Soul Sisters

Track Listings

1. Something's Got a Hold on Me - Etta James

2. I Know You Don't Love Me No More - Ike & Tina Turner

3. My Guy - Mary Wells

4. Bring the Boys Home - Freda Payne

5. Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) - Betty Everett

6. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Martha Reeves

7. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles

8. Rescue Me - Fontella Bass

9. Come See About Me - Gladys Knight & the Pips

10. Reach Out (I'll Be There) - Gloria Gaynor

Soul Sisters,Various Artists,Direct Source Label,Motown,Pop,Pop-Soul,R&B,Soul

Soul Sisters

Tracks:

Fire
Happiness
He's So Shy
Could I Be Dreamin'
Slow Hand
Shold I Do It
American Music
I Need You
Heart To Heart
If You Wanna Get Back Your Lady
Automatic
Jump (For My Love)
I'm So Excited
Neutron Dance
Baby, Come And Get It
Dare Me
Freedom
Goldmine

Customer Reviews:

ladies supreme.......2007-04-19

Still enjoy these ladies music. Brings back many memories. Especially love their version of "Fire." No offense to the great Springsteen, but these ladies got the song right. More of a woman's song anyway.

Fun cd........2007-02-08

This cd is really fun to listen to. There were a few songs I don't remember, but the rest were great. Also the shipping was fast.

Best of the Pointer Sisters.......2006-11-07

I like it! I had this on cassette tape and wanted to upgrade it with a CD. I Like most of their work.

disappointing cos...........2006-08-26

I really wanted to stay on the 80's track instead of anything earlier. ho hum.

I Grew Up With These Ladies Music Playing In The House.......2006-04-13

Now at the age of thirty I just absolutely love this cd. It has everything on it. The Pointer Sisters delivered a song like no ones business. The late June Pointer's voice will always be heard for many more years to come. Her voice was amazing and will live on through her music. This collection captures the best of the Sisters' work.

Average customer rating:

All the hits on one compilation.
Greatest Hits and then some...
I Love You, Ladies! But Where is "Priority?"
Full length songs, missing a few tracks
Excellent selection. Terrible sound quality.

The Pointer Sisters - Greatest Hits
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Yes We Can Can: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings
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Simply the Best

ASIN: B000002WDL
Release Date: 1989-08-04

Tracks:

Jump (For My Love)
Neutron Dance
Dare Me
Fire
Automatic
I'm So Excited
He's So Shy
Slow Hand
I Need You
If You Wanna Get Back Your Lady
Freedom
American Music
Baby Come And Get It

Customer Reviews:

All the hits on one compilation........2005-08-06

If you like the Pointer Sisters, this is the "Greatest Hits" CD you must own.

Greatest Hits and then some..........2005-06-18

A great Starter CD for the hits of the Pointer Sisters planet/rca recordings - some of which are the extended dance mixes. For the true Pointer fan, There are a couple of CD compilations that feature all of the planet /rca hits and all of the blue thumb recordings.

I Love You, Ladies! But Where is "Priority?".......2005-03-06

First of all, I love these Ladies, and I am insanely jealous of Clint Black having being able to duet with them on "Rhythm County & Blues'" "Chain Of Fools." WHEW! That must've been one helluva session! But my sole purpose for writing this review is to notify all CD purveyors that The Sisters didn't ALWAYS do 80's "techo-pop" crud - I mean, just dig their (MUCH better than Stringbean's original!)"Fire!" Yes, The Sisters could seriously kick some bootie when they Rock and Rolled. And, with this review, I am asking/begging, really, INSTEAD OF ALL THESE ENDLESS REPACKAGED "GREATEST HITS" CD'S, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RELEASE THE SISTERS' 1980 "PRIORITY?" "Priority" is rock and roll to the max! (Keef's guitarist Waddy Wachtel is their guitarist here!), and I don't think any Women have rock and rolled so hard since the late, great Fanny did. Again: PLEASE make "Priority" available on CD! Thank you.

Full length songs, missing a few tracks.......2004-02-29

It's a great CD for your collection is you want the full version of songs like "Automatic", "Jump for My Love", and "Dare Me". That's the benefit of this compilation.

The shortcoming is that this collection leaves out several of the Pointer Sisters hits, like "Goldmine", and earlier hits like "Yes We Can Can" and "Could I Be Dreamin'". Those songs appear on "Best of the Pointer Sisters (RCA Box)" and "The Very Best of the Pointer Sisters: Fire".

Excellent selection. Terrible sound quality........2003-01-15

I thought I had a good compilation when I purchased this, but the sound is just terrible, which makes this a forget-about-it compilation. I have heard very few CDs recorded as badly as this.

Yes We Can Can: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings

Average customer rating:

Those Eclectic Pointers: The Early Years, 1972-1977 [*2 & half stars]
The best of the best
New appreciation for the Pointers
Bless My Soul: The Pointers at Blue Thumb....
Essential Early Pointer Sisters

Yes We Can Can: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Hip-O Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of the Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters
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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Pointer Sisters

ASIN: B000005KPD
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Yes We Can Can
Wang Dang Doodle
Fairytale
Going Down Slowly
How Long (Betcha' Gotta Chick On The Side)
You Gotta Believe
Cloudburst
Jada
Black Coffee
Steam Heat
Salt Peanuts
Having A Party
Love In Them There Hills
Don't It Drive You Crazy

Customer Reviews:

Those Eclectic Pointers: The Early Years, 1972-1977 [*2 & half stars] .......2007-02-02

Before having cross-over appeal (as a trio) with "Fire", "Slow Hand", and the huge Pop hits "Jump (For My Love)" and "I'm So Excited", The Pointer Sisters - then, for the most part, a quartet - recorded in the 1970s on the Blue Thumb label.

