The Pointer Sisters: Angry Eyes

Today’s Monday cover comes from 1979 and it is a live rendition from the Pointer Sisters’ LP “Energy” which was released on Planet Records in 1978. It was the same album that rekindled the Sisters’ career with their rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire.”

The album featured quite a few covers of other stars’ material. It was also the first album that did not feature their sister Bonnie who left the band in 1977 to pursue a solo career on Motown courtesy of her husband, Motown producer Jeffrey Bowen. In fact June had also left the band in ’77 and Anita and Ruth signed the recording contract and convinced June to return to the band.

While “Energy” wasn’t their best selling LP, it was a critical success for the trio and was one of their best selling and higher charting albums spanned a career that continues to thrive decades later. Certified as a gold album, “Energy” included their interpretation of one of my favorite Loggins and Messina songs: “Angry Eyes.” While I wouldn’t have thought this song could translate into a R&B/Urban recording, the Pointer Sisters prove this wrong and provide an excellent interpretation of this classic rock tune.

Loggins and Messina Original

This is my favorite Loggins and Messina song of all time and you can’t get much better than this cut from their second album, “Loggins and Messina.” Their version of “Angry Eyes” finishes off the album as a jam featuring the woodwinds of Al Garth and Jon Clarke. “Angry Eyes” charted at #1 on Billboard’s AOR chart.