Voice Like A Symphony

Leon Bridges “Lisa Sawyer”

This is a doo-wop song in the style of The Flamingos, and it’s performed and recorded so faithfully that it wouldn’t be hard to convince someone that it’s actually from the late ‘50s or early ‘60s. It certainly has that wonderful, hyper-romantic shimmering moonlight quality to it, and this casual gentlemanly sweetness that’s very seductive in a low-key way. “Lisa Sawyer” isn’t quite what it seems, though. Leon Bridges channels the nostalgic sound of this music as a way of connecting with the past, and telling the story of his mother, who was born around the time this style of music went out of fashion. Bridges’ lyrics loosely sketch out his mother’s biographical details, but his voice fills in the rest with a tone of reverence and pride. It’s a lovely tribute, and I think it’s really powerful as a song in the way it implies that everyone’s life story is interesting and notable and worthy of being sung about.

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