there is a generation of young folk who know the name "Patti LaBelle"..and they know she's a household name..and for the most part they hang her success on a handful of songs that are very well known in popular culture. We know those songs. But if that generation wants to know WHY she is a household name, all they have to do is search her performances on Arsenio's show..as well as the Tonight Show, the Merv Griffin Show the Joan Rivers Show and "Don Kirshner's Midnight Special"....hell, I even remember the time she appeared on the Dinah Shore show, when she first went solo in '77. And its those appearances that prove just how awesome Patti was, when she was in top form, all thru the 70s, well into the 90s. I always say "the best of the best divas, will lose it, at some point, because they're just humans, who do super-human things with their voices". And Patti was just that, when she really had no peer, on the performance side of the industry. Some people liked seeing Aretha sit at a piano and sing like a TON of black women sing at church, all over the country. But a vocalist like Patti LaBelle, doesnt come around often...maybe once in a lifetime. I can name a LOT of female singers that sing as well as Aretha...they aren't household names necessarily, but their singing ability is equal to an Aretha Franklin..they just never had an Atlantic Records to sign them and enhace their careers (ie: Milira, Tarrylyn Ramsey, Tanya Blount, Rosie Gaines and Mary Griffin (who sang background for Patti LaBelle some yrs ago). But there is not one female singer I can name off the top of my head, who sang with the power, passion, ferocity and imagination that Patti brought to the table, in her better days, with LaBelle and as a solo act. Whitney Houston was not Patti LaBelle. She was closer to Aretha. This woman in this video, singing like she's still trying to pay the rent, is in her own lane. Range, imagination, power and a raw ability to sing notes that you've never heard another singer attempt to sing. That's Ms Patti LaBelle....untouchable.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿Damn that should be written into stone! You better preach to the choir (real fans) while educating the kids. You nailed that coffin shut and then hit that damn ball out of the park. So well said and very profoundly explained. I personally think Patti is way more passionate, diverse, and richer with her voice than Aretha. But Aretha is a great regardless. But Patti can take her silky and delicate voice and softly rise and gradual fall with her instrument with so much vocal control. She punches me in the heart and gut with her clean belts and seamless notes. She’s the best and you did a great job explaining Patti too!
Lawd this woman right here had me crying and shouting at the same time. I believe she has come full circle and will probably go down as one of the greatest legends of all time
When I tell you this woman sings as if her life depended on it!! That was a masterful vocal acrobatic workout! Some people sing all they can, Patti LaBelle sings all she damn well pleases!
Even I were rejected by the friends of mine and the world as well but I can't complain coz I do believe that my day is coming and I am going. to succeed God is good all the time
I wonder if Patti transcends during her performances, take a step back and say WELL DAMN!!! You better sang Heifer!! She is mind blowing, the AUDACITY to twist turn bend and ascend notes to the heavens! My God what a creation! Thank You for Patti LaBelle!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I saw Patti live fiddy-leven times 1991-1996, and this was one song that would get the whole audience tearing up, as she talked about losing her sisters and parents. Whew her concerts were a box of Kleenex, a church service, covered dish supper and homecoming all in one.
Patti sings our pain that we can't always express especially in this song. I appreciate that when I go through a struggle I can listen and also sing with her this song. I like the part when she says the journey of my life and that is what life is a journey but take Jesus with you and give Him thanks. Patti touches all of my pain that I've been through while going thru a struggle. Thank you Patti for all those moans and groans I hear when you sing. You will always inspire me. Love you forever 💞💞💞.
This is even better than the single (I Can't Complain) - I think the original goes slightly too long and they hid her vocals in the mix too much at some parts. Anyway, one of her best performances!
