Louise Mandrell is Barbara Mandrell's younger sister, and a country star herself, whose star peaked in the early 1980s. She was married to singer R.C. Bannon, and recorded several albums of duets as well as her own solo records. Mandrell was only moderately successful on the charts, consistently entering the Top 20, but seldom the Top Ten, and never quite hit the level of superstardom enjoyed by her sister. Here's a quick look at her work...
Louise Mandrell "Anthology" (Renaissance, 1998)
A comprehensive collection of the "best" work by a decidely lesser commercial country artist. Barbara Mandrell's little sister, Louise also married her way into show biz, singing numerous 1980s duets with then-husband R. C. Bannon (which are also collected here)... With a thin but perky twang, she threw herself gamely into these relatively rootsy, somewhat synthy popbilly ditties. She has a convincing earnestness which manages to get through the indifferent production and the general sub-Sheena Easton vibe, but even with her moderate charms, this is still second-string material.
Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon "Inseparable" (Epic, 1979) (LP)
Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon "Love Won't Let Us Go" (Epic, 1980) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "Louise Mandrell" (Epic, 1981) (LP)
Wow... nice 'fro!
Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon "Me And My R.C." (RCA, 1981) (LP)
Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon "(You're My) Super Woman And (You're My) Incredible Man" (RCA, 1982) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "Close Up" (RCA, 1982) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "Too Hot To Sleep" (RCA, 1983) (LP)
Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon "The Best Of..." (RCA, 1983) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" (RCA, 1984) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "Maybe My Baby" (RCA, 1985)
Louise Mandrell "Dreamin' " (RCA, 1986) (LP)
Louise Mandrell "The Best Of Louise Mandrell" (RCA, 1987)
Louise Mandrell "Winter Wonderland" (1997)
Louise Mandrell "Personal" (Mandrell, Inc., 2000)
Irlene Mandrell "Texersize" (Panda Productions, 1983) (LP)
(Produced by Andy Murphy)
Yup,, Irlene Mandrell was actually the younger sister of Barbara and Louise, and this was her lone "solo" album, a Lone Star line-dancing aerobics record. She appears appropriately svelte on the front cover, while the gatefold obligingly wraps around to display her pert heinie and well-toned gams on the back, as well as a pair of rad-looking red cowgal boots, complete with high heels and decoratve spurs. (Lesson Three on Side Two tells you how to work out while wearing them...) And while you may laugh, this album is packed with top Texas talent, including steel player Jimmy Day, fiddler Danny Levin, Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson (doing some square dance calls!) and even indie twangster Kimmie Rhodes, singing in the chorus. So bust out your chaps, and feel the burn! Yee-haw!!
