Customer Reviews

We Are Family

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is interesting that ALL of the big hits cranked out by Nile Rodgers' and Bernard Edwards' Chic Organisation have one trait in common. Think of "Dance, Dance, Dance" "Le Freak" "I Want Your Love" "Good Times" "Upside Down" "I'm Coming Out" "Spacer" "Backfired" "Saturday" "He's The Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family." The common thread is that all of these songs were sung by women. Something about this music (the thick bottom end, Tony Thompson's precise rhythm pushed forward, Nile being a one-man band on guitar, Bernard making swirling and intricate excursions through Funkland) makes it need a womanly sound to balance it out. The (relatively) few takes done by a male (mostly by Bernard) never did get over, although one duet, "Take It Off," got heavy dance floor play. Although Chic's work with Diana Ross was still two years away, THIS album was the one on which all of the elements came together for the organization's founding pair. That it represented their peak is definitively underscored by the fact that this album's follow-up, "Love Somebody Today," was such a disappointment. But then again, "We Are Family" (the album and the single) was a tough act to follow. In 1978, discotheques were a place for escape; a fantasyland for adults young and older. The album's lead single, "He's The Greatest Dancer," captured the romance of dancing like no other pop song has. The protagonist doesn't know much about the dancer, or how he'd treat a woman. And she doesn't much care! He looks beautiful, he moves beautiful, and she wants him to take her home. Sister Sledge had been a teen novelty act before this song, but Kathy Sledge showed that she had truly grown up! "He's The Greatest Dancer" was an overnight sensation that topped the dance and soul charts. This album would have sold well based just on its inclusion, but there was so much more. Like "Lost In Music," another hot dance floor item that is represented here in three different mixes. "Thinking Of You," with its much-sampled opening guitar riff, and Kathy going to the top of her ad-libbing skills while saving the knockout punch for the next song. "Thinking Of You" proved to be so strong a groove that it went top 10 in Britain upon its release there 2 years later. That next song, "We Are Family," pushed the album up to platinum status and became the group's signature song. Kathy's breathtaking lead vocal (one take, but with part of the lengthy vamp spliced over itself) may have the greatest ad-lib to ever grace the charts. Even ballads like "You're A Friend To Me" "Somebody Loves Me" and "Easier To Love" are lovely to listen to, and stand with any other slow songs Bernard and Nile produced. The duo recorded this album with their own singers from Chic on the demos, but they DID write "We Are Family" just for Sister Sledge. "I Want Your Love" was supposed to be on this album, and "He's The Greatest Dancer" was intended for Chic's "C'est Chic" set, but the decision to switch the two was Kismet, putting two mega-hits on both those albums. Sister Sledge had some other good albums produced by Narada Michael Walden after "Love Somebody Today" flopped. But they never came close to this height again. Kathy left her sisters in the early 90's for a solo career, that produced a nice album ("Heart") that failed to find an audience. Debbie, Joanie, and Kim couldn't get their other sister (Carol) to take Kathy's place, so they now tour with a lead singer from outside the family.

Sister Sledge had already been turning out records, albeit unsuccessfully, for 6 years before teaming up with the Chic Organization on this classic. However, "teaming" up is not exactly the correct term. In reality, this is a Chic record as Bernard and Nile wrote, arranged and produced all the tracks. The Sledges (Kathy in particular), were only vocalists on this album. However, they proved to be more adventurous than Chic's own vocal tandem of Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin were allowed to be.

Fortunately, the Sledges found Bernard and Nile at the peak of their "Chic sound" creativeness, and provided them with a fairly solid collection of tracks which were more stylistically varied than those found on Chic's "Risqué" album, which was also released in 1979.

Aside from the acclaim given to the title track anthem, notice in particular...

...the opening 17 seconds of "He's the Greatest Dancer" which are probably Chic's greatest clip of music. The groove is simply Bernard's bass, Nile's layered guitar, and Tony (Thompson)'s 4-on-the-floor drumbeat. This is one of only a few spots in the entire Chic catalog where the rhythmic foundation is laid completely bare.

...Nile's rare guitar solo on "One More Time"

...Nile's syncopated opening riff on "Thinking of You"

...Kathy's incredible vocal on the extended break in "We are Family" that was done in 1 take!

Keep in mind that although this is Sister Sledge's most well-known album, it is not really representative of the Sisters' sound. That would have to wait for later releases like "All American Girls" and "The Sisters".

