Front cover of the "Red Light" album by Patty Brard
35 years ago, Patty Brard wanted to give a boost to her singing career with the release of the dance-pop single "Red Light" taken from her third studio album of the same name.
History
After her departure from Luv' in the summer of 1980, Patty was very active and wanted to prove that she could be successful on her own. With the support of her then highly influential husband, Italian music publisher and record producer Carlo Nasi, she released solo records (including "Hold On To Love" which became a hit single in the Netherlands, Belgium and South Africa in 1981). The follow-up records flopped.
For two years (1983-1985), the all-round entertainer found her salvation on television. She co-hosted the popular hidden camera TV show "Bananasplit" with Ralf Inbar on TROS. The former Luv' singer also had the privilege to present the 1985 edition of the "Sanremo Festival" on RAI Uno in Italy with Pippo Baudo (see article posted on February 7th, 2020). Miss Brard was hoping for a breakthrough in Dante's country. But the ex-Luv' lady did not achieve her goal.
Because she settled down in Los Angeles, CA, with Carlo, the diva had plans in America. She was rumoured to be involved in American TV series (including a role in a sequel to "Charlie's Angels" and in "Falcon Crest"). But these projects never materialized.
In late 1985, La Brard hit the wall and had to move on. Carlo and she launched a record label named "Striped Horse" (a division of Allegiance Records) which released her "Red Light" album and exclusive material of Ike & Tina Turner.
For two years (1983-1985), the all-round entertainer found her salvation on television. She co-hosted the popular hidden camera TV show "Bananasplit" with Ralf Inbar on TROS. The former Luv' singer also had the privilege to present the 1985 edition of the "Sanremo Festival" on RAI Uno in Italy with Pippo Baudo (see article posted on February 7th, 2020). Miss Brard was hoping for a breakthrough in Dante's country. But the ex-Luv' lady did not achieve her goal.
Because she settled down in Los Angeles, CA, with Carlo, the diva had plans in America. She was rumoured to be involved in American TV series (including a role in a sequel to "Charlie's Angels" and in "Falcon Crest"). But these projects never materialized.
In late 1985, La Brard hit the wall and had to move on. Carlo and she launched a record label named "Striped Horse" (a division of Allegiance Records) which released her "Red Light" album and exclusive material of Ike & Tina Turner.
In an article published in the Dutch newspaper Limburgs Dagblad on December 21st, 1985, details about Patty's latest record were given. Carlo Nasi recruited sought-after session musicians for his wife's LP, the way he did for her previous albums. Richard Page and Steve George (of American rock band Mr. Mister) recorded background vocals on a couple of songs. Eddie Kendricks (formerly of the Motown vocal group The Temptations) sang a duet entitled "Tender Love" with Patty. Greg Mathieson was in charge of the arrangements. Trevor Veitch co-produced the album with Carlo Nasi. Veitch was very productive in the 1980s. Among the singers he worked with were Toni Basil ("Mickey") and Laura Branigan ("Gloria"). The Red Light album also featured the Woman In Love single that came out earlier in 1985 when Patty presented the Sanremo Festival.
The LP came out with Red Light as the lead single. This track was written by Trevor Veitch and Jai Winding. Winding later became the musical director of Madonna's world tours "Blonde Ambition" (1990) and "Girlie Show" (1993).
Article published in Limburgs Dagblad on December 21st, 1985
Click here to read the article online
Another essential element was the music video for "Red Light" that was shot by Dutch director Allan van Rijn in Frascati (near Rome) and featured extras who had previously appeared in Federico Fellini's movies. According to Van Rijn, it was the most expensive music video ever made for a Dutch artist.
In addition to her musical activities, Patty was often invited to public events. In January 1986, she was one of the guests of the Horecava, a Dutch annual hospitality trade fair held at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. She promoted several products including milk and the Pit-Pat game (a combination of pool (cue sports) and minigolf).
De Telegraaf - January 7th, 1986: Patty promoting milk at the Horecava - click here to read the article online
Patty Brard and State Secretary for Economic Affairs Piet van Zeil at the Horecava (RAI) on January 6th, 1986
De Telegraaf - January 11th, 1986: Patty showing the Pit-Pat at the Horecava - click here to read the article online
Two other songs taken from the Red Light album were released as singles later in 1986: Tender Love (with Eddie Kendricks) and Over My Head (a cover version of a minor hit single by Toni Basil that reached #81 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the US Dance Chart in early 1984).
Over My Head by Toni Basil (1983)
The Red Light LP also included a cover version of Dancing In The Dark (initially performed by Kim Wilde - the original single peaked at #67 in the UK, #26 in Germany and was a Top 10 hit in Denmark, Finland and Switzerland in 1983).
When Patty promoted her records in the media, she expressed her intention to have an international career. She wanted to be part of the "American dream". Red Light didn't achieve the desired results. Due to its lack of popularity, Patty interrupted her music career for several years and focused on TV projects.
Currently, the Red Light album is available on the major digital platforms (including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, YouTube and Spotify).
TV performances
- German program Bitte umblättern on Südwestfunk/ARD featured a report about Carlo and Patty on the Côte d'Azur. Excerpts from Isn't It Everything and Red Light were shown.