YES WE CAN: THE BEST OF THE BLUE THUMB RECORDINGS consists of 14 songs from 1972-1977; tracks are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 75:27. Booklet includes an essay by David Nathan, a couple uncaptioned b&w photos, and limited track information (songwriting and release years are provided; not provided are albums of origin, recording information, musician personnel, chart positions, etc.). Sound quality is excellent.

The songs, taken from their four Blue Thumb albums (1973's "The Pointer Sisters", 1974's "That's A-Plenty", 1975's "Steppin'", and 1977's "Having a Party") and a soundtrack contribution, range from Blues to R&B to Jazz, and includes "Fairytales", the song for which they won the 1974 Grammy award for "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group".

Here is a track listing, with Titles, [year], music description, (time), and my 0-5 star rating:

01. Yes We Can [1973] mid-tempo R&B (6:02) ***3
02. Wang Dang Doodle [1973] up-tempo Blues (3:56) ***3
03. Fairytales [1974] Country ballad (3:03) zero
04. Going Down Slowly [1975] up-tempo funky R&B (7:52) ****4
05. How Long (Betcha' Got a Chick on the Side) [1975] mid-tempo R&B (7:22) *****5
06. You Gotta Believe (from the film "Car Wash") [1976] up-tempo R&B (2:53) ****4
07. Cloudburst [1973] up-tempo bebop Jazz (3:10) *1
08. Jada [1973] slow-tempo Jazz (4:41) *1
09. Black Coffee [1974] Jazz ballad (6:07) **2
10. Steam Heat [1974] showtune from "The Pajama Game" (5:40) zero
11. Salt Peanuts [1974] up-tempo bebop Jazz (5:10) *1
12. Having a Party [1977] up-tempo R&B (4:34) **2
13. Love in Them There Hills [1974] mid-tempo R&B (8:31) ***3
14. Don't It Drive You Crazy [1977] slow-tempo R&B (6:18) ***3

While the collection only includes 14 songs, it totals over 75 minutes of music because several of the songs are over 7 minutes long. Their vocals and harmonies are great, especially on Gamble/Huff's "Love in Them There Hills", where they do some Sweet Honey in the Rock-like vocalizations. Another great song is "You Gotta Believe", the song they sing as the "Wilson Sisters" - singing church ladies to Richard Pryor's preachin' pimp character in "Car Wash". There rendition of "Wang Dang Doodle", the Willie Dixon song made popular by his protege Koko Taylor in the 1960s.

This is a great CD, if only for "You Gotta Believe" and the songs the precede it, "Going Down Slowly" and "How Long (Betcha' Got a Chick on the Side)" - the latter being the inspiration for Salt-N-Pepa's "Chick on the Side" in 1988. The Pointer Sisters' original line-up was June, Ruth, Anita, and Bonnie; June left the group for a time for persona reasons (after their third album), but rejoined the group when Bonnie left to pursue a solo career.

The music here is very eclectic. The Country song (track 2) and showtune (10) seem out of place, but do demonstrate that eclecticism. And while the booklet is lacking, most of the music included is very enjoyable.

The best of the best.......2007-01-05

Pointer Sisters great music,the early years ,full of energy,later music had more skill sure but nothing matches the excitement of this cd,truely timeless.

New appreciation for the Pointers.......2006-09-15

Until the recent death of youngest sister June, I hadn't given the Pointer Sisters any thought in years. But after recently purchasing this CD, I realized the group is sadly underrated.

I first became aware of the Pointers with their 1972 version of "Yes, We Can, Can", a funk and R&B number a lot of listeners either are unaware of or forgot they recorded. That song coupled with their 40s style of dress and jazzy vocals were among my early childhood memories. But for many listeners, the Pointers would remain under the radar until they teamed with Richard Perry in the late 70s and crossed over into pop.

Unfortunately because most people are only familiar with their 80s hits where their vocals were often overshadowed by Perry's synthesized pop production, many critics find it easy to dismiss them as nothing more than a run of the mill fluffy pop girl group. This point was brought home recently during two separate conversations I had with individuals, who familiar with only the 80s songs, expressed surprise at how strong and diverse the sisters' vocals were after hearing their earlier 70s works.

If you really want to hear what the Pointers were capable of early in their career when they were four members strong, listen to this CD. I bet a lot of R&B fans who dismiss the 80s Pointers as too pop will be surprised at how funky the sisters are on songs such as "Going Down Slowly" and "How Long". They also show they're more than capable of handling jazz and swing on "Steam Heat" and "Jada." There's even a country song on here (Fairytale.) Another thing this CD brings to light is that the sisters, Anita and Bonnie in particular, had impressive songwriting skills. They composed "Jada", "How Long" and "Fairytale." It appears they did less songwriting in their 80s work.

It's a fun CD to listen to as the group obviously had a more musically adventurous side than their 80s hits would suggest. Check out their style before Bonnie departed and the remaining sisters took a more commercial and lucrative route.

