Southern Gal

Amazon.com
As a member of En Vogue, Terry Ellis was one of the few bright spots on an R&B landscape hopelessly glutted with formulaic, syrupy schmaltz. A creation of songwriter/producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue were as prefabricated as the next guys and gals, but once the package came together, boy did they kick ass. Alive with the spirit of hip-hop, and informed by the classic soul and funk of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and George Clinton--as opposed to the elevator music most current R&B aspires to--the female quartet easily stood out as one of the sassiest and most soulful crossovers since Labelle. Looking to quadruple the singers' output (as well as their profits), McElroy and Foster separated En Vogue into four solo acts--a liquidation that can only be cause for celebration given the prospect of four different follow-ups to En Vogue's 1992 classic, Funky Divas. Unfortunately, Ellis's Southern Gal--the first of the quartet's lone shots--doesn't quite live up to En Vogue's legacy. Though it starts promisingly enough with "She's a Lady," a Southern-fried, violin-streaked, bouncing bass-lined sisterhood anthem, Southern Gal quickly descends into slow-tempo slush and sappy cliches ("It Ain't Over," "Where Ever You Are") that make the songs indistinguishable from each other and from the countless other R&B ballads littering urban radio. The second half offers a bunch of fine moments, however: "Slow Dance"'s flute hook, "You Make Me High"'s gospel-funk chorus, and Ellis's cover of Enchantment's soul-soaked "It's You That I Need." But despite these high points, Southern Gal never recaptures Ellis's Texas homegirl vibe, much less her funky divahood. --Roni Sarig

Southern Gal,Terry Ellis,Elektra / Wea,Funk,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Average customer rating:

Terry's Terrific!!--Wasn't Promoted Enough!!!!!
Harmonic
The best voice of En Vogue @}->---
The Sexy Southern Gal they call Terry
YOU GO TERRY.

Southern Gal
Terry Ellis
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

EV3
Soul Flower
Masterpiece Theatre
Dawn
Nobody Does It Better

ASIN: B000002HKM
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

She's A Lady
It Ain't Over
Where Ever You Are
I Don't Want To Wait Till Tomorrow
What Did I Do To You?
Slow Dance
I Don't Mind
You Make Me High
Back Down Memory Lane
It's You That I Need
Sista Sista
Southern Gal (Interlude)

Amazon.com

As a member of En Vogue, Terry Ellis was one of the few bright spots on an R&B landscape hopelessly glutted with formulaic, syrupy schmaltz. A creation of songwriter/producers Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, En Vogue were as prefabricated as the next guys and gals, but once the package came together, boy did they kick ass. Alive with the spirit of hip-hop, and informed by the classic soul and funk of Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and George Clinton--as opposed to the elevator music most current R&B aspires to--the female quartet easily stood out as one of the sassiest and most soulful crossovers since Labelle. Looking to quadruple the singers' output (as well as their profits), McElroy and Foster separated En Vogue into four solo acts--a liquidation that can only be cause for celebration given the prospect of four different follow-ups to En Vogue's 1992 classic, Funky Divas. Unfortunately, Ellis's Southern Gal--the first of the quartet's lone shots--doesn't quite live up to En Vogue's legacy. Though it starts promisingly enough with "She's a Lady," a Southern-fried, violin-streaked, bouncing bass-lined sisterhood anthem, Southern Gal quickly descends into slow-tempo slush and sappy cliches ("It Ain't Over," "Where Ever You Are") that make the songs indistinguishable from each other and from the countless other R&B ballads littering urban radio. The second half offers a bunch of fine moments, however: "Slow Dance"'s flute hook, "You Make Me High"'s gospel-funk chorus, and Ellis's cover of Enchantment's soul-soaked "It's You That I Need." But despite these high points, Southern Gal never recaptures Ellis's Texas homegirl vibe, much less her funky divahood. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

Terry's Terrific!!--Wasn't Promoted Enough!!!!!.......2007-07-03

If you want to hear some serious singing--this is the album for you!!
Terry is surely the best singer to come from the group EnVogue.
The songs are great; lyrics so realistic, and Terry soars to heights with her voice that many can't reach!
I would love to see her release something new--a true talent--and she does it with class...that's something lacking in the music industry today...
You go Terry!!

Harmonic.......2007-06-12

Lovely CD. I still listen to this, and Angie Stone's Black Diamond. If only this CD was marketed more heavily it would of done well. Same for Monifah's first CD. Give that a listen to.

The best voice of En Vogue @}->---.......2006-04-09

Terry always had the best voice from En Vogue (then was Cindy), and in this solo effort, it shines through again. The most beautiful song on here (and one of the most beautiful ever) is Wherever You Are). I could listen to that over and over without getting bored. She sings with so much emotion and that shows. She is talented beyond belief and I'd love for her to bring out a new cd. You must treat yourself to this album. It's tight.

The Sexy Southern Gal they call Terry.......2004-11-11

Most people are familiar with Terry Ellis' group, En Vogue. However, many people aren't familiar with her solo album entitled "Southern Gal". This is unfortunate because this is a remarkable album. This is definitely one of the most relaxed, laid back albums I have ever heard, and I have listened to a lot of albums.
Terry has a beautiful voice. Many know that because of her work with En Vogue. But potential buyers, please don't think that just because Terry isn't accompanied by her band members that she isn't capable of making a quality album by herself. That's the furthest thing from the truth. The album's only single is "Wherever You Are". Many people who heard it liked it. It is a song about going wherever possible to find a long lost love. This is a truly lovely song. "Slow Dance" is another album highlight. Terry gives her listener a bit more sensuality in this song. What fascinates me about Terry is that she has this sexy side to her, but she never loses her class. The track entitled "She's A Lady" pays homage to classy women. Terry lets her listener that this lady is sophisticated, but she doesn't take any mess. It's a really nice tribute. "It Ain't Over" is a good track as well. It's about a couple being able to hold on to their relationship and not breaking up over petty things. As the lyrics say, "Can't keep giving up on love every time."
I love this CD. It's one of my favorites. Terry did her thing and she did it well. There are no fillers, everything is great. I love it. 5 STARS. I will buy anything else Terry releases. She's EN VOGUE by her damn self!

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. Wherever You Are
2. Slow Dance
3. It Ain't Over
4. I Don't Wanna Wait Until Tomorrow
5. I Don't Mind

YOU GO TERRY........2004-10-22

Terry was my favorite member of the group En Vogue and I always thought she was the best singer of the group until I realized it was Dawn. Southern Gal is a laid back, mid-tempo album the brings forth another side of Terry. On this solo album, she really pushes her vocals and she proves that she can make it on her own. Unfortunately, this album didn't really sell because of the bad promotion. Overall, this album is really nice if you like the laid back grooves.