This is the album where the talents of Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards met the vocal prowess of Sister Sledge, and it is a legendary success, in fact it is almost a greatest hits CD by itself, what with the anthemic title track, along with "He's The Greatest Dancer", "Lost In Music", and more, it represents the pinnacle of dance music during the late 70's, as the production of every track is superior to most disco output from the same era, not to mention much of todays. With very informative liner notes, including biographies and track by track analysis, this edition is definitely worth owning, in fact, this is a disco masterwork!

Everything came together for Sister Sledge and Chic in 1979 and the result was this monster hit of an album that is still selling very well, according to my research, almost 30 years after its release. The four sisters had been around for some time prior to "We Are Family" but had only moderate r&b success. Meanwhile, Chic were on the up and up following the disco/pop hit success of their first three albums, Chic, C'est Chic and Risqué. The songs and production by Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers matched with the voices of Kathy, Debbie, Kim and Joni Sledge was pure heaven. I've never met anyone who doesn't know at least one of the songs on this album (and doesn't know the words to said song) and I've played tunes like "He's The Greatest Dancer", "Thinking Of You" and "We Are Family" at parties and people who weren't even born in 1979 have jumped up to dance. Every song is a winner and this is another album where it's next to impossible to choose favourite songs. If I had to though, my choice would be considered very odd by many: it would be "One More Time". Something about that song makes my heart smile every time I play or hear it. Also worth a mention is the brilliant piano work by Andy Schwartz & Robert Sabino.

And that on the title track - all 8mins and 20secs of it - Kathy Sledge delivers a lead vocal and ad lib performance, the likes of which I had never heard before and have never heard since.

This is a classic disco CD I think everyone should have and my only gripe is with the four remixes at the end of the CD. Personally I find them annoying and superfluous. Why mess with perfection?

It still gets five stars though. It's good to have it on CD after years of having it on vinyl. The remastering has given the CD a fuller sound than I was expecting and this might be the first CD I've ever bought that has managed to sound better than its vinyl original, even on a Technics 1200. Great stuff.

I had the album version--without the remixes at the time--when Sister Sledge first came on the scene. I remember putting either "He's The Greatest Dancer" or "We Are Family" on at a party, and the dance party came alive. They loved it! Something I didn't realize at the time, but Luther Vandross helped out on backing vocals, who was a regular Chic support singer. My favorites are the 6:15 sec version of "He's The Greatest Dancer," the 4:53 sec "Lost In Music" (my favorite), the 8:24 sec version "We Are Family," and the 3:17 sec hidden gem "One More Time." "Thinking Of You" is a great song that should have been a single but never happened. The ballads are worth listening to and make the overall album a complete classic. The later added remixes, which are mostly over 8 minutes long, are a European techno touch to 90s dance music (House music if you will). I like 'em. This album (CD) is a definite buy and timeless classic.

Before this team-up with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards Sister Sledge had some minor hits but We Are Family placed them on the map big time. They sound almost like a carbon copy of Chic on tracks like the exquisite He's The Greatest Dancer and Thinking Of You. The following songs were huge hits: Dancer, Lost In Music and the rousing We Are Family, all hook-filled tunes with irresistible rhythmic patterns. The rest is great too, especially One More Time and Somebody Loves Me which is a beautiful soulful ballad. The album has been enhanced by 2 x 1990s remixes each of Lost In Music and the title track. For more Chic magic, give the album Norma Jean a listen and don't forget the mothership in the form of Dance, Dance, Dance: The Best of Chic. Read all about the Rodgers/Edwards legacy in Everybody Dance: Chic and The Politics of Disco by Daryl Easlea.

This album was produced at the same time as Chic's seminal second album (in fact, songs were traded between the two lp's). It shows the same remarkable song writing, arrangements, and production, albeit in a slightly different direction to suit the temperament of the Sledge women. It had a similar airy feel and sheen, but may have been less detached and mysterious (which were the aims of the C'est Chic project). The title track was probably most divergent from the set, and it represented the brassier, more syncopated production and harmonized vocals that would characterize Sister Sledge's next album, Love Somebody Today (also unfortunately no longer available in CD format). Much has been rhapsodized by critics over "Lost In Music" and the oft-appropriated title track; I find "Thinking Of You" among the upper echelons of Chic Org material. The timelessness of "He's The Greatest Dancer" is evident when it is so often sampled even 20 years later. Although it may not have quite the precision of the C'est Chic album, We Are Family nevertheless stood far above virtually all other pop albums in its decade. Its quality is so high that when listening to this CD version, when the modern remixes come up, I am jarred from the spell that Edwards and Rodgers created and must run to press "Stop."

to hear the long version of we are family is worth the price alone nuff said.

