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Patti LaBelle is up to something that is going to shake the foundation of the music world.
Patti LaBelle is up to something that is going to shake the foundation of the music world.
With the recording of “When You’ve Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)” she left lovers of gospel music wanting more and now they can get their fill with “You Are My Friend,” the first ever gospel album release in her over forty year music career.
Spectators at the 39th Annual Gospel Music Association of America Convention kick-off celebration were first to hear an appetizer from the project when Patti delighted the crowd with her emotive presentation of the gospel standard “Walk Around Heaven All Day,” which will appear on the October 17 release.
Through hot flashes and tired spells the legendary LaBelle (who frequently refers to her challenges with menopause and diabetes during performances) at 63 years old is going strong in spite of her challenges with health. At the Dallas Convention Center at around 1:30 a.m. Monday she told the crowd, “I’ve got Diabetes, but Diabetes doesn’t have me.” Over the past several years Labelle has shut down on stage on a few occasions from illness, leaving on-lookers wondering about her endurance as a performer.
When people ask how she is feeling, she says she answers, “I feel how God has me feeling today.” Often the singer has pronounced her spirituality and reliance on God on stage and gospel songs are in her regular concert repertoire, so she was in her comfort zone. With an inclination toward dramatic performance not unlike many church singers, the crowd was also in their comfort zone with the majority of them standing throughout Patti’s set.
She stamped out all doubt about her ability to deliver on stage with a world class performance.
Coupled with being signed to music pioneering guru Jheryl Busby’s label (Umbrella Records) and collaborating with the young elite of Gospel, Hip Hop and Country music, the album is going to escalate the magnitude of her already massive appeal. The first single entitled “Anything” will feature the soulful Mary Mary and envelope pushing Kanye West, favorites in both gospel and hip hop.
She began work on the album originally with Budd Ellison, her long time music director and friend who passed away last year. Continuing in that vein of superiority, the album is being completed by some of the most recognized luminaries in the entire music industry. Master producers Buster & Shavoni whose blistering skills have shown up on the albums for Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, T-Bone, and Tony Braxton will put their treatment on Patti’s project. The voices of Ce Ce Winans, Winona Judd, Tye Tribbett, The Gospel Soulseekers, and J Moss will intensify the offering.
While fanning herself, she asked the menopausal women in the audience to say “Whew!” Somewhat teary-eyed she told the crowd that God is taking her to another level and it was apparent when she tossed into the air the papers she was holding onto for the words to a few of the songs. She pressed her way through three other common church songs, ending with the “The Lord’s Prayer” which she finished with the audience singing “Amen.”
Nisan Stewart, a singer in the Stellar Award winning Soul Seekers and LaBelle’s drummer will share producing duties.
“I get to see from both sides why she’s so respected," says Stewart. "In her regular show she talks about how she feels about God, but it’s like gospel is taking her to a whole new level. God is doing a new thing for her.”
A flurry of “Amens” are expected for the upcoming album. The release of “You Are My Friend” will be followed Miss LaBelle’s tour featuring the Soulseekers.