RIBS TPTD: Labelle-Patti, Nona and Sarah

Labelle.

Now when most people hear this name the first person that probably comes to mind is Patti LaBelle (with a capital ‘B’ in the name). Rightfully so, as she has established herself as one of this generation’s truly talented and dynamic entertainers.

And while most people do remember that Patti was the leader of the group that bears her name, Labelle (with a small ‘b’), many would be hard pressed to recall any songs they made outside of “Lady Marmalade”, the smash hit that put the group on the map and sent them hurtling down the road to stardom.

Labelle: Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash.

I have to admit, as much as I love Patti and have enormous respect and admiration for her work as a solo artist, there’s a part of me that still misses Labelle, the group. They looked different. They sounded different. They were different. I really don’t believe that they have been given enough credit for breaking the cookie-cutter mold of the typical “girl group” that was prevalent during the 50s and 60s (actually that recognition should probably go to their manager, Vicki Wickham, who renamed the group to Labelle [from Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles], pushed them to a more contemporary funk-rock sound, and completely overhauled their image to include glam influences, including their spectacular space age stage costumes full of glitter, feathers and other accoutrements).

So, this week the RIBS Triple Play Thurs-Day turns it’s focus on Labelle, the group, so you can remember once again what a great sound these three ladies produced together. Our selections come from the last 4 albums that they made before the group broke up:


Pressure Cookin' cover
Pressure Cookin’ (1973) 		Nightbirds cover
Nightbirds (1974)
contains the hit “Lady Marmalade” 		Phoenix cover
Phoenix (1975)
worth searching for 		Chameleon cover
Chameleon (1976)
their last effort together

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you:

Labelle: Patti, Nona & Sarah

RIBS TPTD: Labelle - Patti, Nona & Sarah
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Click here to download .MP3 file (92Mb, 1:19:54)

Playlist:

  1. Phoenix (The Amazing Flight Of A Lone Star) -(Phoenix)
  2. Goin’ On A Holiday -(Pressure Cookin’)
  3. What Can I Do For You -(Nightbirds)
  4. Come Into My Life -(Chameleon)
  5. Let Me See You In The Light -(Pressure Cookin’)
  6. Space Children -(Nightbirds)
  7. Take The Night Off -(Phoenix)
  8. Chameleon -(Chameleon)
  9. Gypsy Moths -(Chameleon)
  10. Open Up Your Heart -(Pressure Cookin’)
  11. Cosmic Dancer -(Phoenix)
  12. Can I Speak To You Before You Go To Hollywood -(Pressure Cookin’)
  13. Nightbird -(Nightbirds)
  14. Good Intentions -(Phoenix)
  15. Isn’t It A Shame -(Chameleon)
  16. Last Dance -(Pressure Cookin’)

Enjoy!

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7 Comments »

  1. Pingback by NetInfoWeb 2.0: Soul, R&B, Jazz and Blues on the ‘Net » RIBS Triple Play Thurs-Day: They Broke the Mold…

    [...] Patti (LaBelle), Nona (Hendryx) and Sarah (Dash)… better known back in the day as: Labelle! View blog reactions [...]

  2. Comment by EJ

    Now it’s time for confession. Did you know that I only know…no, scratch that…I know NONE Of these songs? What’s up with that? Don’t worry, I’ll be listening to this and grooving. I may have to end up hanging around you more. Gotta spare room?? {smile}

  3. Comment by tgrundy

    Ahhhh, you poor, deprived child! {smile} The group Labelle is, IMHO, one of those cornerstone groups of Funk/Soul. Way ahead of their time in many respects. Of course, while much of the focus was on Patti’s great vocal abilities, I think Nona Hendryx’s writing, song composition and lyrics were what really made the group. I’ve always thought of her (Nona) as being a little “out there” on the edge, pushing the envelope into uncharted territory with her ability to mix Rock influences into Soul/R&B. Quite unique (hmmmm, maybe “rare” would be a better word) at the time. No other “girl group” was doing these sort of things back then, and the only other artists I can think of who were something similar were Betty Wright and Sly and the Family Stone.

  4. Comment by M. Asli Dukan

    I am not old enough to really have heard Labelle the first time around, though their music was always in my house as a youth. I am really coming to their music now and I can not believe that these women are not more well known outside of “Lady Marmalade”. Patti’s vocal and physical presence, Sara’s intense high C’s and Nona’s beautiful, soulful, intelligent, diverse and heartfelt writing really blows me away. They are my new favorites. I can’t wait until they re-unite and go on tour (supposedly in 2008!)

  5. Comment by bettina

    Well, I was around when “Pressure Cookin’” came out, and I saw Labelle, in their silver and shine, in Hartford in 1974. They’ve never been surpassed in originality, vocal brilliance, and variety. If anyone knows where they will be on tour in 2008, post it please. “Pressure Cookin’” was Nona’s album; she wrote a large number of songs for it. For those of you who were too young to have been around for this, Labelle began, working with the different but unique Laura Nyro.

  6. Comment by El Slick

    Very late gettin a hold to this one. Don’t know how I missed it. BTW…their new cd recreates this feel.

    “BOSS” presentation!….that’s what we use to say in the ole dayz!

  7. Comment by JohnnyCat

    You made my year. I flew down to New York to see Labelle reunite and it changed my life! The sound gave out and they sang to us acapella and asked us to come back the next night. It was truly glorious.

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