Customer Reviews

Bet Cha Say That To All The Girls

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bet'cha Say That To All The Girls, released in 1983 (did anyone else notice that three of their albums in a row had the word 'girls' in the title?), boasts state-of-the-art production from George Duke - a collaboration which on paper seemed brilliant. But, coming as a follow-up to the irresistably urgent "All American Girls", which itself came on the heels of two flawless albums prestigeously produced by CHIC - one can't help but feel this was something of a step back.

Taken on its merit alone, this is a frothy and fun set - opening with the cheeky and amusing B.Y.O.B. (I bet you didn't read/the invitation carefully/let me tell you/how the invitation reads/this party is strictly B Y O B/that means bring your own baby) it feels like a true Sister Sledge album. But, we're quickly bogged down by the slower numbers.

Highlights include Lifetime Lover and Let Him Go, which wouldn't have been out of place on the Flashdance soundtrack. This is a product of 1983, much as "When The Boys Meet The Girls" was very much a product of 1985. And it's a shame the material is variable, because these girls have talent and never quite got their dues or found their niche.

Appreciated on its own merits, this is a worthy effort. In the context of the career of Sister Sledge, they've had better moments. However, anything with the stamp of Kathy Sledge's inimitable vocals is well worth a listen, and Wounded Bird deserves thanks for finally bringing Sister Sledge's discography to CD.

On paper the collaberation of Sister Sledge and George Duke looked awfully good. Commercially this was a miserable failure despite the promise but that is not the case artistically. The guest list on this album is incredible:Michael Sembello,David "Hawk" Wolinski,Louis Johnson,Paulinho Da Costa,Jeffrey Osbourne,Al Jarreau and Ronnie Laws are featured. But the focus is on the Sledge's personality and Duke's contemporary funk sound. "B.Y.O.B","Lifetime Lover","Shake Me Down",the title track,"Gotta Get Back To Love" and "Thank You For The Party" are great uptempo tunes and not much I can think of shout 'early 80's George Duke-style pop/funk' louder then these songs! The ballads are also very trademark George Duke and everything even further removed Sister Sledge from their classic sound. Al Jarreau's rapping and the cute lyrics of the title track should've spelled a great new beginning for Sister Sledge but it was not to be. The George Duke collaberation fizzled quickly and after this release Sister Sledge opted to return closer to more comfortable home turf.

I enjoyed this early-80s entry by Sister Sledge. Solid production and great vocals. Standouts are: Shake Me Down, the title track, Smile, and Lifetime Lover (dig that old-"skool" synth!).

I do love Sister Sledge. However, this album is not one of my faves. The ballads are beyond dull, (Dream On, Once In Your Life) the title song is way cheesey, even by '80's standards. Props to the upbeat songs, in my opinion always the high point of a SS album. The best, again in my opinion (for what it is worth) are "BYOB", "Lifetime Lover" "Let Him Go" and "Thank You For The Party").