Barbara Doust

[kdavid13]

Hi Kris
can you confirm the year GOT TU GO DISCO was released and the label it came out on ?

The year was 1979 ; and the label was CASABLANCA Records.

Here's some info :

GOT TU GO DISCO [12in]
http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/152_0_2_0_C/

and the album it came from
http://www.discogs.com/release/102437

GOT TU GO DISCO is the only track not produced byt the guys from INSTANT FUNK but by DONNA SUMMER/GIORGIO MORODER collaborator JUERGEN KOPPERS.So it is the only truly "disco" sounding track on the album.The rest is dance music but in a SALSOUL or funkier kind of way.

[Energyguy]

The year was 1979 ; and the label was CASABLANCA Records.

Here's some info :

GOT TU GO DISCO [12in]
http://www.discomusic.com/records-more/152_0_2_0_C/

and the album it came from
http://www.discogs.com/release/102437

GOT TU GO DISCO is the only track not produced byt the guys from INSTANT FUNK but by DONNA SUMMER/GIORGIO MORODER collaborator JUERGEN KOPPERS.So it is the only truly "disco" sounding track on the album.The rest is dance music but in a SALSOUL or funkier kind of way.

Thanks kris.. I will have to look out for that track and the album !

[Magnifique]

I wonder if the tracklist is the same as the REUNION:POWER'S GREATEST HITS from Canada ?

I loved the original productions on POWER and its sister label [BOULEVARD];they were also big on licensed import singles.

One thing I loved was the double sided singles with their POWER CLASSICS.
I remember one killer KNOCK ON WOOD remake by FRANCINE KERR.

Not as memorable as AMII STEWART's version but there was something about this record that stuck with me...I have to rip it and put it in my iPod.

Concur. Francine Kerr's cover version of "Knock on Wood" (Knock Mix/Club Mix/Track Mix) on BOULEVARD isn't bad. If they had used a harder or fatter bassline on that remake it would have been perfect. Is there a complete catalogue of the BOULEVARD records somewhere? Does anybody know where to find it?
The megamix (7'15") of Amii Stewart's "Knock on Wood ASH 48 - Light My Fire 137 Disco Heaven" has to be my favourite though. Well, those were the days.
As for cover versions and especially covers of "Don't leave me this way" (which has been covered to death), the >>12" Special Clubmix Ltd. Edition<< of "Don't Leave Me This Way" (5'50") by Gill Kane on Belgium's Target Records has to be my favourite cover of this track. Very powerful production. Sounds similar to Thelma Houston's version, but in HI NRG style.

[JohnBoy]

If You Love Somebody would probably make my top 50 list.

[Energyguy]

Concur. Francine Kerr's cover version of "Knock on Wood" (Knock Mix/Club Mix/Track Mix) on BOULEVARD isn't bad. If they had used a harder or fatter bassline on that remake it would have been perfect. Is there a complete catalogue of the BOULEVARD records somewhere? Does anybody know where to find it?
The megamix (7'15") of Amii Stewart's "Knock on Wood ASH 48 - Light My Fire 137 Disco Heaven" has to be my favourite though. Well, those were the days.
As for cover versions and especially covers of "Don't leave me this way" (which has been covered to death), the >>12" Special Clubmix Ltd. Edition<< of "Don't Leave Me This Way" (5'50") by Gill Kane on Belgium's Target Records has to be my favourite cover of this track. Very powerful production. Sounds similar to Thelma Houston's version, but in HI NRG style.

My favourite cover of DON`T LEAVE ME.. Has to be the Jeanie Tracy version !

[1 carlos]

Just some information on Barbara Doust. She was the original singer with Canadian based group TAPPS. Her voice is the original on big disco hits as "My forbiden Lover, Burning with fire, Hurricane, Don't pretend to know, Runaway." She also did many other songs under other group names, I believe she is the original voice on a song called "Don't pretend to know" which was a big club hit in the 80's.

For those Tapps fans in the Los Angeles Area, they will be performing on February 14, 2009, at Smooth's Sports Grille, in downtown Long Beach, California.

If you have questions about TAPPS and there February 14, 2009, you can email me at juancarlosaragon@verizon.net




quote=Energyguy;68997]Barbara Doust is a fave of mine... IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY is a HINRG classic - I was going through my record collection over the weekend and found a very rare 12" promo that she did called DANCE IN NEON LIGHT - It was a limited edition promo on Loading Bay records - I am not sure if it got a proper release.
Its a great track - she is a fantastic vocalist - I believe she also worked with the group TAPPS....[/quote]

[Chap2Power]

First of all, thank you for all of the love you are giving Barbara on her. I haven't been in touch with her of late, but I am really happy to see how many of you are showing her the love she deserves.

