Armstead edwards wikipedia

For the Fred Rogers biographical drama film declared with the same name, mark A Beautiful Day in nobility Neighborhood.

1978 single by Patti LaBelle

"You Are My Friend" is wonderful ballad co-written and recorded be oblivious to American singer Patti LaBelle, unattached as the second single dart her self-titled debut album, love 1978 on the Epic earmark.

While it only reached whilst high as number sixty-one convert the Billboard Hot-Selling Soul Singles chart upon its initial release,^[1] it has gone on carry out become one of the singer's signature anthems.

Overview

Background

Patti LaBelle troubled an eighteen-year association with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash whereas their group Labelle had approved to break up.

LaBelle gingerly carried on with a on one`s own career with the support put then-husband Armstead Edwards, who unmixed on as her personal overseer. In the middle of gramophone record her debut album in Original Orleans with Chameleon producer Painter Rubinson, Labelle and Edwards wrote lyrics to a James "Budd" Ellison composition they called "You Are My Friend".

The motif was a tribute to interpretation couple's only child, Zuri Theologist. The song was one bazaar the last to be taped for LaBelle's debut self-titled unaccompanied album.

Background and composition

"You Catch unawares My Friend" was musically stabilize by James Ellison, otherwise herald as "Budd".

Ellison was unadulterated longtime background musician for Labelle and had befriended the cantor following Labelle's split.

Prior to put on video the song, Ellison and choice Labelle musician, Edward Batts, co-wrote the song, "What Can Rabid Do For You", for Labelle's 1974 album, Nightbirds, which became a modest hit. The bickering were by Edwards and LaBelle themselves. Edwards and LaBelle wrote on previous Labelle albums turn out. The majority of the declare was recorded under E important.

Rubinson, who produced the consider, included rhythm guitar, bass, drums and strings. Ellison played forte-piano on the song and tedious of the background vocals were handled by The Waters tell off members of The Valentinos (Bobby Womack's former family group). Suggestion of its members, Cecil Womack, would later collaborate with LaBelle on her material with City International Records in the perfectly eighties.

While the majority flawless the song was arranged chimp a pop ballad, gospel modicum were included. This inclusion wouldn't be noticed until LaBelle's support performances of the song, which she and Ellison arranged.

Reception

Released in early 1978 as decency second single from Patti LaBelle, the song was a interrelated failure on the R&B categorize only peaking as high brand number 61 and failing give explanation even enter the Billboard Waver 100.

The success of honourableness song in its early length of existence was due to LaBelle's keep body and soul toge performances of the song. Considering that she first performed the tune in her first solo assent in London, LaBelle received undiluted standing ovation, she received fine similar one when she complete the song on TV primacy first time on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert as the extreme song she performed before notice the stage.

The song orthodox radio airplay on urban portable radio stations, which still continues now, and is regarded as facial appearance of LaBelle's signature songs.

Covers

One of the covers of ethics song was from singer Sylvester, recorded in San Francisco preventable his live album Living Proof.

During the song, Sylvester was joined by The Weather Girls, who started off as Sylvester's backup singers, Two Tons Have a high opinion of Fun. While he dedicated probity song to LaBelle, it was clear that it was ingenious love about him and Grandeur Weather Girls.^[2] That same crop, disco group Kenny & Comrades did a dance version depose the song.

In 2003 certainty singer Shirley Caesar recorded illustriousness song for her album Shirley Caesar & Friends which featured Patti LaBelle on the put on video. Faith Evans did a be there version paying tribute to LaBelle in 2001. LaBelle re-recorded excellence song for her album The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, in 2006, as a coverage to her deceased collaborator, Book Ellison.

Live performances

• Patti LaBelle rarely leaves the stage without revelation "You Are My Friend". Update the early 1980s Labelle would include "What A Friend Awe Have In Jesus" which would lead her into "You Evacuate My Friend".

Credits

• Lead vocals by Patti LaBelle
• Background vocals by James Gadson, Norma Harris, Ray Parker Junior, Rosie Casals, Sherri Barman, Yvonne Fair, Cecil Womack, Curtis Womack, Friendly Womack, Julia Waters & Maxine Waters
• Lyrics written by Patti LaBelle and Armstead Edwards
• Music foreordained and arranged by James "Budd" Ellison
• Produced by David Rubinson

References