Indie Release [Level 4]
Vicki Sue Robinson is my favorite singer. Even if her material wasn't the best at times, she gave it her all. I loved her energy.
My question is: Are there any cds of her albums? I have compilation cds that have "Turn the Beat Around" (of course), and one with the 12" version of "Hold Tight". But that's all about I have been able to find. Any help?
Thanks in advance.
Underground Hit [Level 5]
I have been asking the same question for years. I know there was talk of a "Best Of" CD before she passed..that's the last I heard.
She, in my opinion, is incredibly underrated. I had the great fortune of knowing her, and she was immensly gifted and one of the sweetest folks you'd ever want to meet. I am so pleased other folks have an interest in her talent.
Indie Release [Level 4]
Thanks for the reply, JJ.
I too have always felt she was underrated. Too bad there does not seem to be any plans to put her stuff on cd.
I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert a few years ago while she was experiencing a come back with her two house music releases. She was great. She was obviously enjoying herself immensely, and the audience responded to that.
It is a shame she was not able to enjoy her newfound success more.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
*****
Gotta agree.
Vickie Sue Robinson emitted a vibrant energy with her vocals that was tailor made for disco . IMO --- "TURN THE BEAT AROUND " could not be better performed.
Because it is now a bit too over familiar :( ..... I'll listen to other equally as good songs like "DAYLIGHT " or "HOLD TIGHT "".
In fact , "HOLD TIGHT " is a song I actually crave to hear at times ..... not so many tunes I can say that about .....
*****
Underground Hit [Level 5]
One of the last things Vicki did,was an off Broadway show called, "Behind the Beat", which was a musical journey through her life. In addition to performing all of her disco stuff, she did a freakin' amazing version of "Gethsemene" from "Jesus Christ,Superstar", that had the entire audience in tears! She was definitely one of a kind and I miss her dearly.
My favorite album is "Half and Half". Another incredibly underrated album..she could do ballads like nobody's business. Just check out "We Found Each Other" or "Let Me Down Easy" from her second album..pure genius..
Platinum Record [Level 8]
I love her stuff. I've got all of her 70's albums, but I have to admit it's because of who produced, not necessarily because of her. I think I even have a signed copy of one of her albums. I'm not sure because I bought it used within the last year. It would be nice to get an Anthology released. But I don't know if it has more to do with her producer holding it up than her estate. There isn't any Warren Schatz-related material out on CD, with the exception of a few tracks here and there.
I really like that song Never Gonna Let You Go. I bought the 45 and the 12 for the instrumental B side. Has anyone ever noticed how the melody sounds like George Benson's Breezin? I wonder who's track was released first?
Disco Funk
Gold Record [Level 7]
Oh yes. I agree. "Jelousy" is an excellent ballad on there.Originally Written by JJMelody
Triple Platinum Record [Level 10]
I'm curious to know if my instinct that Vickie Sue was a lesbian is correct???? I've been under that assumption since I saw her referred to as "Disco's tomboy" someplace. Svend , however told me that she was married to a man when she died--so I'm wondering if my assumption was incorrect.
AMG doesn't help me with this one--it does tell me she was half black...
"Robinson's birth was the result of a union between a black actor and white folk singer."
Underground Hit [Level 5]
Your assumption is quite incorrect. Vicki was most definitely married to a wonderful man who worshiped her. He had been managing her as well, and was right by her side..always..
By the way..hopefully someone can answer this question for me. I have been hearing snippets of an album cut of Vicki's ("The Freeway Song" from "Half and Half"), and at first I was so excited to hear a song of Vicki's on the radio. It turns out, it is not her,but pieces of it are sampled on this particular recording. Any ideas as to what the heck I'm talking about???
Thanks!!
JJ
Chart Hit [Level 6]
I disagree that her producers(although wonderful)were better than her vocals.Can you imagine anyone else scatting
through "turn the beat around"
as easily as Vickie? She brought
such a sassy,ballsy joy to her
records-truely unique.And she
recorded all the background
vocals herself,yes?Anyways,one
of disco's most orignal vocalist
for sure.A few more fave's:
Never gonna let you go(vocal!)
Don't try to win me back and
Nightime fantasy.
Eventually someone will release
a compilation,,,,with 3 minute versions no doubt!