Bless My Soul: The Pointers at Blue Thumb...........2004-03-11

...they acted as if they stepped out of an "Ain't Misbehavin'" type of scenario. Nineteen forties party gals who was all about having a good time in their Rosie the Riveter hairdos, their nylons knotted at their thighs, their Be-bop stilleto'ed platform shoes. Most thought they were a disco novelty act. But wait. Did you hear those David Rubinson produced, wah-wah in overdrive, 7 plus minute tracks like Yes We Can, How Long (Betcha Gotta Chick on the Side), Love in Them Hills, Going Down Slowly? Are they funky or what? Did you listen to those old jazz cuts they harmoniously performed like the Andrew Sisters deconstructed and then dipped in honey and green tea...Jada, Salt Peanuts, Cloudburst? These ladies were listening to jazz vocalese experts Hendricks, Ross and Lambert, fer sure. And that one country and western tune Fairy Tale. I ain't much for country, but it even had me looking for a Stetson. We pretty much all know what happens to the ladies: the Dreamgirls scenario. One leaves the group for a solo career, seemingly to leave the others for dead. The remainder of the group goes on to wild success, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's all in the History of R&B books under 'Sisters, Pointer'. But in all that, they put out some great music. I look forward to the repressing of some of the Richard Perry produced Planet Records they did--particularly Special Things. Until then, this will admirably fill my bill.

Essential Early Pointer Sisters.......2003-12-11

I like this collection a lot: lots of jazzy-flavored type songs that will make you smile. I like "Jada" and "Black Coffee", very nice songs. Although they are best known for later hits like "Slow Hand" and the hits from the album "Break Out", this is a welcome edition for another side of the Pointer Sisters that some may not have thought existed.

If you purchased the 2-CD collection of hits "Fire: The Very Best Of The Pointer Sisters", then you may have noticed that only 4 of the 14 songs from this album are on that collection. Thus, the best of the Blue Thumb is NOT a supplement but an essential buy even for the casual fan.

Average customer rating:

Steppin'

best Pointer Sisters album ever

Rhythm & Soul

The Early Pointer Sisters

Steppin'
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Hip-O Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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That's a Plenty

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ASIN: B000BPN1VY
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Tracks:

How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)
Sleeping Alone
Easy Days
Chainey Do
I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues: A Medley in Tribute to Duke ...
Save the Bones for Henry Jones
Wanting Things
Going Down Slowly

Product Description

Anita, Bonnie, Jean and Ruth Pointer formed their eponymous band in Oakland, California in the Seventies and proceeded to draw quite successfully upon a remarkably wide variety of musical influences, from Tin Pan Alley to soul to country. Their fourth album, Steppin, came out in the summer of 1975 and launched with a classic: How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side), a funk-laden groove that soared to the top of the R&B charts and just grazed the Top 20 on the pop side. The other tune that got a little traction on the pop charts was another funky track, this time from the pen of Allen Toussaint: Going Down Slowly. The sisters pay tribute to Duke Ellington in a medley called I Aint Got Nothin But The Blues, and then take a page from the Andrews Sisters stylebook in Save The Bones For Henry Jones.. But perhaps the emotional core of the album is the ballad Wanting Things, a sweet and evocative interlude between the albums high energy pop and funk tracks. Producer David Rubinson, who had worked extensively with Herbie Hancock during the early Seventies, brought the jazz keyboardist in to guest on clavinet, and the nearly ubiquitous Wah Wah Watson added his trademark guitar sound to the mix. Lastly, you gotta love the covers illustration of hi-heel sneakers, Seventies style. It would be two more years before the country was full-on in the throes of Saturday Night Fever, but the Pointers were definitely fashion-forward.

Customer Reviews:

Steppin'.......2007-05-12

I had bought this when it first came out on a 33 1/3 record, so I was happy to see it come out on CD. If you're a Pointer Sisters fan and enjoy a bit of blues, you'll love this CD.

best Pointer Sisters album ever.......2007-03-15

I've been trying to get this album on CD for years. It's been available as an import for awhile, and I ordered it as such from several venues, including Amazon, only to be told after waiting 6-8 weeks that it was unavailable. Well, Amazon vendors finally listed it (and the other truly great PS album, live at the Opera House) and I ordered both albums. They are both far better than the pile of albums the PS recorded later of all covers, but Steppin' with its Duke Ellington medley, Stevie Wonder cut and everything else, is a really great album. Now if I could only find LaBelle's album Phoenix on CD, life would be good.

Rhythm & Soul.......2007-02-08

The summer of 1975 sets the Pointer Sisters in a stylish R&B mode. Most people don't think of this album's lead song "How Long(Betcha Got A Chick on the Side)" when remembering the Pointer Sisters, and unfortunately so as this #1 R&B hit(which made it to #20 on the pop charts)is undoubtedly one of their best with signature funk grooves and an extended ending consiting of the tightest harmonies ever recorded on vinyl. Next comes "Sleeping Alone," another soulful classic laced with a jazzy piano solo by Stevie Wonder and featuring Anita's sweet yet agonizing lead backed by the vocal collage of Ruth, Bonnie, & June. "Easy Days" features Bonnie taking lead with her silky rich vocals, while "Chainey Do," sets all the sisters in motion and is supported by Herbie Hancock and his jazz band playing a set that sounds like it came straight from a New Orleans festival. If you prefer nostalgic jazz, as the Pointers always included on their early releases, then you'll also enjoy a Duke Ellington tribute in which all the sisters trade leads, followed by a classic by The Andrew Sisters in "Save the Bones for Henry Jones," which I find as the album's only weak point. The album closes with another funk classic as Ruth takes the lead with her deep vocals on "Going Down Slowly," but the real surprise is the late June Pointer's beautiful solo turn on the ballad "Wanting Things." June sings the song with such a pensiveness as if she identified with the words right away, and one song where she reminds listeners of jazz greats like Billie Holiday. Despite the attempted redistribution of a couple of the older jazz songs(just not a personal favorite)I still give this release five stars as it shows how the sisters were heading in more of a dance and funk format in their career.

