Duchesses

[Fritz The Cat]

A chapter for the ladies: let's talk about the great female voices in front of the rock musicians. One of the most chilling voices (and look at how she moves at the microphone!!): Janita Haan of "Babe Ruth". Listen to Alan Shacklock's 1975 "The Duchess of Orleans". Nearly forgotten...

[hjames]

I dunno - I am a huge fan of the First album ...
What stunning cover art - and -
A great cover of Frank Zappa's "King Kong (from Uncle Meat) -- brilliant!
I mean, its a rare artist that does a cover of Zappa!!

Anyway, here is an interview with Janita -
http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/an-interview-with-janita-haan-of-babe-ruth-one-of-the-most

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A chapter for the ladies: let's talk about the great female voices in front of the rock musicians. One of the most chilling voices (and look at how she moves at the microphone!!): Janita Haan of "Babe Ruth". Listen to Alan Shacklock's 1975 "The Duchess of Orleans". Nearly forgotten...

[Fritz The Cat]

It's not a loud voice, but an expressive one: Sonja Kristina. Listen to "Situations" B4. Did you know: the album was the first vinyl picture disc ever. Because of the poor sound quality, they had to reissue it in the conventional format in black vinyl with the original picture on the album cover.

[Fritz The Cat]

Liner notes: "On stage, they move you against the wall. She's there, in front, earthy. Genya, singing to shake the guts of all the bodies in the room. And behind her the sound, socksound, supersound, breaking through every obstacle in it's way. It's a force, that voice and that band, that sparks revolutions in your head. Warning: not for easy listening!"
A Duchesse in front of a great band...

[Kay Pirinha]

@ Heather: Yes, you're very right. Babe Ruth's First Base is a really great album! I've searched for it for a long time, until I eventually managed to import a pristine copy from Canada last year. My favourite song is, as you probably might have assumed, The Mexican:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGaEgezklos

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Simply the best female rock voice in Germany. With these incredibly inspired musicians: Carsten Bohn, Jean-Jacques Kravetz, Karl-Heinz Schott, Rainer Baumann (what great guitar playing!). Listen to "Backwater Blues" B1, recorded live in Hamburg on September 28, 1971. Still live on the road: Inga Rumpf.

[Kay Pirinha]

Fullheartedly agreed :applaud:!

This is the 2nd album by Frumpy's follow up band, Atlantis:

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Here's some live footage of my favourite song from this album, shot by a German TV station in 1973. The song has been written by Inga Rumpf herself. Alongside Inga's extraordinary voice, note that gorgeous solo by Jean-Jaques Kravetz at the Hammond M-100:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_2ZdPaOuzA

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Fullheartedly agreed :applaud:!

This is the 2nd album by Frumpy's follow up band, Atlantis:

83724 83725

Here's some live footage of my favourite song from this album, shot by a German TV station in 1973. The song has been written by Inga Rumpf herself. Alongside Inga's extraordinary voice, note that gorgeous solo by Jean-Jaques Kravetz at the Hammond M-100:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_2ZdPaOuzA

Best regards!

Ooh baby, it wasn't getting better, because they aimed at the big US music business. A commercial funky style replaced the wonderful Krautrock feeling. Ooh, not my baby!

[Fritz The Cat]

Fullheartedly agreed :applaud:!

This is the 2nd album by Frumpy's follow up band, Atlantis:

83724 83725

Here's some live footage of my favourite song from this album, shot by a German TV station in 1973. The song has been written by Inga Rumpf herself. Alongside Inga's extraordinary voice, note that gorgeous solo by Jean-Jaques Kravetz at the Hammond M-100:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_2ZdPaOuzA

Best regards!

Different cover art for the US music market: sea surf replaces the picture of the musicians. The German Venus pressing contributes the better dynamics than the US Vertigo version. Interesting guitar playing by as yet unknown Dieter Bornschlegel, who replaced Frank Diez. My favorite track on this one is the majestic Bornschlegel/Rumpf composition "Fighter of truth" B2. Because of the female vocals and the (partial) twin guitar solo by Bornschlegel. A great song!

[Kay Pirinha]

Footage from the German TV series Beat-Club by Radio Bremen:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDUQN0Chl-M

Best regards!

[Kay Pirinha]

Another great voice from Germany, still in her very young years:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmX9IH6TT2w

Who recognizes her? Little hint: Sadly, she passed away in 2017 :(.

