- Nightbirds
-
Nightbirds Studio album by Labelle Released September 13, 1974 Recorded 1974 at Sea-Saint Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana Genre Funk, funk rock, R&B Length 36:40 Label Epic Records Producer Allen Toussaint Labelle chronology Pressure Cookin'
(1973)Nightbirds
(1974)Phoenix
(1975)Nightbirds is an acclaimed album by the all-female singing group Labelle, released in 1974 on the Epic label. Notable for their biggest hit, the number-one song, "Lady Marmalade", it became the group's most successful album to date.
Contents
Background
Labelle was a group in search of a hit. Despite creative control - member Nona Hendryx began composing most of the group's material - the group hadn't had commercial success with their first three albums - Labelle, Moon Shadow and Pressure Cookin', all albums had flirted with elements of rock music mixed with the group's pop/gospel roots from their days as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. Despite this, the group became a draw as opening acts for The Who, Laura Nyro and The Rolling Stones. Following their opening act on the Stones' 1973 U.S. tour, Epic Records signed the act to its roster.
The group was assigned to notable New Orleans producer Allen Toussaint and the group was sent to Toussaint's hometown of New Orleans to work on the record that would eventually be released as Nightbirds. The album was recorded in two months. Despite their adaptation of glam rock-styled outfits during their live performances, the group incorporated elements of funk music, something they started to include in their last album, Pressure Cookin on the song, "Goin' On a Holiday". The funk direction continued with songs such as "Are You Lonely", "Somebody, Somewhere", "Space Children" and their famous hit, "Lady Marmalade". More experimental rockers such as "Nightbirds" and "It Took a Long Time" showed the group's range while the album closer, "You Turn Me On" was a sexy R&B slow jam, which shocked past listeners of the Bluebelles' material.
Reception
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Allmusic [1] Robert Christgau (A-) link Rolling Stone link The album became their most successful to date, becoming their first album to hit both the pop and R&B charts - neither of their previous albums charted - peaking at number seven on the latter chart, thanks to the phenomenal success of the funk single, "Lady Marmalade", one of the few songs not written by Nona Hendryx. The group's only other hit single, "What Can I Do For You", was written by New Orleans musicians Edward Batts and James Ellison, who would continue to work for Patti LaBelle following the split of the group.
The album remains their most successful album, certified platinum in the U.S. for selling over a million copies. Due to this success, Labelle landed on the cover of Rolling Stone.Legacy
With Nightbirds, Labelle were praised for mixing their R&B/pop sound with elements of rock and funk. The success of the album's two singles also helped to pioneer the disco movement, which peaked in the late 1970s and influenced dance music for three decades. In 2003, the album was ranked number 272 on Rolling Stone's magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. That same year, the album's leading hit track, "Lady Marmalade", was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Several acts have covered "Lady Marmalade" into international successes on their own including covers by All Saints and the quartet collaboration between singers Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Lil' Kim and Pink. "It Took a Long Time" was featured during the final scene and ending credits to the motion picture Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire.
Track listing
All songs written by Nona Hendryx unless otherwise noted
- "Lady Marmalade" (Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan) – 3:56
- "Somebody Somewhere" – 3:25
- "Are You Lonely?" – 3:12
- "It Took a Long Time" (Raymond Bloodworth, Lawrence Russell Brown, Bob Crewe) – 4:03
- "Don't Bring Me Down" (Allen Toussaint) – 2:48
- "What Can I Do for You?" (Edward Batts, James R. Budd Ellison) – 4:02
- "Nightbird" – 3:09
- "Space Children" – 3:02
- "All Girl Band" – 3:50
- "You Turn Me On" – 4:37
Personnel
- Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash - Lead and Backing Vocals
- Allen Toussaint - Keyboards, Percussion, Guitar
- Art Neville - Organ
- George Porter, Jr., Walter Payton - Bass
- Leo Nocentelli, Rev Batts - Guitar
- Smokey Johnson, Herman Ernest III - Drums
- Bud Ellison - Piano
- Earl Turbinton - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet
- Alvin Thomas, Lon Price - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
- Clyde Kerr Jr., Steve Howard - Trumpet
- Lester Caliste - Trombone
- Carl Blonin - Baritone Saxophone
- Clarence Ford - Alto Saxophone
Charts
Year Album Chart positions[2] US US
R&B1975 Nightbirds 7 4 Singles
Year Single Chart positions[3] US US
R&BUS
Dance1974 "Lady Marmalade" 1 1 1 External links
References
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r11312/review
- ^ "Labelle US albums chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4719/charts-awards/billboard-albums. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
- ^ "Labelle US singles chart history". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4719/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
Patti LaBelle · Nona Hendryx · Sarah Dash
Cindy Birdsong · Sundray TuckerStudio albums Over the Rainbow · Dreamer · Labelle · Moon Shadow · Pressure Cookin' · Nightbirds · Phoenix · Chameleon · Back to NowLive albums Sweethearts of the Apollo · The Bluebelles on StageOther albums Singles "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman" · "Down the Aisle" · "You'll Never Walk Alone" · "Danny Boy" · "All or Nothing" · "Over the Rainbow" · "I'm Still Waiting" · "Take Me for a Little While" · "Morning Much Better" · "If I Can't Have You" · "Mr. Music Man" · "Lady Marmalade" · "What Can I Do for You?" · "Messin' with My Mind" · "Far As We Felt Like Goin'" · "Get You Somebody New" · "Isn't It a Shame" · "Turn It Out" · "Roll Out" · "Superlover"Related topics Discography · Albums · Songs · MembersBook:Labelle Categories:- 1974 albums
- Labelle albums
- Albums produced by Allen Toussaint
- Epic Records albums
- Soul albums
- Funk albums
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.