By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 06:30 pm: |
Looking over Best female singers posts it seems many agree that Thelma Houston is teriffic. So what happened per her lack of success?
By motown_david (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 07:25 am: |
There's a great article with several pix of Thelma Houston in the newest edition of a great British magazine called "In The Basement".BTW, she looks absolutely stunning!
Thelma is interviewed and gives priceless anecdotes about every stage of her career - from her beginnings with Art Reynolds Singers in California and including her time with Motown, of course.
David.
By Marv (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 07:29 am: |
I have always loved Thelma Houston' voice and she is really a great performer. I last saw her on the PBS Rhythm,Love and Soul special in March. I think she may have been held back a bit while at Motown. She still sounds the same today however.
By Edgar (200.46.12.139) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 11:16 am: |
Vandelron, though I understand what you mean, I would not say that Thelma Houston has lacked success. She has been blessed with a great voice and the Lord has permitted her to be performing still today. Many persons say she is a one-hit wonder, but that is not true. The fact that "Don't Leave Me This Way" was such a big hit, makes her other charted releases pale by comparison, but she did very well with other singles, and recorded some of the best R&B albums in the 1960's through the 1990's. I have followed her all through these years and have collected a variety of recordings that confirm her vocal prowess: "Lean On Me" with the Winans, her wonderful vocal performances in Scott Henderson's CD "Tore Down House" (including her funny anti-duet with Masta Edwards "I Hate You"), her participation in "British Rock Symphony" tour/CD and in the "Sisters of Glory" CD, her singles "Moonlight Serenade" and "All of That", her 2002 remake of "Don't Leave Me This Way" with The SoulTans... I think that the problem is that nobody has ever released an anthology with all the music she recorded with Dunhill, Motown, RCA, MCA, Reprise and the Sheffield Lab. A Thelma Houston Anthology is long overdue.
By john c (12.2.233.107) on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 08:19 pm: |
Does anyone know who played bass on Don't Leave Me This Way?
By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 01:38 pm: |
The way the wonderful Miss Houston is singing these days somebody could still come up with a hit for her today. All you have to do is put that grand voice over a smoking arrangement.
By Marv (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 07:37 pm: |
I agree Michael/cleoharvey, Thelma can still do it. Her voice hasn't changed a bit. Someone with vision needs to record her NOW!!!!!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 07:50 pm: |
I agree with Edgar - Thelma will be known for a song that is now considered a R&B/dance classic but that doesn't mean it was her only successful record.
Her albums (outside of the LP that contained
"Don't Leave Me This Way") did moderately well on the pop album charts and ranked even higher on the R&B album listings. The "Sunflower" album Jimmy Webb oversaw is a collector's classic which charted at #64 - not a big or moderate hit but not a flop either. Her duet album with Jerry Butler was a medium sized success as well.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
(PS - Her Sheffield Lab album with the band Pressure Cooker was available on CD for at time - does anyone know if it's still in print?)
By dvdmike (12.84.41.31) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 08:02 pm: |
If I'm not mistaken, Thelma recorded the original version of "Do You Know Where You're Going To", later recorded by Diana Ross for the "Mahogany" soundtrack.
By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 08:14 pm: |
Hey KevGo
It was Sunshower!!! I have it on cassette..
Stephanie
By Wonder B (80.11.231.42) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 09:37 am: |
Hey KevGo that Pressure Cooker CD is nothing like the LP version (the gatefold one-the real direct to disc edition not the single cover that was issued later on)...
Those direct to disc albums of the 70's and early 80's had the best sound one has ever heard... no CD or any other support ever had such power in it's grooves...
In the same category I have that tremendous Paul Jackson's 'Black Octopus'LP wich was only issued in Japan on the Toshiba label... with the help of almost all the Headhunters including Herbie Hancock this one's guaranteed to blast any speaker in the world without distortion... And what about the equally rare direct to disc Tower of Power on Sheffield Lab... it sounds like you're sitting right in the middle of the band...
Everytime I have some friends who don't know anything about these rather rare records I play them a couple of tracks to make sure they feel the difference...
Thelma Houston's album sure is a good example of this kind of recordings...
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 02:28 pm: |
Wonder B:
Point taken...I own a David Grusin LP that was cut for Sheffield Labs around 1976 and your right - the direct to disc sound is powerful and full. Maybe I should look for Thelma's album on vinyl instead of CD.
Kevin Goins - KevGo