Search - Martha Wash, Izora Armstead :: Got the Feeling

Thank God It Is Available At Last!!

Raider Jack | San Francisco, CA United States | 06/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a compilation of the first two albums by Two Tons (Martha & Izora) plus the perennial favorite "It's Raining Men" when they changed their name to the Weather Girls (why?!) In any event, this project is a gem because it captures some of their best performances on record. As a matter of fact, a fitting addtion would have been their work on Sylvester's live album "Living Proof" recorded at the San Francisco Opera House. (most notbly a searing cover of the Beatles tune "Blackbyrds" and the glorious "Sharing Something Perfect".



As a duo, Martha and Izora were unparalleled and the same fervor, musicianship, and excitement they displayed on record was equally impressive in person. If you have not had a chance to hear Martha, who in my humble opinion, ranks with the absolute best of the female singers like Aretha, Chaka, and Whitney to name a few, please do not miss the opportunity should it arise. I was lucky enough to have just moved to San Francisco when they started and this album was so popular. I also had the wonderful experience of hearing these two divas in person and they left absolutely NOTHING to be desired. Unfortunately, I haven't heard much from Izora these days, but Martha has amassed a solid following and built a solid foundation as a premiere vocalist who many artists would profit from having on their projects. I am excited to say the least and can assure you that you will thoroughly enjoy this CD and come back to it time and time again.



*(11-19-2004) - Would like to take this time to comemorate the recent passing of Izora Rhodes. She will definitely be missed."

Fabulous Compilation

T. West | LaWrEnCe, KaNsAs | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is what I would call a "sampler"; just a taste of what Izora Armstead and Martha Wash had to offer as the wonderful Two Tons O' Fun. They put out 2 LP's- the first one in early 1980, called "TWO TONS O' FUN" and it went thru the roof. Thank god the people at Fantasy records paid attention to the fans reaction to the duo at Sylvester's concerts and gave them a chance to shine as a duo on vinyl. Their second LP, released in late 1980, came with a name change of The Two Tons, and this second Lp was called "BACKATCHA". However, technically their first song as a duo was on Sylvester's third LP titled "SYLVESTER" in 1977- they sang "I BEEN DOWN". They would go on to re-record this song as a trio by adding Jeanie Tracy and it appeared on the "BACKATCHA" LP. For those interested, Ace Records/Southbound record label put out a cd with both full length albums on it and it is called: "THE TWO TONS: TWO TONS O'FUN / BACKATCHA" in 1993. Ace/Southbound record label also put out 2-0n-1 Sylvester LP's

onto cd's.





Here is a list of the complete recorded works and rememberances

of these 2 women:

1. 1977- They pair up to become The Two Tons O' Fun and sing

backup for Sylvester James on his 3rd LP "SYLVESTER".

They record their first song as a duo on this LP and it

is called "I BEEN DOWN".



2. 1978- They continue to tour and sing backup for Sylvester

and appear on his 4th LP "STEP II".

Also in 1978 they lend their big voices to the self-titled

debut album by PARADISE EXPRESS. Izora belts out a disco version

of REVEREND LEE, and Izora shines on STAR IN MY LIFE.

(This self-titled "PARADISE EXPRESS" LP is now finally available

on cd from e*bay seller: Shakhrec, as well as Paradise Express's

second LP on cd "LET'S FLY AWAY"- Martha & Izora do not sing on

the second LP).



3. 1979- They appear with Sylvester at the San Francisco War

Memorial Opera House on March 11th and give an incredible concert,

which was recorded and released as a 2-LP set called "LIVING PROOF".

Fantasy released this onto 1 cd in 1990 and left off 3 newly recorded

tracks due to time restraint.



4. 1980- Two Tons O' Fun LP- their debut album.



5. 1980- Backatcha LP- their second album.



6. 1982- They move to Columbia Records and upon Izora's suggestion,

they change their name to THE WEATHER GIRLS- which goes

nicely with their first Columbia release, a 12" single

called "IT'S RAINING MEN".



7. 1983- The PAUL JABARA & FRIENDS album featured 3 songs by the

new duo. "IT'S RAINING MEN", "HOPE", and "LADIES HOTLINE"

(written by Paul Jabara & Diana Ross). This version of

"HOPE" is the original version.



8. 1983- The Weather Girls release their first Columbia full-length

album called "SUCCESS" (their third album).



9. 1985- The girls kick off the year by singing backup for Bob Seger

on his hit song "LIKE A ROCK". Their old label, Fantasy

records cashes in on their renewed fame by releasing an LP

called "MEGATONAGE: THE BEST OF THE TWO TONS (AKA THE

WEATHER GIRLS)". It contained 7 selected tracks from their

2 LP's on Fantasy as well as their recent hit "IT'S RAINING

MEN". 1985 also saw the release of their 5th LP called

"BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY". For some unknown reason, this has

never been released onto cd.



