First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings [Box set, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Fanny | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 2002
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Rhino Handmade
• Run Time: 310 minutes
• ASIN: B0000DJYPI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,105 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue, December 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings (Audio CD)

Fanny should've been contenders. Period. Never mind all of the excess . . . about the "world's first all-female rock band." Do most of us sit there and remember Jimi Hendrix as "the world's leading African-American guitarist?" NO!! And if you do, shame on you! Same with Fanny--they were great musicians and a great band who got undermined precisely BECAUSE of all of the sexual politics that has no place in anything. And, as this 4-disc retrospective shows, their rock 'n roll chops are what's most memorable about them--they kicked a**! June Millington is one freakin' great slide player and it's the cuts where that's featured most prominently that stick in your inner ear after they're done.

The one Achilles heal that Fanny had was that their own songs never quite rose to the level of their covers of other people's material, though there was a definite rise in quality with each album they released. But they covered Cream, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Buffalo Springfield with enough assurance that their versions are as definitive as the originals. Check out their cover of Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" and see if it doesn't bowl you over. The live tracks and the demos included here also show that, despite the muddy sound on some of them, Fanny probably would've lasted a lot longer if both Richard Perry and Todd Rundgren had been booted out of the producer's chair and the band had been allowed by the label to produce themselves in the studio. Even given that, though, the material on their albums, particularly FANNY HILL (album #3) and MOTHER'S PRIDE (album #4) show that they really had developed phenomenally as a band---just in time to fall apart in 1973.

It's all here and it's all worth hearing. So get this collection before it's too late!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With Love from Dan Shepard, November 8, 2003

By 

"blacknapkins" (Sarasota, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of this terrific band for many years, and now the first four Fanny albums are on CD. That fact alone would rate 5 stars from me. But there is so much more in this set!First, the mastering was done superbly. The sound of the original vinyl was retained (not enhanced with studio gimmickery). While a few flaws in the master tapes are audible, the "Fanny" album benefits the most. The drums and bass sound much fuller than on the LP. A close listen to "Fanny Hill" reveals some tasty cymbal fills that were far less prominent on the LP mix. Fans should snap up this box set for that reason alone.But the real nuggets are in the 2+ hours of unreleased material. The demo recordings give a revealing peek at the creative process that went into this music. There are a few songs presented in embryonic form. What really suprised and impressed me was discovering that the women in Fanny crafted the musical arangements on their own, before penning lyrics in some cases. Also, it is clear that the band went into the studio fully prepared when it was time to cut the albums. For musicians in their early twenties, that is an outstanding achievement.Having said all that, the real gem in this package is the 7 song concert set from 1973. The sound quailty is excellent, and the performances are electrifying. June Millington plays with downright fury on 'Young and Dumb' and the end of 'Aint That Peculiar.' The chemistry that these women had on stage together is finally captured.I haven't even scratched the surface with this review. The only minor criticism I may have about this box set is that the price will probably keep it out of the hands of merely curious listeners, which is a shame. This music is way too brilliant to languish in obscurity. A big THANK YOU to Alice, June, Jean, and Nickey for coming together and getting this stuff on tape.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a long, LONG time, April 29, 2004

By 

Charles S. Williams "SCI fan" (Moravian Falls, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings (Audio CD)

Yes, fans of this group indeed waited a long, long time for this CD compilation, but it was worth the wait. Hey, the vinyl was about worn out by now anyway. Here are all the songs, without the pops, hiss, and skips...crystal clear sound. Also, there are some unreleased songs and alternate takes which makes this a must-have for all Fanny fans. The accompanying book tells the history of the group in depth. Fanny was the real deal...talented musicians who could craft the music. This is a great set!