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Another great voice from Germany, still in her very young years:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmX9IH6TT2w

Who recognizes her? Little hint: Sadly, she passed away in 2017 :(.

Best regards!

Joy Fleming. Who else? Good night from Switzerland!

[Fritz The Cat]

Another great voice from Germany, still in her very young years:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmX9IH6TT2w

Who recognizes her? Little hint: Sadly, she passed away in 2017 :(.

Best regards!

Attention! Don't buy this album. It's the worst that Joy Fleming did in her glorious career. Disco, Disco, Disco. Don't buy anything of the producer Pete Bellotte! Intolerable!

[Kay Pirinha]

Joy Fleming really was a great rock, jazz and blues singer with an extraordinary, powerful voice, being exceedingly convincing when she sang in her local Mannheim idiom. Remember Neggarbriggeblues/Neckar Bridge Blues? But yes, she also did such weird things like German schlager :barf: and disco crap :barf::barf: that have to be avoided.

Best regards!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUyAl6uuljM

[Fritz The Cat]

One of the most powerful female rock voices, backed by a superb band of musicians including Robert Palmer. Bundle of energy. Listen to Andy Fraser's "Talkin' 'bout my baby" B3.

[Kay Pirinha]

As well as Led Zeppelin, British progressive/symphonic rock band Renaissance were a spin-off of The Yardbirds. Much more former Yardbirds members were involved with their original incarnation that recorded the 1st album, though. Severe personnel changes followed, and by their 3rd album no original member was present any more. They had become what can be called the 'classic' Renaissance lineup, including singer Annie Haslam, a real duchess with her clear soprano voice. Surprisingly for a British progressive rock outfit with such a demanding musical style, they were extremely successful in the US. For example they performed three subsequent sold-out shows at the Carnegie Hall in June 1975 which were recorded by Record Plant and released as a double album:

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Here's a song about the fate of Russian novelist Aleksandr Solshenytzin, who was

Punished for his written thoughts
Starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks
Number for a name
His blood flows frozen to the snow.

Under Putin still up to date, isn't it?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP0rXRt5dog

Renaissance still are performing. But with the only former member (Annie Haslam) having relocated to the USA, and all the other members having been replaced by United Statesians, they hardly can be called a British progressive rock outfit any more, can they?

In the meantime composer/guitarist Michael Dunford, keyboardist John Tout, and Cornish lyricist Betty Newsinger-Thatcher sadly have passed away.

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

One of the most expressive female vocalists ever. Unique entertainer on stage. What incredible energy. What performances at Royal Albert Hall in 2018! Jon Nichols on guitars. Leiber/Stoller's song "Saved" C4 is metaphorical for her life. The most impressive person you may listen to today in modern music business...

[Fritz The Cat]

Shaun Murphy was full member of Little Feat from 1993 until 2009. She was a singer for the musical "Hair" together with Meatloaf. Listen to "She waits by the window" A2. This Motown production was the start for an impressive career as a powerhouse singer in front of Little Feat.

[Fritz The Cat]

Still on tour these days. Airship on the stairway to heaven. Listen to "Barracuda" A1.

[Fritz The Cat]

Marie Frederiksson RIP. Pretty woman, beautiful voice.

[Kay Pirinha]

...but nothing else than elevator Music...

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

...but nothing else than elevator Music...

Best regards!

I confess not to enter any elevator during christmas time! "Last Christmas, i gave you my heart...". Which Christmas Pop-song is not boring?

[qassio]

Marie Frederiksson RIP. Pretty woman, beautiful voice.

She was an amazing artist! RIP

[Fritz The Cat]

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?2724-What-s-Playing-Now&p=406155&viewfull=1#post406155

[Fritz The Cat]

Genya Ravan: http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?2724-What-s-Playing-Now&p=400380&viewfull=1#post400380

[Fritz The Cat]

Powerful vocals by Dale Krantz. Impressive. Plus fat Gibson Les Paul-sounds. Listen to "Prime Time" A1 and "Three times as bad" A2. Forgotten?

[Fritz The Cat]

This is one of the few debut LPs that went number 1 in the UK charts in the week of its release! Finest examples of infectious melodies and rhythms that the 80ies had to offer, due to the band's phenomenal chemistry and Chrissie Hynde's considerable gift for a hook and skill at conveying distinct emotion. Chrissie Hynde is a duchess because of her tough and sexy swagger, isn't it?

