Customer Reviews

First Time in a Long Time: The Reprise Recordings

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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!

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.

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!

I don't normally review greatest hits, live albums or collections. In fact, over the last eight years, I've only done four: Fleetwood Mac (my all-time favorite group), Carly Simon (my #1 female singer), Tom Petty (it's such a killer chronological retrospective!) and Matthew Sweet (just...because!). So do I ignore the first appearance on CD of four of Fanny's five albums? Nope, can't do it! I preached the merits of this band all through junior high, high school and college, and, almost 35 years after their last release, they're still my #2 all-time favorite group. Oh, sure, I could go on about how they're still the best all-female band to date, or how June Milllington and Alice de Buhr were just SO amazing, but that's all old hat. What I've really come to appreciate about Fanny over the last decade or so is that there were no gimmicks involved, at least not during their first four discs. They weren't punky princesses...they weren't indie darlings....they weren't jailbait teases...they were just four (very) young women who got up and ROCKED! The fact that they haven't gotten their just dues over the last forty years is criminal...with no one to show them how, they (along with Suzi Quatro) kicked in the doors, paving the way for pretty much every female rocker since. Since it would take forever to review this whole set, I'm just going to touch upon a few tracks from each album that have garnered new (or renewed) respect with this remastering. As stated elsewhere, it's the band's debut effort that has benefited the most from all of this....everything's crisper, cleaner, more punched up. It boggles my mind how solid FANNY is....it has the energy and professionalism of a seasoned band on their third or fourth release, instead of a group in their late teens and early twenties who are just starting out. I've long felt that "Come And Hold Me" was one of the best album openers ever, and the song's remastering only reinforces that. June Millington's shimmering guitars, sister Jean's forceful, yet tasteful, bass lines and Alice de Buhr's whip-smart drumming all coalesce into a sound that's smooth and vibrant, easy-going, yet urgent. Add a relaxed, assured lead vocal from June and you have a track that has easily stood the test of time. Ditto "I Just Realized", one of June's and Nickey Barclay's few collaborative efforts. From it's opening scream, pounding keyboards and searing guitar licks, this is one of Fanny's strongest rockers. Toss in brilliant rotating lead vocals and smart lyrics, and you have a real winner! And then there's "Badge." If I could play just one track for someone when introducing them to Fanny...well, it would be "Badge." Pure rock 'n' roll perfection! Other high-lights include "Changing Horses", "Bitter Wine" and the ultra-funky "It Takes A Lot Of Good Lovin'." And then there are the tracks from FANNY 0.50 (A phrase, I'm proud to say, I coined seven years ago!), the rare Canadian mis-release. As good as it is to finally have them in print, I think it was a wise move to drop most of them; only "One Step At A Time" hints at what was yet to come. One song that was VASTLY improved is the track that went on to be the title cut for the group's second album...CHARITY BALL. A beefier arrangement and gutsier vocals was just what this song needed, and that's exactly what we have here. Why anyone thought there was any need to remix this version for the single release is beyond me. Just cracking the Top 40, this song should have sailed into the Top 20...at least! To this day, I think someone...say, Wendy & Lisa or Pink....could have a great dance hit with this baby! I've also fallen in love all over agin with "Cat Fever" and "Special Care." The former features Barclay at her sexiest and sassiest, both vocally and musically. Add