"Lovergirl" was released in 1984, the first single off of her album Starchild. It was the success of this song that help propel the album to sales of over one million and launched her mainstream music profile in the United States. It isn't hard to see why it was this song that really put her on the map. "Lovergirl" was the perfect Prince-era song, full of funk and dancefloor energy. That's all well and good, but anyone with a working set of ears knows what makes this really work: it's Marie herself. Unlike today, where many artists allow the production to overwhelm and hide their voices, she pulls out all of the stops with her voice, showcasing an enormous instrument and an undeniable personality. Without a visual in front of you, you can imagine just how much she's having, just from her voice. Speaking of her voice, there is a reason why she was a successful R&B artist, despite being white. Marie had soul dripping from those pipes of hers, evident even in the most pop-like song in her archive.It is a shame that Teena Marie didn't reach the levels of mainstream success that some of her less-talented contemporaries did, but there is no denying her mark on R&B music. She will be missed, but with songs like this one, she will never be forgotten.
Rating: 9 out of 10
No comments:
Post a Comment