Bébé le Strange
Bébé le Strange is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Heart. It was released on February 14, 1980, by Epic Records. It was the first album without founding member Roger Fisher on lead guitar, who had left the band months prior along with his brother Michael.
Bébé le Strange | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 14, 1980 | |||
Recorded | 1979 | |||
Studio | Kaye-Smith, Seattle | |||
Genre | Hard rock | |||
Length | 37:30 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Producer |
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Heart chronology | ||||
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Singles from Bébé le Strange | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | B+[2] |
PopMatters | Unfavorable[3] |
Rolling Stone | Unfavorable[4] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The album was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the US Billboard 200 and spending 22 weeks on the chart.[6] On May 5, 1980, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[7] Bébé le Strange spawned the singles "Even It Up" (backed by the Tower of Power horn section) and the title track. Some of the backing vocals were provided by Don Wilhelm, who had been in a group called The Army with Steve Fossen and Roger Fisher in the 1960s.
On June 29, 2004, the album was re-released by Epic and Legacy Recordings in a remastered expanded edition, containing two bonus track: the studio outtake "Jackleg Man" and a live version of "Break".[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ann Wilson, Sue Ennis, and Nancy Wilson, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Bebe le Strange" |
| 3:38 |
2. | "Down on Me" | 4:46 | |
3. | "Silver Wheels" | N. Wilson | 1:22 |
4. | "Break" | 2:32 | |
5. | "Rockin Heaven Down" | 5:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
6. | "Even It Up" | 5:10 | |
7. | "Strange Night" | 4:16 | |
8. | "Raised on You" | N. Wilson | 3:21 |
9. | "Pilot" | 3:15 | |
10. | "Sweet Darlin" | A. Wilson | 3:18 |
Total length: | 37:30 |
No. | Title | Length |
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11. | "Jackleg Man" (previously unreleased) | 3:02 |
12. | "Break" (live) | 3:03 |
Total length: | 43:35 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bébé le Strange.[9]
Heart
- Ann Wilson – lead vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4–7, 9, 10); tambourine (tracks 1, 5, 6, 10); bass (tracks 1, 6, 10); backup vocals (tracks 1, 6, 7, 9); rhythm guitars (tracks 2, 6); drums, alto flute, piano (track 10)
- Nancy Wilson – guitar (tracks 1, 4, 9); backup vocals (tracks 1, 5–7, 9); Mellotron (track 2); electric guitar (track 5); lead guitar (track 6); acoustic guitars (track 7); lead vocals, all instruments except drums (track 8)
- Howard Leese – guitar (tracks 1, 4, 9); lead guitar (track 1); synthesizer (track 2); backward solo (track 4); electric guitar (tracks 5, 7); acoustic guitars (track 5); backup vocals (tracks 5, 9); rhythm guitars (track 6); keyboards (track 9)
- Michael Derosier – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4–9); rhythm instruments (track 7)
- Steve Fossen – bass (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
Additional musicians
- Sue Ennis – guitar (track 1); piano (track 10)
- Chrissy Shefts – guitar (track 1)
- Connie[lower-alpha 1] – acoustic guitars (tracks 5, 10)
- Don Wilhelm – backup vocals (track 5)
- Gary Humphreys – backup vocals (track 5)
- Tower of Power (Lenny Pickett, Greg Adams, Emilio Castillo, Steve Kupka, Mic Gillette) – horn section (track 6)
Technical
- Mike Flicker – production, engineering, mixing
- Connie[lower-alpha 1] – production
- Howie – production
- Rob Perkins – engineering
- Armin Steiner – horn engineering (track 6)
- Stewart Whitmore – horn engineering assistance (track 6)
- John Golden – mastering at Kendun Recorders, Burbank, California
Artwork
- Tony Lane – art direction
- Tim Girvin – logo graphics
- Jeff Burger – photography
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[7] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
- Connie is a pseudonym for Nancy Wilson, Sue Ennis, and Ann Wilson.
References
- Jurek, Thom. "Bebe le Strange – Heart". AllMusic. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Heart". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- Horning, Rob (August 9, 2004). "Heart: Little Queen / Dog & Butterfly / Bebe Le Strange (reissue)". PopMatters. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- Carson, Tom (May 1, 1980). "Heart: Bebe Le Strange : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- Coleman, Mark; Berger, Arion (2004). "Heart". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York City: Simon & Schuster. p. 372. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- "Heart Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- "American album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Recording Industry Association of America. May 5, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
- "Bebe le Strange [Expanded] – Heart". AllMusic. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- Bébé le Strange (liner notes). Heart. Epic Records. 1980. FE 36371.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0149a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- "Charts.nz – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1980". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- "Canadian album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange". Music Canada. July 1, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020.