Chico in October 2008

Young El


A pic from my fave Debarge photo session-the one for the album cover of "In A Special Way"

[Edited 3/17/09 20:43pm]
[Edited 3/17/09 20:43pm]
[Edited 3/17/09 20:44pm]

scriptgirl said:

Is there anyway you can resize them? Or whoever posted it to resize them?

scriptgirl said:

Those are the same pictures up top and there's not a DeBarge in sight.

I've seen often huge photos in MJ-threads without complaints

That is the MJ thread.This is the Debarge thread. Get it right.
Video from El's son, El Debarge Jr.

scriptgirl said:

It was just a light reply and i've been trying to add something positive with my posts.
Sorry for hitting the wrong nerve.

Sorry. It's been a bad day

scriptgirl said:

No worries , it's all good. Keep on keepin on.

Okay, i've resized the photo in 2 new formats, and after your feedback i will delete the one which still might be too expanded to scroll through :

Critical Appraisal of Debarge and El from Robert Chistgau, music critic for the Village Voice and one of the most prominent music critics in the field. His reviews were done the year the album was issued.

The DeBarges [Gordy, 1981]
Four harmonizing siblings, and if you think Berry's been here before, you're a lot less than 80 percent right. For one thing Berry's not calling the shots--they produce, they write, they even play (supposedly). Not too long on substance in those departments, I admit, but young adults who sing with the grace of children don't just get away with flight fantastic--when they fly as high and free as Bunny (who's a girl) and Eldra (who isn't), it's their destiny. A-

All This Love [Gordy, 1982]
They came from nowhere with an airy debut that never touched ground or stopped coming, and nowhere is where it went. So this time they go against their own best instincts, bearing down on individual compositions rather than immersing themselves in sound. When they hit one--slow stuff like "All This Love" and "I Like It" is why the Lord blessed them--you can hear it breaking through and crossing over, always the Motown ideal. When they don't, all you hear is exquisitely cautious product. B+

In a Special Way [Gordy, 1983]
When first I fell in love with the austere lilt and falsetto fantasy they've pinned to plastic here, I thought it was just that I'd finally outgrown the high-energy fixation that's always blocked my emotional access to falsetto ballads. So I went back to Spinners and Blue Magic, Philip Bailey and my man Russell Thompkins Jr., and indeed, they all struck a little deeper--but only, I soon realized, because the superior skill of these kids had opened me up. I know of no pop music more shameless in its pursuit of pure beauty--not emotional (much less intellectual) expression, just voices joining for their own sweet sake, with the subtle Latinized rhythms (like the close harmonies themselves) working to soften odd melodic shapes and strengthen the music's weave. High energy doesn't always manifest itself as speed and volume--sometimes it gets winnowed down to its essence. A+

Rhythm of the Night [Gordy, 1985]
Eldra DeBarge's genius isn't especially with-it--uptempo arrangements do nothing for his outstretched melodies and chilly harmonies. But he and his countless siblings scored one hit after another off In a Special Way, which led to a traumatic tour with the unsinkable Luther Vandross when Eldra might have been working up new product. Hence this mishmash--a Richard Perry-produced soundtrack one-off, a Giorgio Moroder-produced soundtrack one-off, a 1981 ballad featuring Eldra and sister Bunny in their classic falsetto mode, four standard medium-fasts from C-list funk-popper Jay Graydon, and two uptempo numbers from Eldra, who seems to be getting a handle on the stuff. Pray the paranoia underlying his all-too-interesting "The Walls (Come Tumbling Down)" dissipates when he settles into the studio again. B+


El DeBarge [Gordy, 1986]
Especially since Eldra, to honor the name his mama gave him, has shown something like genius as both writer and producer, the plethora of outside help is a double down. But though you can be sure this projected crossover is expected to produce a run of peppy crossover singles, starting with El's second straight meaningless movie theme, it has the flow of an album, even the personal stamp. This is provided not by what they're selling, the boyish clarity and indomitable sweetness of a voice a just God would have bestowed on a braver guy, but by the outside help, most of it sufficiently skillful and second-rate to mimic his rhythmic and melodic quirks. With lyrics adding hints of maturity to his customary show of naiveté and hooky beats fattened with the plush keybs of big-league pop, he almost passes as one more ingratiating opportunist. B
Gemini [Motown, 1989]
With his solo debut an old stiff, several lesser siblings convicted cocaine traffickers, and Uncle Berry passed on to his corporate reward, this is black pop on a beeline for the cutout bins, which I guess means it isn't really black pop at all. Just good black music, ancient to the future, all jumping rhythms and space-case melody, less catchy song than gorgeous sound. Can't say maturity's done him a damn bit of good. But at least it hasn't killed him. B+

Heart, Mind and Soul [Reprise, 1994]
The great lost love man enlists Babyface (five songs, four jumpy), Jermaine Dupri (one trick groove), various siblings (backing up his ballads), and the shade of Marvin Gaye (self-penned title finale) in an overdue quest for his own genius. The incomparable In a Special Way was 1983, and those hung up on the irretrievable innocence and naturalness of the past may take offense at the digital aesthetic, not to mention El's occasional descent into a manly tenor. Me, I applaud his appetite for the freaky, and note fondly that he adores her for it in the morning, as dogged as ever in his helpless devotion. I urge him to find more harmony work for Bunny and the others. But this is his second-best album. A-

El and DeBarge music was on my periphery when they were"hot" in the 80's. But El's "Heart's Mind & Soul" Cd, I missed the boat entirely. I'm not sure if that's because El's Cd didn't get the promotion/push or just maybe the decision to release "Can't Get Enough" as single from the album and not maybe a slow jam made the difference, since that's was El & company are known for. I don't know why this album didn't "blow up" because it's excellent from start to finish. This must have been disheartening for El. I guess the public sometimes (like me) misses a jewel. Chistagau reviews on spot on. BIG fan of the Cd Gemini too. Thanks for posting Mr. Chistagau Village Voices reviews, scriptgirl. In fact, thanks to everyone for contributing and sharing your info/material. I've learned a lot.
[Edited 3/18/09 14:18pm]

TD3 said:

I think because it probably didn't get the promotion and push from the label like it should have.

