That's The Way Boy George Likes It

**JussiK** · September 30th, 2003, 02:06 AM

There's a 6-part radio show going on in England on disco right now and one future segment will have Boy George enthusing about his personal faves. These turned out to be Meco's Wizard of Oz and somehow not surprisingly, the Ethel Merman album....
Meco's Oz seems to fascinate many Brit celebs who think everything begins with an e. That might explain the Ethel.

**Pizzazz** · September 30th, 2003, 06:27 AM

Well, 'The Ethel Merman Disco Album' is rather Essential ! Ironically, the cd reissue seems to have received more media attention and looks set to sell more copies than the album did on its initial release. Its infamy is due to its having been a lightning rod for all that nasty anti-Disco sentiment back in 1979.

Now, when can we expect to see 'Wizard Of Oz' and all of Meco's classic Casablanca albums (apart from 'Star Wars') reissued on cd..?

**BrunoRepublic** · September 30th, 2003, 09:22 AM

Ah, the irony... the most hyped disco reissue in the last 5 years is the worst disco album ever.

Yes, TEMDA was a big nail in coffin...

**Pizzazz** · September 30th, 2003, 10:10 AM

I certainly don't think it was responsible for the supposed death of Disco if indeed it played any part at all ! 'The Ethel Merman Disco Album' has always been an easy target. How bad is it ? Not bad at all in my opinion but it really depends on your personal taste.

**BrunoRepublic** · September 30th, 2003, 10:15 AM

It wasn't the sole factor, but it was a factor. The jump-on-the-bandwagon mentality that so many artists had helped fuel public resentment to what they saw as a blantant sell-out.

And sorry, but I think it is absolutely horrid. The album was a total flop at the time, and deservedly so. I paid $6 Cnd for it a few years ago, and still feel ripped off.

It's amusing for perhaps 30 seconds, until one realizes just how uninspired, silly, contrived, and worst of all, boring it is. It's much better as a conversation piece than a listening one.

**Pizzazz** · September 30th, 2003, 12:16 PM

It was indeed the bandwagon jumping mentality that brought about Disco's fall from commercial grace but blame for this rests with the major US record labels who flooded the market with product in the wake of 'Saturday Night Fever'.

Ethel Merman was, of course, never a disco diva just Broadway's greatest belter updating some of her signature showstoppers in remarkably fine voice considering her age. Neither is producer Peter Matz a disco producer as demonstrated by his unimaginative arrangements, doubtless the album would have been better had Bob Esty (Cher, Barbra Streisand) been at the helm.

Well, Graham, what can i say ? I really like the album, you obviously don't, it does indeed make a great conversation piece and the debate over 'The Ethel Merman Disco Album' will no doubt continue - here's to you, Ethel !

**Outsider** · September 30th, 2003, 07:54 PM

I've heard a lot about the Ethel Merman disco album over the years, and I can't say that I want to hear it. And yeah, it seemed liked everyone jumped on the disco bandwagon. I think that would have more likely caused the decline of disco than that one really popular rock song from 1979.

:evil: