Sunday Diva / Three From The Hip:
Dionne Warwick
In my own personal big gay church there is a special wing dedicated to The Working Girls. These are ladies whom have had long careers spanning decades with great chart success. They've hosted shows, appeared on variety shows, championed causes and had their ups and downs. But they kept working.
Dionne Warwick.
She ranks second only to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist, with 69 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 during the rock era (1955–1999), 30 of which hit the Top 40. Selling over 75 million singles and 25 million albums worldwide? Well, that's saying something.
She ranks second only to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist, with 69 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 during the rock era (1955–1999), 30 of which hit the Top 40. Selling over 75 million singles and 25 million albums worldwide? Well, that's saying something.
Her vocal style is one of a kind - earthy and immediate with a touch of heart-earned ache.
Those songs written by Burt Bachrach and Hal David didn't sing themselves. She breathed life and energy into those compositions and in the process helped create a new kind of female sophistication.
Oh, it didn't stop with the music. There were the clothes, the hair, the look, the image... the women has style and grace wrapped around her perfectly manicured nails. But then, what else becomes a legend most?
And that, she most certainly is!
Cementing her place forever in the hearts of the gay community, in a time of ignorance, silence and fear, she gathered two other renowned divas and a Motown legend, lifted a forgotten Burt Bachrach song from a from the forgotten soundtrack of a forgotten movie and made magic. The kind that goes to #1 and captures the attention of the entire world.
Cementing her place forever in the hearts of the gay community, in a time of ignorance, silence and fear, she gathered two other renowned divas and a Motown legend, lifted a forgotten Burt Bachrach song from a from the forgotten soundtrack of a forgotten movie and made magic. The kind that goes to #1 and captures the attention of the entire world.
And all for a cause. Yes, she gave voice and a song to those who had none.
To this day, I cannot hear that song without remembering what it meant... to see such stellar talents unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It became an anthem... an anthem for heartbreaking times.
The gospel according to her?
Well, here's three from the hip, dropping from her lips.
The topic? Earning it!
Anyone Who Had A Heart - Dionne Warwick
No Night So Long - Dionne Warwick
That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick,
Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder
And... one last parting shot.
"Dust does rise, doesn't it? And so can I."
4 comments:
the "earnings" pix - she looks like whitney houston there.
I LOVE all the songs you chose.
and that last pix - so regal and dignified!
Gosh, all those Bacharach tunes, but my favorite is the "Theme From Valley of the Dolls."
Such wistfulness ....
Always a beautiful woman.
Whoa!
I didn't know she charted that high! But her voice is fantastic. I know she was Whitney's cousin, though. And Cissy, Whitney's mom is Dionne's auntie.
I also know that Aretha re-recorded Say A Little Prayer and Dionne was probably not too pleased. LOL
I also remember That's What Friends are For charting.
XOXO
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