Here she is once again, the fabulous Miss Precious Wilson, rocking one of the most daring outfits ever seen in a Sparkle Video and also one which is surely the result of many glasses of champagne. How else do you explain this alluring Sequin Snake Charmer idea? It’s quite brilliant, not just for it’s amazing sparkle factor, but also because it accentuates her sexy slithering moves just like a reptilian princess from outer space and is topped off with the only choice- a glimmering turban crown. Ssssplendid!
Today’s Sparkle Video is about the importance of a really snazzy number and Cherry Laine, rocking a very flirty “hippie-stylesparkle- fringe” outfit, is backed by some the sassiest dancers in town as well as an equally hypnotic disco classic. Can someone please make me a loop of the “Night in Chicago” chorus so I can hear it endlessly while I dazzle on the dance floor making dramatic arm moves every time that fierce and intense string section chimes in? I’m sure you can envision that, because I can. Then again, maybe I’m feeling a bit sentimental after a recent visit with good friends in the Windy City which was wonderful for so many reasons, but what really sticks out in my mind is their spiral staircase spanning three floors. Yes Soldiers… manyfabulous entrances were had!
This is definitely one of the most interesting Sparkle Videos yet because it’s based on a dazzling concept not seen anywhere before (plus, I am still on my road trip across America so thought it was rather perfect!). Could Lakeside’sVoyage be anything but Fantastic in this party-down ship with filled with members in sparkle-pirate chic? I think not Soldiers… I think not.
Wow! Being up in the mountains and dealing with high altitudes almost made me forget what day it is but honestly, that could never really happen Soldiers! Especially because there’s just one word for today’s Sparkle Video and that is: irresistable. Shalamar’s song “Second Time Around” is almost a little too sweet, but with it’s silky danceable groove it’s hard not to fall hopelessly in love with him.. I mean it. Now let’s talk outfits. HOLLA mirror- tile rhinestone combo! There are so many magical flashes jumping out at us thanks to this dazzling choice and those glorious star filters that one could almost go blind. “More is More ” is definitely in place, but just to really drive it home they added glitterized hair – a move that always screams BRAVO!
When you love both kinds of music, rock n’ roll and disco, there was no greater time to be alive than the late 70’s when the most glorious thing happened- “the crossover”. Many rock artists including Blondie, The Rolling Stones, RodStewart, Ian Dury & The Blockheads and KISS all released tracks with a disco beat and made it their own, which brings me to today’s Sparkle Video. In the 1999 movie “Detroit Rock City” set in 1978, the main character in the film is a devoted member of the KISS Army and proudly declares his hatred of disco and also states that “one thing we know for sure is that KISS will never make a disco record”, which of course is hilarious because boy did they ever! “I Was MadeFor Lovin’ You” went Platinum in 1979 and also gave fabulous opportunity for Paul, Ace, Peter and Gene to show off their bedazzled space monster gear.
I have a confession to make and it’s that I’m fascinated by tribute bands and my goal for the future is to see as many as possible so I can critque them against their subject. However, because of my new hobby, I’ve engaged in many colorful beer infused debates over what makes one a tribute band instead of merely a cover band. The golden rule is: in order to qualify as a tribute band you have to deliver THE FULL SHOW- as in everything. To further illustrate my point and give a superb example of exactly how this art form should be done is two Sparkle Videos, both performances of “Galactica”.
In the first video from 1980, The Rockets deliver a dazzling stage show that begins with a fabulous entrance from the singer who, laser in hand while he exits his space-pod, marches robot syle onto a stage filled with gobs of smoke and laser beams.
The second video is from The Universal Band with their show and doing steller job if you ask me. Costumes, makeup, attitude and effects are all in place and the singer has truly captured the vocal inflections of his idol. The only thing that’s really missing is the pod entrance and his silver cape, but really- who would notice? Besides, I’m sure they’re working on adding these details to their show, but even still, they get a “Tribute Band A++”.
Warning Soldiers: You are about to witness a Sparkle Video beyond anything you’ve witnessed before and which also serves as a reminder that there will only ever be one Godfather of Soul. Here, James Brown and his band are performing “Payback” live and killing it so hard that a party of sparkling proportion is happening on that stage filled with rhinestones and shimmering capes. It’s not just happening on the stage either- take a look at the Soul Train dancers. They are totally feeling it and so am I, for even though it’s only 11:30am, I am dressed and ready to hit the disco (or at least an early happy hour)!
By the way, I’d also like to take time in this post to thank my childhood sitters who were not only sisters, but “Sisters” with fabulously big afros. They played lots of James Brown for me and my brother while teaching us how to dance “The Bump” and then rewarded us with a trip to the candy store after. Debbie & Tanya: you were the best- thanks for giving Da General some soul!
Today’s Sparkle Video is for all of the Soldiers out there who are rough n’ tough during the day, but love some glitter at night. This version of “Eye Of The Tiger” is from an Italian television show called Fantastico and is a dazzling display of manhood and sequins. For those of you that don’t speak Italian, I will translate: Scantily clad men dressed in satin boxing outfits sparring, punching and jumping rope until… KABLAM! Sexy Heather Parisi coyly saunters on the stage in a skintight sparkling catsuit and completely takes over the gym with her feminine wiles. Soon after, an array of powerful leaps, fearless pirouettes, valiant high kicks and macho posing compete for the leading lady’s attention until finally- a “TKO” followed by a triumphantly sassy yet butch duet. Now THAT’S Italian!
Today is not the first time Marc Almond has been featured on Sparkle Video Day and it probably won’t be the last considering his angelic voice, perfectly coiffed hair and endless supply of sparkle tops. However, “Tears Run Rings” is my absolute favorite and in this special live performance we get to see him command the stage in full twinkling splendor thanks to gobs of red sequins and that marvelous invention, the star filter. Watching those light beams dance across him while he sings to the audience is pure magic which is further enhanced by his excellent choice of luminous glitterized skin. Now on the flip side, as much as I love this song, it seems the person responsible for adding the lyrics to the video fell asleep on the keyboard resulting in complete nonsensical gibberish. I’m not sure why no one else noticed this, but I hope it gets corrected soon with the only language that matters… Sparkle Speak!
Today’s Sparkle Video is so very special because it proudly displays our love for rock n’ roll by taking two hot blondes, covering them in glitter and rhinestones and setting them loose in the wonder world of Musikladen. I’m not sure how Led Zeppelin felt about this version of “Whole Lotta Love”, and I’m not sure either, but who cares because it’s all about the outfits. What hasn’t Blonde on Blonde incorporated here? There’s sequin tube tops (yes), spandex pants (love), all visible flesh jam packed with glitter (fabulous) topped off with suit jackets bedazzled with sparkling stars and adorable blue guitars (j’adore). Perhaps they should have called themselves More is More instead!
Here she is once again, the fabulous Miss Precious Wilson, rocking one of the most daring outfits ever seen in a Sparkle Video and also one which is surely the result of many glasses of champagne. How else do you explain this alluring Sequin Snake Charmer idea? It’s quite brilliant, not just for it’s amazing sparkle factor, but also because it accentuates her sexy slithering moves just like a reptilian princess from outer space and is topped off with the only choice- a glimmering turban crown. Ssssplendid!
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