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you're a artists & repertoire person ... Here's an interesting fantasy. You're an A&R (artists &
repertoire ) person,who just started your own record company...you got your choice of any musical act (dead or living) or performers...who would you sign up? again this is your fantasy. you can pick anybody from any era..any style of music...if U wanna explain why you picked somebody that's cool. this one's gonna be tough...for me. because my dream record label would lean toward the alternative...that is to say i would have all types of music styles on my label...i wouldn't be like Motown... now def-jam...that might be a template for my fantasy label! let me mull this over for a while...anybody got any ideas? youngca | |
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i would want mature acts because they have more loyal fanbases and need less promotion. maybe with one or two media darlings...
tori amos (i love her...and those toriphiles will pay for my childrens' college education five times over!) david bowie prince (even though he's difficult, his fans will buy anything he puts out!) madonna annie lennox self lauryn hill | |
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This is a very good topic, BTW.
I think I would keep it relatively simple and sign artist who are hot or not (bring them to the forefront because they were either overlooked or underrated), and you definitely have to be talented. All genres are welcome My list would probably go a little something like this... Stevie Wonder Syreeta Wright D'Angelo Raphael Saadiq Caron Wheeler (from Soul II Soul) Red Hot Chili Peppers The Clark Sisters Paul McCartney Bruce Hornsby Bobby McFerrin Dixie Chicks George Clinton Michael Jackson Roy Hargrove John Mayer McCoy Tyner Sly Stone (get him out of seclusion) Daryl Coley Jodeci Norah Jones Pharoah Sanders Wynton Marsalis Terence Blanchard Nas Kelis Jay-Z OutKast Lauryn Hill Rah Digga Cee-Lo Green Goodie Mob George Clinton Bootsy Collins Earth, Wind, and Fire James Brown Joi Roberta Flack The Clark Sisters Tremaine Hawkins Walter Hawkins Shirley Caesar Fishbone Chaka Khan The Neptunes Lenny Kravitz Prince Aretha Franklin Mary J. Blige Tweet Bilal Missy Elliott Timbaland (without Magoo) Playa Joe Hell, there's a lot more just give me a minute or two! [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 9:03:44 PDT 2003 by okaypimpn] | |
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I would just name my label "Comeback" and the reason why I call it that is,,,you guessed it 1.Angela Winbush(This sista would be my #.1 choice and if you don't know what I mean let her work be the judge of what I'm talking about 2.Miki Howard(I'd produce a funk/Jazz LP esp 4 her since she wanted it and I'd promote the mofo. And hey man,,me and Miki would click like this [] simply becoz when you look at Miki Howard you're lookin' EXACTLY at ol' girl Harlepolis-same vibe, same passion and Billie Holiday). 3.Mel'isa Morgan(This chic along Whitney & Mariah would make a killer Divas triple line if she eva got the right people backing he up. Damn, what a beautiful voice that woman have 4.Phyllis Hyman(Fuckin' critics are lookin' at Jill Scott & Musiq saying all kind of dumb shit like "They're the BEST effort from Philly's music" and I'd promote Phyllis to my last breath just to shut these motherfuckers up. Too bad,,it ain't gonna happen). 5.Evelyn Champagne King(I'd just change her RnB direction into a Jazz/Funk sound. Her voice suits that genre so well,,,some airy music that night people like me would enjoy). 6.Chaka Khan & Rufus(Cuz I just want to goddammit,,,ain't noboy gonna have problem with that 7.Prince(He's 45 years old man who knows his own ground so I wouldn't force into this shit. If he wanted to join in I'd spend my last breath promoting his ass otherwise I'm happy 4 him). 8.Lala Hathaway(She's EXACTLY the female version of her father but with a Jazzier twist this time. Gawd, that woman is good, she's sooo damn good 9.Adriana Evans(Another soul of Funk/Jazz). 10.Nicole Renee(This would be #.2 after Miss Winbush. She's a combanation of Prince, Stephanie Mills, Joni Mitchell & Janis Joplin. The chic can't be fucked with otherwise she could be deadly. She was a hostess in BET Teen Summit but she shocked the world with her debut and only ONE CD 4 damn sure). 11.Stephanie Mills(Shiiit, do I need to explain my self? 12.Ettap(This is the Arabic version of Dione Worwick without the drama. I love her voice,,smooth and passionate). Damn, dreams are the boom-diggity ain't that right? If I 4got anybody,,,just let me know! [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 10:19:25 PDT 2003 by Harlepolis] [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 10:48:43 PDT 2003 by Harlepolis] | |
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Harlepolis said: 4.Phyllis Hyman(Fuckin' critics are lookin' at Jill Scott & Musiq saying all kind of dumb shit like "They're the BEST effort from Philly's music" and I'd promote Phyllis to my last breath just to shut these motherfuckers up. Too bad,,it ain't gonna happen).
