting and awesome new style to put in the mix! I hope you get big." - Caity (Cbus, OH)
"I love your music. It's really cool. I'm glad I took time to listen..."
- Danielle (Cbus, OH)
"Hey, I dig it! It's super cool!" - Whitney (Cbus, OH)
"... Leah i like your style i feel your passion and i can definitely appreciate where you're coming from, from one soul singer to another (Patricia Cooper) other wise known as Lady Lyric much success with your new album." (Cbus, OH)
"I really love how you incorporated the rap into BELIEVE IN ME! It's classy and mixes perfectly with the song . . . doesn't overpower it, and yet adds to the feeling and soul projecting from your lyrics. A great choice to add some rap to that tune...A MOTHER'S LULLABY had tears rolling down my cheeks with the love expressed in that one :)" - Greg (Austin, TX)
"I am quite pleased to have stumbled upon you here... I made my way to CDBABY and gave some of your previews a listen. I ended up buying the mp3 versions of all your lps. The groove of CRYSTAL CLEAR INFINITY initially reminds me of 'Running up that hill' by Kate Bush but the similarity ends there. Your songs pleasantly remind me of Joan Armatrading in particular. I feel that you both share the great and rare gift of transmitting a sensual and deeply personal vibe in your songs. I dig your voice and your lyrics...good stuff! In this day of 'thinny thin' pop material, that is all too often just a sonically and spiritually compressed product, it's always a rather pleasant surprise to hear 'the personal life dynamic' shared by a talented artist. Looking forward to getting your music onto my Ipod. Thanks!"
- Anthony (Cbus, OH)
"You are amazing. I can't wait to come see you live." - Pheonix (spelled as is)
(Cbus, OH)
"I do dig the music. I especially liked BREAK and even though I don't think it was a new song I liked THE ROAD. It's so refreshing to hear great lyrics complimented by great music and for it to be a local artist. I'll definitely add you to my friends list and you'll have to let me know if you play Comfest or something this summer." - Stan (Cbus, OH)
"Luv the tats and the long blue hair. I luv your music too. You have a great voice. I wish I had you singing for my new metal band. Well anyhow.... I will add you to my page and promote you on my website midnightdistrict. com Until next time I wish you luck and keep on rock'n! You have the talent." - Ryan (Cbus, OH)
"I like the songs. It sounds like you had a little bit of Ani Difranco influence. I love the kinda folk sound. And the music itself is great. Not to mention such a beautiful woman playing the music. Awesome." - Jeremy (Cbus, OH)
"I REALLY liked your sound! Your voice is beautiful!" - Matt (Cbus, OH)
"I like your style. Your voice is original. I really like women singers... I don't think there is enough out there... and since your in Columbus its even better! I think BREAK is the best song on there!" - Breanna (Cbus, OH)
"Leah, I love 'Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise'. I immediately got dressed and went for a two hour walk and listened to your cd in my walkman. It's stunning. I love the new songs and the production is class. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE is one of my favorites! I love the production. I felt you really proved yourself as a producer on this CD." - Taj (Donegal, Ireland)
"Great luck wishes to you on your trek to stardom, your style is awesome and so is your music/spirit." - Crash Samdicoot (Cbus, OH)
"I really like what I hear. You have a unique sound and a new vibe that I think could really catch on in the local scene here in Columbus. Please let me know when you are playing again." - Joshua (Cbus, OH)
"Hi Leah, I'm the lead singer for Tuesday Cried. Totally digging the vibe of what you are doing. Really like the tune BEAUTY ("Dancing On The Dragon" CD). Great ending line on the chorus 'don't call me beautiful/I could never work that hard'. Love it. Our music falls outside the bounds of the normal bar band scene in C-bus too. We should try and gig together sometime." (Cbus, OH)
"Understated is not a word you would ever use to describe Leah-Carla Gordone. A speck of a woman behind a mammoth guitar, she makes up for her small size in a storm of extreme adornment.
Gordone, 46, a New York City native, born to a black father and white mother amid the thriving Greenwich Village scene of the 1960s, has just written and self-published her first book, The Motorgirl Memoirs: Adventures in Mania and Semi-Normality.
The Motorgirl Memoirs: Written in alternating first person "manic monologues" and a third-person persona called Em-Gee, the narrative is a no-holds-barred, been-there-done-that saga of a creative soul struggling for recognition, often finding herself lost in a haze of drug use and a parade of lousy men disguised as soulmates.
