Belle Epoque

OH MY GOD. Jerry Bonham used to play this record at the Y'all Come Back Saloon in Minneapolis (Or, simply "The Saloon", and yes, it was and still is a dance bar), and I loved this song so damn much he gave me the record. I truly find the lead vocalist's voice annoyingly grating and I have no idea what she is shrieking through her badly damaged vocal chords... but that aside, the construction of this record is amazing and even those vocals can't harsh the buzz of this recording.

From the simplistic, house-like bass that carries through the whole song to the layers of instruments that build up, to the looping male refrain "uh huh, I like it" over a violin vamp, to the wailing strings, the piece as a whole was really something unique in its day.

The construction is wonderfully erratic, with the musical refrain kicking in the downbeat on beat 4 during the first break but on beat 1 in the other ultimately shifting the rhythmic feel of the song; plus it utilizes complete breakdowns ending in a synthesized crash of glass, and that fun "Well I'm gonna get a job 'cuz I need the bread" acapella chant as the intro. I think you really have to listen to this record from start to finish before you can fully appreciate it. I'd say only the break in Love To Love You Baby can outshine this.

Put on your headphones! I just listened to it again tonight. Sweeet.

Thanks again Jerry!!!

This is a classic recording. One of the greatest. I can't emagine why we havn't heard more from these artists and / or producer. This record is a symbol for that time and age, it reflects the real feelings of those who love disco music.
1977 is far away. I shall look into it and try to make something new from this material.
DJSteffie

disco music

ok