Linda Clifford speaks!

[Jeff H]

Twirl, did you know that Donna Summer and Liza Minnelli have already done a remake of "Does He Love You?" It's on Liza's CD "Gently" from 1996. It's not a dance version, but it is a big ol' over-the-top diva blowout! And Donna sounds awesome!



I'm still thinking about my own choices for great songs that are ripe for a remake. Given the names that have been mentioned, my mind keeps drifting toward songs like "I'm a Woman" or "Big Spender," but I'm not sure either of those lends itself to a dance version. (Not that the Ritchie Family didn't try anyway....)



"Doctor Love" is an interesting idea, and I've always loved that medley by First Choice: "Let Me Down Easy"/"Good Morning Midnight"/"Great Expectations."



But let me say right now that I forbid anyone from suggesting "It's Raining Men"!



_________________

"...a once in a lifetime feeling that returns every week..."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeff H on 2002-02-12 14:09 ]</font>

[markydefad]

Twirl,



We are on the same wavelength...my own thoughts were going in the direction of the First Choice catalog...I thought maybe "Dr. Love" or "Let No Man Put Asunder"-- and "Touch Me in The Morning" also occurred to me as part of the "Suite Seventeen" which could be remade with them taking turns singing the individual songs or in duets, trios, etc.



It's gotta be CLASSIC and EPIC and worthy of the combined talents of the three Any other ideas?

[markydefad]

Jeff,



You is a readin' my mind---you edited that post and added "Doctor Love" as I was typin' mine, didn't you? I swear that wasn't there when I first read it????!!!!!

Is this "Gaslight"? Am I goin' out of my head?



Hmmm...I'm Just Askin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[markydefad]

Or...what about some early stuff like a Trammps medley: Where the Happy People Go/ Love Epidemic/Hold Back The Night/Where Do We Go From Here/Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart/ or dare I say Disco Inferno or Disco Party? (Anyway, some combo of those songs). Remember Gloria covered "Mighty High" with The Trammps on her "Born Again-Greatest Hits" CD where almost every song had a reference to her Jesus-obsession (not that there ISN'T something wrong with that--it's DISCO, Gloria). Anyway, that song was fun, I thought.



Or what about a cover of an Ecstasy, Passion & Pain hits medley: "Ask Me, Good Things Don't Last Forever, I Wouldn't Give You Up , and Touch & Go" or some others in a tasteful assemblage.



_________________

Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-02-12 15:01 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-02-12 17:01 ]</font>

[PhyllisHyman]

Apparently she's been working with Joey Negro and she's done a version of "Going back to my roots" but I haven't managed to get hold of a copy despite begging!

[HustleBaby]

Now that were on the subject of possible remakes, I think that some oldie but goodie jams should go untouched!!! Many of todays artists have done a weak version of the remake or completely BUTCHERED it, for example - (Lady Marmalade and Biggie Smalls "Hey Love" by the Delfonics)and many others.



But I must say that I've heard a techno/house version of Austraud Gilberto's

"The Girl From Ipanema" at a fashion show recently. Unfortunately, I don't know who made that song but it was HOT!!!!! Also I've heard a house version of Sylvester's "I Need You" and Harvey Mason Jr's "Groovin' You"

which was also HOT!!!!!



*DELIGHTFUL*

[JussiK]

It's got to be AND I'M TELLING YOU I'M NOT GOING plus other DREAMGIRLS tracks - and if we could only get Boris Midney to re-think about doing the music.

[Jeff H]

GREAT suggestion, Jussi! Let's have the girls do the songs "Dreamgirls," "One Night Only" or "Hard to Say Goodbye"! Paging Mr. Moulton...!

[Bernie]

Why does it have to be remakes? I generally can't stand these and would prefer they do something creative and original and as grand as their previous output. All that talent to rehash showtunes-I just don't get it.

[Outsider]

On 2002-02-13 10:17, Bernie wrote:

Why does it have to be remakes? I generally can't stand these and would prefer they do something creative and original and as grand as their previous output. All that talent to rehash showtunes-I just don't get it.

