Randy Crawford
Randy Crawford, born Veronica Crawford on February 18, 1952, in Macon, Georgia, grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She began singing in church and school before performing in nightclubs across America and Europe at age 15, with her father as chaperone. By age 20, she released her first single, "If You Say the Word," and later shared stages with jazz legends like Cannonball Adderley, George Benson, and Quincy Jones in the early 1970s.
Crawford signed with Warner Bros. Records and released her debut album, Everything Must Change, in 1976, featuring diverse covers from soul to country. Her international breakthrough came in 1979 with "Street Life," a collaboration with The Crusaders, which hit #7 in the UK and boosted her European popularity; she toured with them that year. Subsequent albums like Raw Silk (1979), Secret Combination (1981), and Nightline (1983) solidified her reputation for blending jazz, R&B, and pop.
"One Day I'll Fly Away" became her signature song, reaching #2 in the UK in 1980. She earned the Most Outstanding Performer award at the 1980 Tokyo Music Festival and won Best British Female Solo Artist at the 1982 Brit Awards despite being American, reflecting her UK success. Later Grammy nominations included "All Night Long" with Joe Sample in 2007 and No Regrets in 2009; she also recorded film soundtracks like "People Alone" for The Competition.
Crawford continued releasing albums through the 1980s and 1990s, including hits like "Almaz" (#4 UK, 1986) and a 1989 cover of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" with Eric Clapton and David Sanborn. Collaborations with Joe Sample persisted into the 2000s, such as Feeling Good (2006). Now retired from performing, she remains influential in jazz and R&B, especially in Europe.
Miss Randy Crawford
Written-By – Juanita Rogers
3:44
A2 I Can't Get You Off My Mind
Written-By – Dee Erwin, Marria Ross
3:14
A3 I'm Under The Influence Of You
Written-By – Paul Kelly (3)
3:15
A4 Over My Head
Written-By – C. McVie
3:05
A5 Desperado
Written-By – Don Henley, Glenn Frey
3:25
B1 Take It Away From Her (Put It On Me)
Written-By – Paul Kelly (3)
2:20
B2 Single Woman, Married Man
Written-By – Joey Carbone, Lanny Hambert
3:02
B3 Half Steppin'
Written-By – Curtis Wilkins
3:36
B4 This Man
Written-By – Lynda K. Lance, Ron Oates
3:04
B5 At Last
Written-By – Harry Warren (2), Mack Gordon
2:25
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BS 3083
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Jazz, Soul
Style: Soul, Jazz-Funk
Miss Randy Crawford (1977) is generally seen as a solid, though sometimes uneven, sophomore effort after her acclaimed debut, showcasing her distinctive soulful voice, but some fans found it less memorable, despite strong tracks and highlighting her versatility in jazz/R&B, with later albums like Now We May Begin (1980) and Secret Combination (1981) often considered stronger follow-ups.
The album served as a follow-up to her breakthrough Everything Must Change (1976). It emphasized Crawford's powerful, unique voice and emotional delivery, a hallmark of her career.
While showcasing her talent, some listeners felt it didn't quite reach the heights of her debut or later classics, with some tracks considered forgettable compared to her signature hits. It solidified her place in the jazz, soul, and R&B realms, building on her early success.
Fans often point to Now We May Begin (1980) and Secret Combination (1981) as albums that further developed her sound and delivered bigger hits like "One Day I'll Fly Away," making Miss Randy Crawford a key, but perhaps less iconic, part of her early journey.
In Summary: Miss Randy Crawford is a noteworthy album for fans exploring her early work, demonstrating her vocal prowess, but many critics and fans find subsequent albums more essential to her legacy.