Thank you. | |
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okaypimpn said: Harlepolis said: 4.Phyllis Hyman(Fuckin' critics are lookin' at Jill Scott & Musiq saying all kind of dumb shit like "They're the BEST effort from Philly's music" and I'd promote Phyllis to my last breath just to shut these motherfuckers up. Too bad,,it ain't gonna happen).
Thank you. okayp...checking out your label and i'm nodding my head. pretty impressive. | |
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okaypimpn said: This is a very good topic, BTW.
I think I would keep it relatively simple and sign artist who are hot or not (bring them to the forefront because they were either overlooked or underrated), and you definitely have to be talented. All genres are welcome My list would probably go a little something like this... Stevie Wonder Syreeta Wright D'Angelo Raphael Saadiq Caron Wheeler (from Soul II Soul) Red Hot Chili Peppers The Clark Sisters Paul McCartney Bruce Hornsby Bobby McFerrin Dixie Chicks George Clinton Michael Jackson Roy Hargrove John Mayer McCoy Tyner Sly Stone (get him out of seclusion) Daryl Coley Jodeci Norah Jones Pharoah Sanders Wynton Marsalis Terence Blanchard Nas Kelis Jay-Z OutKast Lauryn Hill Rah Digga Cee-Lo Green Goodie Mob George Clinton Bootsy Collins Earth, Wind, and Fire James Brown Joi Roberta Flack The Clark Sisters Tremaine Hawkins Walter Hawkins Shirley Caesar Fishbone Chaka Khan The Neptunes Lenny Kravitz Prince Aretha Franklin Mary J. Blige Tweet Bilal Missy Elliott Timbaland (without Magoo) Playa Joe Hell, there's a lot more just give me a minute or two! [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 9:03:44 PDT 2003 by okaypimpn] i hope U got an unlimited budget! you got some heavyweights on here! seriously you got a nice variety. | |
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Harlepolis said: I would just name my label "Comeback" and the reason why I call it that is,,,you guessed it
1.Angela Winbush(This sista would be my #.1 choice and if you don't know what I mean let her work be the judge of what I'm talking about 2.Miki Howard(I'd produce a funk/Jazz LP esp 4 her since she wanted it and I'd promote the mofo. And hey man,,me and Miki would click like this [] simply becoz when you look at Miki Howard you're lookin' EXACTLY at ol' girl Harlepolis-same vibe, same passion and Billie Holiday). 3.Mel'isa Morgan(This chic along Whitney & Mariah would make a killer Divas triple line if she eva got the right people backing he up. Damn, what a beautiful voice that woman have 4.Phyllis Hyman(Fuckin' critics are lookin' at Jill Scott & Musiq saying all kind of dumb shit like "They're the BEST effort from Philly's music" and I'd promote Phyllis to my last breath just to shut these motherfuckers up. Too bad,,it ain't gonna happen). 5.Evelyn Champagne King(I'd just change her RnB direction into a Jazz/Funk sound. Her voice suits that genre so well,,,some airy music that night people like me would enjoy). 6.Chaka Khan & Rufus(Cuz I just want to goddammit,,,ain't noboy gonna have problem with that 7.Prince(He's 45 years old man who knows his own ground so I wouldn't force into this shit. If he wanted to join in I'd spend my last breath promoting his ass otherwise I'm happy 4 him). 8.Lala Hathaway(She's EXACTLY the female version of her father but with a Jazzier twist this time. Gawd, that woman is good, she's sooo damn good 9.Adriana Evans(Another soul of Funk/Jazz). 10.Nicole Renee(This would be #.2 after Miss Winbush. She's a combanation of Prince, Stephanie Mills, Joni Mitchell & Janis Joplin. The chic can't be fucked with otherwise she could be deadly. She was a hostess in BET Teen Summit but she shocked the world with her debut and only ONE CD 4 damn sure). 11.Stephanie Mills(Shiiit, do I need to explain my self? 12.Ettap(This is the Arabic version of Dione Worwick without the drama. I love her voice,,smooth and passionate). Damn, dreams are the boom-diggity ain't that right? If I 4got anybody,,,just let me know! [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 10:19:25 PDT 2003 by Harlepolis] [This message was edited Tue Aug 5 10:48:43 PDT 2003 by Harlepolis] harley...i digs yo label! its totally different. i think the name of your label cool,too. ok...i've had a few hours to sleep to think on my label and artists... | |
