Phyllis Hyman R.I.P.

[Karlos]

Perhaps not so much of a "Disco Diva" but it's 10 years to the day since Phyllis tragically took her own life. The world is certainly a much poorer place without her. I for one will always be grateful for her and her music.........

[RetroRuss]

Didn't know that.....as a mark of respect I will play one of her tracks at the weekend at one of my gigs.

[NickNack]

I remember a group of us coming to a stand still in total shock while at work that day. Someone had their radio on at their desk and heard the announcer say she was dead. Lousy day, believe me. My heart still breaks when I play her stuff. She could do it all... and more!

[Karlos]

Definately my favourite artist. Perhaps this is worth starting another thread but there's always been one song that she didn't sing that i wish she had recorded. Don't get me wrong I think Stephanie Mills did a good job on "Never New Love Like This Before" but just imagine if Phyllis had of sung it........

Anyone else have a favourite song that they wish someone else had recorded and if so which song/who...??

[buckaroo]

Compared to Odyssey's version, Phyllis Hyman's performance of "Don't Tell Me Tell Her." was sheer brilliance. I too was saddened to hear of her death at the time, as I had collected all her albums up to that point, and had become a little too obsessed with the woman :roll: Not such a bad thing really. I just count myself as very fortunate, because I was able to see her sing live in London at one of the few concerts she did here, back in the early '90s.



R.I.P. Phyllis.

[Karlos]

Buckaroo,

Thanks for the scan.

I too have all of Phyllis's albums and CD's and have collected all of the compilation CD's even though they only contain material that I already have. I saw Phyllis live at Hammersmith Odeon many years ago, late 1980's I think. I got there early and actually bumped into Phyllis in the foyer as she had come out to meet some friends. We had a brief chat and went our separate ways. I will never forget that. I played a lot of stuff yesterday, think my favourite is actually a ballad "The answer is you" does it for me but there are so many others...

[remicks]

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Of course her signature disco hit is probably "YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME" , a smooth & classy disco record ( making it something of a rarity right there) that has withstood the test of time well . Love the featured piano in that tune . ....... But I recently replayed
"TONIGHT YOU AND ME " and I had forgotten how delightful it is as well .....

Phyllis Hyman's discography :

http://www.kolumbus.fi/soulexpr/hymandg.htm

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[remicks]

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Another word that just came to mind to describe "YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME " is "gentle". What other disco songs fit this catagory? ????


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[tcbgent]

Originally Posted by remicks

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Another word that just came to mind to describe "YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME " is "gentle". What other disco songs fit this catagory? ????


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I would have to say'' UNDER MY SPELL '' In fact I enjoyed that song more then her signature song'' You Know how to Love me ''

[remicks]

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I'll have to seek out "UNDER MY SPELL " :D

I have to add one other thing .... decided "YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME " was the perfect song to listen to on the way to work this morning . And because Karlos , you made a reference to Stephanie Mills ... I could hear some similarities .... and not to disrespect the talents of Stephanie .... I think Phyllis kicks it up a notch.

But I digress.... what I wanted to mention is that as I'm listening to this ongoing celebratory vocalization about the gloriousness of how the subject at hand knows so skillfully .... "how to love me" ..... there is one moment of humour snuck in there , I hadn't heard before . Four-fifths through the song Phyllis is again declaring "You know how to love me" ..and then she adds a little dig by growling ...." ...because you told me so....Ha, ho . " :P :P ". I like that this one line of playfullness found its way into this elegant song .... :D

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[SandraDee]

I remember in an interview in 1980 with Mtume & Lucas, the producers of 'You KNow How To Love Me' they said they didn't get on with Phyllis & they wouldn't be working together again. :(

My favourite Phyllis track is 'Gonna Make Changes', one she wrote herself. It's very melancholly.

[buckaroo]

I've read articles like that one too Sandy...She was a very hard person to get on with apparently. According to one journalist I won't name, she seemed to have become very bitter towards the end of her life, and was intimidated by the younger 'divas' on the scene during the mid and late '80s (Chaka, Whitney, etc.). She also thought that men were intimidated by '...strong black women like me...' When I saw her at the Hammersmith / Labatts Apollo in '91, you could tell she wasn't in the best of moods...But the concert was fabulous!! Just like listening to the records in fact...But despite many calls for an encore at the end, she didn't ablige us.

It's a shame she didn't work with Messers Lucas & Mtume again, because that 1979 LP was one her best in MHO.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by buckaroo

It's a shame she didn't work with Messers Lucas & Mtume again, because that 1979 LP was one her best in MHO.

You're right Bucky, it was a corker. Don't you find that sometimes the best art happens when strange bedfellows work together? That's probably why good stuff rarely happens. I've heard that Phyllis was a highly depressive person so that would explain her reluctance to face the public (look at the wihdrawal of Agnetha from Abba who also suffers from depression).

[buckaroo]

I understand what you mean. Phil Collins, who is totally un-disco :lol: produced his best work while going through a very nasty divorce: "In The Air Tonight", "If Leaving Me is Easy", "You Missed Again." to name but a few.

[remicks]

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just thought I'd link these related threads about the great Miss Hyman ......

http://www.discomusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=461

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