The Kids From Fame Sing For You
Sing For You
Released in the U.K. in August 1983 on LP (KIDLP005) & Cassette (KIDK005)
Reached Number 28 on the U.K. album charts
My Review
This was the final proper release from the show and I have to say this is probably my least favourite of the 5 albums. I've always felt that the quality and style of some of the season 2 songs did not match the standard of the first season and to me some of these tracks sound very old fashioned.
The "Sing For You" cover is similar to the design of the Live album cover, in that it's a single sleeve with a background picture and smaller square photos of the cast set into the background. The background picture is a generic night time picture presumably of New York, which to be honest isn't that great. I personally would have preferred they used the outside of the school as the back shot or the auditorium or something more connected to the show. Yes the school was set in New York but it's not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the show. The back picture has additional photos but unlike the live album there are no pictures on the inner sleeve. Like the "Again" album this one feels more like a cash in by using the tracks as they were performed in the episodes rather than going into the studio to re-record the songs specifically for this album. Also there is very little information about the backing singers and musicians.
No singles were released from this album in the U.K. which is possibly why this was the least succesful of any of the Fame albums. It's a bit like the chicken and the egg scenario and which came first, no singles were released due to poor sales but with no single to promote the album received poor sales.
I particularly dislike that there is so much concentration on Valerie & Lee where Debbie doesn't appear at all and Gene is only on one song. I just think they needed to mix these songs up better with the tracks from the "Songs" album to space out Valerie and Debbie's performances more evenly. Also the tracks on the this album need to be spaced out more to give a better mix of the cast member's performances because after the first 3 songs we virtually seem to Alternate between Lee and Valerie performing.
"Sing For You" written by Barry Fasman & Sue Sheridan and performed by Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray, Erica Gimpel & Valerie Landsburg.
A rousing and patriotic start to the album but this is not a favourite song of mine as not being Ameriacn it's difficult to get into the spirit of the lyrics. Still it's nice to have the cast members performing together and their voices naturally seem to blend.
This is Gene's only performance on the album and I wonder why they didn't include his version of "Singing In The Rain", possibly because of copyright or having to pay too much money for the song rights.
"The Secret" written by Barry Fasman & Steve Sperry and performed by Carlo Imperato The first example of the album tracks being badly spaced, in that Carlo is on the first two songs but then we don't hear from him for the rest of the album. For me this song should be on side 2 of the album. Anyway I do really like this song, which I first heard during the concert I went to, where Carlo dueted with Gene. I'm not sure why they didn't make this a duet in the episode as it would be nice to have the boys have a proper duet together. I can't think of any song that was ever just a Gene and Carlo duet and as they were the only 2 kids to be in all 6 seasons of the show, that seems strange. This songs has a great message and is similar to "life is a Celebration" in some respects.
"Manhattan" written by Henry Gaffney and performed by Erica Gimpel & Valerie Landsburg. Another example of the bad organisation of the songs as here Erica makes her second and final performance so again for me this song should also be on side 2. The songs has a very 20's style to it but I'm not a great lover of this song. It's pleasant but for me this was a missed opportunity to have Erica and Val sing a big ballad together, which would have worked well to end the "Winners" episode, still it's nice to hear the girls duetting together.
"The Story of Judy and Roy" written by Michael Cruz and performed by Lee Curreri. Now I like country music but am not really keen on this hill billy style so again this isn't a favourite song of mine although Lee seems to be having fun with his yeehars!
"Lucky Enough For Two" written by Henry Gaffney and performed by Greg Evigan & Valerie Landsburg. The Country theme countinues but this is much more my cup of tea and I've always liked this song. Greg has a sexy voice but really I would have liked to hear more of Valerie and this be a proper duet. Here Valerie is really only doing baking vocals. This is the first time a guest star is featured on any of the Fame albums and I'm surprised that they didn't re-record the male vocals with one of the cast members singing them. This would have suited Carlo well and maybe even Morgan Stevens.
"Better With A Friend" written by Michael Cruz and performed by The Kids From Fame. I was always confused why this song was credited to the kids from Fame becasue it seems to be a copy of the song performed in the episode and it's basically Valerie, Lee and Lori singing so why it's not credited that why I don't know. Yes there are a lot of backing vocals which I assume come from the Waters but little things like mis-crediting something frustrates me. Still the song is pleasant enough but again not a classic in my opinion.
"Shakin" written by Michael Cruz and performed by The waters & The Kids From Fame. Again another confusing credit because as far as I'm concerned this is just the Waters and none of the cast performed on this track . Although I always wondered if the cast were supposed to be on the backing vocals, but they weren't singing in the episode. There seems little point of recording vocals that no one can tell belong to any of the cast. I think the producers were worried the audience might not be happy with tracks that weren't performed by the cast so pretended they were on the record to try and fool the public. Anyway for me I love this song and this is the best track on the whole album and it could have only been made better by having Gene, Debbie and Erica actually perform it.
"Electricity" written by Barry Fasman & Sue Sheridan and performed by Lee Curreri. I do like this track as it's totally different for the show, although Lee's vocals do sound weird with the electronic effect put on them. Still this is one of the better sings on the album.
"Take that First Step" written by Bill & Kathy Burch and performed by Valerie Landsburg. This song is pleasant and the best of Val's songs on this side of the album but I could never understand why the best ballad Val sings in season 2 "Just When I Really Needed You" isn't included on the album, but weaker songs are.
"Mr Cool" written by Sue Sheridan & Andrea Robinson performed by The Kids From Fame. Yet again a very frustrating & confusing credit as this is performed by Val, Lori and Guest star Connie Needham. Does someone at the record company have something against Lori getting a credit on the album? Again the song is pleasant but for me it's just mediocre.
"Face To Face" written by Gary portnoy & Judy Hart Angelo and performed by Valerie Landsburg & Lee Curreri. Another song that is pleasant but not a favourite of mine. Lee is really only really providing backing vocals.
"Wish Me Well" written by Barry Fasman & Sue Sheridan and performed by Lee Curreri. Now this is another favourite of mine and probably my favourite song performed by Lee so it's a shame that he didn't write it. It's a nice ending to the album and I really like the altered backing vocals.