The Spirit of Prince Lives On in Portland Soul Queen Liv Warfield

Over bright horns and rock guitar, Warfield showcases all sides of her personality: playful and sultry, defiant and vulnerable.

By Matthew Singer

[PDX SOUL QUEEN] A decade ago, just as she was considering giving up on her music career, Liv Warfield was thrown a purple lifeline. Through mutual acquaintances, a video of the Portland soul powerhouse crushing a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" made its way to Prince, and before long she was standing alongside him onstage, performing marathon sets as a member of the New Power Generation. Certainly, there are worse fates than being forever linked to one of pop's great geniuses. But Warfield has the voice and presence to stand on her own. Prince recognized that, too: Though he's listed as executive producer on her 2014 reintroduction to the R&B world, The Unexpected, his contribution was more of a spiritual adviser than behind-the-scenes Svengali. Over bright horns and rock guitar, Warfield showcases all sides of her personality: playful and sultry, defiant and vulnerable. Baby, she's a star.

Liv Warfield plays Saturday at 2:20 pm.

(Amy Churchwell)

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