I agree. A new song would be much better for them.

[markydefad]

Well, I see your point Bernie. But with the creative drought in the song-writing business--who would write the song? Please NOT Diane Warren or any of those other dial-a-song hacks!!!

[Bernie]

The more I expend brain cells on this; the more I feel that they couldn't all perform together due to rivalry. .If they all did it would probably be some farce ala "We Are The World" all-star crap. It would be horrible.



My feeling is that they should all perform separately on one album that has individual songs written & produced by the likes of Giorgio Moroder, Vincent Montana, Patrick Adams... Essentially all the great Disco era writers and producers who are still around. Each singer would have an opportunity to shine and sing her heart out utilizing various material.



It would be varied and something I would love to hear. Each artist could hitch up with one or more producers... What do you think?

[markydefad]

Bernie,



I totally understand your point of view...but, since Linda Clifford has ties to Gloria Gaynor (recorded a song by Linda), Donna Summer (may record a song by Linda) and Tom Moulton (did a remix of Linda's "Changin'" cover of Sharon Ridley)...shouldn't a comeback single featuring all 3 divas, produced by Moulton, be the first step? Then, if all the record labels involved can work out a deal, an album featuring everyone could be proposed.



But a single featuring the 3 Divas would be a sure-fire headline grabber and propel them unto the talk-show circuit and, maybe even the radio and the charts(?) Who knows? Only Cher has succeeded at that recently.



Hey, if Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer at the heights of their Divadom could be brokered into a deal to record together by Paul Jabara...couldn't Linda, Gloria & Donna join Tom in the studio to refresh their individual careers with a joint effort Diva Summit?



I'm not just taking "in our wildest dreams" stuff here. I think this could happen. Am I nuts?

[Jeff H]

Yeah, Marky, maybe you are nuts. But we can dream, can't we?!



I understand Bernie's reluctance to hear yet another remake, but Marky's response about songwriters raises an issue I've complained about frequently (to anyone who would listen, but now I have you guys, who might actually be interested!):



The art of songwriting is becoming a lost one. (Except maybe on Broadway, and it's hurting even there.) Can you think of ANY songs from today, or the '90s or maybe even the '80s that will stand the test of time?



There is a reason why the classic Motown songs and songs by Burt Bacharach keep getting remade; likewise, Lennon/McCartney, Elton John/Bernie Taupin and Ashford & Simpson (and surely a few others I'm forgetting).



But a lot of those songs are nearly 40 years old now--and they're still great! Does anyone believe we'll be listening to "Baby One More Time" in 2035?! (Sorry, but I couldn't name a song by groups like Limp Bizkit if you put a gun to my head!)



One obvious response, of course, is: "Why bother writing good songs when there are so few good singers?"



Comments?

[markydefad]

Oh Jeff, my pessimistic pal....



Come on, I wouldn't say NO GOOD SONGS have been written since 1979!!(?)!! I loved tons of stuff from the '80's and the '90's had good stuff too ( although grunge & rap/hiphop made it harder to find good songs on the radio).



You mentioned to me that you don't buy much stuff anymore, but I still follow lots of pop & rock groups (U2/R.E.M./David Gray/Coldplay, etc.) & listen to bluegrass types like Alison Krauss and country types like Trisha Yearwood & Emmylou Harris and jazz types like Dianne Reeves & Fourplay & Diana Krall & Jane Monheit (you would LOVE her, I think). I'm gonna look at my collection and propose some good songs from the recent years. Maybe, we should ask : What cd's from the 1990's til today are your favorites?



I would respond:



"Ingenue"- k.d lang

"Automatic For The People" - R.E.M.

"Come On, Come On" - Mary Chapin-Carpenter

"Harvest Moon" - Neil Young

"Now That I've Found You" - Alison Krauss



Off the top of my head, "Avalon" by Roxy Music is my favorite LP/CD of alltime, along with certain Beatles titles. I have so much stuff, I'm gonna have to give this more thought when I'm at home. Tune in later...