I dropped by Vic's Cafe, where Gordone is participating in consecutive Wednesday night open mics to promote her new book, to catch a glimpse of the Motorgirl. When the crowd noise rose above the level she deemed acceptable, she took it up a notch, proving she possesses the tenacity necessary to promote oneself on the road.
Leah-Carla Gordone will appear during Gallery Hop, December 5th, at 8 p.m. at Travonna Coffee House (1195 N High St.). Her book The Motorgirl Memoirs can be purchased on Amazon.com. " - Lia Eastep, 614 MAGAZINE Review
Originally Published: December 1, 2009
>Leah-Carla Gordone
"Leah-Carla Gordone is an excellent young singer with the sensitivity of Norah Jones and the intensity of Alanis Morissette...A modern day Carly Simon burst forth [during her live performance] with a touch of Joni Mitchell thrown in for good measure!" - Laura E. Phillips (Music Connection Magazine)
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Leah-Carla Gordone has received critical acclaim for her performance intensity and compelling stage presence as well as for all three of her full-length CDs, BUTTERFLY CHILD, DANCING ON THE DRAGON and PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES: RISE.
Her music has been described as "breathtaking," "eclectic," "refreshing," "kick-****," "knee-buckling," "ethereal," "your own lane," "alternative," "an oasis," "nothing like it," "universal" and "empowering." Now she’s garnering much attention for her new autobiography 20 years in the writing "THE MOTORGIRL MEMOIRS: Adventures in Mania and Semi-Normality" (Available at Amazon.com).
She defies categorization because she draws from so many genres to create her own highly identifiable style. Her voice has been described as "sultry," "genuine," "gut- wrenching," "song bird," "angelic," "husky," "raw," "powerful," "unique," and "incomparable."
Imagine vocals that exude a raw, sensual power but yet contain a soulful, fragile intimacy. You might be tempted to come up with something like, "Tracy Chapman meets Alanis Morissette". But only then would you begin to get a glimpse of what Leah-Carla Gordone is all about. She is a bit of a mystery and her songs reveal the tapestry of her life. Once in a great while, someone comes along who sets the standard for a whole new category of music. She calls it, "Breaking new ground with a new sound for a new era".
Born and raised in the heart of New York City, Leah-Carla is the daughter of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Gordone. She has toured the country and parts of Europe. She has opened for Norah Jones and The Indigo Girls. She performed at Eyes Wide Open: The human costs of the Iraq War, an exhibit put on by the American Friends Service Committee that came to Columbus, Ohio; a display of the boots of fallen soldiers and the shoes of Iraqi civillians who have died since the war in Iraq was started, set up on the lawn of the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, June 12-14, 2006.
She has performed at BORDERS BOOKS (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City) and sang with Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) at The Kerrville Folk Festival. She was selected to perform at the All Biz Record Label Showcase and Boston's renowned music conference: NEMO. Summer 2009 made her sixth year performing at Columbus, Ohio's well-known annual COMFEST - a 3-day/7-stage outdoor music festival - the only community volunteer-run festival in the country. In January of 2007, she was honored to be invited to sing the opening national anthem solo a cappella at the North American Fencing Cup Championship before an audience of hundreds of attendees and participants, all standing at attention. Gordone has also appeared on TV Morning Shows such as FOX 28 Wake Up (Southbend - Elkart, Indiana) and CBS Channel 2 - The Desert's News Station (California), as well as HBO's Real Sex 1992 Documentary TV Series , where she was featured modeling sexy latex clothing for the famous fashion designer The Baroness (who has clothed music icons like Janet Jackson!)
Gordone began singing, acting, and dancing professionally as a child and as a teenager, attained admission to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Performing and the Arts (NYC) for dramatic study. As a Theater Arts major at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz, she starred in the musical "Cabaret". She has selected to perform at Boston's NEMO Music Showcase. She was one of the original performing members of "Indiegrrl", toured through seven states with them and has been a featured artist on their website.
She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and two cats. She is also a registered nurse and a certfied pharmacy technician, but a true artist at heart who fancies rendering huge paintings of guitars with wings!
Leah-Carla Gordone is proud to announce the release of her third cd, "Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise." Her second full-length CD "Dancing On The Dragon" tells the story of her life. The "dragon" (Gordone describes) "represents the obstacles one must overcome in order to achieve a higher ground". Gordone makes peace with it in order to make her music dreams a reality. Her debut CD "Butterfly Child" captured her vibrantly unique and soulful voice, and let us glimpse her struggles and vision through lyrics that took you on an intensely personal journey. "Dancing On The Dragon" celebrates life and its challenging lessons, while "Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise" (dedicated to her mother, the late Jeanne Warner-Gordone) is the completion of the trilogy; a "coming home" to one's self (one-self) and the lyrics and mood contain a sense of closure and resolution. "My incredibly giving, loving and supportive mom made it possible for me to bring these albums to you all. She lived to help make my dreams come true!"
