Living Proof

Performer: Sylvester
Engineer: Richard Corsello
Producer: Harvey Fuqua; Sylvester
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Syvester, Eric Robinson, Michael Finden, Patrick Cowley, Tip Wirrick, Bob Kingston, Kelvin Dixon, David Frazier, Gus Anthony Flores, Two Tons O'Fun (Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes), Jeanie Tracy, Sharon Hymes. Personnel: Sylvester (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Eric Robinson (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Tip Wirrick, Ralph Wash (guitar); Randall Pratt (harp); Leslie Drayton (strings, horns); Terry Adams , Kathy Walters, Barbara Riccardi, Marjorie Prescott, Adrienne Blackshere, Mary Anne Meredith, Ellen Dessier, William Pyncron, Stephen Gehl, Serban Rusu, Melinda Wagner, Emily VanValkenburgh, Melinda Ross, Julianne Feldman, India Cooke, Carl Pedersen, Patrice Anderson, Kenneth Harrison, Nathan Rubin, Edward Bogas, John Tenney (strings); Marc Baum, Jay Stolmac (flute, saxophone); Mel Martin (baritone saxophone); Ross Wilson (trumpet, trombone); Frederick Berry, Allen Smith, Dean Boysen (trumpet); David Sprunk (French horn); Dan Reagan, Julian Priester, Wayne Wallace (trombone); Michael Finden (keyboards); Patrick Cowley (synthesizer); Kelvin Dixon (drums); Rick Kvistad (timpani); David Frazier, Gus Anthony Flores (percussion); Izora Rhodes, Sharon Hymes, Jeanie Tracy, Martha Wash (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Richard Corsello. Recording information: San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, (03/11/1979). Photographer: Phil Bray. Unknown Contributor Roles: David Frazier; Gus Anthony Flores; Tip Wirrick; Kelvin Dixon; Izora Rhodes; Eric Robinson; Michael Finden; Sharon Hymes; Jeanie Tracy; Martha Wash; Patrick Cowley. Arrangers: Leslie Drayton; Sylvester. Rockers who dismissed disco in general as cold and mechanical never seriously listened to Sylvester, a passionate, captivating singer who had a magnificent range and was consistently mindful of disco's soul and gospel roots. In the late '70s, disco-oriented artists generally shied away from live albums because of their lack of dance club appeal. But like Donna Summer, the colorful Sylvester was an exception. Living Proof, recorded at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, documents a varied and unpredictable performance showing that Sylvester was far from one-dimensional. While he probably inspired dancing in the aisles with sweaty versions of such dancefloor favorites as "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," "Dance (Disco Heat)," and "Body Strong," he shows how expressive a balladeer he could be on "Sharing Something Perfect Between Ourselves" and interpretations of Billie Holiday's "Lover Man" and Patti LaBelle's "You Are My Friend." Emotionally, Sylvester wasn't one to hold back, and that honesty serves him impressively well on this excellent CD. ~ Alex Henderson

Not surprisingly, the only available biography of transvestite disco superstar Sylvester (born Sylvester James) is entitled THE FABULOUS SYLVESTER, as no other word captures this unique figure better. With a flamboyant sense of style and sexuality, and a breathtaking singing voice, the California native and veteran of San Francisco's legendary drag-queen performance troupe the Cockettes became underground disco's first homegrown superstar. His uplifting collaborations with producer Patrick Cowley revolutionized dance music and paved the way for its transformation into a predominantly electronic, synth-driven genre. Sadly, Sylvester succumbed to complications from AIDS (as did Cowley) in the 1980s, yet he remains an icon and an inspiration in the black gay community.

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