10.1988- They release their sixth album called- "The Weather Girls"

With 3 songs written by Full Force.

Sylvester passes away Dec. 16th, in San Francisco, and the

girls go their seperate ways musically.



11.1989- Martha Wash sings lead on the song "(You're My One And Only)

True Love"- put out by the girl group SEDUCTION, and written

by Clivilles & Cole (C&C Music Factory). However, she is

denied credit for this.



12.1990- C&C Music Factory put out an album called "GONNA MAKE YOU SWEAT"

and uses Martha's vocals. She is denied credit for the second

time by Civilles & Cole.



13.1990- Black Box puts out an album called "DREAMLAND" and Martha

sings lead on 6 of the 9 tracks, which longtime fans

consider this as her first solo album. Unfortunately,

she is denied credit for her work for the third time.



14.1991- Izora releases her first solo work and it is a 12" single

called "DON'T LET LOVE SLIP AWAY"- with 3 versions of the

song (on the I'nd Label). I had always hoped that Izora

would record an album of jazz and blues, because that big

deep voice could have really sounded great doing covers

of standards, as well as covers of Big Maybelle's "CANDY",

songs by Koko Taylor, Shemika Copeland, Big mama Thornton,

etc. But unfortunately, record companies out there didn't

seem to see her potential as a solo artist. Also, in 1991

Martha continued on and made an appearance on the wonderful

Luther Vandross album "POWER OF LOVE", singing a duet

called "I (WHO HAVE NOTHING)". This was a 1970 hit for

Tom Jones, and Sylvester recorded a disco version of it

in 1979 on his "STARS" album, which ironically, Martha

sang background on.



15.1992- With Martha's legal troubles finally settled over her

past work not receiving credit, she is given a recording

contract and releases her wonderful long-awaited debut

album "MARTHA WASH". It features two versions of the 1980

TWO TONS O' FUN hit "JUST US"- perhaps a nod to her legion

of longtime supporters and fans. There was a remix of this

"JUST US" remake- the remix was by Regee Wilson and it is

found on the cd- DiscoTech remix service dj cd vol. 17.

Many well-known cd singles came off this cd and for those

wanting more, there is a remix of "THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE"

by John W. Moffett- 6:43,found on the cd- DiscoTech remix

service dj cd vol.18.



16.1993- Izora teams up with her daughter Dynelle, and they move

to Germany. With the rights to The Weather Girls name,

they 2 women record their first album called "DOUBLE

TONS O' FUN". They record a new version of "IT'S RAINING

MEN". The group CHOCOLATE also release their version of

"IT'S RAINING MEN" and feature the new Weather Girls vocals.



17.1994- C&C Music Factory release their second album "ANYTHING

GOES!". Martha sings on a couple songs and is credited

this time. Martha has a song on the soundtrack "D2: THE

MIGHTY DUCKS", singing the 1971 Jean Knight hit "MR.

BIG STUFF".



18.1995- The new Weather Girls release their second German album

called "THINK BIG". It contains the Sylvester classic

"STARS", featuring Jimmy Somerville on co-lead vocals.



19.1996- Martha has a song on the soundtrack "FIRST WIVES CLUB",

singing the Elton John song "I'M STILL STANDING".

Which is obviously an anthem song for Martha.



20.1997- Todd Terry releases his album "TODD TERRY PRESENTS-

READY FOR A NEW DAY". Martha sings on a few tracks and

is fully credited for her work.

Also in 1997, the group Lambda releases a 12" single

called "HOLD ON TIGHT" featuring Martha on vocals.

Unfortunately, she is not credited. (However, in 1998,

Jason Nevins re-released this song on a cd-single with

remixes, and Martha is given full credit).

Martha also has a song on the soundtrack "KISS ME GUIDO",

singing a song called "MAGIC CHARMS".



21.1998- Martha releases her greatest hits called "THE COLLECTION".

It features yet another version of "IT'S RAINING MEN",

this time as a duet with RU Paul.

Meanwhile, over in Germany, the new Weather Girls release

their third album called "PUTTIN' ON THE HITS". Released

off the album is a remake of the 1984 hit "DON"T LOOK ANY

FURTHER" featuring the orignal singer Dennis Edwards on

co-lead vocals.



22.1999- The new Weather Girls release a cd single called

"BIG BROWN GIRL" (not from any album).



23.2000- Small Voices Calling release a cd single called "LISTEN

TO THE PEOPLE" featuring Martha on lead vocals.



