Da General Music, Stuff

Thank God It’s Friday

No- it’s not Friday because everyone knows Friday is Sparkle Video Day!  Today’s post is about last weekend, which I spent at my good friend R. Wayne’s exclusive and rustic summer house in the country.  It’s so nice to leave the cell phones and internet behind and get away to enjoy nature and all that other natural stuff that goes along with it.  However, there’s one thing I refuse to give up no matter where I am and that’s a dance party complete with disco balls and gobs of glitter.  The best part is that these dance parties are old school which means vinyl only, as nothing sounds as great as good old fashioned records.

Back to the point anyway.. last weekend I discovered a treasure among treasures in the record bin- the “Thank God It’s Friday” soundtrack!  I already have the movie in my DVD collection, but seeing and touching this piece of history was like discovering the holy grail.  This album is the perfect example of why vinyl was, and still is, so much better.  First, there’s the album art which includes inner sleeve covers for each of the three discs (2 plus 1 bonus disc!), all covered with various disco-tastic images from the movie.   Then, as a favor to all the DJ’s out there, the BPM for each track is noted for seamless mixing.  This album has so many classics on it such as the self titled theme song by Love and Kisses, Patti Brooks’ legendary “After Dark” and “Last Dance” from our queen, Donna Summer.   However, my new obsession is Sunshine‘s “Take It To The Zoo” , which is one sexified, hypnotic track, especially when they sing, “It’s fridaaay night.. thank GAaawwd”.

Lastly, the best and most dazzling thing about record albums is the additional stuff they used to put inside them and this one had a fabulous but forgotten gem- an order form for official TGIF merchandise!  It’s been laying inside the album since 1978-  a little sparkling time capsule just waiting for Da General to find it, break it free and let if be loved all over again.  Sometimes, I just look at it and touch it.  Other times I go full-blown fantasy and contemplate if I want to order the gold necklace or the satin jack.  Maybe even throw in some disco wrist bands.  Then again, for these prices, I could buy it all and why not?  After all…  More is More!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

SPA SPA SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Every time I see a Boney M video I think to myself, “This one is the video!”, but then I find another one that completely dazzles my mind.  Such is the case with today’s Sparkle Video (once you get past the lengthy introduction from the Italian host) because seriously, this clip is truly THE VIDEO.  Bobby Farrell‘s superhero outfit complete with Boney M sequined cape is out of this world and emphasizes his dance moves in the best way possible.  The three ladies look straight out of Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon with a dash of dancing school fabulous thrown in and have never looked spacier or sexier!.  Now I’m not sure why they chose spaced-out-sparkle outfits and galactic backgrounds to perform “Rapustin”,  but I’m also not caring much because once again, “KABLAM!” has been achieved.

 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

BODY TO SPARKLE VIDEO

 Today’s Sparkle Video is beyond a classic, in fact, it’s almost a religion.  That’s because “Body To Body” is one of the sexiest disco songs ever made- and that’s saying a lot for 1979 (the year of DISCO!).  Giampiero Scalamogna, a.k.a. “Gepy”, was one ultra-smooth dude; a “vanilla Barry White”.  So cool was he, that rumor has it he called the group Gepy & Gepy in acknowledgement of his “double” size.  Just look at him- surrounded by sexy ladies in high slit satin gowns while he makes dramatic poses in his sparkling sequin vest.  SMOOTH.

 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

YES! YES! SPARKLE VIDEO

Since today is my first day back in Berlin, I thought this would be the perfect Sparkle Video to kick my vacation party into high gear.  After all, this clip of “No No Joe” from the ever dazzling Silver Convention has everything right both visually and aurally and therefore doesn’t need much explanation from me.  Works for me though, because that means I can continue saying “Yes, Yes” to my “Welcome Back Cocktails” while you take in this fabulous piece of disco splendor.  Enjoy!

