A little rain didn’t stop Patti LaBelle from taking the stage by storm at the New York State Fair (see photo gallery below)
Recently picking up a new title “The Godmother of Soul,” one of the most influential voices in the Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Soul musical genres, Patti LaBelle returned to the Great New York State Fair. LaBelle performed on August 31 at 6 p.m. at the Chevy Court.
Patti first rose to fame in the 1960s as lead singer of the vocal group, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles (later, their name changed to Labelle) Best known for the number-one hit, “Lady Marmalade.” Patti’s solo music career churned out hits including, “You Are My Friend,” “New Attitude,” “Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)” and more. Post LaBelle, Patti has morphed into the Godmother of Soul, recording soulful love songs including the 1986 duet with Michael McDonald, On My Own.
Fairgoers might also recognize her from popular films and television programs, including A Soldier’s Story, American Horror Story, and more recently, Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer. Patti has also guest starred this past season on the CBS sitcom, The Neighborhood playing Cedric the Entertainer’s hard to please mother. In addition, there was a camera crew from the CBS television network documenting her performance in Syracuse.
The stage was set, her shoe collection graced the stage next to a white grand piano and a purple cushioned chair. The concert was threatened by rain as Patti LaBelle took to the stage, she announced the rain would “go away in 10 minutes”. The first few songs were performed in the rain, as the crew placed carpets on a wet stage.
Patti LaBelle’s Powerful, Soulful Performance Didn’t Disappoint
Ken Jackson photos (“click” on image to enlarge)
The show was classic Patti LaBelle, as she powered through some of her greatest hits. At times it was like an old-fashioned Baptist revival as LaBelle, her band and featured singers, “took us to church”. While one critic commented about the “78 years-young” artist not hitting certain notes in a song, the performer known for her signature high powered vocals showed no signs of slowing down.
Anyone who’s followed Patti over the years, and seen multiple performances may have noticed that she does not sing all the words to Lady Marmalade, any longer. It’s intentional.
Clearly a woman who’s embraced Christ, she has been reluctant to perform certain songs from the old days of “LaBelle”. In some cases, she allows an audience member to help sing the song which turns into a celebration of the monster hit from the 1970’s that propelled the group, formerly known as Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells into superstardom. What the audience is treated to is a sing-along that satisfies the longtime fans from the era when the group LaBelle was singing rock, soul, and sexually infused songs like, Far As We Felt Like Goin’ along with lyrics by Nona Heyndrx that carried a direct political message. 1975’s Messin’ With My Mind is as relevant today as it was when it was recorded.
While many were focused on the record-breaking crowd at the Nelly concert taking place at the other end of the Fairgrounds. At Chevy Court, this was Patti LaBelle’s audience, young and not-so-young, the crowd reflected the multiple decades she’s performed. And the appreciation was returned from the stage as she took off her shoes and gave the large Chevy Court crowd a show they’ll certainly remember.
