Energy

by

The Pointer Sisters

Edit

This is one of The Pointer Sisters absolute classic albums. It was their emergence into rock & the beginning of their second phase of their career as big hitmakers for both singles and albums. Now a trio of 3 lead singers - Anita, June and Ruth , they hooked up with established big name producer Richard Perry, and recorded this classic album. The direction was totally new for them - doing rock material from songwriters & bands such as BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, STEELY DAN, FLEETWOOD MAC, LOGGINS & MESSINA, DOOBIE BROTHERS & SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE. Each Pointer gets their share of leads , with Anita being the one who got the most hits , starting here with the mega-smash " FIRE " written by Springsteen, which went to #2 on the charts. There are so many GREAT songs & performances on here. It stands the test of time. They group was now free from the old sounds of their 40's numbers, and broke loose with doing a contemporary mix of rock and R&B. It has the influence of Labelle , who had just broken up the year before. The Pointers took some pointers , and headed off into the right sound with this album.

" LAY IT ON THE LINE " starts it all off with June doing one of her sassiest lead vocals on this rock song with electric guitar solos by Waddy Wachtel. " DIRTY WORK " is amazing & has a powerful build-up that illustrates how the Pointer's could really let loose. " HYPNOTIZED " is a nice atmospheric spacey song where each Pointer takes a lead verse. Both of these tracks I remember as being played on my local FM rock station! " COME AND GET YOUR LOVE " is a totally amazing powerful song sung by Ruth, with blistering guitars that truly rocks hard [ on par with Mother's Finest or Nona Hendryx ]. Other stunning songs are " HAPPINESS " with more of a pop/dance sound that is a nice change , and was the second single released from here, but wasn't as big a hit as " FIRE "; " ANGRY EYES " - a nice concisely arranged & performed rock song; and their nod to fellow Bay Area rock/funk pioneer SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE with a great version of " EVERYBODY IS A STAR ".

I bought this CD in a Toronto record store around 1995 or so. It was only released on CD in Europe by the label ARIOLA sometime in the 90's. The packaging does not include the lyric/photo sheet, but it is a VERY rare CD to find. It's the music that matters, and this is the album that re-launched the Pointer Sisters in 1978-1979 , marking their long run with hits into the 80's. SONY/BMG who own the rights to this classic album would be wise to reissue this album, as well as as unreleased songs from the sessions. I know that the great B-side to " FIRE " , entitled " LOVE IS LIKE A ROLLING STONE " , sung by June, would be a great addition to have on CD. Also, their strong follow-up rock album " PRIORITY " from 1979 would be great to hear on CD at last also.

A true classic for anyone. The Pointers were off & running with this album, that established them as a diversified group who could do rock, and any other genre of music great.