The Early Pointer Sisters .......2006-06-17

I owned this LP back in the late 70's and recall the June Pointer solo "Wanting Things" so I was happy to have finally located this on CD since that song is so beautifully written and showcases the late June Pointer's vocal talents. The rest of the songs are mostly jazzy songs including a tribute to Duke Ellington. I always thought the cover art was so funky and unique so grab a copy of this rare CD before it disappears.

Average customer rating:

Could easily substitute for a greatest hits collection
Sister Act
Funky Urban Soul
It Doesn't Often Get Any Better Then This
An 80s milestone, absolutely.

Break Out
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Pointer Sisters - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B000002W70
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Jump (For My Love)
Automatic
I'm So Excited
I Need You
Neutron Dance
Dance Electric
Easy Persuasion
Baby Come And Get It
Telegraph Your Love
Operator

Customer Reviews:

Could easily substitute for a greatest hits collection.......2007-03-17

Undoubtedly the greatest Pointer Sisters album ever, 6 of the 10 songs on it would eventually end up on a PS Greatest Hits album. Contains the mega-classics "Jump (For My Love)" and "Automatic", as well as the better-known extended mix of "I'm So Excited" and "Neutron Dance", "I Need You" and Baby Come And Get It".

Sister Act.......2007-02-12

Few artists have demonstrated the amount of versatility in their music career like the Pointer Sisters. After ten years of hits, misses, and everything in between, their success reached new heights in 1984. Break Out spawned four Top 10 hits, earned the sisters two of their three Grammy awards, was certified triple platinum, and turned the trio into queens of dance music. Listening to this album today sounds dated with the drum programming and synthesizers, and also as "Automatic" brings back the breakdancing trend, but also won a Grammy for Best Vocal Arrangement. The frenetic "Neutron Dance," still brings back the gospel in their voices, and the album-length version of "I'm So Excited," has the sisters concluding with the perfect, unmatched harmonies they've always had from day one. The slow and soulful "I Need You," shows the sisters trading leads in between pairing their voices, and the harmonies still flourish on "Jump", a Grammy winner for Best Pop Vocal and surrounded by the late June Pointer's energetic lead. And in an era where artists like Prince, Tina Turner, and Bruce Springsteen(the man who wrote the Pointers' 1978 hit "Fire")were becoming major sellers, while emerging acts like Wang Chung, the Thompson Twins, Cyndi Lauper, and many others were having hits seemingly overnight, the Pointer Sisters cemented a place for themselves in the middle of the decade. If you can't think of this album as a classic, then just consider it your occasional guilty pleasure.

Funky Urban Soul.......2007-01-02

One of my favorite albums happens to be The Pointer Sisters' 1983 album, "Breakout." As a fan of 80's music, I figured I should pay my respects and lend a boasting hand to this awesome 80's group and their music. Feel-good and exciting from start to finish, "Breakout" should be one of those time-capsule albums. Afterall, early 80's style funky urban soul can't really be defined better.

Now this is an album that I could keep in my CD player 24/7. How could you go wrong with such variety?

1. "Jump (For My Love)" - A wonderful opening song to get you hitting the dance floor right away. For first time listeners of this album, this will wake you up and make you wonder what is next. Synth-pop, peppy, fast and danceable. That's the best way to describe this song that hit the Billboard top hits of 1984.

2. "Automatic" - My favorite song from the album and one of my all-time favorite 80's songs in general. Unique and funky, this song is one of those that you can raise up your arms and move your hips to. Great harmonizing and trippy synth. Perfect for a song about being so obsessed with someone that you're "automatically" at their beck and call and basically zone out all other contact with the world.

3. "I'm So Excited" - You've heard this party-it-up song on movies and commercials. This is a classic from the Pointer Sisters. A great example of early 80's urbanized dance. The style of this song truly fits the feeling of excitement; like you're so full of energy that you can't contain yourself. Yes, this super feel-good, energized, fast-paced number will get you excited.

4. "I Need You" - The Pointers slow the pace down a bit on this soulful, easy-going piece. After the first three songs, this is the first kick-back-and-relax song. A catchy beat will make you slowly bop your head.

5. "Neutron Dance" - Extremely high strung, fast, and danceable. Hope your feet will be able to keep up! Go back to your chemistry class and burn up the dance floor at an amazing speed as if you were neutrons.

6. "Dance Electric" - This synth-pop piece of perfection features a bit of a slower dance groove compared to song #5, but is very catchy. Cool 80's-style synth melodies!

7. "Easy Persuasion" - A personal favorite, and another laid-back song. This smooth, soulful, dreamy groove with its silky melodies and heartfelt harmonies from the Pointers will have you hooked and "persuaded" that this is your song to relax to.

8. "Baby Come And Get It" - Bouncy and synth melody-laden. This is a fun, feel-good, dance song pure and simple!

9. "Telegraph Your Love" - How can you resist this funky-beat clad song? Showered with melodic synth, this number is probably the closest thing to the flip-side of "Automatic."

10. "Operator" - The Pointer Sisters chose to go out of the album dancing and leave us dancing in the end with this peppy piece complete with fantastic harmonizing. Enjoy!

So there you have The Pointer Sisters' 1983 album "Breakout" in a nutshell. It is impossible to not have fun with this album, so with this bit of "easy persuasion," "baby come and get it," "get excited," "jump," and "dance electric" until dawn.

