Lisa Stansfield: Biography
Born Lisa Jane Stansfield to Keith and Marion Stansfield on April 11, 1966, Lisa was raised in a house full of music. Her mum listening to such Motown greats as Barry White, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and others. Lisa sang constantly as a child as did her older and younger sisters; Karen and Suzanne. Recognizing their talent, Mrs. Stansfield entered them in all sorts of singing and dancing competitions. Lisa's big break came at age 14 when she won the Since she first came on the won the "Search For A Star" contest which led to her first Television gig, "The Head of Light Entertainment" with the Granada Network. This was just the beginning for the beautiful Northern Lass as she gained recognition as a presenter on the Children's show "Razzamatazz," where she would also sing/perform the top songs of that era.
Internationally, Lisa broke onto the scene in 1989, Lisa Stansfield has sold over ten million records worldwide, enjoyed numerous top ten singles, thrilled audiences around the planet and helped to redefine the parameters of rhythm and blues. 1997 ushers in the next phase of this remarkable woman's career.
Lisa Stansfield's eponymous titled album is her third U.S. release on Arista Records. Lisa Stansfield is the triumphant return of a truly innovative musical force. "It feels like a comeback," Lisa says. "But hopefully, I've been gone but not forgotten." Certainly not. One listen to Lisa Stansfield and you're instantly reminded why the singer -songwriter is considered the UK's foremost ambassador of soul. Powered by her fluid stylish voice and anchored by passionate grooves, hip swaying seduction and all the Lisa landmarks-the groove, the orchestration, the brass, the strings and of course, the rich sensual voice, Lisa Stansfield is the record for which her fans have been waiting.
This new album explores themes close to her heart, from songs about love found and love lost to personal reflections. The album features soulful ballads, "I Cried My Last Tear," a gem from the ubiquitous Diane Warren, "Don't Cry For Me," co-written with Lisa by New Yorkers Mark Morales and Mark C. Rooney and the heartfelt ballad "I'm Leaving." Uptempo grooves include the opening track "Never Gonna Fall In Love" and the uplifting debut single "The Real Thing" with its' call to be who you want to be. Written and recorded in Ireland and produced by longtime partner Ian Devaney, Lisa Stansfield marks the first time that Lisa and Ian have recorded an album with other musical collaborators. Laughs Lisa, "We wanted to be adventurous!" On board is co-producer Peter Mokran, whose credits with R. Kelly and Toni Braxton brought a more American R&B flavor to the mix and English singer-songwriter Richard Darbyshire who co-wrote several tracks. The infusion of new blood only helped to intensify an already invigorating artistic experience, one that took nearly two years from start to finish. The resulting 14 songs is an album that remains true to the Lisa Stansfield tradition while introducing a new dimension.
Admittedly the time off afforded Lisa time to do more and she utilized that time to the fullest. "It was good because there wasn't any pressure. And the break gave me a chance to reflect." The introspection is evident in the songs, which Lisa considers some of the best of her already stellar career. Case in point: the intoxicating single "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again," that examines the art of relationships. "The songs' title has a double meaning because what I'm saying is that I'm never gonna fall in love again because I've found the one I want to be with."
That sense of stability and of contentment is inherent in many of Lisa Stansfield's cuts and the artist attributes that to maturity as a performer and a woman. "You know I'm not in my 20's anymore," Lisa offers. " I'm in my thirties and while I don't feel "grown up" and I don't think I ever will, or want to, I do feel more mature as a woman. I can cope with being a woman. I'm proud to be one. I feel a lot stronger, a lot sexier and I think that all of that is reflected in my music."
Brought up in Rochdale, Lancashire, Lisa Stansfield's early talent as a performer was first spotted by a Granada TV producer, leading to an initial career as a TV presenter. Fast realizing that this was not the path for her, Lisa Stanfield joined forces with old school friends Ian Devaney and Andy Morris to form "Blue Zone." Brought to the attention of top DJ mixers Coldcut, Lisa Stansfield?s first chart success came in 1989, guesting on Coldcut's smash hit "People Hold On", coincidentally currently storming the U.K. charts in bootleg form, seven years later. Lisa Stansfield has always had far-reaching appeal. Her vocals on "People Hold On" quickly marked her out as a solo artist in her own right, and the release of her solo single debut "This Is The Right Time" soared in the charts. The subsequent release of the ever popular track "All Around The World," propelled Lisa Stansfield to the top of the charts the world over and firmly established her as one of the UK's leading artists. From there she went on to release her debut album Affection, which immediately captured the attention of all lovers of the groove. Affection spawned the hits "All Around The World" (which topped both the US pop and R&B charts), "This Is The Right Time,""Live Together" and "You Can't Deny It." The album went on to sell 5 million copies worldwide and earned Lisa a Brit award for Best Newcomer.
In 1990. Lisa recorded Cole Porter's "Down In The Depths" for the Red Hot & Blue album, which raised millions for AIDS research worldwide. Three months later, in January 1991, Lisa was performing in front of 150, 000 people at the Rock In Rio Festival. In November 1991, she released Real Love. The sophomore album bypassed the jinx by delivering four hit singles: "Change," "All Woman," "Time To Make You Mine" and "Set Your Loving Free." In addition Lisa recorded a remake of "All Around The World" with her idol Barry White and toured throughout the world.
What has always been reflected in Lisa's music is an innate love of the rhythm, a lifelong appreciation of soul and a dedication to her musical craft. All of this brings us to right now and the album that reintroduces and reaffirms a singer who has always followed her heart and soul. Lisa Stansfield. The wait is over.
- Lisa: I'm proud to be a woman. I feel a lot stronger, a lot sexier and I think that all of that is reflected in my music.(edit)
- Lisa Stansfield: (Reflecting on growing up) One of the first things I remember is my mum doing the housework to The Supremes. When you hear music like that when you're young, it stays with you.(edit)
- At her residence in Dublin, Ireland, Lisa's next door neighbor is Bono of U2.(edit)
- At the age of 19, Lisa Stansfield was briefly married (6 months) to Italian designer, Augusto Grassi and lived on the Italian countryside.(edit)
- Lisa has two dogs: Turnip and Doleen. According to Lisa, Doleen (the smaller dog) likes to sleep on Turnip's back.(edit)
- Lisa's debut album Affection was made using an 8 track tape recorder.(edit)
- Lisa's lifelong idol was Barry White. The two met and performed her All Around The World hit on the video Real Life in 1992.(edit)
- Lisa's sister Karen, who sings just like her, was featured as her double at her 1992 Wembley concert.(edit)
- Lisa's favorite brand of cigarettes is the UK brand, "Silk Cut."(edit)
- Lisa has three cats: Titkat, Apple and Baby Kong.
(edit) - Lisa's favorite movie of all time is Now Voyager starring Bette Davis.(edit)
- Lisa and her husband, Ian Devaney, own a recording studio in Rochdale, UK. It's called "Gracieland," a parody of Elvis' Graceland and also in honor of the first star of Rochdale during WWII, Gracie Fields.(edit)
- Lisa has the nickname "Peanut head." During the late 80s/early 90s, she sported many a poorboy cap, which had to be taken in to fit her unusually small head.(edit)
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