Search - Madeline Bell :: Bell's a Poppin

WOW! Never knew she was totally FAB!!

W. Budris | Rosedale, NY | 02/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to the seductive voice of Madeline Bell after becoming a walking encylopedia on Dusty Springfield. Dusty is one of my all-time favorites, and I knew of Madeline when she did back up for Dusty, then discovered that Dusty did background vocals (almost sounding duet-ish) on Madeline's I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME. Being a minor hit here in the US, and being the Dusty fan, I got the vinyl of Madeline's US LP "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" on Philips. I loved it, still do, but it unfortunately got buried away with time & transition to CD.



There was one of those Marginal CDs out years ago that came and went in a blink of an eye with this album, plus many tracks from the follow up, "Doin' Things", that I didn't know much about. Hearing a friend's copy of the Marginal disc left quality to be desired, so I never got it. Learning this CD and "Doin' Things" were put out recently by RPM in the UK, I purchased this one on line, and an oldies specialty shop here in NJ actually had "Doin' Things".



The quality of the production and remastering is astounding. Madeline never sounded better, and I don't think I heard this much orchestra before, as the LP has it's limits, especially Philips USA releases of the time. PICTURE ME GONE is a stand out, and never knew why this wasn't a gigantic worldwide smash. It is very relative, even in today's society. Other favorites are Madeline's tender take on CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN, making this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic her own. Renditions of Bacharach-David material "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and "The Last One To Be Love" could have run circles around both Dionne Warwick and Jackie DeShannon. The CD closer IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE NOW is such a heartkicker. It is hard not to get a little emotional with it.



I highly recommend this album to anyone familiar with the current Madeline in the Jazz scene, and to those who want to rediscover her again from these classic recordings. I hope her management sees this and brings her over to a Jazz venue here in the US for some shows, mixing old and new. We can only hope!"

Fantastic

Lloyd Blake | 02/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have enjoyed this product it is great and I am so glad that Amazon carries so many great titles. There are many titles of soul which have been released overseas and not here in the states and I am glad I found this one I knew about the artist before I brought it but could not find it here"