So many people thought this 1979 album WE ARE FAMILY, was their debut album. However, these girls have been recording since 1971. Here is a list of their recording history up to date:

1. 1971- Sister Sledge released their first 45 single called
TIME WILL TELL. (Not available on any Lp or cd.)

2. 1972- They released their 2nd 45 single called WEATHERMAN.
(Not available on any Lp or cd.)

3. 1973- They released their 3rd 45 single called MAMA, NEVER
TOLD ME. (Available on recent BEST OF cd compilations.)

4. 1975- They released their first full length debut album
called CIRCLE OF LOVE. It contained the singles- LOVE,
DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME (which was actually
released at the end of 1974, just prior to this album's
release), PAIN RELIEVER, and GIVE IN TO LOVE.
This album will finally be released on cd on Sept. 18th, 2007.
In 2007 Belle Lawrence did a club remake of the song
LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME. The cd single
features 5 Almighty remixes.

5. 1976- They released a 45 single called CREAM OF THE CROP and
another one called THANK YOU FOR TODAY. Both of these songs
did not appear on an LP, but are available on some recent
BEST of cd compilations.

6. 1977- They released their 2nd album called TOGETHER, which had
the single BLOCKBUSTER BOY. This is being released onto cd on
Sept. 18th, 2007. The song AS is a Stevie Wonder remake (from
his 1976 double album SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE), and was also
put out by George Michael & Mary J. Blige as a single in 1999.

7. 1978- They released a 45 single called I'VE SEEN BETTER DAYS.
Not available on LP or cd. Also in 1978, the provided all the
vocals for the Vincent Montana, Jr. album called: "MONTANA -
A DANCE FANTASY (Inspired By Close Encounters Of The Third
Kind)". Available on cd now by that Russian Disco Club seller
on e*bay.

8. 1979- They released their 3rd LP, the smash CHIC produced disco album called
WE ARE FAMILY. Rhino released a remastered version of this
album onto cd in 1995, and it has bonus tracks. The song
HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER was actually written for Chic's own
2nd album C'EST CHIC and the song I WANT YOUR LOVE was originally
supposed to appear on this Sister Sledge album, but the songs were
switched, perhaps to give the WE ARE FAMILY album a stronger
collection of hits. We Are Family and He's The Greatest Dancer
has been sampled by so many other artists I lost count. However,
in 2006, Dannii Minogue (Kylie's younger sister) released her club
version of He's The Greatest Dancer.

9. 1980- They released their 4th LP, and 2nd CHIC produced album
called LOVE SOMEBODY TODAY. Although Rhino had already released
this onto cd in 1995, a new version is coming out on Sept. 18th,
2007 by Wounded Bird Records.

10. 1981- They released their 5th LP ALL AMERICAN GIRLS, produced
by Narada Michael Walden. The version of HE'S JUST A RUNAWAY
on the album is the original version. The 45 single version
was called HE'S A RUNAWAY (TRIBUTE TO BOB MARLEY) and was a
reggae version. This reggae version is available on the Rhino
1992 BEST OF SISTER SLEDGE 1973-1985 cd. Although Rhino already
released this cd ALL AMERICAN GIRLS in 1995, a new version is
being released on Sept. 18th, 2007 by Wounded Bird Records.

11. In 1982 they released their 6th LP THE SISTERS, which they
produced themselves. It has the song ALL THE MAN I NEED, a
duet between Kathy Sledge and David Simmons. This song would
later be recorded as a solo by Whitney Houston in 1991, as well
as a solo recording by Luther Vandross in 1994.
THE SISTERS album is finally being released onto cd for the
first time on Sept. 18th, 2007 by Wounded Bird Records.

12. In 1983 they released their 7th LP BET CHA SAY THAT TO ALL
THE GIRLS, produced by George Duke. It featured the singles,
B.Y.O.B (BRING YOUR OWN BABY), GOTTA GET BACK TO LOVE, and SMILE.
This album is finally being released onto cd on Sept. 18th, 2007
by Wounded Bird Records.
Also, in 1983, Kathy Sledge appeared on the Stacy Lattisaw 1983
LP SIXTEEN singing a duet with Stacy called WHAT'S SO HOT
'BOUT BAD BOYS?.

