I just discovered Sue Ann Carwell. I recently bought two of her CD's off of ebay. 1988's BLUE VELVET and 1992's PAINKILLER. She's really a good singer and I like her songs infused with that late 80's - early 90's new jack swing sound. BLUE VELVET was produced by Jesse Johnson and definately has the Minneapolis mark on it. Good stuff.

Wowugotit said:

i remember her song "7 days 7 nights" round 'bout 90'-91'...didn't she sing backup on Jesse Johnson's album "Every Shade Of Love" ?

Still wanna check her debut from 1981



www.discogs.com/Sue-Ann-S...ase/235611

www.discogs.com/Sue-Ann-L...se/1026667

www.discogs.com/Sue-Ann-M...se/1278999

I was never sure they were the same "Sueann".....

BUT....."Let Me Let You Rock Me" off the '81 album is a jam, fasho.

I also recommend the 12" version of "7 Days, 7 Nights" from 92...Laney Stewart tore that joint UP.

frankly, the only time I've even heard OF her is in early biographical information on Prince, when he wrote "Make It Through The Storm" for her (or offered it to her).

errant said:

She's also the sister of TC Ellis.

Anyway, I dig Sue Ann's stuff.

I really like that cut, 'Fiction' from the Blue Velvet album. That shit is funkaaayyy!

I remember her song "Let Me Let You Rock Me" from the summer of '81.

errant said:

Sue Ann released "Make it through the storm" on the b-side of "Let me let you rock me".

Sue Ann was an early Prince protege.Throughout 1979,he was producing an album for her but it was never released.She eventually released a few albums without his help.In a 1988 interview,she seemed really bitter,even accusing Prince of stealing some of her ideas.She claims that Vanity 6's look (the lingerie,lace,etc) was completely her idea.

Militant said:

Didn't know that. Good info, thanks !

I remember also reading a live-review from around 1981, where she performed keyboards in the band from singer/bassplayer Michael Henderson,
who sang lead on Norman Connors' original version of "You Are My Starship". Cherrelle performed in Michael Henderson's band too, before here solo-recordings.
[Edited 1/23/09 8:44am]

She contributed background vocals throughout Sheena Easton's 1997 album - FREEDOM.

Wowugotit said:

I only have Blue Velvet on vinyl and the two 12" singles form that album ("Rock Steady" and "Pleasure").

Wowugotit said:

She was on a couple of Britney Spears albums as well.

Rioub said:

Really? I wasn't aware of that. Do you know which albums/songs?