Darlene Love retires "Christmas Baby Please Come Home" from Letterman

[HorseTears]

Well, I feel like I've done all I can for you, Hater. This counted as your Christmas gift.

[ArtMan]

HorseTears, Well, you did know who Res was ...and Grace is your avatar. But check out that song I mentioned. It was really her only hit during the disco years. But the other cuts on the album were equally good.

[HorseTears]

Arty - have we talked about Res on here? I have no recollection of that. Though, yes, I love Res and think its a shame that her career seemed to have petered out after her first very good (if not great) album. Perhaps Res' problem was that she was a bit too "arty" for mainstream R&B success and a bit too "populist" for alternative/indie success. All those walls have broken down now, though. I think she might have been more successful if she was starting out now. I didn't think much of her 2013 EP, though. It was a bit beige for my taste. As for Tata, I actually do know "I Just Keep..." and, yes, I really like it as well. I hope this doesn't sound unkind, but from what I've seen, she never seemed to quite have that magnetic star power that demands to be center stage, background probably is where she was meant to thrive.


So, while we're waiting for Darlene's final Christmas performance on Letterman, how about we enjoy this performance from her Hairspray days? "River Deep, Mountain High" might be my favorite Phil Spector recording of all time. The incredible rawness of Tina Turner's voice, the crack rhythm section, the massive wall-of-sound of the orchestra, chorus and band in unison, and the way it just builds and builds and builds. It's heaven. But every available live rendition of this song has failed to capture the majesty and the intensity of that original recording - including every Ike & Tina performance I've seen. But, when Darlene performed the number on Letterman with full orchestra and chorus, I got chills. The original will never be equaled, but this comes pretty damn close. Wish there was a higher quality version of this available...

[FindingNamo]

Tonight's was one of the best in the show's history.

[darreyl102]

Darlene brought it tonight!! SOO glad Letterman had her sit down before the performance for a little talk. Working it in that floor length dress and sky scraper heels, getting on top a piano at 73!!! Cool to see Lisa Fischer singing backup too! Such an amazing night, but i was mad they cut her off at the end- the last few years they have gone over and not cut her off, so i would have thought they would have done the same tonight- especially with it being her final. if they had only gone for tiny bit longer...

[PalJoey]

Two words: FLAW. LESS.

Friends who were there at the taping Thursday night were still high from it Friday afternoon.

[FindingNamo]

"Darlene brought it tonight!!"

Oooh! Let's think up more canned phrases!

Darlene had it going on! Darlene raised the roooooooof! Darlene was fetch! Darlene serrrrrrrrrrved the children! Could Darlene be any more amazing?!?!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Darlene kept it real!

[darreyl102]

^ Yes she did- She was giving me life on top of that piano!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

That heifer can SING!

[FindingNamo]

Oh. She. Werrrrrrrrrrked.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

She werqued, bitch.

[FindingNamo]

Darlene took them ALL to church.

[darreyl102]

For Those Who Missed It

[PalJoey]

She werqued, bitch...and she SANG!

[uncageg]

For years I watched her sing this on Letterman. It has become a tradition for ,e to watch. Last night was the perfect final performance of it. She looked flawless standing on that piano. I almost cried.

[HorseTears]

I didn't get to watch this until yesterday - wanted to watch it with really good speakers. Man, what a terrific way to end it all. Darlene's voice is still so sensational and, YES, what a treat to see Lisa Fischer in the background.

I want Colbert to make it a Valentine's Day tradition to have Darlene on his show each year singing "River Deep, Mountain High".

[FindingNamo]

^^^ Is someone writing this down?

[ACL2006]

Darlene Love's

[Tag]

Darlene is on Colbert tonight, for those interested.

[HorseTears]

Oh, fab!  Thanks for the heads up, Tag.  

[RippedMan]

When I worked at 54 Below I didn't know who she was, but she quickly became the highlight. Girl can sing and put on a show and she's just awesome. I'm glad she's in the spotlight !

[FindingNamo]

You didn't know the gym teacher from the original cast of Carrie?

[HorseTears]

Well, this is depressing.  Made even worse when you see who her "background singers" are.  

 

 

[Petralicious]

HorseTears said: "Well, this is depressing.  Made even worse when you see who her "background singers" are.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

" Poor Miss Love, No legend should be subjected to that. I bet they made it a condition for her to perform.

 

[Tag]

Guess she didn't "retire"?

…with Patti LaBelle to boot!