Music Review: Patti LaBelle - Beautiful Ballads
Published January 02, 2007
Let me preface this by saying I’ve been her fan for years. While tapping this out on my keyboard, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?” was repeatedly playing in my mind. So was the memory of how mad I was that Christina Aguilera mangled the hell out of it.
I'd also like to point out that I have enthusiastically demonstrated on other recent reviews in this series that I love a good ballad.
With that in mind, I smiled when I saw Patti LaBelle’s name on this CD. After all we’re talking about the Lady Marmalade here, who has repeatedly hit it big simultaneously at the number one slot on the pop, R&B and dance charts. If that doesn’t jog your memory, then anyone who’s seen “Beverly Hills Cop” has heard her exceptional work in “Stir It Up” and “New Attitude”.
With that in mind, I was a little apprehensive about a CD on which I only recognized one title — namely the beautiful “On My Own,” the fantastic duet she did in 1986 with the Doobie Brother’s Michael McDonald. Remembering that that single also zoomed to the top of all three aforementioned charts, I optimistically popped the CD into the slot, adjusted my headphones and cautiously hit “play”.
Bad move.
As I’ve said in another article, an artist best known in one musical genre shouldn’t release material from another and hope for success. Perhaps because of such great hits as “Lady Marmalade,” “Stir it up,” and “Attitude” this CD compilation of ballads was a distinct and near total let down for me. Most people that know Patti enthusiastically for more recent dance hits like “The Right Kind of Love,” “A New Day” and To Wang Foo’s “Turn It Out” will be appalled that every track on this CD with the exception of “On My Own” isn’t just sluggish, dirge-like, and slow — it absolutely trudges.
Jet is the not yet published author of two spy novels, SYSTEM 10 and its sequel GHOST OF A CHANCE, and a professional artist. He likes to collect books, music, chess sets, and friends. Favorite quote: "Evil only succeeds when good men do nothing." In 2004 his "good life" came to an aburpt end with a robbery and near-fatal beating. He now works as a writer/artist on disability. You are welcome to visit his ongoing on-line diary by clicking his homepage/URL.
- Music Review: Patti LaBelle - Beautiful Ballads
- Published: January 02, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Pop, Music: R&B
- Writer: Jet in Columbus
- Jet in Columbus's BC Writer page
- Jet in Columbus's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
I'll tell you I was apprehensive, but I figure if I praise everything whether I like it or not, no one will give me credibility.
Now one you're sure to enjoy is the one I did on the Isley Brothers a few days ago.
Thanks again Tink
Jet
Way to go for telling it like you saw it Jet. I like the latest version of your footnote and photo too.
You are the most selfish arrogant person ever !I can not belive that you insulted the great legend Patti LaBelle, who are you anyways? Are you known around the world for your greatness? Nope! I didn't think so! Oh, and by the way your a disgrace! And to use her cd as a coaster! Are you completly incompetent? My mistake I already know the answer to that question. Someone should use your head as a coaster...it's probably to big and useless woudln't be able. And you prove with the stuped article you wrote, that it's pretty empty up there.. you know where normal people have a brain! Maybe you should think of using the little you have. Maybe to think of a carrer that would suit you better. Say garbage man! Nope that's to good for you!
MMT, than I suggest you go out and purchase this CD for your collection, it'll be money worth spent.
Hope you didn't pay too much for a CD you didn't like. Next time you might try 'allofmp3' where you can DL a CD cheap, even just one track.
Bliffle I got the five CDs in this series for free from the record company in return for reviewing them. I'm a big fan of all five artist but not this particular CD.
All five are listed on my article page
Jet
Gladys Knight-Thumbs up
The O'Jays-Thumbs down
Patti LaBelle-Thumbs down
Earth Wind & Fire-Thumbs up
The Isley Brothers-Thumbs way up
You based on chart history and your obvious stereotype about Patti that she's only good at dance/upbeat music to write this so-called review? I can sense that you know nothing about R&B and soul music. Patti LaBelle is not equal to only Lady Marmalade, she has so many other sides that you know nothing about.
Though her softer and romantic music is not as famous as her dance/rock tunes, that doesn't mean it's bad. If it's the slow music that bores you, you shouldn't blame it on Patti. On the contrary, I think you didn't listen with your heart. You can try again to throw away your prejudice and listen to only one track "If Only You Know", if you still feel no pain and sadness, I can say you're the most emotionless person in the world.
It's a shame that you only based on your limited knowledge about Patti but not respect and true feeling to write this shallow review.
T.W. I based my review of this CD on my musical tastes. You would base your review on your musical tastes. I never claimed to be the know-all be all opinion on music and that's exactly what this is... my opinion.
I put this CD on and found it to be trudging and boring. If your such a fan, take the track list in the article and make up a CD-r yourself, and you might find you agree with me.
This review is NOT about Patti LaBelle-it's about this collection of her music.
To quote a fellow BC'er that I respect...
You're results may vary
Jet
As an avid "Patti LaBelle Fan" I find Jet's review Blunt,and honest. Jet is entitled to his opinions just like every other music Lover.
If you re-read the Review you will clearly see that he's not bashing Patti the woman. However he does not like the tracks the record label chose.
There are countless "Best of" "Greatest hits" Patti CD's out there. This compilation CD will be a Hit to some and a Miss to others.
Let's face it guys even the Great Patti LaBelle is not incapable of getting Bad reviews.
Thank you Brotha. As I've stated I'm also a Patti LaBelle fan, it seems these tracks are years and years old and only 4 out of 12 actually hit any kind of chart.
That didn't matter, I love a lot of things that Patti did that didn't hit the charts. It just seems as though this particular collection which I'm pretty sure isn't Patti's regular label struck out with me... My opinion.
I think if you were to download or sample the tracks listed on line, you'd agree.
Thanks again
Jet
Jet, you're a fucking idiot.
Actually DLL I appreciate the compliment, I'd rather be a fucking idiot than a non-fucking one. Besides this is a review of the compilation CD NOT of Miss LaBelle's music...
had you bothered to read and comprehend it.
love
JIC
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NOT exactly how I wanted my 75th published article to go, but I guess that happens... alas