1.) ISIS-Isis. Released 1974 on Buddha Records. Members: Carol MacDonald-Lead vocals, guitar; Ginger Blanco-Drums, writer; Liberty Mata- Percussion; Suzi Ghezzi-Lead Guitar; Stella Bass-Bass; Lolly Blenfield- Horns; Jeanie Fineberg-Horns; Edith Dankowitz-horns. Talk about progressive? Forget Yes and Genesis, this album is a masterpiece. For an 8-piece female progressive band whose writers included the singer and drummer, this was everything the 70's were about. The songs are lengthy and exciting. From the fun "April Fool" (the shortest song on the album), to the amazing scariness of the 8-minute "Servant Saviour", this album was a radio staple in NYC, getting air-play on the "old" WNEW FM station from the late "Rockbird" Alison Steele. She's the only woman DJ who had the good sense to play this on album rock radio. (I don't know why it stopped.)
The album has everything. jazz, rock, pop and a big drum solo. (I shouldn't make an issue of this, but don't guys always make big deals about them?).The brilliancy of this is that the song itself is a folksy ballad called "Rubber Boy", which suddenly erupts into this massive jam that makes Ginger Blanco shine The conga work of Liberty Mata gently blends 2 songs together making almost one giant song. It's thrilling to hear this from a female band, even more to know it's from 1974. The album starts off with a song you'd think was the band Chicago, til Carol starts singing. "Waiting For The Sonrise" (yes, that is 'son', not 'sun'.)has the sounds of Chicago, Jethro Tull, and the madness of Yes combined. They could only wish to sound this good now (except JT, they are still GREAT).
Stella Bass does a better job of being Chris Squire than he does sometimes. If anything's worth seeking out it's this, if only for Miss Blanco's creativeness.
WE ARE TO DEMAND IT'S RELEASE ON CD NOW!!!
2.)LIVE IN JAPAN-Runaways. Released 1977 in Japan. Members: Sandy West-Drums, vocals; Jackie Fox-Bass; Lita Ford-Lead Guitar; Joan Jett-Guitar, vocals; Cherie Currie-Lead vocals. It's silly when bands decide to release a live album after only a few records for product, but in this case after only 2 recorded albums, this album released in Japan is an exception. 1st of all they do this for everyone no matter who it is. 2nd, this album is nothing short of brilliant and proved to the skeptics who thought they were a novelty, these PLAYERS weren't to be put down by anyone.
Aside from the dumb "sex songs"("Cherry Bomb")that seem to always ruin these bands, the songs are amazing and extremely powerful. The great "Getting Hot"(only released on this record)with it's electrifying Lita Ford solo demonstrates that this cannot be faked. Sandy West's drumming is beyond any power I've never heard from a man. Her kick drum is among the loudest on record; exceptional, and she even takes lead vocals on their very different version of the classic "Wild Thing". She and bassist Jackie Fox also get to "do their thing" on "Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin". The bass and drums blend together beautifully and for a couple of 16 year olds(at the time) they certainly had muscles. This album is a must,(if not on vinyl, t's out on import CD)for any female drummer. An absolute great live record that should be up there with all the rest.
3.)VACATION -Go-G0's. Released 1982 on I.R.S. Records. Members: Gina Schock: Drums; Kathy Valentine-Bass; Charlotte Caffey-Keyboards, lead guitar; Jane Wiedlin: guitar; Belinda Carlisle: Lead vocals. These ladies are considered to be the "1st girl band" to do "anything" which is totally stupid, (I think we've proven that they're not already, only none achieved the massive success that they accomplished). The Go-Go's made 3 fantastic albums. "Talk Show" was genius; "Beauty the Beat" was tremendous; but "Vacation" is magic. For what reason people are disappointed with this record baffles me. You cannot deny the musicianship on this record which some have linked to summer/surf music (?).The album's drum sound alone is beyond belief. Nothing comes close to the thundering drumming on "Beatnik Beach". Miss Gina is all over that with a passion.
There isn't anything that Gina doesn't play without any conviction; she truly is the "Queen of the drum roll". This is not a baby record; all the songs are filled with and incredible amount of excitement. The sheer spookiness of "It's Everything But Partytime"(listen to this song carefully, this is not for the weak!)makes you think twice about them being a cute band. The beautiful "Worlds Away" adds that special touch to the album. The combination of the great bass riffs and powerful drumming on "Get Up + Go" just add more life to the album (anyone who doesn't hear the amazing bass on the songs needs a hearing aid.). Another classic born in the 80's. One question: WHERE THE HELL HAS THE DRUM ROLL GONE IN R'N'R!!!????????????????. (I've taken the liberty to review a few 90's albums that are destined to become classics. -WIZARD OF ROZ
4.)REV IT UP-Vixen. Released 1990. Members: Roxy Petrucci-Drums; Share Pedersen-bass; Jan Kheunemund-Guitar; Janet Gardner-Lead vocals. In the 70's Heart was considered to be heavy metal (even though some say they've wimped out, which is not true.) I guess now the proper term is "hard rock." In Vixen's case they had a touch of classic metal and serious hard rock. When it came to that, metal in the 80s at least this band were 'real' women (by this I mean those guy hair 80s bands who "wanted to look like women" only because everyone looked the same, put Vixen in this horrible position of being mistaken for men because they were loud and because of their long hair).
There is no way this album doesn't constitute a good rock album in every sense of the word. From the power of "Bad Reputation" to the action of the great "Streets of Paradise." Their first album "Vixen" was light and hard with songs written by "other people," but nothing could compare to this great second and unfortunately album. The genius of "Wrecking Ball" puts together everything those "dumb guy hair bands" were only dreaming of achieving with their crap. None of that music withstood the power of this great and is worth picking up for its diversity and excellent drumming from the amazing Roxy. Hopefully this record will find its way back to the new ladies who are destined to become part of this business.
(HERE GOES A GUY RECORD)
5.)JUSTUS -Monkees. Released 1996 on Rhino Records. Members: Micky Dolenz-drums/lead vox; Peter Tork - bass/keys; Mike Nesmith - guitar/vox; Davy Jones - lead vocals MONKEES? ARE YOU KIDDING?...NO I'M NOT! For those of you that know the Monkees they ARE FINALLY A BAND AND THEY DO PLAY THEIR OWN INSTRUMENTS! (After 30 years how the hell could they not already?) For those of you who don't know the Monkees they were a 'TV band' that became a real band when someone decided they should go on tour to promote the songs for their shows just like a real rock band and yes, they did pull it off. I personally have NEVER known them as a TV band and always believed in their playing (Now I guess they must know how us women must feel.) For those in doubt, PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS RECORD!!! It's fun, exciting, weird, strange, crazy, sad and everything in between, everything music should be. The album starts right off with a blast of a slightly punk version of their old 1969 song "Circle Sky." Here they turn up the volume. To the bluesy "Never Enough" and "Unlucky Stars" to the loudness of their own "Admiral Mike," (it should be noted that Peter and Mike started out as musicians and have stuck to it massively for some thirty odd years). This is an absolutely fun album that deserves to be heard and Micky's drumming is excellent if not strange, especially on "Dyin' of a Broken Heart." (Also, because for some reason he plays right handed and left footed, Figure that out!... Enthusiasts :-)!!!!!!! It is actually a good 90s record, and it's about time. -Wizard of Roz-
