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The Pointer Sisters

Special Things

(Wounded Bird; US: 17 Jul 2007; UK: 30 Jul 2007)

There are no bells and whistles accompanying Wounded Bird’s re-issue of the Pointer Sisters’ Special Things (1980). Certainly, the material here deserves more than a hastily slapped together package but perhaps listeners should just appreciate that much of this music is finally making its debut on CD, including a bonus B-side (“Movin’ On”). Special Things marked the Pointer Sisters’ third album with producer Richard Perry, who re-vamped the act after sister Bonnie left to pursue a solo career at Motown in 1978. Perry’s ear for material spun pop gold for the Pointer Sisters. Though “He’s So Shy” was the only major hit off the album (#3 pop), there’s a wealth of classic material here, including the horn-driven opener “Could I Be Dreamin’”, the dance floor classic “We’ve Got the Power”, a pair of Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager tunes, and Anita Pointer’s own composition, “Special Things”. Hopefully this re-issue will spearhead a larger effort to bring all of the Pointer Sisters’ albums for Planet/RCA back into circulation rather than release another in a long line of budget compilations.

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Christian John Wikane is a NYC-based writer and concert producer. In addition to writing liner notes and overseeing editorial content for US and UK-based record companies, his essays have appeared in various print and online outlets. He produces an annual benefit in NYC (Three of Hearts) and co-founded the UnFiltered music series with Nona Hendryx. He is currently a Contributing Editor for PopMatters.


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The Pointer Sisters - He's So Shy
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6 Mar 2009
From Continental Baths to Car Wash, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Grammys, the Pointer Sisters have blazed many trails in their 35-year career. In a candid interview, Ruth Pointer reveals the story behind one of the most successful female groups of all time.
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