Chaka Khan

[drummergirlamie]

This girl was one hell of a singer. I'm listening to her right now and each n' every time I do, I realize she's always givin' me the goosebump thingee. I gather many are reluctant or at least hesitant to describe one as an All-Time Great, but let's give this girl a letter grade on her career in focus on her vocal performance. Let us also remember this girl is somewhat of an unsung hero of sorts. Gotta consider, she had to share this fine era with the likes of Whitney Houston, Madonna, Maria Carey, Celine Dion, Karen White, Ann Wilson and Stevie Nicks. How'd she stack up to these great singers? Please don't post an A+, A's as high as it goes. Thanks.

 

[sunwaiter]

hi drummergirlamie.

i still have some problem on the long-term listening experience, concerning miss Khan.
i find she goes over the edges a little bit too much, but it's my way of hearing it. you know, it makes me think of a guitarist who systematically uses his tremolo. but she's got a beautiful voice and huge presence,and she's the kind of artist who makes a stage or a recording session alive.

i've got an LP back home, the one that includes "once you get started". the sleeve is beautiful. also includes the instrumental "rufusized", one of my favorite funk pieces.

what's your favorite song of hers?

 

[John Watt]

I agree with Sunwaiter about the long-term listening, and it obviously was rough on Miss Khan herself, submerging for a long time and coming back overweight. I still get a kick remembering her influential self at the start, with her huge afro cut like the top of a puffy erect penis and her sexualized performances. And every once in a while, riding my bicycle on a sunny day, I still find myself singing Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan... knowing I'm not the only one.

 

[greatcyber]

I have to vote "goddess" for her as she is, as you stated, right up there with those monumental singers many refer to as "divas" nowadays. That term has been so misused that the definition was changed in the dictionary. But she has always been one of the best female singers around.

Could listen to her all day long.

Way off the subject, but whatever happened to Phoebe Snow? I know she had a very sick daughter, but I only ask since I found an old "cassette" of hers the other day. There was a whole box of them from when we moved. Now I'm going through them and putting the ones I want and can't get in digital format today, on my HD. I'll clean up the hiss with a cool program called Bias Sound Soap.

Did the same with my old LPs that I lugged around America for 2 decades.

 

[drummergirlamie]

hi drummergirlamie.

i still have some problem on the long-term listening experience, concerning miss Khan.
i find she goes over the edges a little bit too much, but it's my way of hearing it. you know, it makes me think of a guitarist who systematically uses his tremolo. but she's got a beautiful voice and huge presence,and she's the kind of artist who makes a stage or a recording session alive.

i've got an LP back home, the one that includes "once you get started". the sleeve is beautiful. also includes the instrumental "rufusized", one of my favorite funk pieces.

what's your favorite song of hers?

Interesting. See, now I gotta put on I Feel For You and critique it. lol

My favorite of hers is Through The Fire.

 

[AlderonFrederic]

I agree with Sunwaiter about the long-term listening, and it obviously was rough on Miss Khan herself, submerging for a long time and coming back overweight. I still get a kick remembering her influential self at the start, with her huge afro cut like the top of a puffy erect ***** and her sexualized performances. And every once in a while, riding my bicycle on a sunny day, I still find myself singing Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan... Chaka Khan... knowing I'm not the only one.

Totally agree on a longterm listen, though can't argue with a point that she is a hellish singer indeed. Yep, Through the fire is an obvious choice here, but I also like Missing you and Got to be here.