[Fritz The Cat]

A wonderful pearl: "Pearls" is a string of timeless classics. Listen to "Too busy thinking about my baby" B3, originally recorded by "The Temptations" in 1966.

[Fritz The Cat]

Songs written by Deborah Holland, vocals.
Stewart Copeland, dr. Stanley Clarke, b. Guitars by Steve Howe, Pete Haycock and Michael Thompson.
Listen to "I'm sorry baby" B5.

[Kay Pirinha]

Anyone remembering Joyce »Baby Jean« Kennedy? Her first appearance with her band, Mother' Finest, over here in Europe was at a German TV show at 3/3/1978, that made the band gather a huge following since then. This show was so funk'afuckin' awesome!

Mother's Finest - Rockpalast - 1978 - Part 1 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YO9scqiZE4)

Merry Xmas and have phun!

[Fritz The Cat]

Anyone remembering Joyce »Baby Jean« Kennedy? Her first appearance with her band, Mother' Finest, over here in Europe was at a German TV show at 3/3/1978, that made the band gather a huge following since then. This show was so funk'afuckin' awesome!

Mother's Finest - Rockpalast - 1978 - Part 1 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YO9scqiZE4)

Merry Xmas and have phun!


I remember very well! Unforgettable for us TV watchers in Switzerland. Phun???

[Fritz The Cat]

Lydia Pense and Cold Blood with the funky Memphis Horns. Great voice. Guitars and production by Steve Cropper. Underrated. After all these years, we have to concede: a great voice. Still on the road and going strong!

[Fritz The Cat]

Great voice. Unforgettable: The Rolling Stones' "Gimme shelter". Listen to Merry Clayton's version here A4. Guitars Louie Shelton. Mick Jagger tells about it here:https://www.openculture.com/2013/06/mick_jagger_tells_the_story_behind_gimme_shelter.h tml

[Fritz The Cat]

Stone The Crows' high energy voice: Maggie Bell. A great album, rich in variety. Recorded in Ringo Starr's Startling Studio at Tittenhurst Park in Ascot with her tour band.
Pete Wingfield, keyboards. Jimmy Page guitar solos on two tracks.
Listen to B3, the best version of Lennon/McCartney's "I saw him (her) standing there" you've ever heard.

[Fritz The Cat]

Great. Simply great!

[Kay Pirinha]

Agreed. Inga Rumpf always has been one of the most prominent female voices in the German rock and blues history.

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Produced, engineered and mixed by Todd Rundgren at Secret Sound Studios. "The Wizard" had tickled out so much positive energy and creativity of these female musicians. The duchesses are Jean and June Millington, Alice de Buhr and Nickey Barclay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cunIt_iyQM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsMR-nurB0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cunIt_iyQM)

[Fritz The Cat]

Anisette: expressive vocals. Danish psychedelic rock.
The range of Anisette's voice, both in terms of octaves and emotions, is incredible in every way, and the band's assimilation of seemingly all the major developments of R&B for the past ten years, combined with the classical elements, is astonishing...(cit. Ed Ward, Rolling Stone, March 1971)
Plus: fat Hammond/Leslie sounds. This one was produced by Jimmy Miller & Joe Zagarini at Stargroves, London
Wild child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAAkWUNCGs4

[Fritz The Cat]

In these times today not political correct (anymore): we love to listen to the "**** U Symphony" A7.
Very ****-ing fun...and a great performance by a fearless soul duchess. Accompanied by The Easy-Ak-Shun Band, The East Coast Horns and The Muscle Shoals Horns. What a ****ing funky barn burner!
PS.: in Switzerland we don't use those four stars for those four-letter-words. In fact, we don't have any..., do we?

[Fritz The Cat]

That rich, warm, sultry, infinitely sensitive voice is the embodiment of Ernestine Anderson.
Monty Alexander p, Ray Brown b, Frank Gant dr.
The pace-changes in the album rollercoaster through never-a-dull-moment modes (cit. Edith Hamilton, liner notes on back cover sleeve). Agreed.
At Jazzwoche Burghausen, Germany 2006: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEOBpeJJORk

[Don C]

One of my favorites. The legendary Christine Perfect. Before Fleetwood Mac. Hard to find, but well worth searching for.


