By jus4me (152.163.253.70) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 05:17 am:

Did anyone catch the PBS 70's Soul special hosted by Patti LaBelle. I've caught it atleast 4 times this month and I believe that it will air again in Detroit on Saturday, March 20 1t 8 PM. It featured performances by The Emotions, Heatwave, Tavares, The Blue Notes, Stylistics, Chi-Lites, Sister Sledge, Yvonne Elliman, Jean Terrell. There were some pretty good performances on there. I will say that physically Sister Sledge has stood the test of time, even though there were only two of them. If you saw the show, what is your take on it?

By fayette (64.12.96.238) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 08:21 am:

i saw it bloodstone was good and tavares.
i loved that one better then the one hosted
by aretha.

By ckbronte (209.247.222.89) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:34 am:

I was channel-surfing last night and was stopped dead in my tracks by the suits the Chi-Lites were wearing. I want the hats! Tavares sounds as good today as they did thirty years ago. I was hoping Jean Terrell would get more time but the flu was definitely taking it's toll. Her back-up singers really were good. I only recognized Freddie Poole but they both had their mikes up and sounded very good. I wish I had seen the entire show but at least I saw the second half and I loved it.

By Reese (12.15.169.45) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 11:31 am:

I saw the show a few weeks back. The performances were ok. But on the whole, for me, this special lacked a certain something that the other recent PBS specials had.

Plus its getting increasingly frustrating that you can never enjoy certain artists' performances unless you donate to the station and obtain the extra dvd.

By John (24.9.226.3) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:55 pm:

I enjoyed the special, "but", (and I'm sure I'm probably in the minority) I hate to see a performer laying on the floor during a performance, ala Ms Labell. It always struck me that laying on the floor could not be classified as "entertainment". If I was a performer and could not execute some complex dance moves, then just swaying to the music would beat going to the floor. Does anyone else feel like that, or am I off base?

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:03 am:

Patti feels it and so do I.!!

By Reese (12.15.168.95) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:55 am:

I actually love when Patti gets on the floor. She really used to pump it up and roll from one side of the stage to the other. But she's cooled down a bit.

By Nosey (66.153.113.238) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:57 am:

John: Like you, I am in the minority, I'm sure. Patti's schtick is getting very "old and tired" to me. Now.......I didn't say, I didn't like her, I'm just bored with her so-called spontaneity.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:29 pm:

Truth be told, I've never been a huge Patti LaBelle fan.......Not saying she's not good or that I don't like her at all.....but I can name many, many soul "divas" I'd rate ahead of her.

She has a great voice, but sometimes it's so overwhelming in volume that it drowns out any "soul".....if that makes any sense.

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:42 pm:

I'd rather see Stephanie Mills doing her f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s show!
S.S.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:07 pm:

Mills I like.....Plus she's nice to look at, too!

By Gary (172.132.14.64) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 11:39 pm:

I just now finally caught this special for the first time tonight. My favorite act was The Chi-Lites. Those yellow zoot suits were 2 DAMN MUCH and I thought Eugene Record sounded great Some of the acts have lost a step or two, but hey, what can you expect after 25-30 years? It's too bad The Blue Notes, Commodores, Sister Sledge, and Tavares weren't able to feature more of their original members for various reasons, but I thought the show was very entertaining regardless.

Reese, I feel you on that part about having to make a donation in order to get a look at the full performances.

As for Patti and her stage antics...I agree that the laying on the floor bit was overdone, but she's a legend, she's a true diva, and I'm willing to cut her some slack.

By Nish (128.239.115.47) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 10:25 am:

Bloodstone was awesome. I was digging the hats.

By LadyMystique (216.108.206.177) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 04:51 pm:

I caught the end when Tavares was singing HEAVEN and Sister Sledge sang WE ARE FAMILY. I am trying to catch the show again...

By Juicefree20 (68.161.46.83) on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 08:13 pm:

LadyM, rest assured, it's on PBS, it most definitely will be played again!!

Juice

By STONEWALL (68.237.107.94) on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 07:01 pm:

A few unmentioned observations on P.B.S. "1970s Soul Stars":

* MAXINE NIGHTENGALE was on, looks as good as ever and sang great with a great band to "Right Back Where I Started From" plus her follow-up ballad.

* "THE STYLISTICS" (this "other" version) was unfortunately w/o original lead singer RUSSELL THOMPKINS, Jr. (he's active, performing and available!).

* THE INTRUDERS were billed and actually performed; however, they were not shown on the show -- only in a clip advertising the DVD/c.d. promo.

* PATTI LaBELLE's opening number was "Lady Marmalade" and it was the perfect choice -- a big 1970's soul and pop international hit song. Patti ripped it up as ever.