We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
Part of the appeal of music is how it makes you feel. You can feel joy and sadness, pathos and rage sometimes on the same record. Good music can make you think…can make you feel…can make you dance. And when you find a band that brings you joy, embrace the music for all it’s worth. The band Fanny worked on the edges of success throughout the early 70’s. And the only reason they didnt make it big was the sexism of the business pure and simple.
This band kicked all kinds of ass and everytime I put on one of their records like 1972’s “Fanny Hill” I get a smile on my face and ultimately listen to it twice.
They could rock with the boys like on “Blind Alley” which includes some scorching guitar from June Millington…and “Borrowed Time” from keyboardist Nikki Barclay. Rock Bottom Blues rocks and includes horns from Stones sidemen Bobby Keys and Jim Price.
They could also get quiet and introspective like on Millington’s letter to her young son “You’ve Got A Home” and her sister Jean’s “Wonderful Feeling’.
The band had done some great covers earlier in their career on Cream’s “Badge” and Buffalo Springfield’s “Special Care” and they drop a couple more on this album. A funky version of Marvin Gaye’s “Aint That Peculiar” and a smokin “Hey Bulldog” in which they got permssion from the Beatles to write some additional lyrics.
The album was recorded in England…produced by the legendary Richard perry and engineered by Geoff Emrick who worked with the Beatles. They were always bigger in Europe than they were here…hence the many TV apperances that survive including these from the German show “Beat Club”…man,could they cook live!
This is gonna become your new favorite song! Barclay and de Buhr are monsters on this…
There was even a documentary made about their career…
If you are not familiar with the music of Jean & June Millington, Nickey Barclay and Alice de Buhr, I envy your discovery and hope they bring a smile to you face. You’ll excuse me while I go listen to this again….
1. Ain’t That Peculiar 2. Knock On My Door 3. Blind Alley 4. You’ve Got A Home 5. Wonderful Feeling 6. Borrowed Time 7. Hey Bulldog 8. Think About the Children 9. Rock Bottom Blues 10. Sound And The Fury 11. The First Time
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