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[Fritz The Cat]

One of my favorites. The legendary Christine Perfect. Before Fleetwood Mac. Hard to find, but well worth searching for.


90426
Bravo! From Switzerland: Fritz

[Kay Pirinha]

Does anybody remember Fanny? They were one of the very first American all-female rock bands, active in the first half of the 1970ies. Until very recently, I've never been aware of them, not even in my youth when I thought I know everything and everybody in rock music ;). I first heard of them just a few days ago, and, say, I'm enthusiastic about them! These four ladies were June Millington on guitar, her sister Jean on bass guitar, Alice de Buhr on drums and Nickey Barclay on keyboards. Real duchesses, I'd say!

Here are two out of a couple of videos, brilliantly shot, as ever, by the team of German TV station Radio Bremen for a Beat-Club broadcast in 1971. Please note the competent guitar and bass works, the powerful drumming and the solid performance at the Hammond TTR-100 organ:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-bvccBqdfY

[Kay Pirinha]

The other one is a beatle-esque anthem on German manufacturer Hermann Lanz AG, nowadays a subsidiary of John Deere. Note the terrific four piece vocal harmonies:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdwzko9DZ0s

Sadly, I don't own any Fanny record or CD.

Best regards and have fun!

[Fritz The Cat]

The other one is a beatle-esque anthem on German manufacturer Hermann Lanz AG, nowadays a subsidiary of John Deere. Note the terrific four piece vocal harmonies:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdwzko9DZ0s

Sadly, I don't own any Fanny record or CD.

Best regards and have fun!

I have shown "Fanny" in February 2022 here: http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?41491-Duchesses&p=440190&viewfull=1#post440190
It's fun, indeed!

[Kay Pirinha]

Obviously being forgotten over decades, these ladies can't be remembered too often ;)!

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Powerwoman!
(But this one is one of the weakest productions, by Marlon Jackson) Typically for the 80ies mainstream pop. Too bad.
Deep respect for Betty Wright, nonetheless.
For compensation listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPVk-m1Pr4s

[Fritz The Cat]

The softer side of Hart. No bleeding fingers as shown on back cover photo.
Listen to B3 "Sister Dear" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVTrCR1gBxc

[DerekTheGreat]

Ah, Beth Hart. I first became aware of her while watching a Joe Bonamassa Blu-Ray, Live from the Beacon Theater circa 2011. Great show, with guest appearances from Hart, Paul Rodgers and John Hiatt. Kind of a "must own" if you're into watching rock/blues concerts or live music in general. Haven't ever been a super fan of Joe's voice, but it works on some tracks. More importantly, he is a virtuoso with the guitar and pretty humble. Also has the ability to meld his style and that is something I don't often see. When Paul Rodgers comes out for example, Bonamassa ends up sounding just like Paul Kossoff on Fire and Water and Walk in my Shadow. Even his drummer, Tal Bergman was able to do that, reproducing that "slap" style sound Simon Kirke had. Sounded like Free but a smidge better thanks to Joe and Tal.

[Fritz The Cat]

Ah, Beth Hart. I first became aware of her while watching a Joe Bonamassa Blu-Ray, Live from the Beacon Theater circa 2011. Great show, with guest appearances from Hart, Paul Rodgers and John Hiatt. Kind of a "must own" if you're into watching rock/blues concerts or live music in general. Haven't ever been a super fan of Joe's voice, but it works on some tracks. More importantly, he is a virtuoso with the guitar and pretty humble. Also has the ability to meld his style and that is something I don't often see. When Paul Rodgers comes out for example, Bonamassa ends up sounding just like Paul Kossoff on Fire and Water and Walk in my Shadow. Even his drummer, Tal Bergman was able to do that, reproducing that "slap" style sound Simon Kirke had. Sounded like Free but a smidge better thanks to Joe and Tal.

Agreed! A thrilling performance by JB and BH, indeed.
B2 "I'll Take Care Of You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFphuiMxA7I
B3 "Sinners Prayer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uFZDj1bM-E
Greetings from Switzerland

[Kay Pirinha]

Ah, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa. Note that nipple alert:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEHwO_UEp7A

Also note what can be done with mainly just two chords. A thrilling classic!

Best regards!

