Gotham

Artist: Gotham

LP: Void Where Inhibited

Song: "Menage A Trois"

[ listen ]

I was digging through my disco LPs last night and found this 1979 gay disco record I'd picked up for a couple bucks at Angry Mom Records in Ithaca, NY on my Upstate New York road trip back in the autumn of 2016. According to their Discogs page, Gotham was a cabaret trio formed in 1973 that was known for their comedy as much as for their singing. They became "enormously successful" in the 1970s and '80s and were the first openly gay act to play both Washington, DC's Kennedy Center (in 1976) and (in 1978) New York City's Carnegie Hall. 

Frankly, this record isn't very good. But I do like all the harp in this "Menage A Trois" song...and the fact that the song plays like "Sesame Street" for adults. "One, and Two, and Three...You, and Me, and She!" There are some great backing vocals on the LP, including some by Phyllis Hyman and Ullanda McCullough. I also like that Gary Herb looks like Eddie Rabbitt in the artistic rendition on the back of the record, but on the front cover he looks more like Corky St. Clair. 

Star City

Artist: Star City

LP: I'm a Man

Song: "I'm a Man"

[ listen ]

Song: "Good Times"

[ listen ]

I feel like I've been plenty erratic here on my blog lately, but I haven't really been very homo. Hopefully, posting this 1978 Star City LP (is that one of the Village People slumming on the cover? And what's that thick red shaft he's leaning up against there?) is a step (or maybe a sashay?) in the right direction. Star City was, according to what little info I was able to dig up online, simply a studio group assembled by Canadian producer John Driscoll for a one-off gay-themed disco LP. And if I know men, John probably promised Star City a lifelong contract, filled with platinum albums and thrilling intercontinental tours...but then he just smoked a cigarette and said something like "See ya later, baby" as soon as they put out one LP.

[ Karen Silver of Star City ]

Paul Parker

Artist: Paul Parker

LP: Too Much to Dream
Song: "Baby You Can Have My Lovin' Anytime"
[ listen ]
Song: "Too Much to Dream"
[ listen ]

Song: "Nighthawk"
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It took three gay disco songs to wake me up this morning. Paul Parker's invigorating LP was produced by Patrick Cowley and released on Castro Street's Megatone Records in 1983. You can read a little about Parker's music and career here and then read a lot more here, while listening to some auto-play '80s radio. You can visit Paul Parker's webpage and hear samples of his new songs "Don't Stop (What You're Doing to Me)," "I'm Letting Go" and "I'll Be That Man" by clicking here. LP cover photo by Garry Gay.