Karen Lawrence is an American singer and songwriter who has worked with The LA Jets, 1994:, Karen Lawrence and the Pinz and Blue by Nature. She sang backup vocals on "Get It Up" from Draw the Line by Aerosmith.
Discography
* LA Jets - LA Jets (1976) RCA 11547
* Aerosmith - Draw The Line lp (1977) backing vocals
* 1994: - 1994 (1978) A&M 4709
* 1994: - Please Stand By (1979) A&M 4769
* Karen Lawrence and the Pinz - Girls Night Out (1981) RCA Afl1 4006
* Jeff Beck - Flash (1985) "Back On The Street" lead vocal
* Karen Lawrence - Rip and Tear (1986) Revolver REVLP 75
* Blue By Nature - The Blues Is In My Way (ltd. ed. EP)(1994)Hostel R.
* Blue By Nature - Blue to the Bone (1995) SRD 8, Shattered 9
* Blue By Nature - Live at the Lake (1998) Hostel 55
* Jeff Beck's "Beckology" - (1998) "Back On The Street" lead vocal
* Blue By Nature - Hard Daze (2000) Hostel 57
* Slash's Snakepit - Ain't Life Grand (2000) backing vocals
Karen Lawrence, Blue By Nature’s driving force, is a dynamic singer and prolific songwriter. A charismatic performer with a spirited stage presence, Lawrence has enjoyed a challenging and diverse career. A stage performer continually since the age of 9, she fronted her first band, a blues outfit, at the age of 13. As front woman for the A&M band 1994: (produced by Jack Douglas), Lawrence’s distinctive and emotive vocal stylings frequently put her on international critics’ "Best Female Singer" lists. Wrote "Kerrang!"... "it was 1994:’s Karen Lawrence who gave the others the choice of being second best or giving up." In addition to lead vocal and writing credits on Jeff Beck’s Epic/Legacy release "Beckology," Lawrence’s most notable coup was composing "Prisoner," the theme song for the film "The Eyes of Laura Mars," which was immortalized by Barbra Streisand. (Over 4 times platinum, the song has been identified in songbooks as one of the one hundred best love songs.)
Blue By Nature was formed in March 1993 when Lawrence and her collaborator of 14 years, rhythm guitarist Fred Hostetler, joined up with longtime friend Rick Dufay. Dufay, the former Aerosmith axeman, delivered an explosive and provocative guitar sound to the band. Four years and three critically acclaimed CDs later, Dufay left to pursue a solo career and the torch was passed to young Brad Ayers. Ayers crisp Buddy Guy like riffs appear on the Hard Daze release. Shortly after the CD was finished, his promising career ended when he passed away of natural causes.
1994:
1994 was a group formed by throaty singer Karen Lawrence in 1978, after she left the L.A. Jets. The same year, Lawrence composed "Prisoner (Love Theme From the 'Eyes of Laura Mars')," immortalized by Barbra Streisand. Lawrence also backed Aerosmith on Draw the Line. Guitarist Brad Whitford tagged along for 1994's self-titled inaugural, helping out on one track, "Heleana." Acclaimed Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas was also in tow. He helmed the entire debut, as well as the 1979 follow-up, Please Stand By. Lawrence went on to dabble in new wave as Karen Lawrence and the Pinz, and then backed Graham Parker. Douglas also produced Lawrence's '90s band, Blue By Nature, which included Rick DuFay, another Aerosmith axeman. At the turn of the century, Lawrence lent her powerful pipes to Slash's Snakepit on "Ain't Life Grand", yet another Douglas production .~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide
Geoff Barton of Classic Rock Magazine -UK, rates the first 1994 release as "probably the greatest female-fronted release of all time."
Powerplay -UK proclaims, ..."Lawrence left most of the competition standing, instilling a depth of emotion into each song which most could only marvel at...a rare talent...unique...rightly considered ground breaking."
Hello Karen :) Thanks for all the great music over the years. It's been a pleasure hearing several of these in your audio player here on your myspace page. Today, I re-connected my turnable and reconnected with the two 1994 albums playing 1994 and Please Stand By. Great memories seeing 1994 at Dooley's in Tempe, Az in 1978. Best Wishes to you, John
Hello Karen!I haven't been on much lately...been doing the Grandma thing..makes me feel young again!I wanted to stop by and take a listen to your music...I like the new picture! Hugs! Kim
Karen - you are so amazing and talented - it's funny but you feel like you know someone when they've been part of your whole life musically. your talent is unique and your own - unmatched - no doubt that something new would be worn out in no time on my player, and without that right now, the music world and your fans are missing that gift.
I can only say "WOW" and thank you for adding "Prisoner" - I can't believe they didn't officially release this. I think it would have been a smash for Karen. Barbra's version is just fine, but Karen blows her away - emotive, passionate, soulful...I've always heard this existed, it's great to hear it.
