REVIEW: Soundtrack, Last Days of Disco (WORK)
- Bob Gajarsky
In the late 1970s, a nearly-hedonistic lifestyle conquered city streets. New York's Studio 54 became a mecca for disco fans looking to get their fill of a good time. Straight single men might have a hard time gaining entrance to the club, but those men with women - or men - on their arms were more likely to see the glitter of the dancefloor. The club itself may now be just a memory, but the soundtrack to the Whit Stillman film, Last Days of Disco, serves as a reminder of some of the hot songs from that era.
The collection is bookended by two versions of the classic "I Love The Nightlife" - Alicia Bridges' original, and a cover by India with Nuyorican Soul. In between is a reminder that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
If it wasn't for Sister Sledge and Diana Ross, two of the past year's biggest artists (Will Smith and Puff Daddy) wouldn't have samples to use for their monster hits. And is it too far a stretch to note the parallels beteween porno star Andrea True ("More More More"), who according to that song's writer Gregg Diamond "couldn't even sing one note" and former topless model, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell?
The "Ooooh oooh" from the Michael Zager Band's "Let's All Chant" has become so mainstream that it's nearly impossible to go to a wedding or fraternity party and not hear it sung at some point by a drunken guy who has no clue (or care) to its origins. Amii Stewart's "Knock On Wood" has survied surprisingly well from its original days, and other acts such as Chic, the O'Jays and Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes all achieved much more than the brief glimpse of fame which was afforded most disco and R&B acts of the era.
Dedicated fans of disco probably have most of these tracks in one place or another. But more casual fans of the music may want to reserve a place in their collection for Last Days of Disco. TRACK LISTING: I Love The Nightlife, I'm Coming Out, Got To Be Real, Good Times, He's The Greatest Dancer, I Don't Know If It's RIght, More More More, Doctor's Orders, Everybody Dance, The Love I Lost, Let's All Chant, Got To Have Loving, Shame, Knock On Wood, Oogum Boogum Song, Love Train