It Doesn't Often Get Any Better Then This.......2006-11-17

You know when all of the songs on the first part of your album are huge hits then you are really going places.Jacko knew it and so did The Pointer Sisters-'Break Out's first three songs alone-"Jump","Automatic" and "I'm So Excited" are just back to back to back classics,leaving only the midtempo hit "I Need You" before "Neutron Dance".And what's the best thing about 'Break Out'?No albums cuts-Ruth's poweful "Dance Electric","Telegraph Your Love","Operator" and the super funky "Baby Come And Get It" could have ALL easily been hits (and were in fact played a lot on the radio)."Easy Persuasion",the closest thing this has to a ballad is a nice change of pace but what makes 'Break Out' so unique is it's production.Not only is every song as pop perfect as it comes but it feels as if the layors of synthesizers and computers used to make most of this music are coated over again by several layers of Sherwin Williams heavy gloss coat-instead of sounding cold and electronic,the technology used here sounds more like a hot furnace,soulful and I must say very sexy.It really shows you that great talents like these sisters and talented producers like Richard Perry can make anything they wish sound like pure gold.Surely enough 'Break Out' is about as 80's as it gets but the hits (and even non hits) have withstood the test of time with grace.'Break Out' is one of the Top Five best pop records of the early 80's and is a must have for your collection.

An 80s milestone, absolutely........2006-04-18

I remember when this album was first released in 1983 with a different mix, tracklisting, and even a song other than "I'm So Excited". ("Nightline"--a song that made its rounds at the time, being covered by Ellen Foley and Randy Crawford, as well.) I couldn't wait to get to the record shop to get the new Pointers LP with their new single: "I Need You". Sadly, this initial release from Break Out made only a modest dent in the charts. An honest, tender song it was, but the one to be released after it was the one that really perked radio and ears alike: "Automatic". Not only did it sound like nothing else that was coming over the airwaves in '83, it was also a brand new sound--an American sound in the midst of the second British Invasion. "Automatic" proved that tough, muscled American music at this point in history didn't have to be guitar-based rock-n-roll in order to have an audience. Ruth, Anita, and June had already been rocker chicks (with their Priority LP being the best of that phase of their career) and were out to conquer a new territory: The Age Of Machines. Richard Perry's been quoted as saying that Break Out was made with the intention of getting the Pointers back to their R&B roots, and soulful it is. But for me Break Out has long been the very first album by an American artist that brought machine-based music to the masses. This is the album that signaled the dawn of the techno that followed in the later 80s. Along with Eurythmics, the music on this album demonstrated that warmth, soul, and artistry were possible indeed with a computer and a drum machine. Softer tracks like "Telegraph Your Love" and "I Need You" were illuminated and sharpened by their techno foundations and enlightened and made plushy by the Sisters' sincere readings, while tracks like "Dance Electric" and "Baby, Come & Get It" are exemplary meetings of the rock-n-roll stage and the dance floor--on Mars! "Neutron Dance" is just about the best gospel Top 40 radio has ever seen; and the singles simply speak for themselves. My hope is that Break Out will eventually get remastered and re-issued in its original, un-remixed incarnation, which is really the best way to comprehend and appreciate what this gem accomplished and just how artistically and critically underrated it is. Even re-releasing it in '84 with a new track order, new mix, and the previously passed-on "I'm So Excited" was a clever way pushing a superior product into the market, making it a milestone record from more than just the aesthetic angle. Of course I'll take any number of bonuses on a re-issue (yes, even the omniscient "I'm So Excited"!) attached after the origial 10 tracks, but until then investigate this 80s necessity once again--or for the first time. It's truly worth it.

Average customer rating:

Better than nothing

Special Things
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000QJLQLW
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

Could I Be Dreamin'
He's So Shy
Love Too Good to Last
Evil
Save This Night for Love
We've Got the Power
Where Did the Time Go
Special Things
Here Is Where Your Love Belongs

Customer Reviews:

Better than nothing.......2007-07-31

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first CD release of the album "Special Things", the Pointer Sisters 1980 effort for Planet Records. Various tracks have been lifted from the album for the unbelievable number of compilation CDs that Sony/BMG have issued worldwide over the years, but not all, so there are a couple of 'debut' songs on this CD. The third of six albums for Richard Perry's Planet label, "Special Things" marked a deliberate attempt to create a mainstream pop album, with potential chart hits. Their previous release, "Priority" (1979), was rock at it's finest, yet produced no successful singles, and was something of a surprise to their non-plussed fans who had bought "Energy" (1978) (the first Planet Records release, and designated P1) because of the high charting cover of 'Fire'. Richard Perry brought in songwriters with a guaranteed hit-factor, such as Tom Snow & Cynthia Weil, Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen. With high production standards the results were predictable. "He's so shy" was a massive hit, and other tracks such as "Could I be dreamin'" also did very well, once more establishing the Pointers as bankable artists. Taking a glance at the musicians gracing "Special Things" gives you a good idea of how high the bar had been placed - even the legendary Burt Bacharach arranged the strings for his two co-penned tracks (The love too good to last & Where did the time go, the latter being one of the 'debut tracks on CD').

This CD issue includes a bonus track, "Movin' on", written by the Pointers, Trevor Lawrence and Marlo Henderson, but their are no details provided about the musicians or at what session this track was recorded.

The overall quality of the sound is acceptable, but it could have been so much better. Sony/BMG licenced the album to Wounded Bird for release. I cannot understand why they would sacrifice this album when they could easily have taken the time to remaster/remix it as a BMG Heritage or Sony Legacy release. I know it can sound better, as Sony licenced several Planet tracks, including "He's so shy", to Universal/Hip-O for their 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection, and the quality of that release is so far superior to this. I guess that is why Wounded Bird call themselves a reissue label, the emphasis being on reissuing rather than remastering and improving.

