Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / May 18, 1989, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
FagelQA - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursd^, May 18, 1989 Getting To Know Joyce "Fenderella" Irby You know Joyce Irby. You must not realize It. She rose to familiarity as "Fenderella," a creative force, lead singer and bass player In the all-female band Klymaxx. You know Fenderella's funky voice If you remember the Top 5 R&B hit, "The Men All Pause." She sang lead. You've heard Fen derella's sweet balladlc voice If you recall the Top 10 "I Miss You," featuring her as lead sing er. Klymaxx earned those hits In 1985. Need another reminder? Think back to 1987's "I’d Still Say Yes,” a’ duet featuring Ho ward Hewett and, yes, Fenderel la. So 5TOU see. It’s very likely that you’ve heard Fenderella sing. Besides a voice known by many, Fenderella has Identifia ble styles of song. She was one of the Interior designers of the Klymaxx sound, a sound known for Its soft chords, lullaby melo dies, Its edgy funk and catchy lyrics. You know Fenderella’s production work If you remem ber the top 5 "Meeting In the La dles Room," which she rear ranged vocally. Fenderella, a Floridian who al ways knew she wanted to sing and play, brings all this back ground to her latest achieve ment - her first solo statement, her debut album "Maximum Thrust" on Motown Records. Some of her album continues the musical style Introduced during her Kl3miaxx years. But much of the material turns In musical directions never ex plored by the group. "Mr. D.J.," the first single, shows her Hip Hop half, featur ing a rap ty Doug E. Fresh. The record Is supported by a hilari ous, all-star video that pays homage to the world's spinners. Musically, the record shows more street savvy than any Kly maxx material ever did. But like much of herworit. It’s funny. "I have a sense of humor that I’ve had all my life," Fenderella said. "That wlU always be In my music: humor, sarcasm — some thing." This characteristic is obvious tooughout Side One: One tune. "I’m Available," props the blunt proposition of Its title on a funky groove and Hip Hop rh}dhm. ’’She’s Not My Lover ” In cludes an Intentionally silly rap by a phony woman Is not really his lover. At one point, the boy friend tries to claim that the shirt with the Incriminating lip stick on the collar really be longs to his "roommate Bernard — Avlth the real big ears." While It’s true that Fenderella Is funny, also realize this: Fen derella sings. With equal facility, she conveys the Images of love or sex. For Instance, on Side Two, Fenderella sings "I’ll Be There." (This Is not the classic Jackson 5 tune, but an original composition written by Fende rella with Kenneth Wright and Reginald Jones.) The song Is an Ideal example of a Fenderella ballad — slmpfy melody, a gentle progression of heartbreaking chords, and a lyric stating a faliy-tale love thought - In this case, a pledge by parting lovers to be there for each other In case heird times visit. On the touching ballad "I Love You," a love song from a superwoman, FendereUa again sings of her plentiful devotion and affection. This song hearkens memories of her smashing performance on "I’ll Miss You." In each case, after these moving ballads, Fenderel la turns about face for the next cut on the album. She follows "I’ll Be There" with "Go, Girl," a slam-bam dance Jam. She fol lows "I Love You" with "Let’s Do It," a chunk of funk seasoned with a little Salt and Pepa. Sam ple tyrlc of the latter: So, if you're ready, take my hartd and make three wishes. The first should be for strength 'cause its about to get vicious. The two remaining tracks on the album show the separate sides of Fenderella. Thus, they epitomize the album. On the title track, Fenderella gives a new meaning to the term "Maximum Thrust." The tune is an example of an audaciously direct lyric, a riveting melody, an undeniable groove. Doubtless, the recording that best demonstrates Fenderella’s well-cultivated style Is "Guardian Angel," a sincere mid- tempo statement by a woman who wants a man as a protector, a ftlend, a confidante, someone to coimt on. The Interplay of the keyboards, the rhythms, the subtle rock guitar and sweet- harmonic vocals Is adept and accurate without seeming calcu lated. "Maximum Thrust" Is an Impor tant Introduction of a new artist worthy of attention and respect. The music deserves a listening and win command a following. ^ cui ctiiu WlU cuiiimana a AIDS Project To Have Its First Fundraiser June 3 CHARLOTTE - MetroUna AIDS Project (MAP) will sponsor Its first fundraiser on Saturday, June 3. at 7:30 p.m., at Spirit Square. The event, a two-hour performance entitled "Springtime, A Celebration of Life," will feature nationally- known celebrities, local talent, and people Involved personally and professionally with the Celebrities on hand will In clude Linda Bloodworth Thoma son and Hany Thomason, pro ducers and writers of CBS’s "Designing Women", Roz I^an, a lead In NBC’s "Amen," and Faith Ford, who plays Corkey