Who do you love ?
WHO DO YOU LOVE ?
Well , you ’ re probably gonna love singer Elise LeGrow and her debut full-length record , Playing Chess – 11 diverse songs from the massive catalog of Chicago ’ s iconic Chess Records label , home to music pioneers like Etta James , Bo Diddley , and Chuck Berry . Indeed , Chess Records had a profound effect on the musical revolution of the mid-20 th century .
Here , we ’ re talking about Canadian LeGrow masterfully interpreting some of these early rock and roll and R & B classics , including : Diddley ’ s “ Who Do You Love ,” which Rolling Stone named one of the “ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ,” and which has been covered by the likes of George Thorogood and Ronnie Hawkins with Canadian Robbie Robertson on guitar ; Chuck Berry ’ s “ You Never Can Tell ,” which has been recorded by John Prine , Bill Wyman , Bob Seger , and sung by Springsteen on tour , along with being the centrepiece of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack ; and Fontella Bass ’ s “ Rescue Me ,” which has been covered by Linda Ronstadt , Cher , Diana Ross , Pat Benatar , Bryan Ferry , Tom Jones , and Canada ’ s own Sass Jordan . I know , right ?! The result is that her Playing Chess debut is a dynamic ebb and flow of rocked up , inventive interpretations of both legendary classics and unassuming but soulful gems that showcase LeGrow ’ s bold yet very feminine voice .
Released by Awesome Music in Canada and S-Curve Records in the U . S ., the album was produced by the trio of S-Curve ’ s Steve Greenberg , R & B legend Betty Wright (“ Clean Up Woman ”), and studio whiz Michael Mangini . That ’ s the same group of Grammy winners who helped turn Joss Stone ’ s album Soul Sessions into a multi-million seller . Add in the guest appearances by the likes of producer / musician Questlove and some Dap-Kings , and LeGrow ’ s record just reaches out and pulls the listener in . And her live performances , which vary from just her accompanied by a guitarist to a full-blown production , are already becoming well-known in North America and across Europe where she ’ s supported by BMG and developing a strong fan base .
PHOTO : MATT MALTESE
LeGrow , who laughs often , says she ’ s more than excited to be on the road in support of her latest collection , starting in Europe and then crossing North America later in the year . “ I believe that the more you sing something , the better you get at it ,” she shares . “ I hope I sing them better every time I perform . My live interpretation of these Chess songs is similar to what you hear on the record but the little nuances I do while touring changes them up . Performing live shows is why I got into this business ; it ’ s where I shine .”
In fact , it wasn ’ t all that long ago that LeGrow was pulling double duty at the Drake Hotel on Toronto ’ s Queen Street West , where she ’ d sing standards with jazz musicians early in the evening then change her clothes and her attitude and sing with her indie rock band , Whale Tooth , later in the evening in the same house . “ That was my life for a few years , and I loved them both equally . It was a strange , exciting time . I must have had a lot of stamina !”
How LeGrow got from there to here , though , is an eye-opening story in itself , involving changing music forms , evolving looks , various musicians and collaborators , and a shedding of several skins — indeed , a metamorphosis . Toronto-born LeGrow went to the Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in North York , ON , studying and singing classical choral music . Her grandfather was a jazz musician in Chicago and she grew up listening to The Beatles and Stones . Then , as a teenager , she began her professional career . “ I came in through the jazz door , singing standards , getting a lot of support from Jazz FM and radio host Jaymz Bee , who encouraged me and supported me , bringing people out to my shows ,” the singer explains . “ I still have a lot of support in that community . Jazz FM still plays my songs today .”
While she was in school , LeGrow confesses she didn ’ t have much long-term interest in the choral material but still calls it an invaluable experience . “ I was more into soul and R & B material , but I had a really great teacher at Cardinal Carter , and she really worked us hard . At one point , I was in seven choirs ,” she adds , “ and the experience helped me get an ear for harmony .”
She also acknowledges that she knew of Toronto ’ s deep R & B and blues roots – of venues like the Bluenote , Le Coq D ’ Or , Colonial , the Hawk ’ s Nest … “ Even now , there ’ s still a very vibrant R & B / soul community , centered around the Orbit Room , where a number of bands perform , on College [ Street ] in Little Italy , and also at the Reservoir Lounge ,” she enthuses . “ So many R & B and soul musicians move through these places on a weekly basis , and I ’ ve had the pleasure of working with them .”
But she also emphasizes the rock and roll that was played at home . “ At various points in my career , I ’ ve had the opportunity to perform all these types of music , and all have informed where I ’ ve landed now , with the new record ,” she continues . “ It may seem like I was all over the map , but all of these traditions and genres have informed me .”
Her venture into the indie rock scene happened when she be-
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