Artist: Patti Labelle
Spotlight Track: If You Asked Me To
Label: MCA Records
Producer: Stewart Levine
Written: Diane Warren
Arrangments: Aaron Zigman
Engineering, Mixing: Darren Klein
Born Patricia Louise Holte, Patti Labelle is renowned for her wide vocal range and super power high-octave belting. This is one passionate soul diva folks – check out her performances on YouTube and you’ll know what I’m talkin’ about. SOUL YO!!
Before going on a solo career, Ms.Patti fronted two groups, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which received some success on the pop charts in the 60s, and Labelle, which made a breakthrough to the mainstream in the 70s with the seminal soul-funk claasic, “Lady Marmalade”.
After leaving her girl group, Ms.Patti went solo and scored some serious RnB hits like “New Attitude”, “Stir It Up” (recently re-recorded by Patti and Joss Stone), “On My Own” (with Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers fame) and the spotlight track “If You Asked Me To”.
“If You Asked Me To” is the lead single for Ms.Patti’s seventh solo album and also the lead single for James Bond – Licence To Kill soundtrack. This is real proper RnB people, beautifully arranged with great instrumentation and topped with the soul power of the Labelle herself. As quality as this cut is, Ms.Patti only made it to Number 79 on the U.S. Billboard but when Celine Dion covered it 3 years later.. it hit Number 1?!?! Damn Parameswara balls. Until today, I still feel that Ms.Patti’s version is leagues better than Celine’s, and the numbers on the Billboard charts should be the other way around.
Anyway, this spotlight track really brings back fond memories cos it was released when I just entered National Service. I really steam the track big time and was so mesmerized that I found myself listening to it everyday in camp. Even the simple drum beats and bassline were kerna. The whole production, arrangement, right down to the sound engineering was pure class. Made me smile everyday even though I was botak and serving the nation :)
Tangkap This!!!
-Crispian