- On January 1st, 1986, Patty sang a Dutch duet "Toen het vuurwerk in Abcoude werd ontstoken" with Willem Ruis on VARA's program Sterrenshow. She also performed Red Light.
- On January 4th, 1986, Miss Brard performed Red Light and Tender Love (with Eddie Kendricks) on Veronica's talk show Tineke.
- The singer performed Red Light on two NCRV's shows Los Vast on January 21st, 1986 and Popsjop on February 11th, 1986.
- The Red Light music video was broadcast on Veronica's music show Countdown.
Red Light music video on Countdown (1986)
- In 1986, Patty sang Red Light on RAI 1's music show Discoring in Italy.
Patty on Discoring (RAI UNO, 1986)
Chart performance
All the essential ingredients for success were there: a well-produced catchy song and a great video. However, the Red Light single was a minor hit in Holland. It missed the Dutch Top 40 and only peaked at #48 on the Nationale Hitparade in early February 1986.
Releases - tracklisting
* Red Light
Album released by Striped Horse in late 1985
Red Light album (back cover)
A side:
1 Red Light
Arranged by Jai Winding
Backing Vocals – Alex Brown, Stephanie Spruill, Vesta Williams
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Mixed by Joe Chicarelli
Written by Jai Winding, Trevor Veitch
2 Isn't It Everything
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Jon Joyce, Kevin Dorsey
Bass – Jimmy Johnson
Guitar – Lee Ritenour, Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Saxophone [Solo] – Doug Norwine
Written by Craig Safan, James Lipton, Mark Mueller
3 Crimes Of The Heart
Backing Vocals – Dobby Martin, Jon Joyce, Tommy Funderburk
Bass – Neil Steubenhaus
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Saxophone [Solo] – Tom Scott
Written by John Bettis, John Lind, Phil Pickett
4 Tender Lover
Arranged by Randy Kerber
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Randy Kerber
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Vocals - duet with Eddy Kendricks
Written by Greg Mathieson, Trevor Veitch
Arranged by Randy Kerber
5 Dancing In The Dark
Backing Vocals – Alex Brown, Carmen Twilley, Stephanie Spruill
Bass – Kerry Hatch
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Horns – Chuck Finley, Gary Grant, Gary Herbig, Jerry Hey
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Written by Nicky Chinn, Paul Gurvitz
B side:
1 Over My Head
Backing Vocals – Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Stephanie Spruill
Bass – Jimmy Johnson
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Saxophone [Solo] – Doug Norwine
Written by Fran Golde, Sue Schifrin
2 Mystery Theme
Backing Vocals – Richard Page, Steve George
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Written by John Liotine, Patty Brard, Pete Escovedo
3 Roses
Backing Vocals – Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Stephanie Spruill
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Horns – Chuck Finley, Gary Grant, Gary Herbig, Jerry Hey
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Written by Michael Leeson, Peter Vale
4 Woman In Love
Backing Vocals – Richard Page, Steve George
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Horns – Dave Boruff, David Woodford, John Liotine, Slide Hyde, Steve Madaio
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Michael Boddiker
Saxophone [Solo] – Gary Herbig
Written by Flores, Pino Donaggio, Trevor Veitch
5 Safe In My Lover's Arms
Backing Vocals – Cap Martin Community Choir
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr., Trevor Veitch
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Mathieson, Richard Gibbs
Written by Chris Bennett, Donna Fein
Recorded at The Sound Factory, Sunset Sound, Starlight Studio, Music Grinder Studios, Capitol Studios, Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, CA
Mixed at Ocean Way Recording, Capitol Studios, United Western Studios,
Mastered at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, CA
Arranged by Greg Mathieson
Art Direction – Béla Stamenkovits
Drums – Carlos Vega
Mastered by Wally Traugott
Photography by Jurriaan Eindhoven
Producers – Carlo Nasi, Trevor Veitch
Recorded by David Leonard, Joe Chicarelli, Joe Robb, Peter Doell, Stephen Shelton, Tchad Blake
Recorded and mixed by Don Murray
Trevor Veitch appears courtesy of Slapshot Music
Paulinho Da Costa appears courtesy of Pablo Records
Richard Page, Steve George appear courtesy of RCA Records
Lee Ritenour appears courtesy of GRP Records
Abraham Laboriel appears courtesy of MCA Records
* Red Light
Single released by Striped Horse in late 1985
Front cover of "Red Light" (single)
A side: Red Light - 3:34
Mixed by Joe Chicarelli
Written by Trevor Veitch and Jai Winding
B side: Room 999
Written by Steffan, Brard, Donaggio, Veitch
Produced by Carlo Nasi and Trevor Veitch
* Over My Head
Single released by Striped Horse in 1986
A side: Over My Head - 3:36
B side: Woman In Love - 4:12
* Tender Love (with Eddy Kendricks)
Single released by Striped Horse in 1986
A side: Patty Brard + Eddy Kendricks: Tender Lover
Written by Greg Mathieson, Trevor Veitch
B side: Patty Brard: Mystery Theme
Written by Liotine, Patty Brard, Pete Escovedo
Produced by Carlo Nasi and Trevor Veitch
Source: Luv' weblog archives, Discogs.com, DutchCharts.nl, YouTube, Delpher.nl, 45cat.com...
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