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youngca said: i hope U got an unlimited budget! you got some heavyweights on here! seriously you got a nice variety.
I 'preciate that. I would also include Mariah Carey, Q-Tip, Rahsaan Patterson, Aaron Neville, Wyclef Jean, City High, Busta Rhymes, Foxy Brown, and Al Jarreau. I'll come back with more! | |
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Dead or alive here's who i would sign (based on what they
bring to the table ) gospel artists: soul stirrers (the originals pre-sam cooke) clark sisters rev. c.l franklin (ree's daddy was a legend) pilgrim travelers highway q.c's Mississippi Mass Choir (the best choir i ever seen!) Annointed aretha franklin (just doing gospel) patti labelle (doin' gospel) 5 blind boys of alabama blues & country (roots category) robert johnson (man...if he was living!) ry cooder johnny guitar watson (i'd make johnny g a star) buddy guy stevie ray vaughn (see robert johnson) carl perkins (mr. rockabilly cat himself...what a guy) bo diddley (circa 1963 with the ducchess) otis rush jazz the marsalis brothers diane reeves phyllis hyman diane kroll bobby caldwell (he's doin' jazz thse days) dizzy gillepsie miles davis (could i control MIles? hell no. but i'd still sign him) patrice rushen (babyfingers would be part of my jazz house band) larry carlton ramsey lewis (house band leader) billie holiday louis jordan sheila e (sheila's in the house band too) tom scott ella fitzgerald frank sinatra (circa 50's when he was cooler than cool) carmen mc crae count basie & the duke pop,rock,reggae,hip-hop,r& b etc the specials bob marley with ziggy lauryn hill india irie chaka kahn prince (how i'd handle the guy...i'd threaten his ass! haha) digital underground (their early years) brian setzer (doin' his big band stuff) heptones...slim smith (2 reggae ginats from 60's) a tribe called qwest redhead kingpin guru (without his homey from Gangstarr) beatles (pre-64...they were a raunchy r & b band then) elvis costello gregory issacs (the jamaican marvin gaye) marvin gaye (marvin could do anything he wanted with me!) temptations (with ruffin & eddie k,thank U) missy elliot macy gray brian wilson (by himself...no beachboys) teddy pendegrass (pre-accident) curtis mayfield with the impressions and jerry butler take 6 solo sam cooke smokey & the original miracles snoopdog the time (with jam & lewis) circa 1981 rosie gaines bootsy collins gerald levert & his daddy eddie (without the ojays) james brown (even though he's a bigger pain than prince) sly (when he was not drugged up too much) the j5 (circa 1969-70...the cute ..superbad MJ) ben harper michelle n heavy D & the boys excape envogue (the original 4 ) ginuwine marvelettes (circa please me postman 1961-62) shirelles (love me some Shirley O!) etta james whew...that's who i'd go after...i know i 4got some people but those are who i'd try to sign. | |
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youngca said: Dead or alive here's who i would sign (based on what they
bring to the table ) gospel artists: soul stirrers (the originals pre-sam cooke) clark sisters rev. c.l franklin (ree's daddy was a legend) pilgrim travelers highway q.c's Mississippi Mass Choir (the best choir i ever seen!) Annointed aretha franklin (just doing gospel) patti labelle (doin' gospel) 5 blind boys of alabama blues & country (roots category) robert johnson (man...if he was living!) ry cooder johnny guitar watson (i'd make johnny g a star) buddy guy stevie ray vaughn (see robert johnson) carl perkins (mr. rockabilly cat himself...what a guy) bo diddley (circa 1963 with the ducchess) otis rush jazz the marsalis brothers diane reeves phyllis hyman diane kroll bobby caldwell (he's doin' jazz thse days) dizzy gillepsie miles davis (could i control MIles? hell no. but i'd still sign him) patrice rushen (babyfingers would be part of my jazz house band) larry carlton ramsey lewis (house band leader) billie holiday louis jordan sheila e (sheila's in the house band too) tom scott ella fitzgerald frank sinatra (circa 50's when he was cooler than cool) carmen mc crae count basie & the duke pop,rock,reggae,hip-hop,r& b etc the specials bob marley with ziggy lauryn hill india irie chaka kahn prince (how i'd handle the guy...i'd threaten his ass! haha) digital underground (their early years) brian setzer (doin' his big band stuff) heptones...slim smith (2 reggae ginats from 60's) a tribe called qwest redhead kingpin guru (without his homey from Gangstarr) beatles (pre-64...they were a raunchy r & b band then) elvis costello gregory issacs (the jamaican marvin gaye) marvin gaye (marvin could do anything he wanted with me!) temptations (with ruffin & eddie k,thank U) missy elliot macy gray brian wilson (by himself...no beachboys) teddy pendegrass (pre-accident) curtis mayfield with the impressions and jerry butler take 6 solo sam cooke smokey & the original miracles snoopdog the time (with jam & lewis) circa 1981 rosie gaines bootsy collins gerald levert & his daddy eddie (without the ojays) james brown (even though he's a bigger pain than prince) sly (when he was not drugged up too much) the j5 (circa 1969-70...the cute ..superbad MJ) ben harper michelle n heavy D & the boys excape envogue (the original 4 ) ginuwine marvelettes (circa please me postman 1961-62) shirelles (love me some Shirley O!) etta james whew...that's who i'd go after...i know i 4got some people but those are who i'd try to sign. oh how could i forget: stevie,minnie riperton (bless her soul) kathleen battle & pavarroti (classical giants) isley brothers (with kelly,rudy circa 1973-75) r;kelly (like he was before all of his problems) chet baker...nancy wilson...charlie parker,rhonda smith (i'd let rhonda do her solo thang)lionel hampton,billy cobham mweather report & stanley clarke andre cymone with jody watley. | |
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youngca said: guru (without his homey from Gangstarr)
That's a great list, but c'mon now...YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE DJ PREMIER!!! | |
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okaypimpn said: youngca said: guru (without his homey from Gangstarr)
That's a great list, but c'mon now...YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE DJ PREMIER!!! i know! the reason i'm signing guru as a solo cuz i dig his jazz orientated cd's so much. jazz & hip-hop works for me. on that tip...more signings... ..digible planets ..arrested development... when speech was really Doin' some nice stuff anita baker..jimi hendrix (i'd turn him into a jazz fusion superstar! t-bone walker (from my dad's time) the bone was a revolutionary guitarist. eve...(i'd make her a star,too) luther vandross...eugene record (the chi-lites underrated singer/writer) sarah vaughan (love me some sassy) naughty by nature (in their day...quite good) ornette coleman.dexter gordon...stanley jordan brenda holloway (circa 1964-65 with smokey producing her) | |
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My label would include this roster of artists:
Tori Fixx Backroom Matches Mz. Platinum Res Billy Lawrence K'Alyn Meshell Ndegeocello Paul Thompson Joan Armatrading Janet Jackson Alana Davis Dionne Farris Kelis Rah Digga Amel Larrieux | |
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My artists would include:
Donnie Kindred the Family Soul Angie Stone india.arie Vivian Green Heather Headley I don't get into the neo-soul title, but these are the folks who I feel are truly talented in a world of pop culture. The labels focus on an image, where, if you were truly concerned about giving consumers a quality product, the focus should be on the music. Can you imagine an MTV world back when Diana Ross, Aretha, Gladys, Sarah Vaughn, Ella and others came out? They wouldn't have a shot with the general public. | |
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stymie said: My artists would include:
Donnie Kindred the Family Soul Angie Stone india.arie Vivian Green Heather Headley I don't get into the neo-soul title, but these are the folks who I feel are truly talented in a world of pop culture. The labels focus on an image, where, if you were truly concerned about giving consumers a quality product, the focus should be on the music. Can you imagine an MTV world back when Diana Ross, Aretha, Gladys, Sarah Vaughn, Ella and others came out? They wouldn't have a shot with the general public. your words are well said ms S! diana would have been MTV friendly...cuz she had something that appealed to the masses! (every time i look at old 60's footage of her with the Supremes it hits me how well she "connected with the audience! ) but everyone else you mentioned would have had a problem with MTv circa the 1960's. those times were definitely different. | |
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No particular order:
Aretha circa '60s thru about 1974 or '75. Anybody who knows Soul music knows no explanation is needed for its female apex. John Hammond didn't know how to let this bird fly at Columbia. I would have. Led Zeppelin circa their entire existence. Hmmm, the first two off the top of my head were label mates at The House That Ruth Built, Atlantic Records. Art and commerce. What a concept. Mandrill The Beast From The East. Only serious music fans (that leaves you pop heads out) know the depth and versatility of this Funk/Afro Cuban/Jazz/Salsa/Reggae/Rock beast. This band could play just about anything. Their lack of commercial success had nothing to do with the quality of music they played. As overall musicians they rivaled Santana, Earth Wind & Fire, or PFunk, and had the musical elements of each band. PFunk was actually the opening act for Mandrill during the early '70s. Meshell Ndegéocello Because when you have equal parts Khalil Gibran, Curtis Mayfield, Gil Scott-Heron, and the best aspects of hip hop all rolled into one person, it's easy to recognize what you have. The Clash Because I always liked what they stood for, and they were actually one of the few punk groups who could actually PLAY their instruments. They could also reel off some Funk ("Radio Clash") and Reggae ("The Guns of Brixton"). The Ramones No pretenses whatsoever. Just fun (and funny) punk rock. One of the earliest punk rock groups. Instrumentally the antithesis of the Clash, but it matters not. That’s partly what makes it punk. Ani DiFranco Don't make me laugh with all those so-called diva types dominating eMpTV with their teenybopping immaturity. I don't think this woman is surpassed by anyone of her generation when it comes vision, lyricism, and musicianship, and just plain, overall musical whip-smartness. If such a phrase exists. Major labels don't court her for nothing. Like Meshell, she's not afraid to say what she means, and mean what she says. On her own terms. Stevie Wonder Do I really need to explain? Donny Hathaway Because although Donny wasn't around for long as a solo artist, he was NO JOKE. Dinah Washington Another one of those singers who could sing just about anything. Miles Davis See Stevie Wonder. Living Colour This group was the goods. They'd get a fair shake at my company, instead of being treated as a novelty act. Cassandra Wilson Because she's the preeminent jazz singer of her era. And she even had the cajones to sing the Monkees' "Last Train To Clarksville." Public Enemy Because they were the best that hip hop ever had to offer. From Flava Flav's comic relief, to the S1W's being PE's military style background Temptation, style dancers, to Chuck D.'s magnificent, booming, authoritative voice, they challenged hip hop audiences more, and more creatively than they've been challenge before or since. Listen to their best material today and there's still nothing like The Bomb Squad. Blackalicious Because they're just damn good. No "bitches and hoes" stereotypical crap in their repertoire. Talking Heads. Listen up non-initiated: The Heads knew The Funk. The Heads also knew what's commonly called World Music. Gotta love The Heads. And dare I say I love their version of Rev. Al's "Take Me To The River" better than the original? Yes, how dare I. Radiohead Because they're my favorite Rock group