Someone,s been asking me to review this great album for ages and thought it was on Kent, near enough its on parent company Ace,s logo. Girls groups have a special place in the soul world & in my heart. Early 60s and
pre-Motown girls like the Shirelles set the pace. But the crossover
period from R&B to soul via pop in the late 50s and early 60s had a
huge impact on what was to become the dominant black music style of the
next seven years. This is reflected in the early recordings of groups
like the Vandellas and the Supremes...and the recordings of groups like
Gigi and the Charmaines. Gigi and the Charmaines’ brief and only Billboard chart appearance at
#117 in 1961 doesn’t reflect the trio’s great solo work on six
different labels, nor does it take into account their work backing
Lonnie Mack or their singing behind artists that included Little Willie
John, James Brown, Bobby Freeman, Conway Twitty, Gary U.S. Bonds and
Hawkshaw Hawkins at the King Records’ studio. These acheivements made
them Cincinnati’s top girl group. Gigi Griffin, (nee Marian Jackson,) the
Charmaines lead singer, helps to tell the story of the group. How, for
instance, they won a recording contract with Fraternity Records on a
local televised talent show. The release includes the group’s debut 1960
Fraternity 45 from late 1960 Rockin’ Old Man backed with If You Were
Mine, for which Gigi wrote the lyrics. More 45s, including What Kind Of
Girl (Do You Think I Am), which topped a rival version from Erma
Franklin in the summer of 1961, followed and they worked on local dance
party shows “...just like Bandstand, but local” including the one hosted
by Nick Clooney ‘that’s George Clooney’s dad!’ The
mystery of how one 45 was released on Hollywood based Dot Records is
explained and also the story of how the girls moved to and recorded in
Canada. The release includes their swampy version of Rockin’ Pneumomia
And The Boogie Woogie Flu, a fabby, dangerous sounding and sexy take on
Ike Turner’s song I Idolise You plus the original version of On The
Wagon, a song later recorded by the pre fame Ronettes. Gigi tells how
her future husband Herman Griffin got them a contract with the mighty
Columbia label via a demo of her song, later to become a Northern Soul
favourite, "Eternally". In Gigi’s own words: “Being with Columbia
Records was a really big deal. We were so excited you would not believe
it.” This release includes all the group’s Columbia and Date Detroit cut
killer singles that feature the talents of Herman Griffin, Don Davis,
Leon Ware, Mike Terry, Dale Warren and Tommy Wright including "Guilty",
"Girl Crazy2 and "Poor Unfortunate Me", a song co-written and previously
recorded by J.J. Barnes and a previously unreleased track "I Don’t Wanna
Lose Him" which made big noises in the Northern Soul
world. But the girls were not all about uptempo dancers. If You Ever is a
great soulful ballad, "Don’t Take Away Your Love" is lovely girl group
pop and "Where Is The Boy Tonight" is great bottom heavy, classic girly,
teen angst stuff. Two versions of GI Joe are included, plus Gigi’s
sister Jerri Jackson (who replaced Dee Watkins in the group) and her
duet with Kenny Smith, "All The Time" and an unissued track from Carl
Edmonson where the girls do their best Raelettes impression. So the
story of the talented Gigi and the Charmaines unfolds. Over half of
these tracks were new to release in 2006, including three previously unissued
titles. Gigi still sings with a friend, Carmen, as a duo. They
have recorded two albums of standards and Christmas songs and perform
“in nursing homes and retirement centres, "wherever there are seniors
that need to be uplifted, we go there and sing for them". said Gigi, "We also do
country clubs, private parties, weddings, things like that. I don’t
really regard it as work, its still a pleasure for me”. So here is everything they have done with all northern dancers included!...They should have been huge!
AMM
**********REQUEST**********
The Tasters!
16 comments:
Very nice, thanks for this flac copy AMM
This is a real rarity! Thanks for review, P.
Great review Thanks AMM .
Thanks AMM and whoever asked you to review it here.
I have never seen the booklet before, thanks for this review
Ooh, I'm so satisfied now! 😊
Thanks, AMM!
Great Review Thank you very much AMM
I have a few tracks from these ladies, but this looks like a great collection.
Many thanks AMM
BigD
thanks for nice review AMM
Nice article AMM and thanks for the album
Reb
Nice review and great sides and still they bit for the comminty sound like good folk thanks AMM
Cheers Pedro
Looking forward to this!
THANKS for the share!
Cheers!
Bill
Very nice review that is informative and great. Thank you AMM.
This Looks Great, Only Have A Few Trax by These Girls
Cheers
Tel
Thanks for the upgrade MM, than you.
cheers,ELtel
I have
It was my introduction to the work of Lonnie Mack (undoubtedly the best of the album, excellent guitarist), I read something about him but never heard anything about him on the miserable Spanish radio
Post a Comment