13. In 1984 Nile Rodgers/Bernard Edwards released a remixed 12" of
LOST IN MUSIC, in the UK. (Available on this cd WE ARE FAMILY
put out by Rhino).

14. In 1985 they released their 8th LP WHEN THE BOYS MEET THE GIRLS,
produced by Nile Rodgers. It featured the singles FRANKIE and
DANCING ON THE JAGGED EDGE. This album is finally being released
onto cd on Sept. 18th, 2007 by Wounded Bird Records.
Also in 1985, Sister Sledge sang on the song THIS TOWN, from
the Elton John cd ICE ON FIRE.

15. In 1986 the Sisters sang a song on the soundtrack PLAYING FOR
KEEPS, called HERE TO STAY.

16. In 1988 the Sisters sang a song on the soundtrack ACTION JACKSON,
called KEEPING GOOD LOVIN, as well as singing a song on another
soundtrack COMING TO AMERICA, called LIVIN' THE GOOD LIFE (which
was written and produced by Nile Rodgers).

17. In 1989 Kathy Sledge sings a solo song on the soundtrack LAMBADA:
SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE, called LAMBADA DANCIN'.

18. 1992- Kathy Sledge releases her first and only solo album
called HEART, which features the 3 singles TAKE ME BACK TO LOVE,
ALL OF MY LOVE and HEART.

19. 1993- With Kathy off pursuing a solo career, the three remaining
sisters- Kim, Joni and Debbie continue on as Sister Sledge and
release their German album (9th LP) called AND NOW...SISTER SLEDGE...AGAIN.
It features their versions of the CHIC songs- EVERYBODY DANCE,
I WANT YOUR LOVE and GOOD TIMES (legend has it that originally,
the song I WANT YOUR LOVE was supposed to be on the Sister Sledge
WE ARE FAMILY album and the song HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER was
supposed to be on the CHIC C'EST CHIC album, but was switched
to give the WE ARE FAMILY album a stronger collection of hits).
This trio cd also includes remakes of their past hits-
HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER, WE ARE FAMILY, and LOST IN MUSIC.
Several singles came off the album, most notably WORLD RISE
AND SHINE and WALKING IN THE LIGHT. There are quite a few "live"
Sister Sledge cd's out there, some with the complete concert
track listing and some missing some of the tracks. If you're
interested in hearing the 3 Sisters in concert, try and find the
cd with the full 1993 concert tracklisting which runs 66 minutes-
the songs are 1. Medley: Everybody Dance/We Are Family/Frankie/
Thinking Of You. 2. Everybody Dance 3. Thinking Of You 4. He's
The Greatest Dancer 5. True Love 6. Frankie 7. Brother Brother
Stop (written by Joni Sledge) 8. Love Of The Lord (co-written
by Debbie Sledge). 9. We Are Family 10. Closing Medley: Lost In
Music/Melody Is Good To me/Lost In Music (Reprise).
(The studio version of Brother, Brother, Stop!- with lead vocals
by Debbie & Joni Sledge appear on the 1996 BROTHER, BROTHER,
STOP! musical stage production cd, along with the song For The
Children- lead vocals by Joni & Debbie Sledge). Also in 1993,
a cd called SISTER SLEDGE- THE ULTIMATE MEGAMIXES was released. It
is 2 seperate full length megamixes of the 3 Sisters versions of
their songs. Megamix #1 runs 15 min., and Megamix #2 runs 31 min.
*NOTE: Kathy Sledge DOES NOT sing in the live concert, even
though the cd covers keep showing the four girls as if she was
part of the concert. Nor does Kathy Sledge appear in the
megamixes- only the 3 Sisters do (Kim, Debbie and Joni).

20. In 1995 Kathy Sledge released a solo song on a cd single called
ANOTHER DAY, which she co-wrote. Also in 1995, Kathy released
a second solo song on a cd single called ANOTHER STAR (which
was a remake of the 1976 Stevie Wonder song from his SONGS IN
THE KEY OF LIFE album).

21. 1996- BROTHER, BROTHER, STOP! musical stage production featuring
songs by Debbie & Joni Sledge is released onto cd. It has these
2 songs- FOR THE CHILDREN & BROTHER, BROTHER, STOP!.