of the '90s. Soundgarden Because they're my favorite Rock group to come from the so-called "grunge" movement from Seattle. Chic Because they completely transcended the disco era they sprung from. Deep Soul fans loved them, Rock fans loved them, Funk fans loved them. Sugar Hill Gang were the first rap group to swipe their music (no, I didn’t say sample) for “Rappers Delight,” Queen was one of the first Rock groups to blatantly, ahem, reinterpret “Good Times” for “Another One Bites The Dust”, their influence on Soul II Soul was obvious. Madonna, Grace Jones, and many others wanted that Chic sound and subsequently worked with Nile Rodgers. To say Chic made some of the tightest grooves ever would be like saying Pfunk made some pretty good funk records. Stevie Ray Vaughan Rave on, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Rahsaan Roland Kirk I don’t own nearly enough Kirk music, but as an A&R person I don’t own any undiscovered artist’s music. who could cut up on stage, and in the studio while recording and still be taken seriously in the jazz world. Don’t misconstrue it: he was never disrespectful or clowned the genre, he just clowned. But Roland Kirk was no joke by any standard. He also played multiple horns simultaneously. Happened to be blind since a toddler. Some of his album titles alone were compelling enough to want to hear what they contained if you never heard them: Does Your House Have Lions?, Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle, Funk Underneath...word also got around that he and Hendrix played together. Sonny Rollins He’s surly, smooth, avant-garde, and the greatest living jazz saxophonist. Ella Fitzgerald I'm still discovering Ella. And I remain astounded. Arrested Development They represented everything good about hip hop. The antithesis of the “gangsta rap” disgrace that had started during that time. Too bad they were so short-lived. I’d still sign them. Hip Hop needs Arrested Development. Chicago, circa Terry Kath era ONLY If you have to ask “why”, you probably don’t know much about Chicago outside of their horrid ‘80s material. The original Chicago lineup was a group that wouldn’t be played on predictable radio formats today. With few exceptions their music was anti-45 single format, and even when their songs were issued as singles they always had to be edited from their original versions. They only could have only flourished on the radio during their beginnings in the late ‘60s. Once the ‘80s started they started to tailor make their music for top 40 radio, which watered it down profoundly. This group had great chops. Terrence Trent D’Arby Because although I don’t own all of his music, I know enough about his music to know he’s underrated. And like I said before, when you’re an A&R person, you’re going on your hunch for potential anyway. The Mighty Clouds of Joy That's right, this is where I throw some Gospel into the mix. Andre Crouch I grew up listening to all the Gospel artists I'm naming now. Even today I still dig their old music. I have no idea what my first two entries are doing now. Shirley Caesar This woman has some serious jams, but I know you heathens couldn't take it no matter how much rockin rhythm her band brought forth. The Winans Not BB and CC Edwin Hawkins James Cleveland Jaco Pastorius The Hendrix of bass players. Prince Because conceptually he’s without peer when it comes to anyone of his generation. And he’ll probably only be appreciated by some of his own fans when he’s gone. Regardless of what some knee jerk FAMS say (who claim not to be), regardless of what they go out of their way to say just to be part of the POP party line, Prince has always been a special talent and continues to be. And you know this. I’m sure I'd be able to think of more later, and there are many big names that I could be greedy about, but I have my reasons for not naming them. Ciao for now. ± [This message was edited Sat Aug 16 18:15:16 PDT 2003 by Supernova] This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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LaBelle! | |
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