some smokin' riffs from June and the one/two punch of the de Buhr/Millington rhythm section and...WOW! The latter is Jean Millington's shining moment, both as a vocalist and (grossly underrated) bassist. Another track that I often use to introduce people to Fanny. Love it! Other CHARITY BALL beaut's include "You're The One", "Thinking Of You", "Soul Child" and "A Little While Late." What do I say about FANNY HILL (other than, to this day, it's still my #2 favorite album, behind only Fleetwood Mac's TUSK)? I SO want to comment on every single track, but I know I can't, so I'll just mention the pure brillince of the "Should've-been-a-huge-hit!" "Ain't That Peculiar" (arguably June Millington's finest moment!), the pounding fury of "Blind Alley", the muted beauty of "You've Got A Home", the sultriness of "Wonderful Feeling", "the sheer brillance of "Hey Bulldog" ~ how often do you better the Beatles?!? ~ and "Rock Bottom Blues"...Man, how many times did I play this song over and over and....as a 14 year old Fanny-atic?!? At the time of it's release, MOTHERS PRIDE was a bit of a letdown for me, what wih FANNY HILL being SO amazing, but now I've really come to appreciate it's many charms. With all of it's diversity and maturity, MOTHERS PRIDE is the release that hints the most at what "could have been." From the stunning growth exhibited by Barclay on such tracks as the atmospheric "Last Night I Had A Dream" and the sparkling "Regular Guy" to some of June Millington's strongest work to date (the lovely "Feelings" and the raucous "Polecat Blues"), this album has it all. Toss in the easy-going vibe of "Long Road Home", the glorious juxtaposition of Jean Millington's and Barclay's vocals on the wistfully forlorn "Is It Really You", the arena-rock glory of "I Need You Need Me" and "All Mine" (another MAJOR "Should've Been A Hit!") and you have a classic, albeit underappreciated, gem! Before I wrap things up, I have to acknowledge three unreleased tracks. First up is "Tomorrow", an acoustic stunner from June Millington that was probably dropped from FANNY HILL to make room for "You've Got A Home." Bad move. Millington's finger-picking is some of her best, while the lyrics ("Mountain peaks, circus freaks and dancers/To me it's all the same/I'll leave the way I came") are achingly beautiful. A lot of people like "Young And Dumb", but it's always left me cold. To me, it sounds like the band's trying too hard...I'd expect to find this song on a Birtha album! Far better is "Back In My Arms Again", the last new song this line-up recorded. de Buhr's drums and percussive tid-bits anchor the track, and there's an overall vibe that's loose, fun and together....it's here that we best see what future efforts could have sounded like, had the Female Fab Four stayed together. And what if that had happened? What would it have meant? Would Nickey Barclay have grown into a confident songwriter and musician? Would Jean Millington have continued to evolve into the strong, sexy frontwoman of "Butter Boy" fame (Different label or not, it should have been included, ladies!)? Would June Millington and Alice de Buhr have become major roll models, instead of just rock footnotes as the greatest female guitarist and drummer of all time? And what if Brie Berry/Brandt/Howard/Darling had been allowed to stay? Would the top-tier session and touring vocalist/percussionist (as well as frontwoman of the likes of American Girls and Boxing Ghandis) that she became have provided THE VOICE that a lot of critics (as well as the band themselves) felt was missing? We'll never know. But I do know this...almost forty years later, FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME proves Fanny was, is, and, just maybe, always will be the Queens of Rock & Roll! My apologizes to anyone who fell asleep reading this review....but we're talking four discs and forty years here! (As with all my reviews, I'm giving the disc an extra half a star....not for including the lyrics, but for the extensive interview with the Millington's and de Buhr that's provided).

