Songwriter's Monthly Feb. '11, #133 - Laura Cheadle

Anneke Schoneveld
Laura Cheadle
“From The Heart”
Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133 http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly
Recently, the soulful siren from New
Bill Hock
Jersey, Laura Cheadle, released her
fifth album: CHANGE (IT’S ALRIGHT).
The artist already has an enviable
résumé peppered with a number of
impressive highlights. She was voted
“Best Female Singer of 2009” by hit
radio station 93.7 FM (WSTW) and
because of her charity work, South
“Every single
song is about a
moment.”
Jersey Magazine named Cheadle
“Super Woman of South Jersey!” She
has appeared on ABC and has opened
for such groups as the Jonas Brothers,
Sister Hazel and the Spin Doctors. But
all that was just Laura getting warmed
up. C HANGE (I T ’ S A LRIGHT ) has a
depth, range, sincerity and skill that
make you forget to breathe while
listening. Her subtle intensity leaves
behind warm embers of longing that in the fevered “Hey There Devil.” The
yearn to be reignited by her hushed lyrics are delivered with a breathy
and sultry vocals. Whether it’s a passion that deserves at least a PG-13
comfortably fun latin romp, an upbeat rating for intensity. There are no
country-spiced stroll or a steamy naughty words, but the ferocity of
romantic saunter, each track on the desire is truly palpable.
album is a moment that is not only
alive, but feels lived. “‘Hey There Devil’ is my absolute
favorite track on the entire album,”
“Every single song is about a moment I Laura expressed. “My best friend Nora
p e r s o n a l l y w e n t t h r o u g h ,” L a u ra Targonski and I co-wrote this song
confirmed. “As a songwriter, I always together (along with my father who
write directly from the heart.” And as a wrote the music). It’s about a lover
performer, Cheadle sings everything each of us had at some point in our
from her heart. “I truly feel every piece lives who we knew wasn’t right for us,
of music.” yet we kept going back to them. I feel
like everyone currently has or has had
The previous statement is most evident someone in their lives like this. I love
“I always
write directly
from the
heart.”
“Ha-ha! Yes, I wrote this entire
song lyrically and musically from
p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e ,” s h e
admitted. “But no, it’s not the
devil,” she grinned.
On the flip side is a song about

loss. “Everywhere But Nowhere”
is unlike anything else on the
album. It ’s haunting and
vulnerable, yet about three-
quarters of the way through, it
becomes a completely different
track. The arrangement is rather
bold and unquestionably
expressive. “This song is about a
longing for someone that you
know will never surface,” Laura
commented. “I wanted to make
Bill Hock it haunting and different as
people go through so many
how it turned out. It really came out emotions and could identify with the
with the exact feel that I wanted it to.” heartbreak of this song.”
The uptempo “Sunday Naps” is a fun Though CHANGE (IT’S ALRIGHT) exhibits
track about a favorite weekend pastime a wide variety of influences, Laura
shared with a special someone. pointed out that her favorite type of
Cheadle’s creamy vocals provide a music to listen to is jazz. She noted it
smooth contrast to the bouncing bossa was something she could enjoy all day
nova groove. Again, the lyrical details long. As much as it would be pushing it
ring true, like this is, indeed, something to classify her album as purely “jazz” —
the artist has personally experienced. a definite pop residue lingers in the mix
However, one can’t help but wonder, is — there is an underlying influence that
this an indulgence Laura shares with most assuredly places this album in the
the aforementioned “devil?” outer rims of the genre. And, as
previously noted, there is an
Carol Ann Goldberg

invigorating latin flavor that
seasons a number of the
tracks, as well.
“I live for grooves!” she

exclaimed. “When we were
in the studio for this album,
my dad James S. Cheadle
(who produced, played on
and recorded the entire
album) started playing
different beats on the drums
and the latin feel found its
way onto some of the
tracks.”
One of the more soulful

songs on the album is “Blue
Sky.” It has horn licks,

organ hits and a sassy,
robust vocal. When
asked what inspired the
track, Cheadle replied,
“That was a very last
minute song that I
wrote for the album. I
wrote the entire song in
my car while driving,
then I took it to my dad
and he co-wrote the
music. ‘Blue Sky’ is
about the music
industry and how hard it
can be to be able to do
your own style. The
words and music are
completely me. This
song shows how much I
care about doing my

own music and being myself. Ever since a rare treat included on the album: a
I stuck to my own true style, amazing hidden track of her performing with her
things have been coming my way!” father when she was just two years old!
[Her father snuck it on the disc.]
One of the incredible things Laura has Change (It’s Alright)” is available at
been doing is revealed in the title track www.lauracheadle.com/music.php and
iTunes [just click the iTunes logo
“I truly feel located on her album cover pictured

below].
every piece of Breaking News! Laura will be leaving
music.” for a 26-City USA tour in March. For

dates where you can see her live, visit:
www.lauracheadle.com/dates.php She
of the album. “Change (It’s Alright)” is will also be having TWO going away
a solid piece of writing crammed with parties/shows: March 4th at the Tin
wisdom and heart — it can really Angel in Philadelphia at 10pm (http://
enlighten you, if you just listen. When www.tinangel.com) and March 19th at
asked about the story behind this The Bitter End in New York City at 8pm
particular song, Cheadle responded, “I (http://www.bitterend.com).
am now the spokes-singer for various
charities for children who are
less fortunate and I have
been really seeing the world
from its core. My title track,
‘Change (It’s Alright),’ is a
song about the world and
relationships in general.
This, to me, symbolizes the
growth we need to achieve
in both ourselves and in the
world.”
With touches of soul, jazz,

pop, latin and more, CHANGE
(IT’S ALRIGHT) is an album
with it’s own unique sound
a n d f l a i r. L a u r a i s a n
accomplished artist who
conveys the wide range of
emotions covered on this
album with convincing h t t p : / / c l i c k . l i n k s y n e rg y. c o m / f s - b i n / s t a t ?
id=hyTjEIK1pMo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpi
authenticity. For those who

d = 1 8 2 6 & R D _ PA R M 1 = h t t p % 2 5 3 A % 2 5 2 F
Carol Ann Goldberg

%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Falbum%252Fchange-
its-alright%252Fid395738609%253Fuo
%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30
order a physical CD, there is

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Songwriter's Monthly Feb. '11, #133 - Laura Cheadle

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Anneke Schoneveld

On the flip side is a song about

Carol Ann Goldberg

“I live for grooves!” she

One of the more soulful

Sky.” It has horn licks,

Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133 http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly

“I truly feel located on her album cover pictured

every piece of Breaking News! Laura will be leaving

music.” for a 26-City USA tour in March. For

With touches of soul, jazz,

authenticity. For those who

Carol Ann Goldberg

order a physical CD, there is

Songwriter’s Monthly - Feb. ’11, #133 http://www.scribd.com/SongwritersMonthly

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