 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos, Heroes

DONNA SUMMER

Although I never met Donna Summer, she was a very important person in my life and the news of her passing yesterday covered me with extreme sadness.  Her influence touched me in every way and formed my ideals as a child-  I wanted to look like her, sing like her and dress like her.   I was captivated by her extreme beauty, flawless skin, perfectly applied makeup and luxe curly hair (mine was was horribly pin straight and thus began my love affair with hot rollers).  Her voice was strong and powerful, but also sexy and at times, angelic and her outfits- do I even need to mention her outfits?  Yes Soldiers.. yes I do!  Sparkling, shimmering and always at the height of disco fashion giving her the perfect stage presence to accompany her supreme talent.  Indeed, I spent hours listening to her albums, dancing in my bedroom and longing for the day I would be old enough to be inside a real disco and look fabulous while I danced under the glorious flashing lights.   Forward to today and here I am.

She was everything– a mentor, an idol and an icon and in her honor, I considered “going black” on Sparkle Video Day for the first time ever as a moment of silence.  However, after much thought I realized that was not the right thing to do, especially as Da General of the Sparkle Army.  It’s my duty to make sure that sparkling is our first priority, no matter what comes our way.  This is our duty and together we will continue to bring light, love, sparkles and Sparkle Videos to the world and that, Soldiers, is exactly how we honor Donna Summer- forever The Queen.

 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF of SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

For your pleasure on Sparkle Video Day, I have chosen to feature two videos of the same song by the same group because I honestly couldn’t decide which was more splendid.

Video A shows the Boys Town Gang performing their hit “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”  in a standard “lip-sync-to-track” moment but looking marvelous nonetheless.  The male backup “dancers” (something makes me think they’re not really dancers) are rocking their best matching leather daddy looks and Jackson Moore’s dress screams early 80’s disco fashion in the most fabulous way.  Batwing sleeves, down-turned metallic belt and draping made to move with her body as she slinks around on stage is purely top drawer!

Video B features an appearance on Top of the Pops where they’re singing live and feeling it!   In this version, the backup “dancers” are also backup singers and while they’re covered a bit more they still make sure to have guns fully exposed in matching electric red low-slung tanks.   As for the lovely Ms. Moore, all I can say is “eat your heart out American Apparel!”.  She is working full length black satin explosion like the Johnny Cash of Disco and I’m loving it!

 

 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

A PURR-FECTLY SPARKLING VIDEO DAY!

There’s only one word for today’s sparkle video and that’s MEOW!  Maybe my love for cats has me completely biased, but there’s no denying Arabesque’s dazzling feline power is taking full charge of the stage in sparkling leopard print outfits and supremely styled disco hair.   They’ve also added the only choice in accessories for this number: superhero belts and strappy metallic heels, which gives them the “purr”fect sultry edge for their prowl-like dancing as they sing “We’re the kitty cats, kitty cats, kitty cats… Don’t try to hide cause we can see by night”.  Truly the most adorable words ever sung by three sex kittens lit gloriously by star filters!


 

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

CALLING SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video is a result of my being home with a cold and feeling in need of some attention from the Doctor.  “Dr. Love” that is, along with First Choice who are all the medicine I need because there’s nothing like hearing that glorious beat and watching three lovely ladies in shimmering batwing tops and luminous harem pants to get one out of bed and dancing in the living room.  Plus, the added dosage of a dance floor filled with disco boys in unbuttoned shirts has me thinking I’m cured because right now- I’m wishing they made house calls.

 

Da General Music

Disco Noel

Why settle for the same old Christmas carols when you can be drinking hot glog to Disco Noel?  No matter what holiday you celebrate, here are some tracks to get the mirror ball rolling!

Wishing Sparkle Soldiers everywhere a fabulous, tipsy and jewel encrusted holiday!

Da General Friday Sparkle Videos

A VERY MERRY SPARKLE VIDEO DAY!

Today’s Sparkle Video is a holiday treat!  The lovely ladies from Legs & Co are dancing up a special number for the Top of the Pops Christmas Special dressed like scantily clad Poinsetta Elves trimmed with silver tinsel and sexy ankle boots.  Who wouldn’t want to wake up and find these hot nymphs setting up their toys while they work it out robot style to Funky Town?  Let’s all start a new tradition we can get behind and forget about Santa and that boring plate of cookies.  From now on Soldiers, it’s all about leaving flutes of champagne!