Here's an old interview that El did on The Today Show where he talked about his childhood and going solo.

TD#, you are welcome for the reviews.
Video of James and Kevin Archie

I enjoyed the interview, slenderoni1978, near the end of the interview she
was looking
at El as if she was about to drool , I know what she was thinking.
(3:54-3:57)
--

What was the purpose of mentioning that his mother is black and
his dad is white? What does that have to do with his music and
his career?
[Edited 3/20/09 11:29am]

RosesRred said:

I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, RosesRred I will be drooling too or trying to not if I was interviewing someone as gorgeous as El looked during that interview

A lot of interviewers take the personal route when they interview celebrities like mentioning their childhood and relationships I guess because they feel people, especially their fans, would like to know.

I think the interviewer mentioned El's heritage for 2 reasons-one, maybe to clear up the rumors that might have sprung up saying the Debarge family was half Latino and also maybe to stir up controversy. Being biracial has always been controversial, but it was even more so then.

I sure many of you know, Warner Music Group has asked YouTube to take down their videos/music/TV stuff or mute it. I've run up two videos/show already for which El's stuff is no longer available or has been muted. I don't know who owns what but you may wanna download your favorite clips for your on private viewing pleasure.

According to info I got from another site, El will be out of jail in June. He will then work on a new cd and will start to plan a major tour.

Here is El's letter


[Edited 3/21/09 20:15pm]

scriptgirl said:

If that is true that is good news, I just hope he stays focus
on his goals. I really can't see a major tour but I look forward
to his new CD, like I've been waiting forever for Chico's new
one to come out.

BTW: I don't think that is El's son in that video unless
that is him on keyboard.....

(4givemeifIamWRONG)

RosesRred said:

It's probably true, even in El's case where he's violated the terms of his probation, in some cases you serve half of your time: Especially for non-violent offense's. He probably got lucky also because the State of California is broke, with 12% of their budget going towards the penal system annual they've had to "early" release many non-violent criminals. I wish him well and peace of mind.


I think that's his son singing RoeseR, right script.."?
[Edited 3/21/09 19:40pm]

It is true re EL. He gave out in the info in a letter he wrote which his mother then shared.

That is indeed el debarge jr in the vid. here is another pic of him.

SCRIPTGIRL, I thought EL wasn't accepting any letters?

El accepted letters for about or so and then started to decline them for whatever reason.

Here is some info re a project Chico is involved in:
*Chicago, Illinois -- Kedar Entertainment recording artist Chico DeBarge has recently been named Managing Partner of P.R.O. (People Reclaiming Ourselves). P.R.O. is a dream realized for Chico.

Ever since his reintegration from prison into society he wanted to help others with that transition as well as speak to the youth about not repeating the mistakes that he has made in the past.

Chicago is the pilot city for this program, Chico along with P.R.O. founders Jamie Miller and Darryl Lamb already have plans to take this to other cities across the country.

Chico DeBarge known more famously for his music career and that of his siblings has had a peppered past to say the least.

Most people credit Chico along with artists like D'Angelo and Erykah Badu with ushering in the Neo-Soul era of popular music. Some may remember Chico from further back than 1998.

Almost a decade prior, Chico had a burgeoning music career, signed (like his siblings) with Motown Records. It is what happened between Motown and Neo-Soul that changed Chico's life forever.

In October of 1988, Chico along with his brother Bobby was sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute narcotics. While in prison Chico began a journey to which he credits most of his present day success. Between the walls of his 8x8 cell, Chico began to grow and develop artistically as a musician, whiling away the long hours of solitude by writing and singing of his trials and tribulations as an inmate. In the summer of 1994, Chico was released and faced with the challenge of reintegrating himself into society. A feat that Chico says was easier said than done.

P.R.O. (People Reclaiming Ourselves) is a non-profit organization headquarted here in the Chicagoland area that provides insight and information on agencies and resources that work to reduce re-entry into the penial system with an enhanced focus on jobs, housing, substance abuse treatment and mental health issues for ex-prisoners.

# # #

Check out this cool video of a Motown special (unfortunately disabled to post it as a screen here)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqqxx4mXD7U

Debarge opens the show, and you see the incredible line-up of guests announced.
What confuses me though is that this particular Motown-event from 1985 is titled as "50 Years of Celebrating Entertainment" ...
...while it currently is Motown's 50th celebration. In 1983 was the famous broadcast of their 25th year in the biz, so by 1985 it was 27 years of recording.

Shango said:

I always loved the way EL dressed and danced he is very smooth and entertaing.
That show had a lot of GREAT acts,lots of my favorites, did they only perform for 1 minute because that was too many to count that was on that show.
I wish I can see that program today.

Does anyone know how many kids Darell, Tommy, Randy and Carol have?

I love this song by Chico..

Yeah, I love that song as well.