Search - Gladys Knight & Pips :: Miss Gladys Knight

GLADYS ALONE

Marcos B. Santos | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 09/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gladys without The Pips, still at Buddah Records, 1978... This album contains some pearls that hardly are remembered. The aching performance of Gladys for "We don't need each other laugh anymore", a song entirely different from the style we were used to hear from Gladys, the delightfull "Sail Away/Freedom For The Stallions", the potential hit "I'm Still Caught Up With You", the vigorous and wonderful Gladys'performance to "I'm Coming Home Again". Only for these tracks the record is already worthy. But it has too a good song called "The Way It Was" composed by B.Gibb, R.Gibb and Blue Weaver (Bee Gees?), and another two good ones, "I'll Take a Melody" and "With You In My Mind"! We don't miss The Pips in this album, maybe because of the chosen songs. Gladys seems to show that she can walk alone."

Ms Knight on Her Own

Douglas Modig | Sweden | 10/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ms Gladys Knight proceeds to show us that she is one of the most outstanding voices of America whether she is backed up by the Pips or not. This is a voice of such texture and richness that it almost spills over and seemingly effortless ms Knight takes us on a stupendous journey of sensuality, joy, melancholy and heartbreak more or less hypnotized by that trembling vibrato that could have rendered her a major career as an alto in the operatic field. When the lyrics are perfect ms Knight knows how to savour them and she has never been better than in the master piece "We Don't Make Each Other Laugh Anymore". This supervoice sometimes choses inferior material but when she finds a State of the Art song no one, not even Franklin, outshines her soulish mastery with that totally unique voice of hers. Thankfully ms Knight avoids the exaggerated wailings of younger artists and will and can hopefully persue a very long career due to clever use of her golden voice. Long live and brava, Gladys Knight ! Douglas Modig, Kristianstad, Sweden"

Gladys Knight & No Pips?

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 11/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"'Miss Gladys Knight' is Knights first solo album from 1978.There are two things to say about this album:the musicians,production and arrangements are top notch.Same goes for the songwriting handled by Allen Touissant,Carole Bayer Sager and Barry Gibb.Also Gladys's voice couldn't be in finer shape-she was still in her prime as a singer.But the trouble with 'Miss Gladys Knight' is the nature of the songs-sad,string laden ballads (largely referring to romantic breakups) make up about 3/4 of the album-they are saved from being a total downer by Knights triumphant,husky gospel/soul stylings and her terrific vocal pathos."Sail Away/Freedom From The Stallions" on the other hand is a fantastic,socially and historically aware slice of classic deep soul about a voyage on a slave ship."I'll Take A Melody" is another highlite from this album-it takes on a similar retro soul style (even for the late 70's) and infuses it with a great melody.'Miss Gladys Knight' also contains two uptempo tunes-both in a Philly/Disco mold:"It's Better Then Good Time" (also recorded earlier with the Pips) and the excellent closer "Love Gives You The Power",one of the very finest uptempo songs Knight has ever made.'Miss Gladys Knight' proves once and for all that while she is more then capable of keeping up with the time Gladys Knight's own personal forte tends towards classic retro Motown style soul.And if you want to hear music of that style you will certainly find it here."