Search - Labelle :: NightbirdsPhoenixChameleon

Phoenix Rises on CD in Labelle Trilogy

gassy goon | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Labelle's 3 most famous albums are all beautifully packaged together on this amazing set. NIGHTBIRDS, PHOENIX, and CHAMELEON, their biggest albums recorded from 1974-1976 are all here, with remastered sound and a 16 page booklet. The biggest hurrah is for finally having the 1975 album , PHOENIX on CD at long last. It sounds crystal clear, with the vocals in particular having the benefit of being sharper and clearer than the record that I've been listening to for 34 years. This is what Labelle fans have been requesting and waiting for not years, but decades. PHOENIX completes the CD trilogy of now having all 3 of their Epic label albums on CD, and conveniently in one double CD. NIGHTBIRDS with the #1 worldwide hit LADY MARMALADE , finally brought Labelle into the mainstream and this album is a true classic . Every song is crafted magnificently with the amazing blend of vocals, the band and the production by Allen Toussaint. This is the album that made Labelle famous, and includes many of the songs that the group did live in so many concerts and on TV shows. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU is an anthem for peace and love, and it's charging call for peaceful action is a wake up call all these decades later. Nona's songwriting is the tightest and provokingly best songs that she ever wrote. It's one classic after another: SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, ARE YOU LONELY, SPACE CHILDREN, NIGHTBIRD, YOU TURN ME ON.



PHOENIX is the big draw to this CD. It is just as great as NIGHTBIRDS, with more even more original material , including the epic title track PHOENIX [ THE AMAZING FLIGHT OF A LONE STAR ]. There are any number of highlights on here with SLOW BURN , another socio-political song that is relevant as it was in 1975, GOOD INTENTIONS with it's intro of piano, and Patti's strong lead backed up by the power of Nona and Sarah's foundation of support, and COSMIC DANCER, with Patti & Nona both sharing lead vocals. The album also shows a progression of sounds with Latin percussion and reggae as well. ACTION TIME is possibly one of their most underrated, yet greatest performances with it's message and ending that just builds to a climaxing chorus . It's got it all , including a seriously funky mix of styles of soul, rock and reggae with horns and those voices. You have to get this one. And of course, it's home to the rockin' MESSIN' WITH MY MIND, a burning mix of soul , rock and dance that only Labelle could do.



CHAMELEON was the last album, and though on CD, it has been out of print. The group expanded their sound with even longer songs. If you have heard this album, you know what a mind and audio altering sound experience it is. If you haven't , you must as Labelle broke even their own boundaries with this album. In fact, the group went so far, they couldn't agree on what to pursue next in their music and heartbreakingly broke up just 3 months after it's release. From the funk of GET YOU SOMEBODY NEW to Patti's traditional love of soul on ISN'T IT A SHAME through all the songs starting with WHO'S WATCHING THE WATCHER [ another of Nona's songs that still resonates so well to the world, and Labelle at their most hard rock leanings ]through the gospel release of the closer GOING DOWN MAKES ME SHIVER [ and you gotta hear Sarah hit the high "C" notes on this song ], this is Labelle's journey into a new musical landscape. They sang " If you believe in the magical world " on the title track, and this album is exactly that - a magical world of music by the one and only trio of Labelle.



A big thank you to the UK label BGO [ Beat Goes On ] for having the sense to release these important Labelle albums on CD. Unbelievably, even with Labelle reuniting for their new album BACK TO NOW on Verve Records and a tour, the label who owns the masters in the US, Sony/BMG reissued not one Labelle album on CD . It's the small independent labels in the UK which are reissuing US artists and US albums nowadays. The gigantic corporate US record companies are issuing less old catalog titles. So, thanks to BGO out of England [ a smaller country, but reissuing more older albums on CD than the major labels in the US are ] for doing such a great amount of work in getting these classic, legendary Labelle albums on CD. Next, let's hope to see PRESSURE COOKIN' finally on CD, as well as the back catalog of Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash albums that have never been on CD. The owner of most of those albums is , you guessed it, Sony/BMG."

Labelle's Phoenix has finally risen

Freddie One | Philadelphia, PA | 09/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought it would never happen. All LaBelle products were re-released but why not Phoenix? All water under the bridge because it is finally here! I have this on cassette and have transferrred it many times but it is getting worn out. I can get to my favorites without having to ff or rw or flip it over! "Chances Go Round," and "Good Intentions" have almost faded from the tape. I love Phoenix and am glad it is available.



My only gripe, why combine it with CD's that are still available to the public. It should have been released by itself! I will do the download because I have "Nightbirds" and Chameleon" already.



This CD/Download is a must have!



"

AT LAST

K. Frazier | NJ United States | 07/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been wating for Phoenix for 10 years now. Glad it's on CD! For all the people that want to know what a tight group sounds like buy this one. Thank you Labelle 'it took a long time', but glad it's on CD! I have already placed my order just waiting on my CD to get to my house. I normally do not buy cd's, i just buy the mp3. However this is a collector's items, and I need it to complete my Labelle collection. Finally it's complete!"