Last night I went to see some friends' bands play at Radioactive Records (the one in Fort Lauderdale, not the U.K.). A highlight was Boise Bob, who plays twisted country ditties accompanied by a washboard and a big ole bass made of an oar, a strong length of string, and a metal tub perfect for bobbing for apples. Good stuff.
But the big sparkle find of the night was a double album set I picked up by Sylvester, the fab and forever reigning cabaret-tranny-king-and-queen of disco. The album folds open to a panoramic shot of on-stage Sylvester, decked in a blue and silver sequined jumpsuit and flanked by Two Tons O' Fun/Weather Girls Izora Rhodes and Martha Washington. Playing hard behind the power trio, most of the 1979 San Francisco Symphony in white tie and tails.
Glam, glitter, and musicianship. A reckless plunge into whatever felt good and sounded fast and smooth and kinda dirty. This is some of what I dig about 70s disco.
So for V-Day, Didi and I thought we'd bid adieu to our guest blog spot here at BAP by offering a list of a few of our favorite disco love songs. Think of them as poems in polyester!
Your Love, Lime*
If I Can't Have You, Yvonne Elliman
Star Love, Cheryl Lynn
I Feel Love, Donna Summer
Get Off, Foxy
Reasons, Earth Wind and Fire
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Santa Esmeralda
*technically not 70s but close enough