From NYC, the Village (a regular at CBGB's, Bitter End, Mercury Lounge) to Woodstock (Joyous Lake, Tinker Street Cafe), from Boston to Key West, Texas and the west coast (Los Angeles - The Gig, Genghis Cohen), London (12-Bar Club), Nashville, Chicago, New Orleans, and Columbus, OH, as a one-woman show or with her band, Leah-Carla Gordone sings out her own original songs-accompanied by her 12-string acoustic guitar that is black and bedazzled with butterflies and stars.
***********WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT LCG************
"This woman's got a voice, and she's not afraid to use it." - Indie-Music.com
"Leah-Carla Gordone’s folk-rock is an oasis of sincerity in a desert of irony and boastfulness. The best of her work grabs you by the gut, and this disc ("Phoenix From The Ashes: Rise") contains some of her best, most moving melodies to date. These melodies, together with her tension-wracked vocals, turn her best songs into whizzing worlds of twelve-string soulfulness" - Blogcritics Magazine
"Leah-Carla Gordone is a powerful, authentic singer who voices her convictions through her poetic songs...in a way she is a throwback to the best traditions of the 60s but simultaneously she leads the cutting edge of the new millenium for those who appreciate music as substance rather than style and hope for it to 'light the way'" - Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary)
"She is a rose creeping through fissures in graffiti stained concrete...a quality to her singing shared by the greatest women singers...Piaf, Mitchell and Billie Holiday." - The Woodstock Times
"Leah-Carla Gordone is somewhat of an enigma. Take a look at her album cover; before you even hear her, you just know somehow she's going to be different. And while different isn't always good, in this instance the listener is lucky. Gordone brings a unique mix of rock, folk, and soul on her 3rd release, Phoenix from the Ashes: Rise." - Scott Freedman (Indie-Music Profile)
"Leah-Carla Gordone is a, powerful vocalist... sometimes reminiscent of other strong female singers ... Natalie Merchant, Joan Osbourne, Carole King... but with her own highly identifiable sound." - Phillip H. Farber, Kingston (NY) Daily Freeman
"Gordone makes me think of a tougher, hipper, more street-wise Natalie Merchant. But Gordone is no copy cat. . . . What I find most amazing about Leah-Carla Gordone is that listening to her makes me feel stronger and more hopeful. What a gift!" - Jeff Hepfer, "Burn Yer Radio" www.wakeupweb.com, Featured Artist
"Comparison to other artists is always easy but Leah-Carla Gordone is distinctively her own. Others will be compared to her". - Dano Morris, DJ, Radio Free Brattleboro (VT)
"Gordone mesmerizes the audience". - Stacy E. Lukasavitz, www.femmusic.com
"Leah-Carla Gordone is a riveting performer." - Mark Miazga, program coordinator for Common Grounds, Michigan State University
Leah-Carla Gordone's MUSIC VIDEOS
"The Road" VIDEO MUSIC shot in Monterey, CA. (Dancing On The Dragon CD)
received commercial radio airplay and charted on a TOP 40 station
at 17 in between Eminem and Madonna!
"Beauty" MUSIC VIDEO (Dancing On The Dragon CD) shot in Columbus, Ohio
by Lori Abel of DangerMedia
Hey, people! Please say, "hi" to me. I wanna hear from you. I'm not
a robot and I will always write you back. Let me know what you think of
my music. That's REALLY important to me...
"Who Is . . . Shawn Berry" -- now in ReVersed Ink Magazine, the story of the author of The Grain. The real story of Wu Tang and life in Stapleton, a debut work by a brand new author, in the running for an Editor’s Choice Award.
OMG! I miss you sooo much. It's been ages since we've talked! How've you been? I'm hoping to pick up your book here soon. Give me a call. I'll have to bake you some cookies again. :D
Gordone began singing, acting, and dancing professionally as a child and as a teenager, attained admission to the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Performing and the Arts (NYC) for dramatic study. As a Theater Arts major at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz, she starred in the musical "Cabaret". She has selected to perform at Boston's NEMO Music Showcase. She was one of the original performing members of "Indiegrrl", toured through seven states with them and has been a featured artist on their website.
She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and two cats. She is also a registered nurse and a certfied pharmacy technician, but a true artist at heart who fancies rendering huge paintings of guitars with wings!
***********WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT LCG************
