Just uncovered from the crypt, this vintage video of Hot Blood’s “Soul Dracula” has arrived just in time to celebrate All Hallows Eve. In my opinion, Vampires don’t seem all that different from humans, except that they drink blood, but really- that’s it. After all they take long disco naps so they can wake up refreshed and ready to dance and party, all the while making glamorous use of their capes, nibble on some party treats, then dance some more until right before sun up. I could hang.
This Sparkle Video features my favorite Ritchie Family song, “Put Your Feet To The Beat”, and while their official video for this track is an amazing masterpiece of disco history, today is all about this treasure- a live appearance on Kultnacht TV. True perfection as you can see, with our lovely ladies dressed in their bedazzled biker chic, dancing and singing through green twirling lasers under fabulously purple lit disco balls. Magic!
Today’s Sparkle Video celebrates the absolute King of Disco, Marc Cerrone, who’s first hit was back in 1976. Can you believe that “Love in C Minor” was actually turned down by the record labels (such fools)? Thankfully, the people on the dance floor (the only ones that matter) knew right away that this was pure magic. In fact, if there is any one person that owns disco, it’s Cerrone and his prolific onslaught of timeless tracks including “Je Suis Music”, “Supernature”, “Midnight Lady” and “You are the One” which features vocals from the legendary Jocelyn Brown. Today, after more than 30 years, his music is still furiously played by DJ’s everywhere and he continues to compose, produce and play the largest drum kit known to man as well as collaborate with many different artists, which brings me all the way back to today’s Sparkle Video. Now, normally I detest most modern remixes of the classics because they always seem to destroy the spirit of the of original, but not this one- excellent work Bob Sinclair! Not only does this 2001 version of “Give Me Love” pay fabulous tribute to the master, but it’s turned up the sex a few notches by adding a bunch of naked women smeared in metallic makeup and shimmering gold flecks writhing in ecstasy and I’m sure that Cerrone is nothing but proud.
Today’s Sparkle Video is about the importance of a really snazzy number and Cherry Laine, rocking a very flirty “hippie-style sparkle- 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… many fabulous entrances were had!
Recently, I had the pleasure of watching “The Stud”, a disco-tastic film released in 1978 which stars Joan Collins as a married, wealthy and bitchy woman who enjoys fabulous clothes, dancing at the disco and sex, sex and more sex. The other main character in this marvelous time capsule is Tony, who runs her nightclub and also is her lover, but at the same time sleeps with pretty much everyone (ahhh the 70’s!). It would be hard not to enjoy a movie set up on this alluring premise, but what’s even more exciting is the music starting right from the opening sequence with a dazzling orchestrated theme song by the Biddu Orchestra. Some other classics on the soundtrack are “Native New Yorker”, “Let’s Go Disco”, “That’s The Way I Like It” and the overly fabulous “Cocomotion”. It also looks like we’re not the only ones who like both kinds of music, rock n’ roll and disco, as hits like “Love Is The Drug” and “Love is Like Oxygen” are also included. I guess great minds really do think alike!
This track is on FA-FA-Fire!!! I was truly having a sluggish morning until I put on “In The House” and now I’m on top of the world. It’s all because Dimitri from Paris serves the most glamorous sex-tastic version of the Chaka Khan’s “Any Love” that I’m not sure whether to rip my clothes off or keep getting dressed and go to work. Alas, Sparkle Outfits don’t pay for themselves so off I go, but with a much bigger smile on my face.
I recently received my copy of “The Fabulous Sylvester” and as expected, it’s a marvelously entertaining read chock full of not only glitter and sequins, but of fascinating stories from the many people who knew him. It seems that from the very start of his life, Sylvester knew exactly who he was and had no time for those that didn’t accept him as is. Right now, I’m on the section about his time living in San Francisco and performing with The Cockettes, the infamous commune and performance group that loved to dress in drag and sing show tunes but pretty soon, I’ll be moving on to “Disco Superstar” territory! Of course, the end of this story is no secret: a beautiful bedazzled angel of song who was put on earth to bring light, love and fabulous entrances to the masses is taken from us too soon. Just remember that we continue to pay homage to him each time we step on that light-up floor and dance like there’s no tomorrow so we must do it as much as possible. I’m also hoping that “Mighty Real”, the documentary about Sylvester, will be available in the very near future because this trailer has me gagging to see it!
It’s a wonder that I’ve not featured KC & The Sunshine Band before, considering my card carrying membership to the fan club when I was a just a tot. It’s true! Every month I received color glossy photos of my one true love, Harry Wayne Casey and band members, decked out in their sparkling best and also got autographed cards at holiday time, but I digress.
Today’s Sparkle Video is a classic among classics because once that first keyboard note hits, your mind goes into party mode, your feet follow suit and then all you can do is “Shake Your Booty”! Just look at KC’s smile- he knows he’s wearing the most supreme sparkle outfit ever: brightly colored, slightly cowboy and seriously bedazzled. In fact, the whole band is looking top notch and might I say the ladies are H-O-T especially the one in the blue giving the disco superhero look … FAB-U-LOUS!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb2_eo9lBCY
This has got to be the most fabulous album cover of all time. For this 1978 release, Motown Sounds went with the most dazzling concept that could soon be a reality, that is, if we demand it. After all, NASA is already working on Space Beer for space travel, so wouldn’t the most logical means of getting to that party be this glorious transparent vessel complete with light-up dance floor and gobs of dancing partygoers? Although, it’s hard to tell from this illustration where the bar is, but I can assure you it’s there because this album is delightfully sparkly and filled with my favorite kind of disco. You know, the orchestrated strings and percussion arrangements layed over a classic disco beat that I simply gag over kind- just perfect for a trip through the universe! Oh.. and if you’re worried about what to say to any loved ones you might be leaving behind on this journey, just take a line from one of the tracks on this album:
“It’s not that I don’t love you, it’s not that I don’t care.. it’s just that you don’t like to party like I do babe”
….aww yeah.
“Mindwarp” is the only word I can use to describe the experience of going to my local Post Office, the most dysfunctional and unorganized in the land. However, nothing can stop me from shipping dazzling care packages of glitter and sparkly lipgloss to those in need. My secret weapon? Patrick Cowley– his sextastic dance tracks always get me through my mission and my iPod is locked, loaded and ready for action!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb4Ldj2_gCM
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