Fanny

It's been said before, time and time again (particularly in the last decade)....the importance of Fanny, rock's premiere all-female band, can't be overstated. They were, and still are, the best, and, along with Suzi Quatro, kicked down the doors for everyone from The Runaways, the GoGo's and the Bangles to Melissa Etheridge, Antigone Rising and Pink. As strong as the singing and playing is on the group's 1970 debut ~ now out on CD for the first time! ~ one other fact keeps jumping out at me. It absolutely blows my mind that these young girls ~ yes, GIRLS!...during the year it took to record FANNY, the band members were in their late teens and early twenties! ~ were able to go into the studio without any reference point whatsoever (O.K., other than a male one!) and still come up with an album of absolutely authoratative, compelling rock. FANNY is definitely the band's least cohesive release, but it's rare that a group's debut effort is the apex of their career (I can think of maybe one or two, and even that's debatable!). The amount of growth between FANNY and CHARITY BALL, then CHARITY BALL and FANNY HILL, was stunning...I mean, we're talking less than 18 months here! That said, FANNY has more than a few special moments that proved these four ladies were the real deal right from the get go....and still are! If I had one major gripe with FANNY it would have to be that I don't think they used the remastered tapes that were used on the band's 2002 boxed set...the mix seems a lot muddier here. Nowhere is this more evident than on the opening cut, the shimmering "Come And Hold Me." On the boxed set, the track took on a new life...drummer Alice de Buhr's creative little percussive bits, June Millington's guitar riffs, the harmonies...they all just popped! That just doesn't happen as much here. Still, the cut is still a great way to kick things off! June Millington and Nickey Barclay were pretty much polar opposites, but every once in a while their musical planets aligned. "I Just Realized" is a perfect example...Millington reins Barclay in, while Barclay pushes Millington to get down and dirty on this forceful, blistering rocker. An in-your-face arrangement, killer instrumentation and spot-on vocals all come together brilliantly. To this day, the equal parts grit and ease that make up this track just boggles my mind! Perfectly anchored by de Buhr's drums and Barclay's keyboards (expertly moving back and forth between piano and organ), "Candlelighter Man" has a seductive, hypnotic groove going on. June Millington's lead vocal is strong and assured (and just a tad bit sultry!), expertly wrapping around the lyrics like a warm afghan. (Also love the harmonies at the end, particularly on "He said....the candle's out!"). I never "got" "Conversation With A Cop" as a kid, but I love it now...all of Barclay's shields are down, allowing us to see a vulnerable young woman ("Do I have to have a licence to be lonely?"). Add atmospheric guitar riffs from June, sturdy bass lines courtsey of Jean Millington, de Buhr's whip-smart drumming and Barclay's gorgeous piano fills and you have a real winner. And then there's "Badge." Whenever I want to introduce someone to Fanny, this is my "go to" song (followed by "Special Care", "Ain't That Paculiar" and "All Mine"). This song is absolute perfection, from the sublime, yet sturdy, arrangement and crisp, concise instrumentation (all four ladies have at least one "Wow!" moment each!) to the sterling, perfectly in synch, vocals. However, the biggest compliment I can give the track is to say that I can't even listen to the Cream version! "Changing Horses" is another full-tilt rocker that just blows your hair back. Starting with some boozy, bluesy solo piano from Barclay, the cut segues into a force of nature that just explodes out of the speakers! Toss in de Buhr's punch-in-the-gut drumming, Jean Millington's snarling lead vocal and handclaps (I'm a TOTAL sucker for anything with handclaps!!!), and you have a track that sounds as good today as it did 43 years ago! Much like with "Conversation With A Cop", "Bitter Wine" shows off the softer side of Barclay. Often trying to be more of a rocker than she really was, Nickey frequently came across as over the top and affected. Stripped of the vocal histrionics, songs like "Bitter Wine" allowed the listener to concentrate on the lyrics, which are quite strong ("I have tasted bitter wine/And I know what it feels like to be down/I have heard my best friend lie/And I can't get my feet up off the ground"). Very nice. There's a nice, relaxed vibe to "Take A Message To The Captain." The cut lopes along, grounded by a sparkling, sexy lead vocal from Jean, killer harmonies from Barclay and the top notch rhythm section. But the true star here is June Millington...every note is precise, punchy and perfect. There are no holes here whatsoever, with the track giving us a foreshadowing of the musical monster Millington would soon become! Soul was as much a part of the Millington's musical background as rock, and nowhere is that more evident than on "It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'." Funky and frisky, the arrangement has you moving from note one. But it's the co-lead vocals here that steal the show....first Jean, then June, alternate between a purr and a growl, ending with flat-out wails! And when the four all come together on the harmonies?!? Oh...my....God!!! Bliss...sheer bliss!!! I didn't like "Shade Me" or "Seven Roads" forty years ago and I don't like them now...both tracks are bloated and cliched, with Barclay's shrill vocal on "Shade Me" reaching that point where nails on a chalk board can cause your ears to bleed, while the arrangement is just...O.K. "Seven Roads" is just downright tedious, plodding along, just going nowhere whatsoever. Pretty much the only time I felt ~ and still feel ~ Fanny was trying too hard, trying to prove they could be just as bad-a** as the guys. And what's with those lyrics ("I ain't nothing with no one/I ain't nothing with no man")? No thanks! But even with these two missteps, FANNY is a joy to behold (yes, part of me does wish they had included the tracks from the "lost" Canadian version here!), and it's so good to have it out on CD. Now, bring on the rest of this vitally important band's catalog.....Fanny deserves it...and we need it! (As with all my reviews, I'm docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics...an oversight 40 years ago that should have been corrected here!)

Phenomenal Album. Everyone I play it for, from all generations just loves it. It is truly amazing to hear the progenitors of all female rock bands to come. I've checked out You Tube for the live material and just get blown away. I wish "Fanny Live" were available and affordable. I'm an old Deadhead and this album just completes my late 60's -early 70's collection.

.... It seems always a fan. This reminds me how "basic" their sound was back then. A couple of guitars, an organ, and drums. Most bands at this point in time, did not have all the finishing touches that all recordings have now. I felt transported back to my college days and still love the song "bitter wine" now as much as I did then.

Wonderful! The “ladies” are in the house!

The first & greatest all girl rock band. Way ahead of their time. I saw them live at Reflections nightclub in Cincinnati Oh back in 1971 & they were even better live. 45 years later I still listen to this album on a regular basis.

Remember every lyric every chord from the 70s! Great to have it on CD for the car, still play my vinyl at home!

a great rock&roll band who should have been stars!!!!

okk

I first bought this LP when it was released in 1970. These are 4 talented musicians with good song writing and excellent lead from June Millington. They toured the UK with other bands as a support act in the early 70s but I regret to say that I never saw them. I have all their music, including the expensive 'Live' album. Now the debut album from Fanny is released individually on CD for the firt time in 43 years. It still sounds as fresh as it was when it was first released on vinyl. I highly recommend this CD and I hope that Real Gone Music release the other 3 Reprise alums, in particular, the excellent second album 'Charity Ball'.

Great sound..........Brings back great memories.

Pure nostalgia. Saw the group in the 70s and really liked them. Its a shame that they did not go on to receive the acclaim that they deserved

as brilliant today as it was back in the 70's,searched for a long time for the cd's of fanny,finally got them.great

I found this vinyl rarity in snows record shop in rotherham some years ago! I'd already got all the other millington stuff' so it was essential I got this? worth £10 then but now thrilled got the cd ' VG ..by Phil Marshall.