Who Is This Bitch, Anyway?
Marlena Shaw · 1975
39 min · 10 tracks · soul
Soulful melodies intertwine with jazz-infused grooves, showcasing Marlena Shaw's powerful vocal delivery and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Feel Like Makin' Love — This track stands out not only for its lush instrumentation but also for Shaw's emotive vocal performance, making it an enduring staple in the soul genre.
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You Taught Me How to Speak in Love — The song showcases Shaw’s ability to blend intimate storytelling with catchy melodies, reflecting on the complexities of love and communication.
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Loving You Was Like a Party — This track embodies the celebratory spirit of the album, combining playful lyrics with an infectious rhythm that highlights Shaw's dynamic vocal style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful melodies with jazz elements, showcasing strong vocal performances and varied instrumentation.
What we noticed
- The first track is a spoken dialogue that transitions into a jazzy groove, setting an informal tone for the album.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections, allowing the musicians to showcase their improvisational skills alongside Shaw's vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- soulful vocals that evoke emotion
- witty lyrics with playful charm
- vibrant energy for social gatherings
- intimate moments of personal reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, fast-paced music
- dislike lyrical depth and nuance
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1975, Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? marked Marlena Shaw's third studio album, following her previous efforts that established her as a prominent voice in soul music. This album came at a time when Shaw was transitioning to a more eclectic sound, incorporating elements of jazz and funk alongside her soulful roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Roberta Flack· Bill Withers· Nina Simone
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dialogue: You, Me and Ethel / Street Walkin' Woman 6:20
- 2 You Taught Me How to Speak in Love 3:52
- 3 Davy 5:26
- 4 Feel Like Makin' Love 5:00
- 5 The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away 1:05
- 6 You Been Away Too Long 3:07
- 7 You 3:45
- 8 Loving You Was Like a Party 4:17
- 9 A Prelude for Rose Marie 1:56
- 10 Rose Marie (Mon Cherie) 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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