Jody Watley, Vanity Fair 1991 in Azzedine Alaia. Photo: Michel Comte
My UK days. Produced with Gary Langan, Anne Dudley, JJ Jeclazik who would become ‘The Art Of Noise’ and written with Bruce Woolley formerly of ‘The Buggles’ while living in London just after quitting Shalamar. I had short tumultuous stint on Phonogram Records. The album was never released but it was my connection at Phonogram that resulted in my participation of one of music’s biggest charity singles “Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas.” Everything happens for a reason.
The single that preceded this was “Where The Boys Are” (not the old 50’s classic) but same writing and production collaborator’s as ‘Girls Night Out.’ The clash was strong with Phonogram as I wanted edgy dance funk eager to establish my own distinct identity - they wanted to do music that sounded like my former group Shalamar. Though that music was great, that wasn’t what I wanted to do. This era of 1983-84 was also the first I started rocking Jean Paul Gaultier who was virtually unknown as seen on the cover of ‘Girls Night Out’ and the video for ‘Where The Boys Are’ (complete with his cone bra, albeit the less extreme version, though I also had the extreme version in red-the bra of course would be made famous and become a ‘signature’ look many years later). By the time I returned to America in 1986, I had my vibe totally worked out and signed with a label who supported and my vision.
(Source: blackculture)
Jody Watley by Skrebneski for Saks Fifth Avenue, Fall Winter Catalog, 1995 - 1 page of 15.
Jody Watley: A Return To Elegance. The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko - San Francisco, CA March 15-17, 2012.
Defying preconceived notions and expectation; Grammy Award Winning Artist Jody Watley delivers a live experience combining her distinct brand of elegance and funk. A musical journey and melting pot of styles weaving 70’s disco funk as a nod to her Soul Train and Shalamar past, signature solo 80’s Pop/R&B, Jazz and ambient Dance/Electronica are seamlessly woven together for this special night of music. The singer/songwriter will also preview of new music from her appropriately titled forthcoming 10th album tentatively titled “Chameleon”.
