Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 02/28/1995
Run Time: 75:03
The concept behind
Lady Marmalade: The Best of Patti and LaBelle is to draw eight tracks apiece from
LaBelle's chart heyday as a group and the first five years (1977-1982) of
Patti LaBelle's solo career, which she spent with
Epic. Is it a worthwhile summation? That depends on what you're looking for. The
LaBelle tracks constitute a serviceable overview, featuring their four chart hits (
"Lady Marmalade," the
R&B Top Ten
"What Can I Do for You?," "Get You Somebody New," and
"Isn't It a Shame"); actually, the more extensive
Something Silver compilation doesn't have them all. Plus, there are four songs written or co-written by
Nona Hendryx, an important component of their repertoire. All that's missing, really, are the group's early
rock covers, many of which are collected on
Something Silver. The
Patti LaBelle solo tracks date from a part of her career that isn't usually spotlighted on other compilations, and constitute some of the funkiest material she recorded. However, the selections here are missing a few minor
R&B chart hits; the similarly skimpy 1982 compilation
The Best of Patti LaBelle -- also eight tracks -- includes all of them. That flaw aside, it's most likely the
LaBelle group material you're after, and so far this is the best place to get it.
~Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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