This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
Nightbirds is an album by the all-female singing group Labelle, released in 1974 on the Epic label. The album features the group's biggest hit, the song "Lady Marmalade," and it became their most successful album to date. With Nightbirds, Labelle were praised for mixing their R&B/pop sound with elements of rock and funk. The success of the album's two singles also helped to pioneer the disco movement, which peaked in the late 1970s and influenced dance music for three decades. In 2003, the album was ranked number 272 on Rolling Stone's magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and 274 in a 2012 revised list. That same year, the album's leading hit track, "Lady Marmalade", was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Several acts have covered "Lady Marmalade" into international successes on their own including covers by All Saints and the quartet collaboration between singers Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Lil' Kim and Pink. "It Took a Long Time" was featured during the final scene and ending credits to the motion picture Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire.
Honestly, kind of crazy this isn't on the original list. Excellent addition.
Funky and groovy. 4 stars.
A pretty major oversight from the original list. If Chic is on there, this should be too. "Lady Marmalade" is iconic, and the rest of the album solidly supports it. Infectious grooves. Recently got into Nona Hendryx's solo material. She is a fascinatingly eclectic artist who deserves more respect.
This one could easily have replaced a number of selections in the "official" list. Rock solid, soulful, tons of stellar musicianship.
This album should have been on the list. There is some proto-disco here with a lot of good funk and soul to fill it out. The first track is iconic and is the best song on the album. Nevertheless, the album remains enjoyable and energetic throughout.
There's more of an edge than Diana Ross, but nowhere near the grit and funk rock of Betty Davis or the funky disco sheen of Chic/Sister Sledge. However, Lady Marmalade is unquestionably one of THE best songs ever!
Funky and poppy. Not bad
Decent funk/soul-inspired LP with some absolute classics that have stood the test of time. It's a testament to LaBelle's vocals that the mix at time feels too rich, with several perfectly-executed vocals crowding out a stronger rhythmic basis from the instrumentals.
I think this album would have been a way better fit for the original list than some of the same-genre ones that were included. A pleasant listen.
Now this is an old school album that probably should have been on the original list. I’ve heard of Patti labelle and heard lady marmalade many times before but really this whole album was impressive. Was shocked that this is actually a trio and not just Patti by herself. The range on the songs while also being funky and soulful was great. This is a great add and one I would revisit. 7.6/10
A fading ending cops out, but also leaves the taste for the record just experienced. Nightbirds is entirely tight, even the most simply joyful moments retain a psychedelic spark. The record has plenty of momentum compared to its peers, with less telos or center. Name aside, though, a plural center is the right configuration for this band.
Good stuff 3
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Lady marmelade, Somebody somewhere, It took a long time, What can I do for you?, Space children, You turn me on
Ohhhh, Nightbirds. You know, I'm sure everyone here had a similar experience while working our way through the official 1001+ albums list. You probably had a mental list of albums you just expected to be there, and as the days ticked away on the project, many if not most of those albums eventually showed up. Then there were the ones that didn't make it… that's why we're still here, right? Nightbirds is one of those albums for me. It was kind of an affront to my heart that it was excluded. It's not a perfect album, no. But it's a rare album that can move me emotionally and also make me want to move my body. I love it more each time I hear it. 70s albums in the soul-funk-disco realm are a real mixed bag, especially those made by women artists, to the point where there aren't many great ones that you want to hear all the way through. There's a reason why so much of this music is experienced by way of compilations. This album is different. It comes in like gangbusters with one of the most unique and memorable songs of its era and doesn't let go until the last note. "Lady Marmalade" is a blazing comet of a song that stands out from the rest of the album, but the deep tracks offer their own kind of musical journey, leading into some fascinating places. The intertwining vocals of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash alone are insanely powerful, a kind of a whirlwind of sound that takes my breath a bit every time I hear them. Nightbirds defied genre somewhat in the time that it was made, drawing from gospel, pop and R&B, with a foundation of New Orleans funk and a glam rock shimmer. Cited as a foundational album for disco in particular, the album still has far more substance than much of what came after it, combining fierce, female-centered joy with sizzling sensuality and gorgeous moments of emotional vulnerability, laced with a social conscience. The charisma and rich vocal prowess of LaBelle, Hendryx and Dash is elevated further by the serious musical talent backing them up, including Allen Toussaint, Art Neville, and other members of the Meters. That kind of lightning in a bottle is hard to replicate, something LaBelle themselves were never quite able to achieve. But this is a total package of an album that delivers on every level. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Lady Marmalade, You Turn Me On, Are You Lonely?, It Took a Long Time, Somebody Somewhere, What Can I Do for You?, Space Children, Don't Bring Me Down, Nightbird, All Girl Band
Disco vibe, very Aretha, nice...but nothing more.
Catchy enough r&b disco-esque stuff. Before my time, a bit dated and I'm not a black woman, so it doesn't click on all levels, but I tapped my foot for half an hour. Lady Marmalade is very well known, but tbh I preferred the other songs. And I liked the little sperms in the logo, nice touch. 3/5.
General culture
I really cannot stand Lady Marmalade, and the rest of these tracks are fine.