on CBS’s Murphy Brown." These artists have donated their talent for performance at the event and for public service an nouncements regarding AIDS awareness and promotion of the Charlotte fundraiser. Other celebrities have con firmed their appearance at the event. Including Gregory Harri son of "Trapper John, MD,” Dan McVlcar of the daytime serial 'The Bold and the Beautiful," Ar- netla. Walker, lead In broadway’s "Dreamglrls" at 'The Wlz," and John Scott Clough of "St. Else where" and "Empty Nest" 'We have been extremely grati fied that our first fundraising ef fort has been met with such en thusiastic support from these celebrities," said MAP Executive Director Les Kooyman. "But even more gratifying Is the sup port we are seeing from local corporations and Individuals." Among the Individuals and lo cal organizations supporting the MAP fundraiser are Michael Marcicano, Executive Director of the Arts and Sciences Coun cil and Keith Martin, of Theatre Charlotte, who will direct the two-hour performance at Spirit Square. Dot Hodges of Hodges- Taylor Gallery has offered her gallery space to exhibit work from the Alliance for Artists, which has donated work for auction to benefit MAP. Other contributors Include The Dun- hill Hotel which will host a champagne reception for the celebrities following the perfor mances, Ell’s Catering, which will cater the reception and the Guest Quarters Suite Hotel, which Is providing accommoda tions for the performers. Marion Meginnls, President of MAP’s Board of Directors, said the fundraiser will help MAP carry out Its commitment to reach the community with ser vices to people with AIDS and their families and to provide In formation and resources to the community at large. 'We oper ate each day as if It were an emergency, because it Is," she said. "AIDS Is not a respector of any race or class of citizen and It won’t wait for groups to get their act together. All of us have to respond now." MAP Is a non-profit. Indepen dent organization that seeks to promote community-wide un derstanding of AIDS and to sup port persons diagnosed HIV Positive, those with Aids Relat ed Complex (ARC) or with AIDS and their friends and families. Tickets for the performance are $100 and $250 per person. Seating Is reserved In the 740- seat NCNB Performance Place. For ticket Information, call MAP at 342-3874. Constance Alexander Houston Is the Office Manager for WGSP Radio. She is a native of Charlotte, NC and a graduate of Independence High School, a member of Myers Taberna cle AME Church. She is married with one teenage daughter. "As office Manager I feel that It Is very Important to have a good business relationship with our clients; also to work as unto the Lord. I would like to encourage our listemers to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THY SELF and keep listening to WGSP 1310 am. Call 375-1310 219 East Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C. 28205 SHOP THE CLASSIFIEDS TODAY AND YOU MAY FIND THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU! ... ... I . DOWNTOWN CHAflLOnE '''v' The Voice Of The Black Community Wedding Church Events B/W Photo Family Portrait 1208 Piedmont St. ./^it. D Charlotte NC 28204 GREG McMURRAT (704)377-6513 be Hampton University, the Qty of Hampton and George Wein are proud to present mqitoii 1989y June 23,24,25,1989 Hampton CoUsemn • Hampton. Virginia Larry Carlton; Ray Charles; The O’Jays; Dianne Reeves; David Sanborn; Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra; Spyro Gyra; Take 6; The Uitimate Set (Hank Crawford, Lou Donald son, Jimmy McGriff, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Arthur Prysock); Sarah Vaughan, Grover Washington, Jr., BeBe and CeCe Winans! Prices »22*» and *I9** per person, per show. All seats reserved. Tickets on sde at the Hampton Coliseum Box Office and all Ticketron locations. For information call (80t) 838^203 All shows are subject to change without prior notice. 5 _ If it happens in PM Mayberry, you TAFiAV it’s going lUUAl tobefimny! ^(pSfiY - CMr\w ^5 SflOW ■30 ^i^oHuxtable home comes PM complete with TATiAV '^^-to-wall TODAY laughs. We send our best to you. WSOC-TV 1 1-77 TO CLANTON ROAO. ONE BLOCK EAST (LOCATED IN THE 77 CORPORATE PARK) ST. VAHOELL LANE ACROSS FROM JET I SERVICE STATION TO END OF STREET. ON ...Would Like To Thank Everyone Who Made^ Last Weeks Sunday Dinner A Success! We will be opening every Sunday to serve selected menus of family favorites temptingly preparedin a relaxing atmosphere. We’re also offering other specials every Sunday: > 10% Senior Citizen Discount • 10% Discount with Church Builetin SPECiAL CHILD PLATES We ll make it a very special occasion . so AVOID THOSE LONG UNES AND COME TO: FDY Banauets & Catering 3411-K St. Vardell Lane 522-8477 coupon FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY ADDITONAL 10% OFF WITH THIS COUPON FDY • FDY • FDY > FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY • FDY
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 18, 1989, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75