LAWRENCE SHAUL "PROFILES OF LOVE"

Artist: Lawrence Shaul
Album: Profiles of Love
Company: Lanark
Catalog: AW 14053
Released: 1977
Genre: pop
Grade: *** 3 stars
Condition: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Comments: --
Quantity available: 1
Price: $60,00

So here's a tax scam LP where you can actually document a bit of the associated history.  Namesake Lawrence Shaul apparently started out in the late- '50s playing rockabilly with a series of Alabama-based bands including Laurence Shaul and the Aristocats.  After the Aristocats won a local talent contest, the 13 year old Shaul made his recording debut with a one-shot single for the small Birmingham-based Reed label:

- 1960's 'Hey:Little Mama' b/w 'Tutti Frutti' (Reed catalog RR-1049)

 

By the mid-1960s Shaul was a member of the Birmingham, Alabama-based soul outfit Hugh Rogers and The Mad Men.  In 1966 he was asked to join the Birmingham-based K'Otics.  The job last two years.  In 1968 he replaced Joe Wilson in The Classics IV, touring and recording with the band through 1970..  At that point he and several other band members left to join Mylon LeFevrve's touring band, that was followed by years of club work and supporting tour packages.

 

This is just speculation on my part, but 1977's "Profiles of Love" sounded like it was pulled from a mid-1970s demo collection Shaul and company might have recorded in an attempt to interest local club owners and events planners in hiring them.  Produced by band drummer Glen Wood, the album featured ten cover tunes and was quite diverse with the band touching on country, pop, rock, and soul.  Kicked along by Shaul's country-tinged voice, nothing here strayed too far from the original arrangements, though the band's overall comfort zone seemed to be more country-oriented than anything.  That was unfortunate since Shaul seemed to have a natural affinity for R&B and soul - witness the three album highlights were their covers of Ike Turner's 'If You Love Me Like You Say', Darrell Bank's 'Open the Door To Your Heart', and Allen Toussaint's 'Get Out of My Life Woman'.  Those three songs simply shredded everything else on the album, leaving you to wonder why they didn't play to their stengths.

 

"Profiles In Love" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I'll Have To Say I Love You In a Song  (Jim Croce) - 3:10

Complete with some cheesy synthesizer washes, their cover of Jim Croce's ' I'll Have To Say I Love You In a Song' subjected the song to a mild country treatment.   Very wedding singer-ish performance.   rating: ** stars

2.) Always  Something There To Remind Me   (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 3:20

Their standard Bacharach-David cover was actually a mild surprise.  Speeded up a tad, 'Always  Something There To Remind Me' actually showed more enjoy than you would have expected.  Part of the song's appeal came from the synthesizers, but even better was Shaul's vocal, especially the end-of-song vamp.  Not meant as a criticism, there was something cool in his I've-got-a-fish-bone-stuck-in-my throat performance.   Yeah, you'll just to have to check the tune out.   rating: **** stars

3.) If You Love Me Like You Say   (Ike Turner) - 2:21

Giving credit where due, the band's kenetic cover of Ike Turner's 'If You Love Me Like You Say' was good.  No crap ...  really good.  Anyone under the impression these guys were lounge act hacks, needed to check this one out.   Wonder who played the nice harmonica solo.  Great tune with Shaul simply killing this one.   rating: **** stars

4.) Share Your Love with Me   (Melene Braggs) - 3;31

'Share Your Love with Me' found the band returning to forgettable country.  rating: ** stars

5.) Stormy   (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb) - 3:27

Having been a member of The Classics IV, I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise that Shaul's repertoire would include a cover of the band's 'Stormy'.   His rendition didn't sound all that different than The Classics IV version.   rating: *** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Together   (Owens) - 3:48

Another surprise, 'Together Again' was a country tune, but Shaul gave the tune a deep, bluesy vibe that was quite impressive.  rating: *** stars

2.) Open the Door To Your Heart   (Darrell Banks) - 3:20

The album's other highlight, their cover of Darrell Banks 'Open the Door To Your Heart' was wonderful.  Showcasing Shaul's voice at its best, the song displayed the kind of energy and enthusiasm missing on most of these tunes.   You can only wonder what an album of blues and soul covers could have done.  Geez, I would have paid to see them do this one in a club.   rating: **** stars

3.) We Don't Make Love Anymore   (Kenny Rogers - M. Gordon) - 3:31

Buried in an MOR arrangement, 'We Don't Make Love Anymore' found the band back in lounge act mode.   rating: ** stars

4.) Get Out of My Life Woman  (Allen Toussaint) - 2:33

Every time I hear their blazing cover of Allen Toussaint's 'Get Out of My Life Woman' I'm left scatching my head trying to figure out how this can be the same band that recorded the lame 'Share Your Love with Me'.  The whole band, including bass player Tim Pierce and guitarist Glen Wood sounded inspired on this one.   rating: **** stars

5.) The Hungry Years   (Neil Sedaka - Howard Greenfield) - 3:42

Having spent years trying to make it on the local club circuit, I'm guessing Shaul identify with Neil Sedaka's comeback song 'The Hungry Years'.   Nice that the song had a personal connection for him, but the performance was pretty lame.   rating: ** stars

 

Again, you were left wondering what these guys could have done with a bit of time, money, and direction

 

Shaul seemingly quit music in the early 1980s, starting a family; driving a truck for awhile, then taking over the family business and limiting his musical performances to occasional appearances at his local cowboy church.