Press Release: "What People Are Saying"

Review from "Sing Out" Magazine

Lori Lieberman sings with one of the truly beautiful voices in non-classical music. Her voice floats like a feather, yet carries sufficient gravity to seduce you. "Monterey" is her first CD in about five years, and is a self-produced labor of love between Lieberman and her husband, Joseph Cali. Besides being a staple of the Los Angeles music scene, Cali also is an audiophile, so this recording benefits from an overall quality of sound rare in the folk, or any other, genre. Lieberman composed all the songs. While each track lists four to eight accompanists, the production is so tasteful and subtle you sense the sound more than hear it. All you seem to notice is Lieberman's voice swirling and twining and gliding. The accompaniment ranges from piano, violin, viola and cello, to guitars (acoustic and electric), pedal steel, mandolin and bass. The overall effect is acoustic with nary a hint of rock. Lieberman sneaks inside a song and gently undresses it. Her songs sound deceptively simple, yet you can't listen all the way through one without a line or two or three jumping out to grab you. She reprises "Drive On," from her first CD, a love song geared to automotive metaphors that once it parks in your mind you can't escape. The masterpiece on this CD is Lieberman's song, "The Letter." Originally inspired by the Columbine shootings, it took on greater and deeper resonance after September 11, 2001. The song is a love song to America, more a lament than a patriotic flag waver. It looks back from the future enquiring what went wrong in a place with so much promise. In a world of burlap, Lieberman is pure silk.

Rich Warren
WFMT Radio
The Midnight Special

Press Release: "The Killing Me Softly Connection"

In 1973 Don played a show at LA's Troubadour Club. Singing Empty Chairs inspired Lori Lieberman to write the song Killing Me Softly on a napkin. "I was actually blasé about going," says Lieberman. "I didn't know who he was, but from the moment he walked on stage, I was spellbound. I felt as if he knew me and his songs were about my life. I felt like he sang into my soul." Originally called killing me softly with his blues, Lori's poem inspired songwriters Norman Gimbel & Charles Fox to write the song for her. It was released on her debut album in 1971.

Hearing it on an airline's inflight music programme Roberta Flack upon landing investigated the song and contacted Gimbel & Fox. She offered to record it & in 1973 it became a No 1 for her. Lieberman to this day is never given credit for lyrics and her version. McLean said he had no idea the song was about him. "Someone called me and said a song had been written about me and it was No. 1, "McLean recalled. "It was an honor and a delight, and I give Lieberman the credit. My songs have always come from my personal thoughts and experiences, so it's overwhelming when someone is moved and touched by them like Lori was." The song was also released by The Fugees in 1997.

Press Release: "Monterey"

Lori Lieberman, Drive On Records premier recording artist, has just released a new collection of songs on her new CD, "Monterey". Her first release in four years, "Monterey" is an acoustic-based body of work, in which all the songs are composed by Lieberman, and produced by Lori Lieberman and Joseph Cali. The songs have her trademark of heartfelt lyrics and stunning melodies, where Lieberman's musicianship shines as guitarist, pianist and string arranger. Calling on the support of stellar talents Gregg Liesz, John Leftwich, Timothy Drury, and Stefanie Fife, this CD is Lieberman's best work to date. "Texas Sky", a moving love song in the tradition of the classic country ballad, "Unsinkable", a heartbreaking comment on the demise of a relationship, together with "The Letter", an important post 9/11 comment on America, represent the broad blend of emotions and subjects examined in Lieberman's latest offerings. And, as always, the silky magic of Lieberman's remarkable voice guides the listener through this musical journey.

aMusicDirect.com writes of Lori's new release:

"Lori Lieberman's great string of albums on the defunct Pope Music label were among the finest-sounding recordings of a contemporary female singer-songwriter. They continue to be sought-after because the content was there as well; a great clear voice that chimes bringing out her thoughtful and heartful lyrics. Firmly in the tradition of Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Lieberman definitely has her own style with a wonderful sense of melody. Her newest album has been well worth the considerable wait and stands among her best work.

First known for introducing "Killing Me Softly," a hit for both Roberta Flack and The Fugees, Lieberman had several strong albums on Capitol in the mid-'70's that are regrettably out-of-print as well. Music Direct is very proud to be offering this incredible sounding CD from this very special artist! Ms. Lieberman...well done!"

Karl Lozier, music reviewer of Enjoy the Music.com writes:

"Buy it, try it, listen and compare. That is my advice about this audiophile top quality CD recording of new compositions. ........this recording entitled Monterey is as close as you are going to get to hearing her live. Monterey is the title of one of the songs on this CD in addition to the title of the CD featuring all new songs.

.......it is mainly folk with some touches of country and a bit of simply pop thrown in. In one of my listening sessions I listened to every minute of the recording .......by the time I reached the end I was certain I had listened to a subtly beautiful album of mainly love songs and at least a couple of ballads. .......like love remembered, love lost, loneliness and good-byes.

.......it is so outstanding and probably the very best sound quality I have heard in the past few months. I am referring to one of the best-recorded CDs that I have heard in a long time.

.......Lori's piano playing is excellent as she makes it sound easy. The recorded quality of the piano is not to be surpassed by anything I have heard recently. "

Lori Lieberman can be seen on German Televison throughout Europe on June 4th 2005. She will be performing "Killing Me Softly", on Die Ultimative Chartshow at 20:15 on RTL. Lori is currently working on her new CD which will be released in the fall of 2005. She is living in Los Angeles and will be touring extensively in 2006. For all booking, tour and other information, contact Drive On Records at 818-225-9824 or by emailing info@driveonrecords.com.