Customer Reviews

All American Girls

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Maybe it was the relatively disappointing response to 1980's "Love Somebody Today" (which I bought at the same time as this), maybe Bernard and Nile were busy, or maybe the girls just fancied a change but whatever it was, in 1981, it led them to them turn to Narada Michael Walden for their next album. At that time, Walden had already had worked with people like Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana, and had had some success in his own right and as a producer with teenage pop star Stacy Lattisaw. His sound definitely gave the sisters more freedom to move around and express themselves vocally. He also presented them with the opportunity to co-write and co-produce - something I doubt the Chic guys would ever have gone for.

The end result was bright and breezy, with lots of rhythm guitar licks, horns and synthesized strings working alongside the real thing. Walden took inspiration from the Chic sound and is even quoted as saying he wanted his music to be "a melding of Chic's rhythm and vocal trademarks with those of Earth, Wind & Fire's [Phoenix] Horns". He did a great job and tunes like "Next Time You'll Know", "Happy Feeling" and "Don't You Make Me Lose It" could easily have been produced by Chic though in fairness to Walden, they do offer just that little bit extra. The rock-edged "He's Just A Runaway" is the one tune I could've happily done without but my favourite all these years has always been "If You Really Want Me", with its crazy sax solo. All in all though, this is a great album, typical 80s and huge fun to sing along to. I'm glad they decided to reissue it - and with the original album cover this time - as my vinyl copy was getting a bit worn. If you're a lover of the 80s sound like I am, this is definitely worth checking out.

Some trivia if anyone's interested: Walden played drums, percussion and keys on this album but included in his 'The Brothers Sledge Band' were Randy Jackson, now of "American Idol" fame, who played some excellent bass, provided "Inspiration" and even co-wrote the down and funky "Ooh, You Caught My Heart" and alto saxophone player Marc Russo, who was part of The See America Horns here but went on to become a member of one of my favourite bands of all time, Yellowjackets.

First released by Cotillion in 1981 but reissued by Rhino in 1995 and soon Wounded Bird in 2007. Produced by Narada Michael Walden this cd should contain apart from the title track the second single He,s Just A Runaway as it was originally produced as a rock track. It didn,t work for Sister Sledge so to appease their black/RnB audience a reggae remix was done as a tribute to Bob Marley. That version can be found on Essentials, Definitive cd,s and in my opinion is the much better track. The Fifth of their eight albums each sister takes the lead on a particular track, Kathy being the lead singer usually. Some people especially across the water made this this their best album on the strength that it moves away from the from the Disco production of their first two albums.