Liv Warfield is one of the most promising voices in indie soul music today. Her triumphant debut album, Embrace Me, is a compelling overload, combining warm, seductive vocals and vintage R&B with a funky new-age twist. Her music is a celebration of love and life; a powerful package of brilliant songwriting and flawless harmonizing. But Liv’s greatness lies in her simplicity. She still has that demure mid-western charm about herself and a unique vulnerability that paints a picture of a young woman with an old soul full of timeless, liberated melodies.
“Her debut is full of self penned songs that express her love for her craft and her willingness to be true to herself and not follow radio trends. Listen to Live and you’ll hear a woman trying not to compromise.” Sister 2 Sister Magazine
“Good singing is not going out of style if Ms. Warfield has anything to say about it. She traipses in on a smoke infused contralto to la Lalah Hathaway, wringing out determined lyrics. Enjoy this strong debut that you’ll keep on the top of your CD pile for quite a while.” Heart & Soul Magazine
“Ascending from a family history of extraordinary talent arises a self-trained singer, songwriter, performer, arranger and co-producer, Liv Warfield. Warfield is R&B’s purest new musician since Sade. Out of an era dominated by the R&B synthesizer, over sampled hip-hop production and a distinctly bohemian neo-soul movement, emerges a fundamentally pure artist that defies the modern trends of her genre and embodies a global art form through her cross-categorical appeal. A singer who organically blends classic soul, electric rock, sultry rhythm and straight-up sexy blues like Tina Turner—and it’s only the beginning. Artistic genius flows through the veins of this Peoria-born songstress and close relative of the late comedian Richard Pryor. It is through Warfield’s lyrical clarity, her vocal conviction and the brilliance of her timeless arrangements, where she eclipses her contemporaries. Her succinct and purposeful songwriting, inspired by the “message music” of Curtis Mayfield, fuses her gospel-guided sensibilities with secular lyrics that are sultry without sacrificing her foundation of moral authority.” CD Baby
Liv, who is the cousin of legendary comedian Richard Pryor, didn’t inherit her love of music by way of genetics, Sunday morning church choir participation or school band rehearsals, although she did play the violin for 13 years, Liv was a track star who longed to sing. Born and raised in Peoria, Illinois to a family of prideful, standout athletes Liv kept her emotions, talents and dreams to herself and lived vicariously through her musical hero’s such as Jill Scott, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Sarah Vaughn, Sade and Mary J. Blige. “All of these women have strong voices and there is something in each of them that I see in myself. They were not afraid to be vulnerable and didn’t put on fronts. They were raw, pure and intense.”
“In four years she has gone from a raw talent, unsure of herself onstage, often sitting on a stool wearing a running suit, to a powerhouse, assured of her talent and her ability to move an audience, punctuating her music with movement and magically made-over to allow her outer beauty to match the inner beauty bursting out of every pore.” The Oregonian Newspaper
“Singer Liv Warfield is capable of a lot — performance wise, which is why her album is a stylistic surprise. The 11-cut work consists almost entirely of mellow music that doesn’t play out. As a highlight, “ABCs” includes drums and vocals by all-time great drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. On the last cut, “Brotha Man,” explosive lead guitar and Liv’s voice cut loose, vying for center stage.” Rolling Out
“Compared favorable by critics in her adoptive hometown of Portland, Oregon to Sade, Jill Scott and Anita Baker, indie soul singer/songwriter Liv Warfield is a cousin to the late, legendary Richard Pryor but chose music over comedy.” Music Connection Magazine
“She turned her full-throated voice to songs from the joyful to the painful, the funky to the sexy, all delivered with confidence and depth. Listening to her sing, it’s easy to remember why it’s called soul music: because that’s where her power comes from. Owning the space with both her voice and body. And she showed a playfulness, as well, that marked how deeply she was attuned to her songs.” Oregon Live
Embrace Me, is all about acceptance and not being afraid to spread your wings to soar to the next level. It is a woman’s album with male sensibilities. Along with an intoxicating blend of rock, alternative, soul and R&B rhythms, there are lush, rhythmic details and arrangements that create a magical sound, with one common thread on the 11-track album being about love- losing love, receiving love, giving love; the pains, the thrills, the inspiration and the disappointment. On the uncomplicated track, “ABC’s”, a mid-tempo jam about loving yourself for who you are every single day and letting your mind be free, Liv perfects the undisputed rule of being true to ones self. While “I Decided” is a slow-burning groove that deals with the heartache of leaving an emotionally-destructive relationship, “Work For Me”, is an inspiring, educational and uplifting single, that transcends time. Liv also drops a dramatic jewel on the live, epic ballad “Brother Man”.