As there is no alternative issue, if you are a fan of the Pointer Sisters, I would recommend this CD, but if you are expecting sound quality like that of their earlier recordings magnificently remastered recently by Hip-O-Select, you may be somewhat disappointed. It will be interesting to see what happens, if anything, to potential reissues of the rest of their Planet albums.

Four stars for being released at all - 3 stars for the quality.

Average customer rating:

PLENTY OF FUN!!
Hip-O-Select lead the way in remastering

That's a Plenty
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Hip-O Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Steppin'
Live at the Opera House
The Pointer Sisters
Having a Party
Yes We Can Can: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings

ASIN: B000BPL3ZA
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Tracks:

Bangin' On the Pipes/Steam Heat
Salt Peanuts
Grinning in Your Face
Shaky Flat Blues
That's A-Plenty/Surfeit, U.S.A.
Little Pony
Fairytale
Black Coffee
Love in Them There Hills

Product Description

Customer Reviews:

PLENTY OF FUN!!.......2007-03-18

I agree with reviewer Roderick Keech that Hip-oselect has done a superb job remastering this vintage Pointer Sisters' album. It sounds clear and has plenty of bass, as though the album was recorded yesterday.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Pointer Sisters earlier work, when there was four of them, the work that pre-dates their big hits like HE'S SO SHY, FIRE, JUMP, and I'M SO EXCITED (among others)...you're in for a treat.

The Pointer Sisters blue thumb recordings almost defied categorization. Some of it was funky (LOVE IN THEM THERE HILLS), while others were jazzy-big band orchestrations (LITTLE PONY)... And yet still others, were soft-bluesy ballads (BLACK COFFEE)--including country (FAIRYTALE). You would think that an album with this much variation would fall apart. However, listening to the cd/album of THAT'S A PLENTY all these varied musical styles fuse perfectly together, and that's due to the Pointers' laser like harmonies and singing.

The songs on this album are very different from their big hits from the late 70s and earlier 80s (including the songs from their monster album BREAKOUT on Planet). Although the music is very different, it is somehow the same. Perhaps it's because every song has that Pointer Sister stamp on it...that signature sound that people can hear and go that must be so-and-so.

Anyway, whatever it is, this album is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I love all the songs on this album but the one that really stands out for me is SALT PEANUTS. The song is sung very fast and is a classic jazz song written by Dizzy Gillespie. The Pointers sing, scat, and swing their way through that song with blistering speed! I don't know what they're singing about in SALT PEANUTS, but every time I hear it, I laugh and smile.

Hip-O-Select lead the way in remastering.......2007-01-24

Here is a perfect example of what engineers are capable of these days. The craftsmen at Hip-O-Select have bestowed their incredible talents on remastering all the Pointer Sisters Blue Thumb/ABC catalog - this title, Steppin', Having a party, and Live at the Opera House. It is a revelation to hear these 30 year old recordings in such pristine sound. Most, if not all these 2006 remasters are un-numbered limited releases of 5000 copies only, so don't leave your run too late if you want to pick one of these up at a reasonable price. As for this album, there isn't a dud track on it - superb pre-Planet Pointers. Talking about Planet, maybe the gurus at SONY/BMG will finally get around to giving the Pointer's Planet catalog the same deluxe treatment, and remaster and release Energy 1978, Priority 1979, Special Things 1980 and Black and White 1981 - while a different type of Pointer to the Blue Thumb works, punters are sick of endless best-ofs and compilations coming out. Just a pity that Hip-O-Select don't have access to the Planet recordings !!

Average customer rating:

The Pointers At Their Best!
June we'll miss you

Live at the Opera House
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Hip-O Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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That's a Plenty
Steppin'
The Pointer Sisters
Urban Desire
...And I Mean It!

ASIN: B000BPN1N2
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Tracks:

Overture -- Prelude to Islandia
Walk On
Salt Peanuts
Shaky Flat Blues
Fairytale
Cloudburst
Jada
Black Coffee
Let It Be Me
Hands Up/Wang Dang Doodle
Old Songs: That's a Plenty/Bei Mir Bist du Shoen
Steam Heat
Yes We Can Can
Love in Them There Hills
Walk-Off

Product Description

Thirty years before the current standards craze, and a couple of years before everyone followed Peter Frampton into the double-live-album game, the Pointer Sisters recorded an impressive concert set in San Franciscos Opera House. As was their usual style, the musical program was all over the map, from country to swing to blues. The record begins with a rather extended (over seven minutes worth) Overture, which would make the casual listener wonder if the Pointers were ever actually coming out to perform. But it was all part of heightening the expectation, and the album launches out of the gate in grand style when the Sisters get out from behind the curtain with a version of Salt Peanuts that would do Lambert Hendricks Ross proud. Despite having had only two records under their collective belts, the Pointers were a formidable live act; during the show, they not only reprised virtually every song from their petite catalogue, but they also got a chance to wedge in a credible update of Jerry Butler/Betty Everett (or Everly Brothers, if you prefer) hit, Let It Be Me. Most artists would be wary of approaching a double live album even after their careers were well established; that the Pointers could do it so successfully so early is testament to their capacious talent. Newly remastered by Grammy-winning engineer Gavin Lurssen of The Mastering Lab in 2004, this release features the same type of gatefold packaging that accompanied the original vinyl album.

Customer Reviews:

The Pointers At Their Best!.......2006-04-15

This live set was one of my favorite live albums from the 1970's (see my listmania, Live Albums of The 70's).

