Lorna Wright’s only solo album was jam packed with triple-scale players but it was largely ignored by both the label and the public but it continues to earn a reputation amongst those in the know as a soft rock classic.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Lorna Wright
ALBUM: Circle Of Love
LABEL: Rocket
SERIAL: BXL1-2902
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Lorna Wright – lead & backing vocals * Jay Lewis – guitar, bass, percussion, backing vocals * Larry Carlton, Fred Tackett, Jay Graydon – guitars * Mike Porcaro, Leland Sklar, Dennis Belfield, Klaus Voorman – bass * Jim Keltner, Andre Fischer, Chet McCraken, Ralph Humphries – drums * Bill Cuomo – keyboards, piano, synthesizer, clavinet, pipe organ * David Foster – moog bass, synthesizer * Ernie Watts – flute * Edgar Lustgarten – cello * Gail Levant – harp * Victor Feldman – clavinet * Steve Foreman – percussion * Gary Wright, David Pomeranz, Kim Carnes, Bette Sweet, Hiroshi Upshur – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 I’m Gonna Love You Tonight * 02 Circle Of Love * 03 My Song * 04 What’s Gonna Happen * 05 Stranger * 06 Night Music * 07 Love Is Forever * 08 Get A Little Crazy * 09 Magic In Your Eyes * 10 You Have Me * 11 You Can’t Find Yesterday
Background
Sister of everyone’s favourite dream weaver Gary Wright, Lorna appeared as back-up singer on the majority of her brother’s solo albums and tours and in 1978 released ‘Circle Of Love’ on Sir Elton John‘s Rocket Records.
While it might appear Lorna attached her career to her more popular sibling’s cosmic coattails, she made her own way early on having an association with Island Records as Lorna Doone although at what capacity – vocalist or behind the scenes is unclear. What is certain her only solo album jam packed with triple-scale players was largely ignored by both the label and the public but continues to earn a reputation amongst those in the know as a soft rock classic.
The Songs
There are some beautiful performances here including the title track which should have fit neatly on playlists from sea to shining sea if Rocket had the druthers to get behind the project. With nary a hint of her brother’s spiritual proselytizing, Lorna crafted the majority of the material and her vocal talents are versatile to say the least moving between the richly textured chamber pop of ‘My Song’ to the mild disco of ‘What’s Gonna Happen’ with confidence and class.
Of the two cover’s ‘Night Music’ written by Dave Ellingson, husband of Kim Carnes is the best. A tasty made for radio pop song highlighted by Carnes trademark raspy backing vocals. Rocket did tap this one as a single but it sadly failed to chart and while Wright wasn’t creating an entirely different style of music from other female artists of the period, ‘Circle Of Love’ has stood the test of time.
In Summary
Prior to this release Lorna Wright released a non-LP 45 ‘Slow Dancing’/’Fires Of Love’ which I’ve never come across although I have heard her one of two post ‘Circle Of Love’ singles via You Tube and trust me when I say ‘Police Woman (Queen Of The Neon Jungle)’ is best avoided.
Video
Magic In Your Eyes
