Search - Pointer Sisters :: Only Sisters Can Do That

The title says it all!!!

Thomas Stafford | San Francisco, CA United States | 05/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anita, June and Ruth Pointer were at the top of their game in the 80's, but in the 90's, their popularity was faltering. After a disappointing run with Motown (no surprise there), they looked to one of the best to produce what had to be one of their best. Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band Lead Singer) produced all of the tracks on this CD and his work could not have been more fitting to the girls than their former producer, Richard Perry.
The matierial chosen for the CD was top-notch except for an anemic "Lose Myself, To Find Myself." From the opening chords, the ladies had arrived into the 90's to give every girl group that was current a real run for their money. The dance tunes are very dancable and the slow groove tunes are full of body and soul. Particularly interesting dance tracks include "Don't Walk Away," with Ruth on lead and a guest spot from Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald, (He also co-wrote the song); "Feel For The Physical" with June on lead vocals and Ruth's daughter Issa Pointer adding some vocal gymnastics in the background; and "Vibetime" with Ruth and Anita sharing leads. The best of the ballads is without a doubt, "I Want Fireworks." It harkens back to the doo-wop sound with Ruth carrying a bass line as only she can, but it keeps pumping with a slow groove that is irresistably sexy.
Like I said earlier, there is one very weak tune. "Lose Myself, To Find Myself" sounds like an after thought in the whole production process. The sisters never really gel into the tight harmonies that they're so famous for, and the song has pitiful rock-induced lyrics that mean almost nothing. The guitar playing on this track is admirable, however. June should have led the piece as she is more well known for doing the Rock-n-roll songs, but Anita tries her hand at it. It doesn't work. However, to have one weak track that's still listenable and 9 others that should have been hits - that's a great recordiing!"

A Lost Masterpiece

Timothy T. Ward | 06/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The death of June Pointer has been a tragic loss to the music industry and she is truly missed. The magic of The Pointer Sisters was largely due to how Anita, Ruth, & June complimented each other by combing their individual vocal traits to create just about any mood imaginable. The many moods are finally back and their voices sound exactly alike and yet different from one another on their last studio release, and this is one for any die-hard fan as well as lovers of quality dance and R&B music. Produced by Peter Wolf, Only Sisters Can Do That is their best album since their multi-successful 1984 release, Break Out. The songs flow with grooves and harmonies all the way through and the Pointers have never sounded more professional and relaxed, proving that what made them unique for so many years was an unmatched vocal quality that only sisters can create into a musical meltdown."