[Kay Pirinha]

Along with Beth Hart, the next duchess surely is the most competent female voice of today. I think Susan Tedeschi wasn't mentioned yet in this thread. Here's a shot from the show where the Tedeschi Trucks Band almost completely recorded (Thorn Tree in the Garden is missing) the groundbreaking Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album live at Lockn. Also note the terrific guitar work of Derek Trucks, her husband:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhaMFSep0I
Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

RIP

[Kay Pirinha]

Yes, it's sad. Anyway, she clearly had her best days with Chicken Shack and was responsible for the decomposition of Fleetwood Mac's music..

Best regards!

[hjames]

Yes, it's sad. Anyway, she clearly had her best days with Chicken Shack and was responsible for the decomposition of Fleetwood Mac's music..

Best regards!
I always thought it was the Buckingham/Nicks addition that destroyed the classic Fleetwood Mac -
t'was the devil at the crossroad syndrome ...

I was enjoying this '77 compilation of older tracks yesterday (got it in 2012) ...
The album was an obvious studio money grab after Rumours,
but her songs do stand on their own.

[Kay Pirinha]

Perhaps you're right, Heather. Admittedly I wasn't really sure. Anyway, some of the best selling hits in that excruciating FM era were written by C. McVie.

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

I always thought it was the Buckingham/Nicks addition that destroyed the classic Fleetwood Mac -
t'was the devil at the crossroad syndrome ...

I was enjoying this '77 compilation of older tracks yesterday (got it in 2012) ...
The album was an obvious studio money grab after Rumours,
but her songs do stand on their own.

I remember well: i bought this compilation in 1995 in Sevilla Andalusia for 700 Pesetas (as the sticker on front cover shows). It was a very very hot afternoon...

[Fritz The Cat]

English barroom-rock band, led by singer Alice Spring aka Sandra Alfred, alias Mandy Mason, aka Sandra Barry. Impressive voice, comparable to Elkie Brooks and Maggie Bell.
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsftv728seU
Forgotten duchess.

[Fritz The Cat]

What a pity: the sleeve was mishandled. Not by me! The surface of the Dutch CBS/Epic album sleeves in the 70ies had miserable quality: they stick together! Some parts of this Chi Coltrane sleeve were irreparably destroyed, so I had to remove them. Some defects were retouched with a pen. Now there is a picture visible from a live concert 2011 through a cut-out. After the repair, the sleeve was coated for protection with a self-adhesive film. What would Chi Coltrane say? Since a concert experience in Zurich in 1976 or 1977 i am a great fan of her.
Listen to "Thunder and Lightning" A1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IefcDO2s9Q
Jim Gordon, Ron Tutt dr, Dean Parks g, Lee Sklar b, et al.

[Kay Pirinha]

I remember her performing just that song at some German TV station in the beginning of the 1970ies. All of us were enthralled just by her appearance, somewhat resembling Michelle Phillips' ;):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WClY9TrEgtw

Best regards!

[Fritz The Cat]

Recorded at Quadraphonic and Columbia Studios, Nashville and Ardent and Onyx Studios, Memphis. Steve Cropper, Jim Dickinson, Reggie Young, Kenneth Buttrey and The Memphis Horns and Muscle Shoals Horns.
Intense voice in the style of Janis Joplin, but less screaming. Listen to "Southern Lady" B1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLx0YAUIds
Whatever became of Celia Yancey? Anybody knows?

[Fritz The Cat]

PS: What became of Celia Yancey: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLx0YAUIds)https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/commercialappeal/name/celia-yancey-obituary?id=7370648
She died January 16 2021.
RIP

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvLx0YAUIds)

[Fritz The Cat]

Produced by Glenn Frey and Jerry Wexler at Muscle Shoals with all those famous studio musicians.
Listen to that impressive voice B1 "Stop These Teardrops": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK_equJToeE

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK_equJToeE)
Sorry, a problem with the managing of the attachments: i tried several times, it was not possible to put the pictures in the right position (upside down!!!!????)

[Fritz The Cat]

A sparkling soulful gem. Prod: Bob Johnston (of Bob Dylan fame). So we admire the funkiest version of Dylan's "It takes a lot to laugh ..." A5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZruWml26M
The cream of Nashville studio cats: Reggie Young, Bobby Emmons, Kenny Malone et al.

[DerekTheGreat]

Awe, such an adorable picture of those dogs.

[Fritz The Cat]

RIP Astrud Gilberto: https://www.blick.ch/people-tv/the-girl-from-ipanema-brasilianische-saengerin-astrud-gilberto-gestorben-id18643442.html