Ah, Apollonia! This lady is one of the artists who started my obsession with sexy and cheesy girl pop (the first being the lady without whom 'Apollonia' would never have existed, the dearly departed
Vanity). Everyone knows about Apollonia's history: Patricia Kotero auditioned for Prince to replace Vanity in Prince's camp, both in his girl group Vanity 6 aka Apollonia 6 (with Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie) and in his film, Purple Rain, and got the role. Apollonia 6 were not as revered as Vanity 6, but "Sex Shooter" (which was recorded by Vanity
first) managed to be a minor hit. The only other single, "Blue Limousine", did not. (Incidentally, The Bangles' "
Manic Monday" and Sheila E.'s "
The Glamorous Life", two huge Top Ten hits, were also intended for Apollonia 6, but Prince decided to not to go that route. Listening to Apollonia's demo of "
Manic Monday", he was likely right.) Once that gig ended, Apollonia went on to TV roles, most notably as a singer on
Falcon Crest, and
straight-to-video films. She also managed to release a solo album, thank goodness! The album retains a bit of Prince's funkiness, with a heavy dose of pop, thanks to production by Bobby Sandstrom, Steve Barri and Tony Peluso (who worked with acts like Tracie Spencer, Stacy Lattisaw and Isle postees
Teen Dream). It also contains a few freestyle songs, such as the first two singles "Since I Fell For You", produced by Ish (
Company B, Isle postee
Shana), and "The Same Dream", produced by Ric Wake (Taylor Dayne, Mariah Carey). Overall, it is a lot of fun, with Apples' voice vastly improved since her Apollonia 6 days. But, alas, the album and none of the singles (which also included "Mismatch" and "For Your Love") were not a success, and it was Apollonia's last album. (A few years back Ish released an outtake from the
Apollonia album, "
Tunnel Of Love", which was a nice surprise.) Since then, Apollonia has kept busy behind the scenes in Hollywood. But would it be too much to ask for another funk-dance album, especially considering the current reverence for all things old-school Prince? With Vanity gone (RIP), Apollonia is our only hope!
Video for
Sex Shooter
Parts
ONE and
TWO of a promo video for the album, including performances of Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian, Ooo She She Wa Wa, Sex Shooter and Blue Limousine.
Download
Apollonia 6
1
Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian
2
Sex Shooter
3
Blue Limousine
4
A Million Miles (I Love You)
5
Ooo She She Wa Wa
6
Some Kind Of Lover
7
In A Spanish Villa
Video for
Since I Fell For You
Live performance of
Mismatch
Live performance of
Your Eyes
Download
Apollonia
1 |
| Since I Fell For You |
2 |
| Synchronize |
3 |
| Your Eyes |
4 |
| The Same Dream |
5 |
| Am I Growing On U? |
6 |
| Mismatch |
7 |
| Beat Of My Heart |
8 |
| For Your Love |
9 |
| Help Wanted |
10 |
| Ay Ya Yai |