Another forgotten great soul talent who was persecuted all her life for her sexuality. The booklet makes for a fascinating read! ..Jackie only released 1 live album (featured here) and 14 x 45,s, but the quality stands out a mile! This lovingly researched 2 x CD anthology from archival specialists the Numero Group chronicles the remarkable career of Jackie Shane, an American singer who became a leading light of Toronto's 1960s soul and R&B scene. Heralded for her dynamic stage presence and voice that often drew comparisons to Little Richard and James Brown, Shane was also an early advocate for transgender and LGBTQ rights in an unforgiving social climate. Born & Raised in Nashville as a boy in 1940, Jackie realised by the age of 13 she had already come to recognize herself as a woman living in a man's body, and while she wouldn't officially come out as transgender until many years later, Shane effectively lived as a woman on and off stage. In her late teens, she pursued a music career that led from choirs and gospel groups to drumming in R&B bands, and, for a short time, touring with a carnival show. Escaping the madnesst of the "Jim Crow" South, Shane ended up in Montreal, where she was discovered by another American expat, Frank Motley. As the singer for Motley's band, she eventually settled in Toronto where, during the early '60s, she enjoyed regional success and recognition both as part of Motley's crew and as a revered solo act. A charismatic performer, sharply dressed in suits and seemingly made up in drag, no one in 1960s Canada had seen or heard anything like Shane. Her enigmatic presentation, her undeniable talent, and the support of the music community allowed her to flourish in Toronto, and by the middle of the decade she had cut a number of singles, landing a regional hit with 1963's excellent "Any Other Way." When the song was later reissued and became a modest national hit in 1967, a live release called Jackie Shane Live was released. By 1971, her working relationship with Motley had soured and, weary from years of gigging and enduring the hardships of existing as a transgendered person in show business, Shane left the music industry altogether. While no studio album was ever recorded, her various singles and B-sides have gone on to become collector's items, with a cult fandom that has grown in the years since her retirement especially in the UK with Northern & Soul fans. Included here are all of Shane's singles along with the live LP, her lone full length release. The performances are vibrant and full of personality, heartbreak, and spirit. While a handful of reissues have surfaced in the digital era, Any Other Way marks the first time Shane herself was involved with the process, and the collection's lengthy liner notes are generous with her reflections and anecdotes. Shane's is a story unlike any other, and in the years leading up to this release she has slowly come to be recognized both as a musician and as a pioneer of Toronto's LGBTQ community. With this release, her brief but potent catalog continues to garner some well deserved attention with this blog paying her due respect. She passed in 2019.
AMM
The Tasters!
22 comments:
A great Numero release, thanks for reviewing this AMM
Great Review Thank you AMM
thanks for this AMM, hope you had a great time fishing
Reb
Thanks AMM. From my hometown.
How was the fishing, AMM? Thanks for review, P.
I have some records but this double CD interests me a lot.
Yves
What a voice , comin down is a awesome dancer
Very interesting review, thanks
Thanks for the review
This is an interesting album. Many thanks to AMM.
Pierre
Very nice album set... many thanks AMM for the review
BigD
Thanks AMM for letting into the world of Jackie Shane. Thank you for letting our world know about this performer. Thank you AMM.
many thanks for this upgrade and booklet the most appreciated
Great review AMM looking forward to it
Thank you so much AMM, I hope the phising went well!
Another great Numero find
Not aware of this artist(e). Interesting but sad review THANKS,it`s wet my interest in hearing more.
Ooh, Numero, yes please MM. Hope the fishing was good.
cheers,ELtel
Sounds nice. Any big fish?😉
Had the original live album. Would enjoy this. Thanx.
Nice set from Jackie Shane Great review AMM nice to have in a Flac .I suppose Jackie was like a fish out of water shame did not record more
Cheers Pedro
Great to see this one appear on the Numero label. Great job.
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