Nona Hendryx

HUNDREDS of LPs and BOOKS available at kissa89s marketplace store, check out our inventory!!! Side 1: (1) Winning... (2) Everybody Wants to Be Somebody... (3) Tax Exhile... (4) Tout De Suite M'am Selle... (5) Take A ChanceSide 2: (1) Problem... (2) Once Again... (3) Too Late to Run... (4) Will You Be There? ... (5) Leaving Here Today Product Description

Nona - Hard Rockin' Solo Debut

Nona Hendryx broke new ground as a black female artist and songwriter in Labelle, and continued to boldly go in a rock direction on her 1st solo album . Released in late summer 1977 , it's a startling , amazing jolt of rock mixed with Nona's natural born soul. The opener " WINNING " is the only song she didn't write. Russ Ballard of Argent wrote it, and it's a powerful , personal statement lyrically with a solid rock sound that had " hit " written all over it. It was, but for Santana, when they covered it later. And that's just the beginning.

The power of Nona's vocals is a perfect match for the hard rock songs on this album. " TAX EXILE " is an amazing song with Nona just rocking out on this very heavy guitar drenched rocker. Love the ending where Nona wails " taking it, taking it, they're taking it all the way " , as the guitar solo by Eddie Martinez blasts away. " PROBLEM " is another heavy rock track with power. The influence of Nona's love of English rock is apparent on these tracks. On " TAKE A CHANCE ", horns and a funky rock beat really bring an added Latin dance influence to it. There's no end to the fresh new sounds of Nona blazing her trail down the road less traveled. Think of it, for a black woman to be doing rock, writing her own songs, back when disco had even the biggest R&B names lining up, was defiant , artistic and dangerous. Just like the album cover of Nona in black leather with a knife, and the back cover of her holding a guitar.

There are other influences as well, and the ballads here are beautiful. " ONCE AGAIN " is a soft tender song; " LEAVING HERE TODAY " , the stunning closing number is Nona's personal vision for a better world; and " TOUT DE SUITE MAM'SELLE " is probably the most amazing musically, with piano starting it off, then a solo guitar, Nona's voice & then the band coming in. There are references to the break-up of Labelle in some of these songs, and this one is all about her 2 partners in that legendary trio. " TOO LATE TO RUN " , a reggae influenced song also throws in some lines about the unexpected break-up of the group. And " WILL YOU BE THERE " and the only US single released from this album - " EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE SOMEBODY " are tight, concise pop rock songs that stand the test of time, as this whole album does.

Epic released both Nona & Patti LaBelle's debut solo albums at the same time in 1977. Both have the power, talent and great songs that made the group so amazing. Sarah Dash's debut album on Kirshner came one year later. Nona's 1st album has never been issued on CD, nor her full RCA albums either. Until then, you've got to hear this album. It's 30+ years later, and there still isn't anyone like Nona Hendryx.

Songs: WINNING, EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE SOMEBODY, TAX EXILE, TOUT DE SUITE MAM'SELLE, TAKE A CHANCE, PROBLEM, ONCE AGAIN, TOO LATE TO RUN, WILL YOU BE THERE, LEAVING HERE TODAY. April 18, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...