Fanny are often cited as being the first all-female rock band, and while that might be arguable, they were certainly one of the first all-girl bands to write their own material and rock out with the best of their male counterparts. The four original members of Fanny were sisters June Millington (guitar, vocals) and Jean Millington (bass, vocals), with Alice de Buhr (drums, vocals), and Nickey Barclay (keyboards, vocals). June and Nickey were the primary songwriters for the band, but Jean and Alice made significant contributions to their repertoire and all four participated in arranging the songs and crafting their stage performances. Some of the biggest music stars of the time, from David Bowie to Deep Purple to George Harrison to the Kinks, were so blown away by these four teenaged rockers that they went out of their way to promote the band and to book them as an opening act. In fact Bowie was quoted in 1999 as saying 'One of the most important female bands in American rock has been buried without a trace. And that is Fanny. They were one of the finest fucking rock bands of their time, in about 1973. They were extraordinary: They wrote everything, they played like motherfuckers, they were just colossal and wonderful, and nobody’s ever mentioned them. They’re as important as anybody else who’s ever been, ever; it just wasn’t their time. Revivify Fanny. And I will feel that my work is done'. They were also the first all female rock act to record a whole album for a major record label, with Reprise releasing the 'Fanny' album in 1970. The band were soon back in the studio recording songs for the follow-up record, and at this point Reprise decided to release that first album in Canada. Tapes were duly sent off to the pressing plant, and it wasn't until the finished article was in the shops that someone noticed that the wrong tapes had been sent. Not only did they contain only a few songs from the debut, but they were mixed in with early versions of songs destined for their second album 'Charity Ball', and even some songs that have never since seen the light of day outside Canada. With the release of the 'First Time In A Long Time' box set, I was able to piece together this Canadian rarity, and it's certainly worth hearing even if you already have their first few albums. The cover is the reverse of the US edition, and the notes on the songs below are taken from the fannyrocks.com website.
Charity Ball (June Millington, Jean Millington, Alice de Buhr)A shorter, sparser version of the song that would end up as the title track on ‘Charity Ball’, their second album.Place in the Country (Nickey Barclay)A slower paced, looser, funkier version of the song that would turn up on ‘Charity Ball’.Changes (June Millington)A rare June Millington up-tempo rocker boasting some interesting melodic ideas and a great harmonic lurch in the middle section. One of June’s best vocal performances, she really seems to be having fun. Shame this one was dropped from the US release.One Step at a Time (Josephine Armstead, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson)This gospel-tinged rocker was originally recorded by Maxine Brown in the mid 1960s and Fanny makes a good job of covering it by stripping it right down to its bare bones and punctuating it with powerfully pregnant pauses. The dual vocal lines are carefully handled and the whole effect is emotionally strong.Conversation With a Cop (Nickey Barclay)Same as the version on the US release.Nowhere to Run (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland)This workmanlike rerun of Martha and the Vandellas’ old Motown hit is not the best cover Fanny has attempted and it is perhaps not surprising that it was dropped from the US release.Seven Roads (June Millington, Jean Millington, Alice de Buhr)A marginally different take to the version that appeared on the US release.Take a Message to the Captain (Nickey Barclay)Same as the version on the US release.Come and Hold Me (June Millington, Jean Millington)Same as the version on the US release.Lady’s Choice (June Millington, Jean Millington)The last two songs on this album are probably the most interesting. This one has a rhythmically complex melody asking much of Alice’s drumming and Jean’s bass playing. Both rise to the challenge and make this a standout track.New Day (June Millington, Jean Millington)A languid and fitting end to the album, this song is beautifully constructed and realized from the unusual melodic ideas and surprising harmonica break, to the loose-limbed play out where Nickey is given full rein to unleash her keyboard prowess. Alice’s jazz drumming and Jean’s walking bass add to the mood perfectly. One of the best songs on the album and should never have been left off the US release.
Track listing
01 Charity Ball02 Place In The Country03 Changes04 One Step At A Time05 Conversation With A Cop06 Nowhere To Run07 Seven Roads08 Take A Message To The Captain09 Come And Hold Me10 Lady's Choice11 New Day
I'm glad that my last post from Fanny had some positive comments, as they are one of the great unrecognised bands of the 70's, and so for the fans who still have fond memories of them, here's an album of previously unheard songs gathered from the 'First Time In A Long Time' box set. A little history is needed to put some of the songs into context, so it all started in high school, where the Millington sisters formed an all-female band called the Svelts with June on guitar, Jean on bass, Addie Lee on guitar, and Brie Brandt on drums. Brandt left to get married and was later replaced by Alice de Buhr. When the Svelts disbanded, de Buhr and Lee formed another all-female group called Wild Honey, and the Millingtons later joined this Motown covers band, and eventually moved to Los Angeles. Frustrated by a lack of success or respect in the male-dominated rock scene, Wild Honey decided to disband after one final open-mic appearance at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles in 1969. They were spotted at this gig by the secretary of producer Richard Perry, who had been searching for an all-female rock band to mentor. Perry convinced Warner Bros. to sign Wild Honey to Reprise Records, with the group winning this contract without the label even hearing them play, on the grounds of being a novelty act. They did eventually prove their musical talent by recording an audition tape, and three of those tracks are here, along with a song from their informal recordings dubbed 'The Kitchen Tapes', and a number of out-takes from the sessions for their last three studio albums.
Track listing
01 I Find Myself (Wild Honey audition tape 1969)02 Queen Aretha (Wild Honey audition tape 1969)03 Flame Tree (Wild Honey audition tape 1969)04 Candlelighter Man (from the 'Kitchen Tapes')05 Tomorrow (previously unreleased 1971)06 Young And Dumb (previously unreleased 1972)07 Lonesome Pine (previously unreleased 1973)08 Beside Myself (previously unreleased 1973)09 I'll Never Be The Same (previously unreleased 1973)10 Old Milwaukee (previously unreleased 1973)11 Back In My Arms Again (previously unreleased 1973)12 'Till Then (previously unreleased 1973)13 No Deposit, No Return (previously unreleased 1973)