FYI: Candy Berthiaume is the lead singer on Don't Pretend To Know.

Barbara answered an ad in the Star Sound record store on Yonge Street in Toronto (since passed, of course) and her first entree was to record "My Forbidden Lover". As many of you know, it remains one of the longest running # 1 records in Toronto club history for over 10 weeks. It was also a blockbuster hit in Mexico and a # 2 club single in Holland. Barbara actually never appeared with the group live.

Barbara sang on the entire unreleased Tapps album which includes the songs "Lost Man Returned Overdue" and "Burnin' With Fire" (originally called "Call Me"). She was never properly compensated and walked from the act amidst ongoing turmoil.

Ex-Tapps band member Tony DaCosta recorded "Take Me Now" by Persuasion with Barbara as the lead vocalist. This was released on Power PXD 034 and became a bit of a cult hit amongst the Hi-NRG crowd.

I wrote and produced "If You Love Somebody", and it was released in two versions: my original mixes (which showed I really liked One More Shot by C Bank) and two remixes by my late, dear friends Gord McMillan (Munich Mix) and Greg Howlett. I did all of the additional production on IYLS and was assisted by Rawle James. "Somebody" was written as a follow up to "Run To Me" by Tracey Spencer, and when released became a huge hit for Barb.

Barb also did background vocals with Patrick L Myles on Vanelle's "Set Me Free".

Once Power's creative division became silent, I began work on an album with Barb a few years later.

"Dance In Neon Lights" is a cover version of the song "Dans i Neon", originally recorded by Swedish pop legend Lena Philipsson. The version of "Neon Lights" was actually recorded in the old Hi-Bias studios in Toronto. Bill Grima, who was one of the accompanying backing vocals on "Thank You For Being A Friend" by Golden Girls is also doing some vocals here.

"Take Me As I Am" is, as aforementioned on the Power Reunion CD.

We recorded a few other tracks, including a cover of "Flashdance" for the Giorgio Moroder tribute album but the enthusiasm here is making me collect all of my materials on Barbara to put it together on iTunes early next year. Watch for a song called "Endless Melody".

"I Found Someone" was released on Logic in the US and UK, also with James Khari and Guiseppe D. mixes which were very good, and through Sony Music in Australia.

Thank you for all of the kind words spread here on Barbara and on the work we did together.

And bravo to Allan Coelho, the tireless wonder, who keeps the Tapps name alive, incredibly, 25 years later.

Vince Degiorgio

[discokicks]

I wrote and produced "If You Love Somebody", and it was released in two versions: my original mixes (which showed I really liked One More Shot by C Bank) and two remixes by my late, dear friends Gord McMillan (Munich Mix) and Greg Howlett. I did all of the additional production on IYLS and was assisted by Rawle James. "Somebody" was written as a follow up to "Run To Me" by Tracey Spencer, and when released became a huge hit for Barb.

Vince, first of all, thank you for participating on these boards. Throughout my dj career, I was forever collecting Power label records so it's really great to be slowly finding out the history behind them.

Secondly, thank you for mentioning dj Gord McMillan and I'm saddened that he isn't with us anymore. I regard Gord as my favourite club dj remembering many great Saturday nights at the Barn in Toronto. While other djs had moved on to pure house by the late 80s and early 90s, Gord entertained the packed dancefloors at the Barn with current Eurobeat, Hi-nrg and housey mixes. I remember the heightened anticipation around last calls when he would introduce the newest additions to his music collection! The appreciation that the crowd had for him will always stay within my memories of those good times.

"Dance In Neon Lights" is a cover version of the song "Dans i Neon", originally recorded by Swedish pop legend Lena Philipsson. The version of "Neon Lights" was actually recorded in the old Hi-Bias studios in Toronto. Bill Grima, who was one of the accompanying backing vocals on "Thank You For Being A Friend" by Golden Girls is also doing some vocals here.

Tom Moulton's '94 mix of Dance In Neon Lights is pure dance magic throughout its entire 12 minutes and remains as one of my top ten favourite songs in my collection.

