Jade Starling
Invites Me To a Performance at Sisters' Nightclub
Talks About her Third Album
Backstage
By: Carter
Burnette
Photography:
Jeffery
Sidelski |
|
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"Hi Hon, how's your hole?" asked
an unmistakably female voice on the other end of my telephone. Knowing
that there could only be one woman brazen enough to get so familiar with
me, I smiled and countered, "Well if it isn't my darling, Ms. Starling".
Jade Starling is half of the creative duo Pretty Poison. She was
calling to invite me to hear her sing at Philadelphia's lesbian hotspot
Sisters and to announce the release of her third album, "Euphoria".
Although Jade is straight
she has long been a fixture on the gay men's scene as a dance diva. I was
pleasantly surprised to hear her enthusiasm about entertaining a lesbian
audience and she performed her duties with no less aplomb. Judging
by the excitement that she created, she was well received by Philadelphia's
lesbian community.
Jade
Starling reflects on
Euphoria
backstage at Sisters'
|
I met her backstage
before her performance and asked what Euphoria meant to her. She
replied, "Euphoria is a total sense of happiness, joy and jubilation. I
feel absolutely blessed and privileged to make this record. It was made
from all the love inside my heart and soul." She continued,
"I feel the timing is right for this album, especially after the success
of the "Catch Me" remixes. |
Listen to:
Pretty Poison's signature tune
"Catch Me I'm Falling" was originally released in 1989. Last year
a contest was held of Billboard DJs to solicit the best remix. The
response was so phenomenal with over 100 entries, that a double pack CD
was released with 15 remixes. The version on Euphoria is called The
Planet House Mix produced by Mark Christopher and Whey Cooler and features
samples from Jive's Planet Rock. Jade remarked that the combined
sales have almost reached the coveted platinum status.
"Let
Freedom Ring" is a song of affirmation and faith. Lyrically she cautions,
"Before
you start knocking somebody else, you'd better take another look at yourself."
The content
displays her hometown roots of Philadelphia and it's long tradition of
the pursuit of independence. |
Jade
Starling wows the Sisters'
|
She realizes
that a harmony of people regardless of race, sex, or gender identification
can result in her personal dream of Euphoria and belts it out as if her
life depends on it. She states
"We
can all push together and make the world go round...
...you
know the best things in life are free,
your
love, understanding and dignity."
It
is her multi-cultural message that I particularly love about this song.
Listen to: 
Let Freedom Ring 28.8
Jade
belting it out as fan looks on
|
On "Happy" Jade proves again
that Pretty Poison's music transcends racial barriers. |
Listen to:
Relying again on their musical
roots, the track utilizes an updated "Philly sound" backbeat and Jade's
sultry vocals are reminiscent of a cross between Nona Hendryx and Crystal
Waters. Nothing less is expected from one of the first white groups to
perform on Don Cornelius' Soul Train.
I
also predict that "Loco" will be one of the "summer slams" of '98.
The track has a great edge and the lyrics as well as Jade's performance
are as crazy as the title implies. Only the dead couldn't dance to
this record.
Listen
to:
Unfortunately,
some DJs are missing Pretty Poison's rendition of "My Heart Will Go On"
the theme from the Titanic which also features that other shipwreck classic
"The Morning After." To them I caution, "Don't miss the boat!"
Listen
to:
 |
Radio should like their
rendition of the Diana Ross classic "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me." |
Listen
to:
Southern R&B radio
will also probably embrace "Loco". What surprised me most, was the
diversity of dance music offered on Euphoria. All styles are covered
and the production values remained consistently good.
 Last
year, Jade spent the month of June touring the gay pride circuit.
I asked is she had similar plans this year, and she indicated that she
would be making some appearances, however her studio schedule precluded
most of the cities she would have like to have performed.
She reassured me of her commitment
to the gay and lesbian community, reiterating that she is gracious for
our continuous support. "I plan to remain loyal to the gay community,
because they've always have been loyal to me. If I could be a role
model for a member of the gay community, either a queen or lesbian, then
that's a beautiful thing for me."
She turned and kissed me
on the cheek, and whispered in my ear, "Darling I'm consumed by your fabulousness
almost as much as my own!" That's my darling, Jade Starling.
Special
Thanks to: Jeffrey Sidelski for the great photos! |
