The Glamorous Life (full title Sheila E. In The Glamorous Life) is the first album by Sheila E..
Credits on the album state that the album was "directed by Sheila E. and The Starr Company", but in fact all six tracks were produced, written, and arranged by Prince (with input and help from Sheila E.).
First steps
Prince urged Sheila E. to record a solo album starting in February 1984, when she came to visit him at Sunset Sound during initial sessions for the Around The World In A Day album, following a friendship which had begun almost six years earlier.
She wasn't very comfortable singing lead vocals, although she had sung background vocals for other artists; Prince and Sheila E. began by recording Erotic City, which was used as the b-side of Let's Go Crazy, before he had her record vocals over some tracks he had originally intended for Apollonia 6.
Prince suggested she shorten her stage name from Sheila Escovedo to Sheila E., and took the finished tapes to his management company, who introduced Sheila E. to Warner Bros.
Recording process
The time between vocal recordings to the release of the album was swift; less than two months in total.
All songs on the album were recorded at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA. The Glamorous Life and Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar were recorded in late December 1983. The Belle Of St. Mark, Oliver's House and Shortberry Strawcake were recorded in early January 1984. Noon Rendezvous was recorded in mid-February 1984.
Sheila E.'s vocals and percussion for all tracks were recorded in the first few days of April 1984. The Glamorous Life, Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar, The Belle Of St. Mark, Shortberry Strawcake and Oliver's House were initially intended for Apollonia 6 until Prince began to work with Sheila E. in February 1984, at which time he set the songs aside for her.
Promotion
The album produced three singles, The Glamorous Life (which preceded the album), The Belle Of St. Mark, and Noon Rendezvous.
It reached number 28 on the US Billboard 200 Chart, and number 7 on the Billboard Soul LP's Chart.
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