Music Review: Patti LaBelle - Beautiful Ballads
Published January 02, 2007
While listening to this CD at times I envisioned several people in the studio fighting to keep from falling asleep at the mixing board. Or to put it another way, this appears to be a collection of “B” sides and filler between hits on an otherwise great album/CD.
There are only four tracks that even managed to appear in the top 100 of the pop, R&B and dance charts:
- The aforementioned “On My Own” which hit #1 on the pop, R&B and even #2 on the British charts.
- 1978’s “You Are My Friend” got only as far as #61 on only the R&B charts but mercifully soon disappeared.
- 1980’s “I Don’t Go Shopping” hit #26 briefly on the R&B charts but never saw daylight anywhere else.
- 1984’s “If Only You Knew” put in a better showing when it topped the R&B charts at #1 but only got as far as #46 on the pop charts.
If you enjoy slow (and I mean extremely slow) bluesy gospel style music, this is the CD for you. If you’re only familiar with Patti’s up-tempo, enthusiastic and exciting dance music you’ll be very disappointed.
One last warning: If you've ever been a fan of The Wizard of Oz, don't play the last track of this CD, wailing sax and all.
Frankly I’ll be using my copy as a fancy drinking glass coaster.
Track list
1. If Only You Knew
2. Love, Need and Want You
3. On My Own - Patti LaBelle with Michael McDonald
4. Love and Learn
5. Come What May
6. I Don't Go Shopping
7. Find the Love
8. Isn't It a Shame
9. Quiet Time
10. Do I Stand a Chance
11. You Are My Friend
12. Love Has Finally Come
13. Over the Rainbow
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.
- Music Review: Patti LaBelle - Beautiful Ballads
- Published: January 02, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Pop, Music: R&B
- Writer: Jet Gardner
- Jet Gardner's BC Writer page
- Jet Gardner'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