[Chap2Power]

Vince, first of all, thank you for participating on these boards. Throughout my dj career, I was forever collecting Power label records so it's really great to be slowly finding out the history behind them.

Secondly, thank you for mentioning dj Gord McMillan and I'm saddened that he isn't with us anymore. I regard Gord as my favourite club dj remembering many great Saturday nights at the Barn in Toronto. While other djs had moved on to pure house by the late 80s and early 90s, Gord entertained the packed dancefloors at the Barn with current Eurobeat, Hi-nrg and housey mixes. I remember the heightened anticipation around last calls when he would introduce the newest additions to his music collection! The appreciation that the crowd had for him will always stay within my memories of those good times.


Tom Moulton's '94 mix of Dance In Neon Lights is pure dance magic throughout its entire 12 minutes and remains as one of my top ten favourite songs in my collection.

Gord and Greg were my room mates when I first moved to the city. I miss them also. Gordy was one of the great charachters of our time and was a really special human being. It's great that you liked Tom's work on "Neon". Tom is one of my heroes, and now, good friend, and having his mix credit behind my name on a production is awe inspiring.

I'm happy to answer any other questions about the Power / Boulevard roster, so keep them coming...

Best to you DK, and thanks
Vince

[kdavid13]

We recorded a few other tracks, including a cover of "Flashdance" for the Giorgio Moroder tribute album but the enthusiasm here is making me collect all of my materials on Barbara to put it together on iTunes early next year. Watch for a song called "Endless Melody".

Thanks Vince - You mentioned something about putting stuff on iTunes recently. Nice to hear more details.Can't wait...

P.S. See - I meant it when I declared myself a huge POWER Records fan back in 2006 !!!

[1 carlos]

Hello Vince,

Do you know it Barbara is still singing and if so how could I contact her to hire her. Does she have a website or email where I can reach her.

Thanks

1 Carlos

First of all, thank you for all of the love you are giving Barbara on her. I haven't been in touch with her of late, but I am really happy to see how many of you are showing her the love she deserves.

FYI: Candy Berthiaume is the lead singer on Don't Pretend To Know.

Barbara answered an ad in the Street Sound record store on Yonge Street in Toronto (since passed, of course) and her first entree was to record "My Forbidden Lover". As many of you know, it remains one of the longest running # 1 records in Toronto club history for over 10 weeks. It was also a blockbuster hit in Mexico and a # 2 club single in Holland. Barbara actually never appeared with the group live.

Barbara sang on the entire unreleased Tapps album which includes the songs "Lost Man Returned Overdue" and "Burnin' With Fire" (originally called "Call Me"). She was never properly compensated and walked from the act amidst ongoing turmoil.

Ex-Tapps band member Tony DaCosta recorded "Take Me Now" by Persuasion with Barbara as the lead vocalist. This was released on Power PXD 034 and became a bit of a cult hit amongst the Hi-NRG crowd.

I wrote and produced "If You Love Somebody", and it was released in two versions: my original mixes (which showed I really liked One More Shot by C Bank) and two remixes by my late, dear friends Gord McMillan (Munich Mix) and Greg Howlett. I did all of the additional production on IYLS and was assisted by Rawle James. "Somebody" was written as a follow up to "Run To Me" by Tracey Spencer, and when released became a huge hit for Barb.

Barb also did background vocals with Patrick L Myles on Vanelle's "Set Me Free".

Once Power's creative division became silent, I began work on an album with Barb a few years later.

"Dance In Neon Lights" is a cover version of the song "Dans i Neon", originally recorded by Swedish pop legend Lena Philipsson. The version of "Neon Lights" was actually recorded in the old Hi-Bias studios in Toronto. Bill Grima, who was one of the accompanying backing vocals on "Thank You For Being A Friend" by Golden Girls is also doing some vocals here.

"Take Me As I Am" is, as aforementioned on the Power Reunion CD.

We recorded a few other tracks, including a cover of "Flashdance" for the Giorgio Moroder tribute album but the enthusiasm here is making me collect all of my materials on Barbara to put it together on iTunes early next year. Watch for a song called "Endless Melody".

"I Found Someone" was released on Logic in the US and UK, also with James Khari and Guiseppe D. mixes which were very good, and through Sony Music in Australia.

Thank you for all of the kind words spread here on Barbara and on the work we did together.

And bravo to Allan Coelho, the tireless wonder, who keeps the Tapps name alive, incredibly, 25 years later.

Vince Degiorgio