Satisfying Body And Soul

Grammy-winning singer Patti LaBelle has a lot going on this summer.

She has a new cookbook, "Lite Cuisine," she has recorded a song on the new gospel CD, "Church Songs of Soul and Inspiration," that features some of the most powerful and soulful voices in the music industry.

LaBelle visited The Early Show Tuesday to sing her new song, "Way Up There" before performing at the Rockefeller Center Centennial of Flight Celebration in New York City.

The celebration is designed to honor the Centennial of Flight in the spirit of the Wright brothers' ingenuity.

LaBelle has more than 40 years in show business and has recorded 50 albums in her career. The Philadelphia born singer has performed professionally since 1961, when she led The Bluebells to a million-selling hit with "I Sold My Heart To The Junkman."

She later became one-third of LaBelle to create a half-dozen more hits, including "Voulez Vous Couchez Avec Moi?" Then Patti LaBelle pursued a solo career, which resulted in chart-topper "If You Only Knew," "New Attitude," "On My Own," "Somebody Loves You Baby," "When You've Been Blessed, " The Right Kind Of Lover," and "When You Talk About Love."

Her new single is a visit back to her gospel roots. "Church: Songs Of Soul & Inspiration" has some of the most powerful R&B singers performing R&B, pop, classic and gospel songs produced with gospel choir arrangements. LaBelle is joined by Chaka Khan, Jennifer Holliday, En Vogue, Stephanie Mills, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Ann Nesby and Shirly Caesar on the CD collection.

LaBelle doesn't just entertain with her singing. She wrote four books — two are cookbooks. She says "Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine" focuses on healthy recipes that are less in sugar, fat and calories. The book has many of LaBelle recipes, but includes recipes from many of her friends, including Luther Vandross and Halle Berry.

According to LaBelle, she created the cookbook as a way of helping people to lead healthy lifestyles.