LaBelle's 1976 Album "Chameleon" Celebrates It's 40th Anniversary! It's Their Last Album For The Next 30 Years!
Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, otherwise known as "LaBelle", go out in style with this eight track album that would be their last full length album for the next 30 plus years. These girls have grown in many ways in the last decade since releasing their debut studio album "Over The Rainbow". Ten years ago the girls were crafting polished radio ready gems, and now they are giving us a unique blend of funky Rock & Roll smothered in Gospel and Soul. The album spawned two minor hits in "Get You Somebody New" and "Isn't It A Shame". Isn't it a shame that these songs weren't huge successes, as they both are exploding with fiery passion, one that is unmatched by any other Girl Group. Please continue reading and allow me to share some of the other jaw dropping moments that "Chameleon" has to offer.
Luckily for fans of LaBelle, all three of these extremely talented ladies pursue solo careers after the release of "Chameleon". The ladies final album provides three of the most inspiring Soul drenched ballads to spring from the 70's. The way Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash harmonize together is out of this world, a theme that they made a signature of as well. Anyone who is a fan of the power ballad needs these songs in their life, with good warning though....... these songs may result in goose bumps and/or tears. A good place to start is the second single released from the album, "Isn't It A Shame". Prepare yourself for the glory that be as the song is nearly 8 minutes long, but I promise by it's end you won't want it to be over!
I know, you may need a minute to catch your breath after that. Take a few more breathes before starting this next one, "Come Into My Life", as it is guaranteed to induce the same feelings. I will tell you about another track, "Going Down Makes Me Shiver" in the meantime. It is dripping in Gospel inspired Soul, and clocks in slightly shorter at only seven minutes long. This song may be one of the finest examples of the ladies harmonizing, as they all have their own unique and explosive vocal approach that all comes together so brilliantly, it quite literally makes me shiver. Okay, if you are sitting down, have practiced good breathing techniques, let's proceed. "Come Into My Life" is one of my all time favorite LaBelle/Patti songs. It needs no further explanation.
The rest of "Chameleon" showcases the girls talent for fusing together Funk, Rock, Soul and Pop in a way no other set of creative minds could. The title track is a fine example of the Pop sensibilities they so wonderfully displayed ten years ago. The song is playful and catchy, slowly climaxing musically and vocally, with the girls asking the listener to "Come with me if you believe in the magical world". The songs dramatic ending seamlessly runs together with the beginning of "Gypsy Moths", a futuristic mix of Salsa and Funk. It's one of LaBelles finest examples of creative collaboration. Nona Hendryx also wrote this, and many of the albums songs. Another Hendyx penned song showcasing LaBelle's talent for perfectly blended futuristic fusion is "A Man In A Trenchcoat (Voodoo)". Rock & Roll was something else these ladies were no stranger to. They Rock with the fiercest force in "Who's Watching The Watcher", a punch you in the guts, politically charged anthem. See for yourself just how bad ass these ladies were!
Another fine example of just how Rock & Roll these ladies were is "Get You Somebody Knew", the first single released from the album, where these girls boldly insist to their soon to be ex-lover "If you want somebody to be your slave, get you somebody new". They sure know how to deliver a command! They can command an audience with the same conviction. Allow yourself to their command in this 1976 live performance medley of "Chameleon" and "Come Into My Life" for your own conviction.
Patti Labelle is a what i will be referring to on my blog as a 5 Decade Diva, meaning her awe-inspiring voice has graced the world on a recording for 5 decades in a row, to the anniversary of this year. That is an incredible accolade many other artists cannot account for. If Patti LaBelle releases music of some sort in 2016, following her contributions to from 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, & 1966, she will be bumped to a 6 Decade Diva. You can click on the 5 Decade Diva tag to read about others i stumble across in my journey through music.
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