Search - Pamala Stanley :: Looking Back the Disco Years 1979-1989

Cheerful Dance Music

Disco Buff | Tokyo, Japan | 05/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All of her disco hits remind me of the prime of my youth time. I remenber especially ''This Is Hot,'' ''I Don't Want To Talk About It'' and ''Coming Out OF Hiding'' were very popular at discos in Japan. Personally I also like the joyful ''Mr. Sunshine.'' I wish there would be its cd format on sale here at Amazon."

This IS Hot!

Shopper | BURBANK, CA United States | 02/18/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
1. "Coming Out of Hiding" 6:14



2. "I Don't Want To Talk About It" 6:08



3. "This Is Hot" 5:44 (Original album version - 7:45)



4. "If Looks Could Kill" 4:30 (Original 12" version - 5:03)



5. "Rhiannon" 5:58



6. "Hey, Mr. Magic" 5:27 (Original album version - 7:09)



7. "I'm Never Gonna Let You Go" 4:01



8. "Only You Can Reach Me" 3:58



9. "Mr. Sunshine" 5:20



10. "All I Wanna Do Is Dance" 4:03 (Original album version - 6:27)



11. "That'll Be The Day" 4:23 (Original album version - 4:57)



12. "What I Like Is You" 4:01



13. "Body Time" 4:23 (Original 12" version - 5:19)



14. "Stranger In A Strange Land" 5:15 (Duet w/Paul Parker) (Original 12" version - 7:10)



15. "Running Around In Circles" 5:17 (Duet w/Paul Parker) (Original 12" version - 7:28)





This is a fantastic collection of Pamala Stanley's disco and dance music, with a couple of ballads thrown in for balance. It contains all(!) of the tracks from her classic 1979 disco album, "This Is Hot," which featured one of the classiest covers of the disco era. Yes, that means "Only You Can Reach Me," one of the most deliriously upbeat celebrations of unbridled love from the disco era is finally on CD in all its orchestrated glory! Unfortunately, and the reason I didn't award this collection 5 stars, is that several of these tracks have been edited from their original lengths (indicated above). Perhaps someday that album will be released in its entirety, with the full, stunning front and back cover photos intact.



This CD follows Pamala from the late 70's into the 80's as she successfully rode the wave of disco into Hi-NRG with the terrific "Coming Out Of Hiding" and the cocky, take-no-prisoners insistence of the underrated "I Don't Want To Talk About It." Also here is the full-length 12" version of her cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon." "If Looks Could Kill" was a hit for Heart. Though not mentioned anywhere on the CD, tracks 14 & 15 are the original duets with Paul Parker (both trimmed, unfortunately). About the shortened versions: they are well edited, respecting the integrity of the original versions, without the shruggingly arbitrary cuts collectors have suffered while hearing songs from many other shabbily assembled collections.



The remastered sound quality is excellent. Everything sparkles and Pamala's voice soars as remembered. The collection is not mixed and the songs do not overlap in any way. A huge "thank-you" to Ms. Stanley, for the liner notes indicate she herself helped guide the creation of and track selection on this compilation. It would never have come together if left in the hands of record company executives. Enjoy!"