Labelle reunion?

[keefelc]

Did anybody read this week's Billy Master's "Filth" gossip column? One of the items he included,

"I have some exciting news. Patti LaBelle has reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash and is prepping a new LaBelle album ñ the first full-length album from the trio in over 20 years. But thatís not all ñ Patti has recruited former partner (and former Supreme) Cindy Birdsong to sing on a couple of tracks, technically turning this into a reunion of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells. The girls hope to hit the road and do a cross-country tour in 2003."

Could this rumor be true? I loved their last full album together, "Chameleon," produced by David Rubinson and Friends (who is probably most famous for producing the early Pointer Sisters albums on Blue Thumb). Is this tour the result of "Lady Marmalade" hitting the charts again? Will it be enough to reignite Patti, Nona and Sarah's careers?

[markydefad]

That's great news Keefe. I just hope they can find good material and a good producer for their reunion project. Please hire a producer from the Old Skool--NOT Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland or Missy Elliott!!! I know--I guess I'm dooming them to NO SALES--except to us old farts--but do ya really think the kidz are waiting for a new LaBelle cd?

One other thought: this news will probably cause Miss Ross to extend her stay at the "Promises" facility in Malibu, eh? Just the classy and professional way Patti has reassembled her group and EVEN extended an invitation to Cindy Birdsong to participate, must make Miss Ross green with envy over the way SHE bungled her reunion tour. AND I SAY SHE cause, NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS--SHE could have made that work if she wanted it to work.

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-06-11 14:21 ]</font>

[Graham_Start]

Ahh, the "Mary Wilson vs. Miss Ross" debacle on 20/20 was probably the highlight of 2000 for me

[keefelc]

Hmmmm, who could decently produced the regrouped Labelle? I also have this fear that we might see the same old producers. Hopefully, Nona Hendryx hasn't become complacent in her maturing years and will insist on someone good. I suspect she'll contribute her songwriting talents to the new album as in years past. Perhaps that will make a difference.

As in years past, their live performances may be their saving grace. If they are as outrageous and cutting edge as back in the 70s, we may be in for a major treat!

Regardless, it doesn't surprise me that Ms. Labelle has handled the reunion in a truly classy way. You can tell she knows how to be a human being.

[paul]

On 2002-06-11 14:19, markydefad wrote:
That's great news Keefe. I just hope they can find good material and a good producer for their reunion project. Please hire a producer from the Old Skool--NOT Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland or Missy Elliott!!! I know--I guess I'm dooming them to NO SALES--except to us old farts--but do ya really think the kidz are waiting for a new LaBelle cd?

One other thought: this news will probably cause Miss Ross to extend her stay at the "Promises" facility in Malibu, eh? Just the classy and professional way Patti has reassembled her group and EVEN extended an invitation to Cindy Birdsong to participate, must make Miss Ross green with envy over the way SHE bungled her reunion tour. AND I SAY SHE cause, NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS--SHE could have made that work if she wanted it to work.

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-06-11 14:21 ]</font>

I hear ya and agree Marky. Maybe Quincy if there's any juice left in him or Jeffery Osbourne(sp) if he's into doing something like that.

[markydefad]

Paul,

Quincy Jones's name popped into my mind also, BUT he seems out of the music biz (at least as a producer) these days.

Richard Perry, who did so many classic Pointer Sisters LP's also came to mind. But I haven't seen anything produced by him for years either.

Allen Toussaint? Gamble/Huff? (they did the classic Laura Nyro & LaBelle "Gonna Take A Miracle") David Foster? Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis? Babyface? Angie Stone? Barry Gibb? (that oughta get me some hatemail!!!)

Oh, wait--what about Tom Moulton???!!!

Probably NONE of the above. We'll have to wait and see. :roll:

[markydefad]

I just had a lightbulb moment (thanks, Oprah)in a search for a new producer for LaBelle.

What about the diminuitive funkster Prince?

He's worked with Patti before (wrote & produced a couple tunes for "Burnin'" (1991) and "Be Yourself" (1989).

Also, and most importantly, Prince wrote & produced a terrific CD for Chaka Khan "Come 2 My House" which would have been a big hit--in an earlier decade, I guess. I thought it was pretty darn good.

Or Nile Rodgers? Arif Mardin? Giorgio Moroder? Cerrone? Costandinos? Boris Midney? (I can just hear em cooing "Boogie Motion" in Euro white chick style). :lol:

[markydefad]

This morning I was thinking about Nona Hendryx's early-mid '80's dance rock stuff:

"Do What You Wanna Do" with Material
"Bustin' Out" with The Cage

and her own solo stuff like "Keep it Confidential" and "Transformations" and lotsa others and I flashed on a compatible artist (besides Prince) who would jibe with her funky rock sound and possibly lend some direction to the LaBelle reunion.

Lenny Kravitz, anyone?

Some people hate him. I think he's really good. Steals from the best: Sly Stone, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, The Spinners (It Ain't Over Til It's Over). :lol: