Patti LaBelle LP
Encyclopedia
Patti LaBelle is the debut solo album for singer Patti LaBelle
, released in the fall of 1977. The first album LaBelle recorded after sixteen years fronting Labelle
(formerly Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles), it's notable for the dance hit, "Joy to Have Your Love", the classic gospel-inspiring ballad, "You Are My Friend
" and the Angelo "Funky Knuckles" Nocentelli mid-tempo number, "I Think About You", which was recently played on the third season
of RuPaul's Drag Race
.
, and also famed for work with the Pointer Sisters
.
Signing a solo contract with Epic Records, Labelle's former label, the singer issued the debut in October 1977. While the debuting single, "Joy to Have Your Love", became a minor R&B hit, and the dance number, "Dan Swit Me", was popular on the dance club circuit, the album's most notable song was a ballad co-composed by LaBelle, Edwards and LaBelle's musical director, James "Budd" Ellison, initially dedicated to LaBelle's and Edwards' only biological son, Zuri (who is now LaBelle's manager), titled "You Are My Friend". While the song only scaled the high sixties on the Billboard R&B chart, it soon became one of her famous show-stoppers while performing the song. LaBelle performed the song at her first solo concert in London getting a standing ovation, which helped to give LaBelle motivation to continue her career. The album, when released, performed modestly well, reaching number 62 on the Billboard 200
and number 31 on the R&B albums chart, while critics hailed the album.
LaBelle struggled with trying to reach solo success until the release of I'm in Love Again
, six years later.
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, released in the fall of 1977. The first album LaBelle recorded after sixteen years fronting Labelle
Labelle
Labelle is an American all female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing...
(formerly Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles), it's notable for the dance hit, "Joy to Have Your Love", the classic gospel-inspiring ballad, "You Are My Friend
You Are My Friend
"You Are My Friend" is a ballad co-written and recorded by American singer Patti LaBelle, released as the second single off her self-titled debut album, in 1978 on the Epic label...
" and the Angelo "Funky Knuckles" Nocentelli mid-tempo number, "I Think About You", which was recently played on the third season
RuPaul's Drag Race (season 3)
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 is the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which began airing on January 24, 2011. Thirteen drag queens compete for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a headlining spot on the Absolut Tour, a lifetime supply of Kryolan makeup and a $75,000 cash prize.This...
of RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality television series produced by World of Wonder for Logo. RuPaul plays host, mentor and inspiration for this series, which details RuPaul's search for "America's next drag superstar."...
.
Overview
Prior to recording the album, LaBelle initially thought of retiring from the music industry after nearly twenty years as the lead singer of the hugely successful girl group Labelle. Following the group's March 1977 split, brought on by months of growing tension, LaBelle and her husband of then eight years, Armstead Edwards, went to see a shrink over emotional distress in their marriage, which was partially due to the singer's fright over continuing a career without her group members. After further evaluation, LaBelle and her husband sought out their differences. Edwards then was hired by his wife to be her manager as she carefully plotted her solo career. The singer traveled to New Orleans to record her new album, with David Rubinson, producer of Labelle's final album prior to their initial breakup, ChameleonChameleon (Labelle album)
Chameleon is the sixth album by American singing trio Labelle. Though Patti LaBelle's autobiography Don't Block The Blessings revealed that LaBelle planned a follow-up to Chameleon entitled Shaman, the album never materialized. The trio would not release another new recording until 2008's Back to Now...
, and also famed for work with the Pointer Sisters
Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters are an American pop/R&B recording act from Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Spanning over three decades, their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country and rock.The...
.
Signing a solo contract with Epic Records, Labelle's former label, the singer issued the debut in October 1977. While the debuting single, "Joy to Have Your Love", became a minor R&B hit, and the dance number, "Dan Swit Me", was popular on the dance club circuit, the album's most notable song was a ballad co-composed by LaBelle, Edwards and LaBelle's musical director, James "Budd" Ellison, initially dedicated to LaBelle's and Edwards' only biological son, Zuri (who is now LaBelle's manager), titled "You Are My Friend". While the song only scaled the high sixties on the Billboard R&B chart, it soon became one of her famous show-stoppers while performing the song. LaBelle performed the song at her first solo concert in London getting a standing ovation, which helped to give LaBelle motivation to continue her career. The album, when released, performed modestly well, reaching number 62 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and number 31 on the R&B albums chart, while critics hailed the album.
LaBelle struggled with trying to reach solo success until the release of I'm in Love Again
I'm in Love Again
I'm In Love Again is the sixth solo album released by singer Patti LaBelle in late 1983. Featuring the hits "If Only You Knew" and "Love, Need and Want You", this album is credited with reviving the singer's career after years of chart struggles on both the pop and R&B charts.-History:Patti LaBelle...
, six years later.
Track listing
- "Joy to Have Your Love" (Jeffrey Cohen, Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
, Budd Ellison) - "Funky Music" (Barrett StrongBarrett StrongBarrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
, Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
) - "Since I Don't Have YouSince I Don't Have You"Since I Don't Have You" is a song by the doo-wop group The Skyliners. Released in 1958, the single reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also the top five of the R&B chart...
" (Wally Lester, Joe VerScharen, Joseph Rock, James Beaumont, Jackie TaylorThe SkylinersThe Skyliners are an American doo-wop group from Pittsburgh fronted by Jimmy Beaumont. The original lineup also included Wally Lester, Jack Taylor, Joe Verscharen, Louis M. Tutino and Janet Vogel...
) - "Dan Swit Me" (Jeffrey Cohen, Ray Parker, Jr., David Rubinson, Armstead Edwards)
- "You Are My Friend" (Patti LaBelle, Budd Ellison, Armstead Edwards)
- "You Can't Judge a Book by the CoverYou Can't Judge a Book by the Cover"You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" is a 1962 song by rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. Written by Willie Dixon, the song was one of Diddley's last record chart hits...
" (Willie DixonWillie DixonWilliam James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
) - "I Think About You" (Angelo "Funky Knuckles" Nocentelli)
- "Do I Stand a Chance?" (Patti LaBelle, Budd Ellison, Armstead Edwards)
- "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)"Most Likely You Go Your Way " is the first track of the second disc of the 1966 album Blonde on Blonde, the seventh album from singer-songwriter Bob Dylan...
" (Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
)
Personnel
- Patti LaBelle - vocals
- Leo NocentelliLeo NocentelliLeo Nocentelli in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the founding members of the New Orleans funk band, The Meters. He has been credited for popular funk songs such as "Cissy Strut", "People Say" and "Hey Pocky Way"...
, Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Parker, Jr.Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. , is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.-Early life and...
- guitar - David Shields, George Porter, Jr.George Porter, Jr.George Porter, Jr. is a musician best known as the bassist and singer of The Meters. Along with Art Neville, Porter formed the group in the mid 60's and came to be recognized as one of the progenitors of funk. The Meters disbanded in 1977, but reformed in 1989...
, Mac Cridlin, Ray Parker, Jr. - bass - James Budd Ellison, Leo Nocentelli - keyboards
- James GadsonJames GadsonJames Gadson is an American drummer and session musician. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Gadson has since become one of the most-recorded drummers in the history of R&B music....
- drums - Natcho - harmonica
- Cecil WomackCecil WomackIn 1983, under the name of Womack & Womack, Cecil and Linda released a successful album, Love Wars, and continued to make albums until 1993. Their song "Love Wars" was covered by The Beautiful South for the 1990 compilation Rubáiyát. Their most successful single was "Teardrops" in 1988.-Albums:*...
, Curtis Womack, Friendly Womack, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Norma Harris, Rosie Casals, Sherri Barman, Yvonne Fair - background vocals