The Glamorous Life

by Sheila E.

Overview

When Sheila Escovedo started going by Sheila E. and soared to the top of the R&B charts with 1984's "The Glamorous Life," those who didn't know anything about her background assumed that she was just another Vanity or another Apollonia -- in other words, a sexploitive Prince disciple who was entertaining but had limited ability as a vocalist. It's true that the singer/drummer/percussionist doesn't have a great voice, but anyone who was hip to her work with Azteca, Pete Escovedo (her father), and George Duke knew that she was an excellent musician. As a drummer/percussionist, Escovedo has major chops -- and even though she doesn't have a mind-blowing vocal range, she has no problem getting her points across on her debut solo album, The Glamorous Life. Produced by Prince, this is one of the best albums that came out of the Purple One's Minneapolis funk-rock empire in the 1980s. The hit title song is a classic, and the same goes for the quirky, new wave-ish "Oliver's House," the Latin-tinged "The Belle of St. Mark," and the funky instrumental "Shortberry Strawcake." Although Prince's stamp is all over this LP, Escovedo did most of the writing herself. The Glamorous Life isn't the only excellent album that Escovedo provided in the 1980s, but it's definitely the most essential. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	02/19/2021
Label:	Rhino / Warner Bros.
UPC:	0603497845231
Rank:	103068

Tracks

1. The Belle of St. Mark
2. Shortberry Strawcake [LPversion]
3. Noon Rendezvous
4. Oliver's House
5. Next Time Wipe the Lipstick Off Your Collar
6. The Glamorous Life

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sheila E.   Primary Artist,Vocals,Director,Percussion
J.J.   Vocals (Background)
Nick DeCaro   Vocals,Accordion
Novi Novog   Violin
Larry Williams   Saxophone
David Coleman   Cello

Technical Credits

Sheila E.   Composer
Terry Christian   Mixing
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Bill Jackson   Mixing
Prince   Composer
Laura LiPuma   Art Direction
Larry Williams   Photography
Brenda Bennett   Composer
Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff   Art Direction
Peggy Mac   Mixing