CD Description
Everyone's favourite Go-Go is back with another solo effort, and her fans shouldn't be disappointed. Carlisle still hasthe vocal qualities that have always defined her as something special; the shaky vibrato on those long notes, the strong, husky tone, and a knack for finding catchy melodies. A WOMAN AND A MAN showcases those qualities, as well as staking out some new ground for this talented singer.
Carlisle has expanded her sound on this disc. Where she formerly adhered to somewhat predictable arrangements and production, here she uses a broader sonic pallette. "California" is a dark-tinted, mid-tempo ballad with '60s-bubble-gum background vocals. But Carlisle's forte is still big, sweeping pop songs like the title track, where she builds upon a solid pop foundation to explode into a truly inspirational, foot-stomping chorus.
About the Artist
Pop singer and ex-Go-Go Belinda Carlisle was born in the Los Angeles area in 1958. After graduating from high school in 1976 she began frequenting the L.A. club scene, where she met future bandmates Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin and Kathy Valentina. Together they formed the Go-Gos in 1978, an all-female power pop band which became one of the most successful new wave acts of the early 80s.
By May 1985, however, the band drifted apart and Carlisle went on to a solo career, releasing Belinda on IRS Records in 1986. Thanks to the success of the Go-Gos-like hits "I Feel the Magic," "Mad About You" and "Since Youve Gone" Carlisle became a popular solo performer, subsequently signing to MCA Records. Her major-label debut Heaven on Earth established Carlisle as a more mainstream pop singer and spawned the No. 1 single "Heaven Is a Place on Earth." The album went on to earn a Grammy nomination and sell millions of copies.
After the release of 1989s hit Runaway Horses and 1991s Live Your Life Be Free, Carlisle returned with 1993s Real, released on Virgin. In 1994 Carlisle joined her former bandmates for a short-lived Go-Gos reunion, but returned to solo recording in 1997 with A Woman and a Man.