About 20yrs ago Patti told Oprah that back when she was 19 or 20 The Bluebells would sing "Where are you" during their Live shows. The song was recorded by Jazz Queen Dinah Washington. Dinah sent Patti a telegram telling her to stop singing the song.
This weekend I listened to Patti & Dinah's versions. Patti's Live version & Recorded version are Outstanding. Patti LaBelle was born to Sing and Belt and her voice is so unique. Patti's voice @ 20 is amazing. When you hear her voice at that age you understand why Luther Vandross became a Diehard Fan. I only listened to Dinah's recorded version becuz it was all over after she finished singing & that's all I NEEDED to listen to...LOL...Lord knows that woman could sing a song...Yes Lawd....Like Aretha she tells a story with every verse and you feel as if she's singing to you & you alone. I Love Patti more than LIFE but I prefer Dinah's version becuz she has more Sass or Feistiness in her delivery. Patti has Soul and so much gut-wrenching Emotion. There's "caution" in the wind when Patti sings because you know her vocals can turn into a Hurricane...Ms. Patti gets an A+ for doing an Awesome cover but Queen Dinah wins the day.

Here's another thing..When you listen to Patti's version of "Where are you" it's as if she's trying to give you the same "Dinah sound" but she Pattifies it like she always does(you can tell she wants to wail to the rafters, but she holds back). I feel that Ms.Washington should have been pleased maybe even honored that a young & Talented singer like Patti was singing the song LIVE. I wonder if Dinah wanted Patti to "cease & desist" singing it because Patti sounded like her in certain parts (even the Live version)?