Patti LaBelle - Live in Washington, D.C.

Expanded edition of Patti LaBelle's Live in Washington D.C. was recorded at the peak of her powers and showcases Patti's deeply shared emotional connection with her fans and captures all the raw energy that have made her live performances legendary. This album features the signature songs 'Lady Marmalade', 'What Can I Do For You', 'The Spirit's In It' and 'Isn't It a Shame' as well as her essential rendition of the classic 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' which testifies to the power in the music from the original soul diva. Album Description

Fellows, Fans and Country Men

Thank you for making a difference in my life. Be patient! 40 year in any industry is not easy. Ne-yo and Lori Perry reach out to this wonderful woman, you won't be sorry. October 14, 2008

1982 Patti LIVE vs. 1992 Patti LIVE.

Okay....so I bought this Gamble/Huff retro released CD out of curiosity. I wanted to hear how Patti sang live "back in the day" when not a lot of the mainstream pop culture knew of her as a solo artist, post Labelle breakup. I've been a blackbelt Chicago fan and loyal friend of Patti Labelle since 1990. I've seen her in well over 50 live shows in Chicago and around the country. I've been onstage with girlfriend about 15 times singing Lady Marmalade wearing my signature platform boots. (She knows them well!) Patti has called me on the phone twice in my life.....once to wish me a happy 38th birthday...the other to wish me luck running the Chicago Marathon in 1998. Patti Labelle is the REAL DEAL! How could I be so humbly blessed to get such personal attention from a diva I've admired for so long?! Well, that said, I want to give some personal attention to this review of her Retro Washington DC Live 1982 CD release. I found it worthy of dredging up by Gamble and Huff to the masses for a few reasons. Her opening number of her then title album "The Spirits In It" was phenomenal. It was complete dynamic vocals to move any crowd to its feet as she always does! Patti Labelle Live WHENEVER OR WHEREVER, is and always has been, a magical intense experience. I have to acknowledge that I feel her Patti Labelle LIVE CD released 10 years later in 1992 on MCA found Patti in stronger vocal form. I believe it came from a more confident and seasoned woman, considering she lived through so much tragedy and triumph since the 1982 Live release. She lost 3 sisters to cancer, and gained new recognition to the masses from finally being acknowledged as a great singer from MCA record execs in 1985. This new record deal came about 3 years after the 1982 live release. Both Live CD's have the same killer backup band. Budd Ellison, her longtime musical director, and Nathaniel Crockett, her longtime keyboardist. One thing about the 1982 retro release. I found myself sobbing one nite like a weeping fool upon listening to her soul aching version of "Isn't It A Shame". She does an incredible rendition of this sad ballad in this concert! So overall...I believe this is a good purchase....but please consider buying her "Patti Labelle LIVE" released in 1992 from MCA. Her opening number on that live CD..."Release Yourself" will honestly make you do that! Enjoy Miss Patti LIVE! Both in 1982 AND 1992! Peace, and "stay positive ya'll" to quote my most cool girl Lauren Hill! Rob Jackimiec, Chicago. September 15, 2008

Patti needs new material....

I'm sorry. But I'm starting to get tired of Patti releasing the same songs over and over again. I mean how many times have Lady Marmalade and You Are My Friend been released. I know those are two of her signature songs but come on! When she was on clash of the choirs she got tired of people auditioning with Lady Marmalade, well Patti I'm tired of it too. Not because it's a bad song. But because it's been released and re-released so many times. I mean give us something new and stop compiling the same old songs under a new title. And her voice is not what it used to be. Like someone else said I loved Patti back in the 80's but now she just screams and screams. And it's usually off key. Back then Patti didn't have to try as hard. Now she seems to try to force the notes out. Her voice has changed from a loud clear bell-like sound to an annoying, nasal sharp screech. I hate to say this but it's true. What's happening with my favorite diva? Bring back the wild hair do wearing, leave an audience speechless Patti from the 80's. Lately she just hasn't been doing it for me. Sorry!!! August 14, 2008

The Patti That I Fell In Love With

This is the Patti that I fell in love with 23 years ago. This was recorded when I was 8 years old. Didn't really start hearing her until I was 10 (with no help of any adult influence in my home) yet I must say that this is truly a testament to the earlier years of her vocal power. Not to say that she can't belt out some of those notes but even the Patti LaBelle of 2008 is no match for the Patti LaBelle of 1982. Strange comparison surely but I have studied Patti LaBelle as though she were a book. I will always love Patti LaBelle however, I can be taken aback by this particular cd, in a good way. So many of today's singers and wanna be singers might not understand why a person might love Patti LaBelle's voice today because honestly, there are so many up and coming high octane singers that can hit the notes that she hit but not many can match the power of this particular recording. They may have to hear this to know why we appreciate her so much and can't let go of what brought us to her in the first place. I know you can never go back but I wish that she would get back to REAL SINGING!! Don't get me wrong, yes she can still sing like nobody's business but these were the days when hardly nobody knew her and she had a point to prove to the world that she was just as good as anybody else out there if not better. In my opinion, we seem to work the hardest and be our best when we want recoginition but once we get to that plateau of success we don't kick but like we used to. The Patti on this album wouldn't have cared two red cents if her wig fell off, her heals broke or her dress split down the back. Duck tape would have been her remedy and she would have kept on singing. Today though, I think that (maybe because she's more advanced in her years) she has kinda taken a break but every now and again we see her kick but. I wish that the GLAM would sometimes cease so that the real vocal ability & her over the top performances would return. We know that Patti has hit every note under the rainbow but today it's more of a yell rather than the singing along with the vocal acrobatics & callisthenics which always seemed to suffice. Is it because of the younger generation and maybe not wanting to be outdone by them? Probably not or hardly but something is missing and I want it back. I know many of you might say I'm a traitor but really I'm not. Just a die hard fan that has listened to this woman sing for 23 of my 33 years on earth. I do have a right to vent because I have supported this trooper of an entertainer most of my life. That's all I have to say for now!! Keep on going Patti and take us back if but for a moment when we see you on stage or on tv!! July 23, 2008

Amazing!

This long-forgotten jewel of a show is a breath of fresh air! Thank goodness for Gamble and Huff! Real music, a reeeeaaal singer and a really excited crowd! What could be better?! Amazing tracks like "Rainbow" and "If You Don't Know Me By Know" bring back so many memories for sure! Patti's voice was unparalled back then, and she's not so bad now at 64 either! Well, buy it now! You'll fall in love with her all over again! A Future Classic! July 12, 2008

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