The smooth, sexy voice of Lisa Edwards has been synonymous with Australia's music industry for five decades.
Known to a legion of John Farnham fans as one of his accomplished and dynamic backing singers, Lisa is also a seasoned solo artist in her own right as well as sharing the stage with many leading Australian and international stars including Kate Ceberano, Kylie Minogue, Noiseworks, Black Sorrows, Real Life, Natalie Cole, Sting, Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Yoko Ono for the John Lennon Tribute Concert in Liverpool.
Now the perennial performer has released a fresh, vibrant new studio album - I'm Still the Woman - co-produced with Michael Cristiano, the long time collaborator and producer of The Seekers.
The album opens with Lisa's funky, modern, feel-good cover of the Helen Reddy song I am Woman and features 10 original songs, nine of which have been written by Lisa and Michael.
Lisa chatted with The Senior from her home in Melbourne, opening up about her musical career, family, life during COVID-19 and I'm Still the Woman which is her third solo album.
"I love this album, I truly do," she said. It's full of heart and passion and a lot of influences both from the people I grew up with and the people I worked with. It's been a journey.
"I think of it as a celebration for women over 50. That's why the first song is I am Woman - the enduring anthem for women's liberation. I revamped the song, it's very funky and so we thought we'd use it on the album." Lisa's teenage daughter Madison joins her mother on this fresh, upbeat rendition.
In a moment of synchonicity, Lisa's new album featuring I am Woman was released in May almost 50 years to the day that Helen Reddy released the song in 1971.
I love this album, I truly do. It's full of heart and passion and a lot of influences both from the people I grew up with and the people I worked with. It's been a journey.
- Lisa Edwards
The album's title song I'm Still the Woman was written for Lisa by prolific American songwriter Randy Goodrum, many years ago but wasn't used until now. "It's waited all this time for the right album," said Lisa.
Born in Adelaide, Lisa has been actively involved in the music industry for most of her life.
The daughter of a jazz pianist, she was introduced to the entertainment world at the age of seven singing at various venues while her father accompanied her on the piano; and making numerous television appearances.
Her earliest musical memories are of Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and other jazz greats.
"There was music every day in our home. I saw the joy my father brought with it. I've just been blessed with music and a career I love. I first sang in front of an audience when I was seven and the path just unfolded before me and I've followed it for five decades now," she said.
Renowned for her vocal talents and range, and ability to perform live, Lisa has covered many areas in music including jazz, musicals and contemporary material. Her experience also covers television, recordings, live work, dancing and playing numerous musical instruments.
In 1993, Lisa's debut single Cry was a top ten hit and reached gold status and she was inducted into the South Australian Hall Of Fame in 2016.
Music unites us and connects us. It's healing for the soul.
- Lisa Edwards
While the songs on the album have been written over a number of years, much of the production has been done during the pandemic and lockdowns which, while difficult, was still a wonderful experience, she said.
"The songs, they're quite raw they're about relationships, love and hurt. They say, 'I'm still here. I'm still the woman'.
"There's layers and layers and layers of vocal tracks. Michael opened a Pandora's box when he gave me artistic licence."
As has been the experience for most performers, the past 18 months of the pandemic have been difficult for Lisa, who is missing doing live shows. However, she's grateful for the opportunity of being able to work on the album and looks forward to the day she can get back on stage as well as take the album on tour.
"I'd love to travel again, I would like to do a tour with a full orchestra or even one-off concerts," said Lisa. "Music unites us and connects us. It's healing for the soul."
In the meantime, while Lisa waits for the world to open, she keeps her family safe and takes solace in her music.
I'm Still the Woman is available from JB HiFi and Sanity and from streaming services.