21. 1997 saw the 3 following releases: Sister Sledge (still a trio),
released (10th LP) AFRICAN EYES (which contained their 2 past singles
WORLD RISE AND SHINE and WALKING IN THE LIGHT from their German
album). AFRICAN EYES was produced by Vibetree. Kathy Sledge
sang on the Robert Miles cd single FREEDOM, from Robert's cd
23am.
Also in 1997- Hiroshi Fujiwara released his cd "Nothing Much Better
To Do" with 2 Kathy Sledge songs- 1."Let My love Shine" and
2. "A Song For Two"- duet with Julien Brookes.

22. 1998- K-klass puts out an album called K2 and it features Kathy
on 2 songs- KNOCKING DOWN THE WALLS and GIVE IT UP.

23. In 1999 CHIC released a live album called LIVE AT THE BUDOKAN,
which featured the 3 Sisters (Kim, Debbie and Joni) singing
their hits HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER and WE ARE FAMILY.
This was actually taken from an April 18th, 1996 concert.
Unfortunately, Bernard Edwards died of pneumonia that night
in his hotel room following the concert.
Also, in 1999- King Britt released a cd single titled
King Britt Presents SCUBA featuring Kathy Sledge- the song
is called READY.

24. In 2000 Hiroshi Fujiwara released his cd called REMIXES
and it features 2 Kathy Sledge songs- LET MY LOVE SHINE,
and A SONG FOR TWO (duet with Julien Brookes), from his
1997 cd- "Nothing Much Better To Do".

25. In 2001 King Britt released another cd single- King Britt
Presents Sylk 130 Featuring Kathy Sledge, the song is
called RISING.

26. In 2002 Kim Sledge releases her solo album, a gospel cd
called PEACEFUL. (Info at w3.kimsledge dot com). There had
been talk since 1995 that Kim was working on recording a
Jazz/Standards album, but that album was never finished.

27. Also in 2002, WACKSIDE released their cd single of remixes of
LOST IN MUSIC featuring Joni Sledge on vocals (although the
cd cover says featuring Sister Sledge).

28. In 2003 all 4 girls (Kathy, Debbie, Joni and Kim) reunited
to record their (11th album, but 9th LP as a foursome). The album is
called STYLE and was produced by Symphony & Sage. The album
features classic standards, as well as new songs. I believe
the standards on this album are probably the ones Kim worked
on for her jazz/standards album, since she sings lead on all
3 of the standards: When I Fall In Love, My Funny Valentine,
amd Embraceable You.

29. In 2006, Pat Boone released yet another horrific covers album,
this one called WE ARE FAMILY: R&B CLASSICS, which features a
duet with Joni Sledge on the song WE ARE FAMILY (it incorrectly
says Pat Boone and Sister Sledge, but Joni is the only member
of Sister Sledge that sings with Pat on this song). The cd
also has duets of Pat with James Brown, Sam Moore, Earth Wind
& Fire, etc. And the cd is good for only one thing- if you're
feeling down, this cd will perk you up with laughter. If you recall,
Pat Boone put out a heavy metal album in 1997 called IN A METAL
MOOD: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY and it unfortunately featured frightening
versions of heavy metal songs that Pat trashed beyond belief.


If you would like more info go to w3.sistersledge dot com
The site is run by Debbie Sledge & Joni Sledge.
And Kathy has her own website: w3.kathysledge dot com.
Remember, wherever you go, take a little Sledge with you!

Just for fun I compiled my own version of their WE ARE FAMILY
album onto a cd-r, but instead of using HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER,
I used the Sister Sledge 1993 version of I WANT YOUR LOVE (the
cd single version is 7:32)- it definitely makes for a good
what if? album. Obviously, Chic knew what they were doing
because the song HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER just doesn't quite fit
the classy & sophisticated image that Chic was projecting for their
own group at the time, but I WANT YOUR LOVE does.

I also compiled my own version of the C'EST CHIC album onto cd-
I replaced I WANT YOUR LOVE with Chic's own 1996 version of
HE'S THE GREATEST DANCER, and it just seems so out of place.
Not so much because it is a 1996 version with 2 new female singers,
but because that song just seems to be tailor-made for a girl group.

This CD offerred every hit song from my generation that I was searching for. "He's the greatest dancer," "Easier to love," and my all time favorite "Somebody loves me," which is a hard song to find on any other compilation of Sister Sledge hits. I would recommend this CD to any fan of good quality, old school music.