‘Desmond Child And Rouge’ despite the disco flash has stood the test of time as a solid pop album.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Desmond Child and Rouge
ALBUM: Desmond Child and Rouge
LABEL: Capitol
SERIAL: ST 11908
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Desmond Child – vocals, keyboards * Maria Vidal – vocals * Myriam Naomi Valle – vocals * Dianne Grasselli – vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Westside Pow Wow * 02 Our Love Is Insane * 03 Lovin’ Your Love * 04 The Fight * 05 Main Man * 06 City Heat * 07 Lazy Love * 08 Otti * 09 Givin’ In To My Love
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Desmond Child And Rouge Background
Disco wasn’t all bad. Did I say that? Yeah, I did, and if you dig deep enough there were a handful of albums that stood out from the usual dreck associated with the movement.
The French group Space created an intriguing mixture of symphonic prog and disco on their ‘Just Blue’ album. It was a good example of what the genre might have been capable of. Had it not become nothing more than superficial fluff.
Of course in the late 70’s, disco was creeping into just about every style of music imaginable including melodic rock. Who can forget Wet Willie‘s ‘Weekend’ or Kiss and their ill-advised ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’?
I wish I could, but that’s ancient history now. Yet the Desmond Child and Rouge debut was different. Despite the disco flash and trends of the day its stood the test of time as a solid pop album.
The Songs
Formed by songwriter extraordinaire Desmond Child, the concept of one guy and three women in a band was not new. But the music certainly was. Imagine a rock, pop, disco version of ‘West Side Story’, street smart, flashy and contemporary.
‘Westside Pow Wow’ and ‘The Fight’ (co-written by Paul Stanley) both paint musical pictures of New York’s seamy underbelly. It was tempered by ‘Lovin’ Your Love’ and ‘Otti’ both of which are melodramatic, while still following the streetwise story line.
In Summary
While not really a concept album, it holds together as such and is an intriguing listen. The only song that made a dent in the pop market was the single ‘Our Love Is Insane’. This one had crossover appeal into the R & B and Disco charts. FM radio picked up on ‘The Fight’ more than likely due to the Stanley connection, but none of this translated into major sales.
The group’s follow-up ‘Runners In The Night’ was released later the same year. It was geared more towards AOR radio, but it too failed to generate much interest. Which was a shame since it was a very good record.
‘Desmond Child And Rouge’ was released on CD a few years ago with different cover. The liner notes were written by none other than the late Malcolm Dome, making it a worthy purchase.
Desmond Child And Rouge on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