“Liv Warfield has emerged as one of Portland’s best-kept secrets, a seductive and alluring voice in the area’s blossoming R & B/soul scene and definitely an act who (with the right support) is likely to make her mark on the national scene quite soon. Her music is decidedly not your typical indie/hipster fodder, and it definitely works in her favor.“Embrace Me,” Warfield’s debut record, wisely focuses the proceedings on Warfield’s delightfully soothing vocals, and is a lovely album from the first notes all the way through to the finale.In fact, it’s unlikely that you’ll find an album as uplifting from start to finish as this. The minimal arrangements suit Warfield. Her voice is a beautiful instrument in its own right, delicate and stirring at the same time. You’ll be hearing more from her soon.” The Portland Tribune
“One of the best surprises of all, 27 year old Liv Warfield. The Peoria native comes out of left field as a kind of Sade-meets-Jill Scott-meets-Anita Baker, her sultry, steamy voice deftly handling an excellent collection of jazz-influenced soul on her debut album, Embrace Me, live instrumentation is the perfect backdrop for Warfield’s groovy, appealing compositions and her surprisingly assured vocals. A stunning new talent and one of the best debut albums you’ll hear this year.” Soultracks
As the year winds down, I wanted to take a moment to share with you one of the best CDs that I’ve heard in 2006. The artist is Liv Warfield, and the name of her debut release is “Embrace Me”. She’s a very talented young lady hailing from Portland, Oregon. Liv Warfield can SANG! Its R&B music at it’s best; soulful, sensual, funky, and raw. I don’t know what’s going on out in the mid-west, but I think we’re missing out on
something. Discover soulful music from the heartland. Liv Warfield’s “Embrace
Me” is the perfect introduction.” Rhythm Flow
Crooning sweetly on sexy radio-ready tracks and easy-listening ballads, Liv expertly pairs emotive poetry and lyrical storytelling amidst the soundscape of solid instrument laden grooves. Having opened for heavy hitters such as B.B. King, The Dave Matthews Band, The Roots and Floetry, to name a few, this self-described “spontaneous, laid back” chanteuse, has not always been so fortunate in her career. “I’ve sat on the street and sang until five in the morning, sang for money to put gas in the car, checked out of my apartment to be able to have money to do music.”
“This is a lovely, strong set of songs, with Liv’s vocals forefront, indicating the quality of this woman’s vocal delivery. The opener ‘A, B, C’ has, not only Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie on drums and vocal chores, but quite the ‘dirtiest’ bassline I have heard all year. An excellent opener, that leads us through Liv’s Soulful musical garden. These songs are all of a very high standard, with, perhaps, ‘Waiting’, ‘Work For Me’ and ”Get Away’ being the sets other highlights. All told, very satisfying throughout and a great addition to any Soul collection.” Soulwalking.co.uk
“Liv is a singer and a songwriter with unlimited potential. She is a vibrant 27 year-old black woman who has all the things going for her that could make her a star. Warfield is so damned positive, such a good wordsmith, sings with such power and conviction that even jaded old reporters can see sunbeams shooting out the top of her head. Her love songs aren’t sappy or nasty, they’re sexual, but you actually get the feeling she’s talking about love with sex. Quite a concept. She sings about the heartbreak without whining, and calls him out without calling names.” Counterpunch
“Liv Warfield is my new best friend. She just seems to have that quality that makes you feel like you can ask and tell her anything. Maybe it’s that Mid-Western charm (she’s from Peoria, IL). She is a well-spoken woman with a somewhat husky voice that belies the smooth alto she projects in her music. Already, she has opened shows for big headliners, The Dave Matthews Band, B.B King, The Roots, and Floetry.” N’Digo Newspaper
Hip-hop, pop, R&B, soul, rock from a female perspective, the rising star of Liv Warfield and her debut Embrace Me are soon to shoot to instant-classic status. “You can listen to this CD all the way through and it’s going to keep you in a vibe the whole time and then you’re gong to want to listen to it again. You can take away everything else, but my music is something that I will fight for.” Spoken like a woman set out to conquer the world.
“Part of Liv’s mastery is in the way she blends rhythm and blues with neo-soul and hip-hop, which few vocalists can handle. There is a similarity in delivery with that of Sade, but Liv’s singing has more body, a fullness that evades Sade. Clearly Liv Warfield sets a mark for others to shoot for, including some well-known national acts.” The Portland Observer Newspaper
“Local soul sister Liv Warfield may have gotten her start karaoke-ing at the Galaxy, but now she counts stars like Method Man among her admirers.” Portland Mercury Newspaper
Liv Warfield will take the stage to perform at 3pm on Saturday, June 16th at City Hall Park (Across from J&R between Park Row and Broadway) in New York City. The concert is free and open to general public
J&R Summerfest Website:
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