Back in the day all 4 Pointer Sisters, released 2 breakthrough studio albums that mixed, Pop, Blues, Standards, Jazz and Country. Live At The Opera House captures it all.

Their hits of the time are here, Yes, We Can Can, Jada, Wang Dang Doodle, Steam Heat, as is their Grammy Award Winning Country song, Fairytale. Bonnie delivers a great read of Black Coffee, and the group updates the Pop Tune, Let It Be Me, with the tight harmonies. For an encore they deliver an over the top funky take on Love In Then Thar' Hills. The blues tune, Shaky Flat Blues is another highlight.

This is a great primer on the Pointer's early years.

Ken

June we'll miss you.......2006-04-13

Shocked to hear of June's passing today. This live recording captures all four sisters early in their career mastering every genre of American music - funk, jazz, country, pop, blues, swing. Accompanied by a fantastic orchestra.

Average customer rating:

An Absolute Classic
doo be doo be da ba do ba
An often-overlooked early gem
Their first (and best) album ever.
PRE-DIVA OFFERING

The Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Yes We Can Can: The Best of the Blue Thumb Recordings
Steppin'
That's a Plenty
Break Out
Live at the Opera House

ASIN: B000002PEV
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Yes We Can Can
Cloudburst
Jada
River Boulevard
Old Songs
That's How I Feel
Sugar
Pain And Tears
Naked Foot
Wand Dang Doodle

Customer Reviews:

An Absolute Classic.......2006-08-10

Have a listen and see what I mean. Great songs and thrilling vocals from the Pointer Sisters makes for a classic, and one of my favorite albums ever. A totally energizing experience.

doo be doo be da ba do ba.......2003-03-17

I found this record and immediately bought it because of Yes We Can Can that will eternally be a 5 star song.
There's a lot of tongue twisting skatting and tight harmonies that really flaunt the Sisters' amazing jazz vocal talent. What's especially great about this album is that they don't take themselves too seriously: these babes don't hold back and obviously have fun singing together. This is vintage Pointer Sisters at their funkiest.

An often-overlooked early gem.......2002-02-19

A decade before they got so excited doing the neutron dance, the Pointer Sisters were four: Anita, Ruth and June were joined here by Bonnie, who would leave several years later to pursue a solo career. Musically, their self-titled debut album is probably the least commercial-sounding one they've made. An edit of the six-minute "Yes We Can Can" cracked the top-20, but that song's funky, drums-and-bass driven sound isn't really representative of the rest of the songs on the album, which are a nod to the female vocal group sounds of the 1940's. What makes these songs work is the earnestness and enthusiasm the Pointer Sisters bring to them: Their fondness for this material is apparent throughout, and the fun they had recording these songs is conveyed to the listener. Their own contributions to the album were "Sugar," which they wrote and arranged, and "Jada," which they also co-wrote and arranged.

The best song on this disc is still "Yes We Can Can," but other highlights include the soulful "River Boulevard," with an insistent "Isn't it just a beautiful day?" refrain which will stay in your head for days, and the impressive vocal acrobatics of "Cloudburst." It's a safe bet that the Pointer Sisters never strayed farther from the mainstream than they did on "That's How I Feel," seven minutes of high-energy "shoo-be-doo-wah" scat-singing, set against a backdrop of an electronically altered voice singing the line, "The one who sings along," a male bass scat vocal and a drummer who sounds like he's having a blast, supplying the fills. It's an offbeat number, but it has more spirit and soul than all of the songs on the "Break Out" album, combined.

Their first (and best) album ever........1999-09-07

Good album - one for your collection of classics.

Their first album - very different to what most people would expect from the Pointer Sisters. They went "pop" after this. There were a few re-shuffles in the band and it was never the same for them.

Some good tracks on here - "Yes We Can" rocks (funky, good guitar). So does "Cloudburst" and "Jada" although these two are less funky but just as good.

Some top tracks and bad tracks in-between but finishing off with "Wang Dang Doodle" another little funky number which goes off on a mad one at the end.

I was a bit upset to see that the best track of the album has been left out of the CD though... if you find this EP on vinyl GET IT! "Beautiful Day" (which has been left off the CD version) was definately my favourite from this album. Still don't understand why they decided to leave the best track of the album off the CD version. Shame. But still... a decent album.

PRE-DIVA OFFERING.......1999-08-06

This 1973 collection was the group's debut album. After years of backing artists like Taj Mahal, the sister act tried it on their own. This 1973 collection, originally released on the jazz/blues oriented Blue Thumb label (which also recorded Ike and Tina Turner's rarity, "The Hunter"), showcases the group's real vocal abilities, unlike their later pop/disco recordings, which, although wonderful, were never as musically adventurous. There's a fuller sound, as well, since the group at the time was a quartet rather than a trio before sister Bonnie's departure for a modest solo success at Motown. As a "schtick" the gals dressed in 30's outfits for these first couple of years, which may have helped the public notice them, but one listen to these songs and it's obvious that they really didn't need the costumes, with lungs like that. A bargain at twice the price!!

Average customer rating:

Rare soul music gems from the vaults of Atlantic Records.
Not exceptional, but.........

Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Brothers
You Better Believe It!, Vol. 2
You Better Believe It: Rare & Modern Soul Gems
Live at Fillmore West
His Hands

ASIN: B000FA57QW
Release Date: 2006-06-20

Tracks:

My Way -- Aretha Franklin
It's Growing -- Margie Joseph
(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days -- Patti LaBelle & The Blue Belles
Please Little Angel -- Doris Troy
Hands Off My Baby -- Mary Wells
My Best Friend's Man -- Dee Dee Sharp
Rescue Me -- Dee Dee Warwick
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted -- Baby Washington
Full Time Woman -- Irma Thomas
I Got To Love Somebody's Baby -- Judy Clay
Cheater Man -- Esther Phillips
What A Man -- Laura Lee
Ain't Nothing Gonna Change Me -- The Sweet Inspirations
It Ain't Who You Know -- Jackie Moore
I Ain't that Easy To Lose -- Bettye Swann
Thankful For What I Got -- Barbara Lewis

Album Description

The golden era of American soul music in the 1960s and early `70s is synonymous with the classic soul sides produced by an array of legendary performers for Atlantic Records during that momentous musical time. And, beyond all the immortal soul and R&B hits and top charting singles the label released over the years, there are treasure-filled vaults of tapes storing countless more historic recordings by a host of remarkable talents. Compiled by soul music historian David Nathan, this new collection gathers rarities—many previously unreleased—unearthed from the venerable Atlantic Records archives featuring stellar soul sisters who are among the genre's all-time greatest.

Customer Reviews:

Rare soul music gems from the vaults of Atlantic Records........2007-05-04

Atlantic Records was one of the country's leading record companies in rhythm & blues and soul music. Here, in collaboration with Rhino Records, 16 rare tunes are presented froim artists like Aretha Franklin, Barbara Lewis, Margie Joseph, Doris Troy, The Sweet Inspirations, Jackie Moore, plus some rarely heard artists as well. Some of these songs have never made it past being only released on the original 45, and others have never been heard before, period. These songs come from about 1964-1973; one of the last of the golden ages at Atlantic. This disc runs about 50 minutes, but is very enjoyable. Definitely worth hearing, because it's not something you'd hear every day. One listen to the whole thing, and you'd be asking why some of these songs never saw the light of day again...until now!

Aretha Franklin: My Way
Why this was only issued overseas is anybody's guess. She wasn't trying to put Frank Sinatra to shame; just her own personal take on it...and a mighty dang good one!

Margie Joseph: It's Growing
A nice, easy-tempoed drum and bass-laiden cover of an early Temptations' record. She adds a cool touch too it with her silky-smooth voice.

Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells: Count the Days
A solid track; could have been a great hit because it sounds like it had some potential. The bells and piano at the beginning set the stage before the bass and drums come in with a solid groove.

Doris Troy: Please Little Angel
"Just One Look" wasn't all. This cute-sounding number is quite enjoyable. Very dated, I must say; has a good '60s feel to it.

Mary Wells: Hands Off My Baby
Mary Wells after Motown continued to sing and be around Motown-like material. Somehow it just didn't quite cut it with her at Atlantic. This would have made a nice hit for her; love the congas and vibes at the beginning.

Dee Dee Sharp: My Best Friend's Man
Even Miss "Mashed Potato Time" got to work with Atlantic. In this sentimental-sounding track, you can't help but have pity on her.

Dee Dee Warwick: Rescue Me
This cover of the Fontella Bass classic has a great rhythmic drive too it, but somehow that same energy just isn't there. It sounds good in its own respect, but isn't quite the same.

Baby Washington: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
This cover, on the other hand, rivals Jimmy Ruffin's original closely. She has a good contralto tone.

Irma Thomas: Full Time Woman
The melody felt like it existed forever; a real poignant-sounding ballad.

Judy Clay: I've Got To Love Somebody's Baby
It sounds like something you'd hear in one of those late-night dimly lit blues clubs. Johnnie Taylor originally did it at Stax some years before; exquisite cover.

Esther Phillips: Cheater Man
Definitely, could have been a huge hit. Esther's nasally voice, a rock solid groove and some great lyrics made a perfect combination. The producrs on this track are the same ones who worked with the blue-eyed soul group, the Box
Tops.

Laura Lee: What A Man
It has a lost classic touch to it. The horn section and backing vocals reflect that. Laura Lee was a gospel singer, and she carries that over fully in this upbeat number.

The Sweet Inspirations: Ain't Nothing Gonna Change Me
This is every bit of a gospel-like number. Everything they do in here is so cool from singing in unison to the call and response with the lead singer. Very righteous!

Jackie Moore: It Ain't Who You Know
Listen to the first few notes that Jackie sings, and wonder where else you've heard a similar sounding melody. A great, easy to listen to number. Backing vocals are silky-smooth.

Bettye Swann: I Ain't That Easy To Lose
Perhaps a perfectly produced and orchestrated record. From the wah-wah guitar to the rapid-fire drums to the added effects with the woodwinds and strings and to the call and response backing vocals at the chorus with Bettye's mellow voice.

Barbara Lewis: Thankful For What I Got
It's just how you will feel after absorbing these lost treasures. This track has an easy yet bouncy swing to it, and the backing vocals are fantastic sounding at the end of the chorus when they're basically saying "Ditto what Barbara says."

This compilation, along with the "Soul Brothers" volume, makes a great addition to any soul music lover's library.

Not exceptional, but................2006-09-24

Once again, Atlantic Records opens its archives for some good little-known soul, selected by Brit Soul expert Dave Nathan.

Most of this is really not that hot, but there are two really wonderful tunes from two legends of the genre. Aretha Franklin putting her stamp on Sinatra's "My Way" and Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells truly beautuful "1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Count The Days." I'm not even a big fan of Patti Labelle and I can not let this song spin on my CD player just once at a time!

But other than that, buy a good used copy of this CD.

Soul Music:

Soul Music

soul music

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