SoulAlive said:

Vocally,she always sounded very similiar to Donna Summer.She even used Donna's producer (Giorgio Moroder) on her 1983 What A Feeling album.

Yes, she and Giorgio worked together, but, personally, I don't think her voice and Donna's voice were similar. Donna's voice was way stronger and more versatile. Irene's voice was good (not into it now), but her range seemed very limited. I would even say that she sang songs that could have been given to Donna to sing. The result would have been different, but they both could sing them. I loved "Out Here On My Own" when I was growing up. Still do. "Flashdance (What A Feeling!)" was another good one too. I have about five others in my library that I like too. I might have said in the past that I could hear Donna singing this Irene song, but I don't think I've ever said she sounds like Donna vocally on any of her songs. Just my personal ear perception, of course. We all hear things differently sometimes. However, if I should change my mind one day after listening to an Irene Cara track, I will let you know. If this thread is still around, that is:)

[Edited 6/30/12 23:35pm]

[Edited 7/2/12 15:37pm]

SoulAlive said:

her 1983 single "Why Me" finds her in pop/rock territory

Actually this song reminds me of 'The Wanderer" by Donna Summer produced again by Giorgio Moroder.

I loved Irene Cara back in the day its hard to believe she's never really mentioned when it comes to 80s female pop stars. Her career fizzeled way too early the reason being the industry blacklisted her.

I thought she was a decent actress as well early this year I watched Roots: The Next Generation didnt know she starred in that playing Alex Haley's mother. She needs to make a comeback in acting perhaps a guest spot. She appeared on the Wendy Williams show a few months ago she wasnt focused just can't put my finger on it something wasnt right.

SoulAlive said:

I really like this one...."Breakdance" from her 1983 album 'What A Feelin".....

that was one of my jams back in '84.

kitbradley said:

SoulAlive said:

I really like this one...."Breakdance" from her 1983 album 'What A Feelin".....

that was one of my jams back in '84.

mine too now poppin' and lockin' is a new way of talkin'

in the movie 'flashdance', i felt irene cara's voice did jennifer beals', character "alex" such splended justice. imo irene cara's voice has an urgency in it's sound.

also alex had an urgency to bring her dream as a classical ballet dancer into reality. her spirit as a dancer along with irene cara's voice was WOW, aka, great. i luv irene cara's voice.

when i saw her in the original 'sparkle' movie.

i thought she did a great job as a backup singer as well as doing the solo part.

thanks to this thread,I realize that I need to get her 1983 'What A Feelin' album I had forgot about all the great songs on it! It was remastered/reissued several years ago.In addition to the songs I already posted,it also contains these gems....

"You Were Made For Me"

"Cue Me Up"

^^"You Were Made For Me" should have been a Top 10 pop smash!! It's a lovely 80s ballad.

leecappella said:

SoulAlive said:

Vocally,she always sounded very similiar to Donna Summer.She even used Donna's producer (Giorgio Moroder) on her 1983 What A Feeling album.

Yes, she and Giorgio worked together, but, personally, I don't think her voice and Donna's voice were similar. Donna's voice was way stronger and more versatile. Irene's voice was good (not into it now), but her range seemed very limited. I would even say that she sang songs that could have been given to Donna to sing. The result would have been different, but they both could sing them. I love "Out Here On My Own" when I was growing up. Still do. "Flashdance (What A Feeling!)" was another good one too. I have about five others in my library that I like too. I might have said in the past that I could hear Donna singing this Irene song, but I don't think I've ever said she sounds like Donna vocally on any of her songs. Just my personal ear perception, of course. We all hear things differently sometimes. However, if I should change my mind one day after listening to an Irene Cara track, I will let you know. If this thread is still around, that is:)

It's interesting that Irene was paired with Giorgio when Donna began working with other producers.Makes you wonder...if Donna and Giorgio had kept working together,she might have gotten some of those tunes that went to Irene,such as "Flashdance...What A Feeling".

Omg check out 8 year old Irene in this clip! She was full of talent and charisma even then!

I always thought she was cute and had a great voice. Not enough to buy one of her albums...

Plus, she had one of the most degrading and uncomfortable nude scenes in all of cinema!

NDRU said:

I always thought she was cute and had a great voice. Not enough to buy one of her albums...

Plus, she had one of the most degrading and uncomfortable nude scenes in all of cinema!

I missed that

nursev said:

NDRU said:

I always thought she was cute and had a great voice. Not enough to buy one of her albums...

Plus, she had one of the most degrading and uncomfortable nude scenes in all of cinema!

I missed that

Didn't you see Fame?

NDRU said:

nursev said:

I missed that

Didn't you see Fame?

Hell I can't remember that

kitbradley said:

SoulAlive said:

I really like this one...."Breakdance" from her 1983 album 'What A Feelin".....

that was one of my jams back in '84.

That is another fave of mine. Love the instrumentation of it. The Dub Version is pretty good too.

nursev said:

NDRU said:

Didn't you see Fame?

Hell I can't remember that

She has this TV audition where she has to take off her top, and when she starts crying, he makes her suck her thumb like the little baby she is!!

NDRU said:

nursev said:

Hell I can't remember that

She has this TV audition where she has to take off her top, and when she starts crying, he makes her suck her thumb like the little baby she is!!

Oh damn I remeber that yeah that scene was a lil sick

I remember that "Fame" scene.Haven't seen that movie in years,though.Might have to get the DVD.

I was watching Fame recently and was wondering what happened to her. Agree she should've been bigger that she ended up being...very talented. I completely forgot about Breakdance! That is a great song!

She needs an Unsung.

So was she only blackballed because of dating the same guy Geffen was?

She did an interview a few years back, I can't remember where I read it, but she was very bitter.

..but for some reason, I remember her more as an actress than a singer.

scriptgirl said:

Growing up, I always thought Irene was black. I didm't know toll years later she wasn't. I also forget Zoe is not black

scriptgirl said:

Growing up, I always thought Irene was black. I didm't know til' years later she wasn't.

So did I

Thank goodness I'm not the only one, lol!

Irene Cara is part black, her dad is African American and Puerto Rican, her mother is Cuban.

As for Zoe Saldana, her father is Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican, but this is what she says...

"When I go to the D.R., the press in Santo Domingo always asks, "¿Qué te consideras, dominicana o americana?" (What do you consider yourself, Dominican or American?) I don't understand it, and it's the same people asking the same question. So I say, time and time again, "Yo soy una mujer negra." ("I am a black woman.") [They go,] "Oh, no, tú eres trigueñita." ("Oh no, you are 'dark skinned'") I'm like, "No! Let's get it straight, yo soy una mujer negra." ("I am a black woman.")"

She is Puerto Rican and Dominican. But these are not races, they are only cultures/nationalities. She also has Lebanese, Indian, Irish, and Jamaican lineage.

She tends to play black characters, and has said that she sees herself as a black woman.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Zoe_saldana_black#ixzz2015KaZwO

Thanks for the info.

scriptgirl said:

She needs an Unsung.

So was she only blackballed because of dating the same guy Geffen was?

She did an interview a few years back, I can't remember where I read it, but she was very bitter.

she's the perfect choice for an Unsung episode.

yep

1sotrue said:

The only thing that bothered me was she's hispanic playing the black female roles. I know it was the 70s early 80s so roles for women of color were very limited. This practice still goes on in Hollywood for ex. Zoe Saldana.

Many Dominicans are black. More Africans during the slave trade were taken to South America, Hispaniola, Cuba, and parts of Mexico than were taken to the United Staes.

MickyDolenz said: