Search - Patti Labelle :: Burnin'

Patti At Her Heights! + A Labelle Reunion

gassy goon | 12/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album won Patti a GRAMMY AWARD , her first after more than 2 decades in the music business and that is because it is a FANTASTIC album. There are so many highlights on this album, and such a wonderful mix of funk, dance, love songs, gospel and rock, that there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are a number of Patti's biggest hits on here, including the fierce funk number FEELS LIKE ANOTHER ONE, so great I don't even mind the rap by Big Daddy Kane; the beautiful Philly-syled ballad SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BABY that rates at the very top of the echelon of Patti ballads; and the gospelish message song WHEN YOU'VE BEEN BLESSED.



To top off all of those great songs, there is the reunion of LABELLE the group for the first time since their break-up at the end of 1976 with the incredible RELEASE YOURSELF, and believe me, Patti, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash do release their trademark blend of funkied rock gospel on this frenzied track. Also, check out the live video of Patti LIVE IN NEW YORK where Patti is joined by Sarah & Nona on this song! If that's not enough PRINCE wrote and produced the amazing I HEAR YOUR VOICE that is just incredibly great - a very manic crazy track with Patti double tracked, adding layer upon layer of her voice for something totally wild. It's the closest Patti ever has come to sounding like the group Labelle on any of her solo works. Leave it to Prince to tap into the inner Patti to push her over the top. The Labelle song & the Prince song alone are worth owning this CD, plus all the other great songs.



The ballads sound more meaningful in context alongside all these other diverse sounds, and there are some classy heartfelt songs like the shimmering I DON'T DO DUETS with Gladys Knight that is very distinguished and fun to hear these 2 friends & legends sing together. And you can not forget the title track BURNIN'. Patti just tears this one up, reaching the soaring heights that she is known for and singing her soul out. This album is Patti at her most soulful, most diverse. There is a reason it earned her a GRAMMY.



If you want to HEAR Patti LaBelle at the top of her game, this album is the one."

Patti's Burnin Tour De Force!

KRA | East End of LI | 09/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By now you will notice that for each artist that I have reviewed more than a couple of times, I have called one of their albums a Tour de Force.



For me, Burnin is Patti's Tour De Force, and I consider it to be her most consistent studio album. Patti's live shows are so over the top, and eventful that her studio albums can suffer as being a letdown, Burnin lives up to it's name.



This album mixes funk/disco/dance (Feels Like Another One, Release Yourself), Gospel (When You've Been Blessed), and R & B power ballads that burn with fury (Burnin, Somebody Loves You, Crazy Love). As an added attraction she teams up with her friend, Gladys Knight for the duet ironiclly titled, I Don't Do Duets.



Patti released a live album shortly after Burnin was released, and it features SOME of the Burnin tracks done live, but Burnin is a studio work by Patti that should be savored as orignally recorded.



"

The Diva

Demetrius L. Johnson | 08/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This remains the best Patti album to date, though 2004's Timeless Journey was phenomenal.



Burnin' is full of great music.



I Hear Your Voice has to be the most amazing "slow burn" song I have ever heard. Written by Prince and whipped up by Miss Patti, this is one of her greatest of all time.



When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven) is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Crazy Love, Saving My Love For You, and Somebody Love You Baby are great slow jams.



On We're Not Making Love anymore, Patti finally found someone other than Michael McDonanld who could stand next to her in the studio and not be blown away. And it's Michael Bolton.



This whole CD is infused with Patti's emotions and some great jams. But this one before any of the compilation albums.



Peace easy."