24.2002- The Disco Brothers release a cd single called "GET UP"

which features the new Weather Girls on vocals.

Also released is a 12" single by the new Weather Girls

called "YOUR LOVE" with Wackside. It is a song from

their new album in progress.



25.2003- The Weather Girls appear on the german tv show COMEBACK UNITED

and Dynelle sings a duet with Limahl called "DON'T GO BREAKING

MY HEART" (the old Elton John and KiKi Dee song). This track

is available on the rare import 2-cd set called THE BEST OF

COMEBACK UNITED.



26.2004- After suffering health problems for a period of time,

Izora Armstead passed away Sept. 16th, 2004 in a

California hospital. Izora's daughter Dynelle joins up

with her step sister Ingrid and they become the 3rd

version of the Weather Girls. They finish work on their

4th album, and release a cd single called "WILD THING".

The full length album is released at the end of 2004 and

called "TOTALLY WILD!".

Martha decides to create her own record label and it is

called PURPLE ROSE RECORDS.



27.2005- Martha releases her first cd single on her new record label

called "YOU LIFT ME UP"- it is a gospel flavored club song.

She mentions in interviews that she is working on releasing

a full-length album of inspirational/uplifting songs.

As of today's date 4-20-08, it has still not been released.



28.2006- Martha appears on the Rev. Yvette Flunder cd "WE WON'T

BE SILENT ANYMORE", singing a solo on the song "HE'LL

UNDERSTAND AND SAY WELL DONE".



29.2006- Martha appears on the Charlene Moore cd "AS YOU ARE I MUST BE"

and sings the song "STEAL YOUR JOY". There is a bonus track on

this cd and it is the Urban Remix of "STEAL YOUR JOY".



30.2007- Martha appears on the Tony Moran 2-cd set called

"THE EVENT", singing on the track "KEEP YOUR BODY WORKIN'"

(which is a remake of the 1979 hit by Kleeer).



31.2008- In May, Ralph Falcon released his huge club hit "BREAK YOU"

which spent one week at #1 on the American dance chart- the

song features the Weather Girls (Dynelle and Ingrid), but it

is Dynelle who really delivers, especially on the original

version (9:30). Dynelle is called Little Izora by her European

fans for good reason! The song is from Ralph's upcoming

Oct. 2008 2-cd set called HOLLYWOOD TO HIALEAH.





Here's hoping Martha releases that long-awaited full-length album.

So many fans are hungry for some new material from this Diva!

Take a moment and visit her website: w3.martha-wash dot com



Special Note******

Every now and then I come across Two Tons O' Fun remixes/re-edits.

Here is a list of what I have purchased/found:



1. 1982?- 12" Single "JUST US"- Danny Krivit's Mr. K Re-Edit 6:48

This is a re-edit of the 1980 version. I found this 12" single on

discogs. As for year of release, I am guessing 1982?



2. 1993- "GOT THE FEELING '93" remix by Tim Benjamin & MC BONES.

This is found on the ZYX - Two Tons O' Fun compilation cd called

"GET THE FEELING".



3. 1998- "DO YOU WANNA BOOGIE?" Masters At Work re-edit/remix found on

the 1998 cd MAD STYLES & CRAZY VISIONS- Mixed Live By Little Louie

Vega (for those who don't know, Little Louie Vega & Kenny Dope

Gonzalez is Masters At Work).



4. 1998- "EARTH CAN BE JUST LIKE HEAVEN" Masters At Work Re-Edit, found

on the 12" single. Haven't found what cd this is on yet.



5. 2001-2004?- "JUST A FEELING" (aka Got The Feeling)- Re-Edit. Found the

BD Records 12" single on discogs. Not sure when exactly this was

released- around 2001-2004.



6. 2006- "FEEL IT"- Phunkk Mob Remix. Found on the cd Attractive

Club Sweets Vol. 2.



7. 2007- "FEEL IT"- Thomas Gold Remix. Found on the Marco V:

Combinations 3 cd.



8. 2008?- "MAKE SOMEONE FEEL HAPPY TODAY"- DJ Raahan Re-Edit. Found

this 12" single on e*bay from an australian seller- I believe this

is only available as an import.



Sure would be nice if all 8 of these were available on 1 cd.









"

Forgot One Entry

Lavenderbyrd | LaWrEnCe, KaNsAs | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I forgot one entry in the list of Izora & Martha's recorded works:



1991- Luther Vandross puts out an album called - "POWER OF LOVE".

It featured a duet with Martha Wash, the old classic song

"I (Who Have Nothing)". I believe Tom Jones was the original singer of this song. Sylvester put out a disco version of it on his 1979 album

called- "STARS"."