Bébé le Strange is the fifth studio album by American rock band Heart , released on February 14, 1980, by Epic Records . It was the first album without founding member Roger Fisher on lead guitar, who had left the band months prior along with his brother Michael.
The album was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the US Billboard 200 and spending 22 weeks on the chart.[ 4] On May 5, 1980, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[ 5] Bébé le Strange spawned the singles "Even It Up " (backed by the Tower of Power horn section) and the title track . Some of the backing vocals were provided by Don Wilhelm, who had been in a group called The Army with Steve Fossen and Roger Fisher in the 1960s.
On June 29, 2004, the album was re-released by Epic and Legacy Recordings in a remastered expanded edition, containing two bonus tracks: the studio outtake "Jackleg Man" and a live version of "Break".[ 6]
Record World wrote of the single "Raised on You" that "Anne's [sic ] lavish lead is enhanced by bold keyboard runs and Nancy's confident guitar."[ 12]
Side two Title Writer(s) 6. "Even It Up " 5:10 7. "Strange Night" 4:16 8. "Raised on You" N. Wilson 3:21 9. "Pilot" 3:15 10. "Sweet Darlin' " A. Wilson 3:18 Total length: 37:30
2004 remastered reissue bonus tracks[ 6] Title 11. "Jackleg Man" (previously unreleased) 3:02 12. "Break" (live) 3:03 Total length: 43:35
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Bébé le Strange .[ 13]
Ann Wilson – lead vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4–7, 9, 10) ; tambourine (tracks 1, 5, 6, 10) ; bass (tracks 1, 6, 10) ; backup vocals (tracks 1, 6, 7, 9) ; drums, alto flute , piano (track 10)
Nancy Wilson – guitars (tracks 1, 4, 9) ; backup vocals (tracks 1, 5–7, 9) ; rhythm guitars (tracks 2, 6) ; Mellotron (track 2) ; acoustic guitars (tracks 3, 7) ; electric guitar (track 5) ; lead guitar (track 6) ; lead vocals, all instruments except drums (track 8)
Howard Leese – guitars (tracks 1, 4, 9) ; lead guitar (track 2) ; synthesizer (track 2) ; backward solo (track 4) ; electric guitar (tracks 5, 7) ; acoustic guitars (track 5) ; backup vocals (tracks 5, 9) ; rhythm guitars (track 6) ; keyboards (track 9)
Michael Derosier – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4–9) ; rhythm instruments (track 7)
Steve Fossen – bass (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)
Additional musicians
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Mike Flicker – production, engineering, mixing
Connie[ a] – production
Howie – production
Rob Perkins – engineering
Armin Steiner – horn engineering (track 6)
Stewart Whitmore – horn engineering assistance (track 6)
John Golden – mastering at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, California )
Tony Lane – art direction
Tom Girvin – logo graphics
Jeff Burger – photography
^ "Heart – Even It Up" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts . Retrieved November 30, 2021 .
^ "Heart – Raised On You" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021 .
^ "Heart – Bebe le Strange" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021 .
^ a b "Heart Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
^ a b "American album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange" . Recording Industry Association of America . May 5, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020 .
^ a b "Bebe le Strange [Expanded] – Heart" . AllMusic . Retrieved May 21, 2020 .
^ Jurek, Thom. "Bebe le Strange – Heart" . AllMusic . Retrieved May 30, 2014 .
^ Christgau, Robert . "Consumer Guide Reviews: Heart" . RobertChristgau.com . Retrieved January 15, 2012 .
^ Horning, Rob (August 9, 2004). "Heart: Little Queen / Dog & Butterfly / Bebe Le Strange (reissue)" . PopMatters . Retrieved May 21, 2020 .
^ Carson, Tom (May 1, 1980). "Heart: Bebe Le Strange : Music Reviews" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2013 .
^ Coleman, Mark; Berger, Arion (2004). "Heart" . In Brackett, Nathan ; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster . p. 372 . ISBN 0-7432-0169-8 .
^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF) . Record World . April 26, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .
^ Bébé le Strange (liner notes). Heart . Epic Records . 1980. FE 36371.{{cite AV media notes }}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link )
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN 0-646-11917-6 .
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0149a" . RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved May 21, 2020.
^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment . 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9 .
^ "Charts.nz – Heart – Bebe le Strange" . Hung Medien. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1980" . Billboard . Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020 .
^ "Canadian album certifications – Heart – Bebe le Strange" . Music Canada . July 1, 1980. Retrieved May 21, 2020 .