THE top females of disco .....Who's next in line ?

[all*that*glitters*]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

I like Patti Labelle but apart from her '79 LP she didn't do much disco or funk did she? I always think ballads are her forte, & occasionally she'd do a frantic 'too fast for dancing' track like 'New Attitude' or 'Stir It Up'.

I believe that a great Disco singer, male or female covers a wide variety of styles within the genre...since he or she must possess a MIGHTY VOICE first of all! Patti does have a mighty voice!! And one that is not just right for screeching over 120 BPM on a Saturday night but perfect for down tempo songs and ballads, funky stuff as well, even for stinkers like 'Stir it up' or 'over the rainbow'. Now that's a variety fit for a Sunday morning...

I agree that Patti's voice is better when she sings funky stuff or ballads BUT if you only look at her '1979' album, and I guess you mean 'it's allright with me', as her contribution to Disco then your info on Patti Labelle needs to be updated....what about her 1974 alltime classic 'nightbirds' when she performed with two other 'top females of Disco' ; Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx....
'Voulez vous coucher avec moi' and 'lady marmalade' surely is great Disco music avant la lettre?? Did you forget about that period in Patti's career??

Or her 1981 album for Philadelphia International 'the spirit's in it', one of the classic Loft favourites of David Mancuso. Or another great dancer like 'rocking pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu'....
and do you know her 1985 album 'Patti' for PIR, produced by Gamble & Huff, of which came another nice dance tune 'shy'???

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by all*that*glitters*

'Voulez vous coucher avec moi' and 'lady marmalade' surely is great Disco music avant la lettre?? Did you forget about that period in Patti's career??

No I haven't forgotten that period of Patti's career but I wish I had because i never liked Lady Marmalade by Labelle, as I have said before on this site. Why so sarcastic? I wasn't slagging Ms.Labelle off, I like much of what she did, I just don't think she did that much of what I consider to be disco, it's just my opinion. What one person considers 'disco' , another might not.

[all*that*glitters*]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

No I haven't forgotten that period of Patti's career but I wish I had because i never liked Lady Marmalade by Labelle, as I have said before on this site. Why so sarcastic? I wasn't slagging Ms.Labelle off, I like much of what she did, I just don't think she did that much of what I consider to be disco, it's just my opinion. What one person considers 'disco' , another might not.

nobody is being sarcastic here...I like to mention 'nightbirds' since this album is surely one of the best moments in 'early disco', if you like it or not.
And a great female disco singer like Patti Labelle deserves to be judged on her whole career not on a few 'select' memories or personal faves...

[SandraDee]

New Attitude & Stir It Up are not personal favourites of mine. Please don't assume. To assume makes an 'ass' of 'u' + 'me'.

[all*that*glitters*]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

New Attitude & Stir It Up are not personal favourites of mine. Please don't assume. To assume makes an 'ass' of 'u' + 'me'.

I got your point and do not assume anything besides what I wrote.
I do hope that I made my point clear when I reacted to your quote:

'apart from her '79 LP she didn't do much disco or funk did she? I always think ballads are her forte, & occasionally she'd do a frantic 'too fast for dancing' track like 'New Attitude' or 'Stir It Up''

Patti Labelle deserves her place in THE top females of disco....regarding her impressive career and voice....and regardless her material being uptempo or ballads....that's all!
Remember SD.... to say cheese when U wake up tomorrow and look into the mirror

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by all*that*glitters*

IRemember SD.... to say cheese when U wake up tomorrow and look into the mirror

What on earth are u talking about?

[Videoskooter]

San, ATG is just saying that one always has to start a new day with a smile That's a must for a happy life!

BTW, a poll can only contain 10 options, that's why Remicks took the names chosen by the people who had already replied in the thread. Maybe, we can start a second one with other artists and include the names that are mentioned after the first one, and....then take the five winners of each poll and let them compete against each other in the final poll????

Remmy???? Waddayathink???

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

San, ATG is just saying that one always has to start a new day with a smile That's a must for a happy life!

I tend not to smile really as people might thimk I've got wind.

[remicks]

*****

maybe they'll think you just got laid !!!

*****

[SandraDee]

Hmm, I may smile more after all! I feel so miserable lately, now that I'm in my 40s; I must be having that mid-life crisis! I'm now officially a miserable old git! I could be the new Quinny!

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

Hmm, I may smile more after all! I feel so miserable lately, now that I'm in my 40s; I must be having that mid-life crisis! I'm now officially a miserable old git! I could be the new Quinny!

I think we already have a new Quinny on this board

San, get those mid-life demons out of your head!!! I'm 43 and I'm having the time of my life!!! So, if I can do it, you too my love! JUMP AND SHOUT!!

[FranceJoliFan]

If she'd put out more music, I'd say Debbie Jacobs. And I love France Joli. But my vote would go to the anonymous female studio singers. I'd count the whole group as one big diva.

A few had some name recognition (Jocelyn Brown, etc.) And went on to solo success. And some had face recognition (the women in Chic.) But think of all the producer-driven groups like Musique. Or most of Cerrone or Gino Soccio's work. The Salsoul Orchestra even.

Great female vocals. But did you ever get to see a photo of these session singers? No. It was usually a bikini model on the album cover. It was the Martha Wash syndrome. But in the pre-MTV days. There wasn't any Artist feat. Diva credit.

Some of my "anonymous diva" favorites:

Dance To Dance/I Wanna Take You There Now - Gino Soccio
Call Me Tonight - Cerrone
Yes With My Body - The Models
Beat Of The Night - Fever
This Side Of Midnight - Gregg Diamond
That's The Meaning - Beautiful Bend
Evita - Festival
Dance, Freak & Boogie - Nightlife Unlimited
Take Off - Harlow
One More Minute - St. Tropez

I also think this is part of what defines disco. It's a genre that relies heavily on anonymous contribution in the studio. Usually by a male producer (who gets the credit) directing female singers (who fade into obscurity, move to Europe, and/or re-record/re-release/re-mix their one solo hit 20 to 30 years later while managing to stay incredibly young looking and/or end up gaining weight.)