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said by my fellow reviewers here. I DID write a kind of unabashedly obsequious review of the "Live Fanny" CD a couple of years ago, so apply that to this. THANK YOU June, Jean, Nickey, and Alice for some of the absolute finest Rock 'n Roll in the early Seventies. 5/1/07...A later note...I just obtained Buffalo Springfield's second album: No question, no question at all: FANNY did an infinitely superior, even more..."venomous" version of "Special Care" (the fourth song on the first side of "Charity Ball") than did Stills & co.

The Reprise years were the meat and potatoes of Fanny. Starting with Richard Perry as their Svengali and, later, working with the likes of Todd Rundgren, they developed into a smart, sexy, real rock and roll band as their middle period (1971-72) evidences on this set. The review that asked about Butter Boy not being on the box was correct. It wasn't on Reprise. They did an album for Casablanca in 1974 called Rock and Roll Survivors which had their remake of "I've Had It" and the almost hit, "Butter Boy"...but this wasn't the same Fanny. Key members were gone and so the magic. Indeed, the band itself gave up within a year of that album, as I recall.
This is the set to get. Well laid out, it tells a great rock and roll story.

"Fanny Hill" was one of the first rock albums I ever listened to in its entirety - and repeatedly. It belonged to my older brother, and, bless his heart, he never seemed to mind his ten-year-old sister going through his record collection. Before I had any preconceived ideas about what rock should look or sound like, I remember being really excited by the fact that here was a group of women who played their own instruments, wrote their own songs, AND made good, loud music! Looking back, I can definitely say that listening to "Fanny Hill" raised my consciousness in more ways than one.

I've yet to listen to all of the songs included in this handsome boxset (thanks again, Gary!) - I'm kinda stuck on my favorites from "Fanny Hill" - but kudos to Rhino for doing the band justice and for bringing Fanny back in all their glory.

My interest in Fanny was sparked years ago, by the record review, saying that Nickey Barclay played keyboards like Jerry Lee Lewis. I found out how right that was when I laid hold of the `Charity Ball' LP and that sheer breadth of talent burst forth. To my eternal regret, I never saw them in concert nor bought the other albums. This collection makes good that omission and then some.

The tag `the female Beatles' sounds just about right. It is important not to single out any front woman singer/ musician but to absorb the total blend of talent.

First off, the flawless wall of harmonies echoes the Fab (Male) Four very neatly along with the individually distinct and varied lead singing, from Jean Millington's archetypal gritty rock singing, June Millington's clear melodic tones, Nickey Barclay's ballad or blues style and, surprise, Alice De Burgh's endearing screechy style on the wonderfully funny/serious `Rock bottom blues' with muttered cursing aside.

Second, Jean Millington plays those classic propulsive curling basslines, no better showcased on `Soul Child' while Alice De Burgh's drumming nails those songs down with tight precision. Nikki Barclay shows mastery of her rocking piano and hard driving organ which doesn't miss out on the delicate nuances while June Millington has a wonderful mastery of every guitar style of one of the most creative eras in music, everything from Eric Clapton, Abbey Road era George Harrison, archetypal slide guitar right down to the acoustic strumming on `Long Road Home.'

Third, Fanny follow Beatles tradition by their prolific and varied output of songs. In addition, their choice of covers give originals a good run for their money (Cream's `Badge', the Beatles `Hey Bulldog' and while I haven't heard Steven Stills own `Special Care' the guy would have to work hard to beat Jean's virtuouso singing and the ensemble hard driving piece, shifting tempo and wall of harmonies. The comparison only doesn't quite fit where combinations of three fine songwriters is augmented by a clutch of Alice De Burgh's contributions.

Lastly, the lyricism never falls below the standard of good rock lyrics and inspired moments of verbal expressiveness abound in the `road weary' `Long Road Home' , the `mother to son' dedication of `You've Got a Home' and the introspection of `What's Wrong With Me' that equals Crosby Stills and Nash at their best.

Artfully, disc 4 leads with `demo' songs i.e `self produced version of songs with verbal `count ins' kicking off alternate versions as right as the official (?) version on Mother's Ride. Disc 3 features Fanny in concert highlighted by `Charity Ball' gloriously expanded from the short sharp album opener.

Most important of all, their music is totally confident and awash with self belief. They define what a band should aim to be, not just female band. Grab the record set and fast and, oh yes, I echo, the other fine dedications here.

One of the most outstanding early 70's band aound. I first heard them at a friends house in Twin Falls Idaho. We quickly orderd all the records from our local music shop. We had friends in Spokan WA who also told us about them. We thought they didn't get the promotion they really deserved.

I loved this group when I was 18. They came to the University of Houston to play and , even though I was not a student, went to see them in person. The best live show I have ever seen. Music was clean and clear and my little brother , who was 15, danced to their music in the UC.
I have had all their albums and played them till they were so worn, I had to throw them away.
If you like Girl Bands and you like good music, Fanny is it! This release brings back the good ole days when life was good and simple. Rock on!