Thom
Platinum Record [Level 8]
I guess we'd have to agree to disagree here. I believe if she had been produced by a German guy who just used synthesizers and a repetitive beat, she wouldn't have been able to belt out the tunes the way she did on those funky Warren Schatz tracks. She certainly wouldn't have been scatting. That's why I'm not to crazy about her songs after the Half & Half album because Warren Schatz started sterilizing his grooves, and the music on Nocturna, while I love the Philly sound of Bergen and Whitelaw on the Moment of Truth's LP, it was rather stale sounding on the Nocturna soundtrack.
It was the funky backing tracks that brought the best out in her vocals.
Disco Funk
Indie Release [Level 4]
I have to also disagree with you, DF. For example, have you heard her late 90's singles "Move On" and "House of Joy"? Definitely not Schatz productions, and most definitely in the house vein, but the vocals are unmistakably VSR. And I don't think anybody could have sung the songs the way she did.I guess we'd have to agree to disagree here. I believe if she had been produced by a German guy who just used synthesizers and a repetitive beat, she wouldn't have been able to belt out the tunes the way she did on those funky Warren Schatz tracks. She certainly wouldn't have been scatting. That's why I'm not to crazy about her songs after the Half & Half album because Warren Schatz started sterilizing his grooves, and the music on Nocturna, while I love the Philly sound of Bergen and Whitelaw on the Moment of Truth's LP, it was rather stale sounding on the Nocturna soundtrack.
It was the funky backing tracks that brought the best out in her vocals.
Disco Funk
I am glad I sparked a discussion on VSR, since as I posted already, she is my favorite singer.
By the way, I have found "Night Time Fantasy" on cd. It is on "Sounds Like 54" from Bestway records, and is the 12" version. The 12" version of "Hold Tight" is on "Big 12 INches: More, More, More" from BMG/Buddha. Thank goodness for the internet.
Indie Release [Level 4]
Does anyone know if "To Sir With Love" was ever re-released?
Remixed? i have the 12 on profile. i wish i had a better mix of it.
thanks!sonic.
Chart Hit [Level 6]
I'm not too familiar with her material, but it's hard to believe RCA/BMG still haven't done a best of CD on her yet. You'd think there would be some interest, even for a budget compilation, since "Turn.." was such a big hit. Then again, BMG were never really great at exploiting their back catalogue..
Another Vicki release on CD (Rare Preludes 2) is the Hot Version of her '82 single for Prelude, "Hot Summer Night," another Warren Schatz production. Not much in the way of vocals, but a real funky, sexy track.. love it!
Chart Hit [Level 6]
This is my fav track from her, and I find the 5:55 mix on that vinyl to be just great.
Indie Release [Level 4]
my favourite song of Vickie Sue Robinson is "nighttime fantasy".. I always put this track somewhere on my list. though the "Nocturna" Soundtrack version is not my favourite, the 12" one is more intense.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
*****
Thanks to this thread .....something odd ( but wonderful) has happened .....I've become obsessed with Vicki Sue Robinson's music . :D 8) (Listening to "Don't Try To Win Me Back Again" 12" right now ) . Wonderful instrumentation/arrangements in her songs .....D-I-S-C-O .... meaning massive doses of horns , guitar , strings and --- of course --- percussion. Vickie's voice is never lacking ..... words and phrases flow effortlessly from her in shotgun fashion. (My one critique may be in the lyrics at times. )
The only reason I think she didn't chart consistently high was because of the nature of the beast that was disco .....always the demand for the newer sound . It could be said that Vicki had a particular sound that maybe worked against her ( iow --- "not that same ol' stuff again" ) but that is an unfortunate approach. If one likes "TURN THE BEAT AROUND" much of her music is indeed variations of that .... BUT , therefore all that is first-rate that can be found in that song , can also be found in other tunes by her . This means her music is consistently thick and lush and thoughtfully crafted .
I just recently picked up "EVERLASTING LOVE " and blindfolded there's no way I would've ID'd this as a 1983 song. ( was this the last old school disco song? ) Now with the passing of time .... it is free from the constraints of the other dance music that muffled it within its own time period.... and it now sounds great as a musical piece when listened to strickly for its own merit of composition . ( Did this song do well in '83? :-? )
Anyway I suddenly can't get enough of her.....
.... and with Vicki Sue Robinson sitting high at #1 this week :D :D on Marky's chart ( co-chairing w/ Miss Ross) ... it seems a good time to reflect on this true jewel of an artist whom we are so fortunate to have graced the disco era .....
*****
Chart Hit [Level 6]
As I recall, Vicki's cover of 'Everlasting Love' did fairly well. The record was the followup to 'To Sir With Love' but certainly didn't attain the massive popularity of it.
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