Transplanted from Darliston to Florida at the tender age of six, this Jamaican flower has thrived in Fort Lauderdale. She’s blossomed into an extraordinarily original singer, as well as an accomplished songwriter and composer on guitar and piano. Lisagaye has earned a BA, Masters and nearly a Doctorate in Business, and was heading toward a teaching career. Then, Summer 2006, her colleague Kevin got her back into music. At long last, the songwriting partners are proud to offer Lisagaye’s debut album, Food of Love. “Flat out beautiful music,” say fans. “A much needed breath of fresh air.” “A voice that sent chills through my body.” Thanks, kaydub.
Merrick Crittenden - Drums, Percussion
A veteran South Florida musician, Merrick’s been a drummer for 34 years and a pro since he was 16. He’s played drums on several indie releases , including a 3-1/2 year stint in the ‘90s with The Resistance, and others. As a session musician, he’s played on everything from blues, to experimental, to pop rock and heavy stuff. Merrick has toured extensively throughout his career. Merrick brought a combination of precision and passion that is an invaluable contribution to the texture and emotional impact of the songs.
Greg Kokus - Bass Guitar
Bass player extraordinaire Greg Kokus has been a fixture on the South Florida music scene for a long time. Besides 3 years in the late ‘90s with Lisagaye’s first band, the Human Beings, he’s played guitars and keyboard in many, varied pro groups from rock to pop to jazz, including Cous Cous (with Jim Dix) since 1994; Cous Cous International with drummer-percussionist Carlos Mota; the Hollywood Land Band; the Palm Beach Experimental Ensemble; Billy’s a Diva; and as a special guest performer with the Way of the Groove, among others. Greg was the first to join the Food of Love Project, in September 2006. He’s a much-sought-after performer, and we’re proud to have Greg on our team.
Lawrence Rein - Guitar
Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Larry, at 16, grabbed one of the Mexican guitars his parents had hung on the wall, and that was that. He taught himself chords, joined a band, wrote some songs, and knew what he wanted to do with his life. After receiving a degree in jazz/commercial music from Five Towns College, Larry formed a band called Open Mind, then a cover band called Second Hand News that played the clubs around New York and Connecticut. After moving to Florida he formed a cover band called 44 D in 2001, playing all over Palm Beach County for 5 years while also teaching guitar. Larry joined the Food of Love Project in October 2006 and instantly made an impact.
The kick-ass classics of the last '30 years, and yes, Tracy Chapman, with her grittiness, Norah Jones, with her focus on pure, clean music and vocals, and the stuff that makes you think as well as feel, from Ani Difranco to Uriah Heep to Janice Joplin to Joan Armatrading to early Aerosmith. If you want the same old radio junk, lyrics that mean nothing, and songs manufactured for the lowest common denominator of the mass market, this stuff ain't for you. If you want to rock and feel and think and bleed, welcome to the river.
Sounds Like
We're told Styx, Boston somewhat, mainly because of Lisagaye's powerful vocals and the piano on some songs. Others have said Mostly Autumn, Axl Rose. Music with a throwback sound, but with a sharp edge that goes in sweetly, and deep, until the blood starts to flow.
Lisagaye Tomlinson was born in Darliston, Jamaica, and moved to Florida at the age of six.
Raised to believe in education, she took the long route through school, earning a BA, a Masters and nearly a Doctorate in Business, preparing herself for a teaching career. Then last year a colleague urged her to get back into music. Nine months later comes her debut album, Food of Love.
She has become an astonishingly original singer, as well as superb songwriter and composer on guitar and piano. (For good measure, she also plays violin.) “Flat out beautiful music,” say fans. “A voice that sent chills through my body.”
And they struggle to find comparisons for Lisagaye’s sound. “Reminds me a bit of Elton John/Billy Joel. Very cool stuff.” Or “kind of a Kansas/Styx sound to that layering... a dash of retro.” Boston, Donna Summer, Axl Rose, Ani DiFranco… Or, mostly, they just sit back and enjoy the “powerful voice,” “beautiful music” and “refreshing sound” of an amazing new talent.
For fans in the US or Canada
For fans in other countries
After nine months of chopping, mixing, simmering and stirring, Lisagaye serves up a sumptuous banquet of songs in her debut album, Food of Love.
Songs about love in all its madness & darkness, sweetness & light, power & terror, heartache & joy. "The lyric poetry of sorrow," one fan wrote.
Songs that soar on the beautiful, powerful voice of an extraordinary new singer. “A voice that sent chills through my body," one fan described it. And another: "I'm nearly crying, you're so good."
We made the album with love. We hope you love it, too.
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Like chapters in a novel, these 14 songs tell the story of a woman looking for love in the tangled, messy world we live in - and, at long last, finding it....
1. Half the Love (guitar-based rocker) 2. Baby No More (piano-based whipcream-on-a-butcher's knife) 3. Worth the Bruises (just L, her guitar, & pure loveliness) 4. I Don't Want to Know (bring on the hot & heavy guitar chords, baby) 5. This Time (yeah, she does honkytonk, & you'll like it!) 6. No Truer Words (a slow-burning rock ballad) 7. Can Only Imagine (a waltz like you've never heard) 8. A Woman's Gotta Do (another taste of honkytonk, on the hard side) 9. Lord Lord Lord (bring on the bass & fuzz guitar) 10. Hallowed Ground (Holy Honkytonk!) 11. Oh I'm Ready (L alone with her piano & her melting heart) 12. Food of Love (how about a taste of Jamaica?) 13. Destination (close-up tour of the female anatomy - listen closely now) 14. We Are (turn off the porn; this is what good lovin' really sounds like)
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Lisagaye Tomlinson - Food of Love Project's Friend Space (Top 12)
Lisagaye Tomlinson - Food of Love Project has 35196 friends.
Hey Lisa, how are u? Didn't u attend the SxSW Film Fest in Austin, Texas in the late 90's once or twice? I'm a filmmaker out of Houston and I attended the Fest '97 through '99.
Hi Lisa. Just wanted to let you know that we're playing in Tallahassee, FL on March 23rd at The Engine Room.
Visit our website for all tour dates.
xo from Efterklang
Thank you for the invite to listen to your voice. I like your tone and your control is way above average. I would love to hear your voice singing Amazing Grace or something you write about your blessings and who gave them to you. Keep on singing you do have a gift.
SHOW LOVE TO MY YOUTUBE PAGE OF WHO'S CURIOUZ AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND SAY WHY THIS SHOW NEEDS TO BE OUT ON TV ITS GOING BE CRAZY ITS CURIOUZ TIME!!!!!!! SEND IT TO ALL YOUR CURIOUZ FRIENDS
Hiya, Thanks for the add. Love to have a new artist join me on myspace. Hope my friends take the time tio listen to your music, and that you take time to listen to some of them. Good Luck
