BELLE EPOQUE - BAMALAMA

Disco witches

I'm so happy I found this video which is the mix of short TV appearances of Belle Epoque performing Bamalama, put over the original 12" audio version. So I can present both - sound and vision at one go. French trio led by Evelyne Lenton is a good example of disco with an alternative attitude. Truly innovative band with rock'n'roll influences that used electronics along with classical instruments. The lyrics are almost inappropriate to the disco times: You blow your mind using cocaine, let me blow mine using this big chain. Great track combining dance and psychedelia. I wish there were more like it. I can do nothing though but shout BAMA LAMA..

BLOOD AND HONEY 1976 - AMANDA LEAR

Lear and Dali

Lear’s early life including her birthdate, birthplace, gender, names or nationality is unclear. One thing is clear though: she is a real embodiment of sex. Or shall I say “he”? In fact she appears on a very popular compilation Disco Ladies then I believe the editor.

“Blood And Honey” was inspired by Salvador Dali’s painting Honey is Sweeter than Blood. No mention that Lear was Dali’s muse and she used to accompany him and his wife on trips around the globe. As a model she did catwalk for Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel and many others. She also posed for the iconic Roxy Music album “For Your Pleasure”.

I love the video, the staging and the model and I must say I like the song. As only I hear the piano, the violin, the trumpet and the percussion over the real drums, I’m ready for a dance. Straight after I realise thought it’s not a killer track (unless you dance in couples). If you want to hear a more dance-floor friendly version, here it is: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23473866/Blood%20And%20Honey.mp3?dl=1

Good luck in grinding to your disco!

QUEEN FOR A DAY  1977 - DONNA SUMMER

A fairy tale comes true

I love this kind of disco compositions with an extended overture, keeping you waiting for the more substantial contents. Then it comes to the point and it’s usually something really trivial like here “gonna dance and dance and dance… cause I’m the queen for a day”. Though why would you need the elaborate lyrics when sung in mezzo-soprano.

By looking on the video you can say that she might be a queen, but definitely she can’t dance. Unless you call this arm waves or Nomi-like robot moves a dance. Also she’s looking for “the man who could be so right”. And it looks like he must be anybody but gay. It’s a great tribute video and I can’t stop watching it.

In terms of the music, one of the best collaborations in electronic disco ever Moroder-Bellotte-Summer never lets down. If you’re patient enough you’ll come to 3:50 and there we go: specific groovy bass line, the synthesizers, the real piano… It just makes you feel good whatever you do. And if you still don’t believe me, play it again without watching the video.

FROM PORN TO DISCO TO COUNSELLING

Andrea True (1943-2011)

“More, More, More” was recorded in Jamaica where True (already known as a porn star) was filming in 1975. Due to a political crisis, she was not allowed to leave with her earnings.  She decided to spend the money locally on producing a track.

The track and the album that followed were both a huge success. “More, More, More” has been covered by Samantha Fox and Bananarama among others, many times sampled and used in TV. Nevertheless, in later years True took variety of jobs including drug and alcohol counsellor and astrologer.