Mavis Staples and disco .... finally in 1979!

[remicks]

*****

In and amidst the glut of '79 arrives (at last!) Mavis Staples to the disco scene. (her funky 1977 ST release under Curtis Mayfield falls short)

Disco out of the deep south ( Muscle Shoals Alabama ) .

Produced by versatile keyboardist Barry Beckett (appears on albums by Bob Dylan, early Candi Staton, Paul Simon, Millie Jackson, Rod Stewart...so on) and key member of the Muscle Shoals Horns (producer, keyboardist)

And .... most importantly .... producer of Tony Orlando's disco version of DON'T LET GO :icon_cool:

In 1977 the Muscle Shoals Studio session guys contributed largely to the Montreal based female group Toulouse' LP of which Barry Beckett supplied keyboards and synths (and probably largely produced)

Barry Becket pulled out one of the songs from that LP that he felt Mavis ought to have a go at...TONIGHT I FEEL LIKE DANCING . ( maybe because the word came down from upstairs : "Miz Staples LP must include something disco" ... to facilitate an added sticker to the cover: "includes disco smash: "...)

Since I'd always loved The Staples and Mavis especially , BITD I really wanted this to be something great coming from her. Couldn't wait for her to be a part of my nightly repertoire . But that allegiance was tested here .... and regretfully, with so much other groundbreaking stuff to play & work, I passed on testing this release. :icon_sad: ...

Today it plays pretty well ... tight ! ... its harder to perceive its then dated qualities , although even now there is not enough that's distinctive about it to make it a standout.
Well except one thing .... you can easily tell it's Mavis singing :icon_biggrin: :icon_cool:.....
I 'd have to also wonder if in this case that may have worked against her ....her harsh voice (distant and echoy here) is a far cry from the type of delivery that suits this type of disco best ....that of the airy cooing female variety.

Here's the original Toulouse version which uses those type of vocals:



And Mavis Staples':

there's that sticker !


:icon_cool: :icon_cool:


******

[PierreConstantin]

I have the album "Oh what a feeling" but I was a little disappointed even though I like Mavis Staples very much. «Tonight I feel like dancing», remixed by Jimmy Simpson (n°91 R&B) is OK but could've been more creative.

[the disco kid]

I love Mavis, but the Toulouse version is far superior. for classic vintage solo Mavis check out her ONLY FOR THE LONELY LP. her rendition of "Since I Fell For You" is fantastic.

[remicks]

I love Mavis, but the Toulouse version is far superior. for classic vintage solo Mavis check out her ONLY FOR THE LONELY LP. her rendition of "Since I Fell For You" is fantastic.

Agree ..... my favorite is ENDLESSLY. :icon_cool:

*****