Listen to these four high points from a consistently good, long out-of-print 1984 Rhino LP compilation of little-known then-current female rock acts, compiled by Gary Stewart. Here are photos and descriptions from the back cover. Three of the tracks are in the first comment.
Chris Somma: “Can’t Stop the World” (Kathy Valentine). Carla Olson, guitar; David Provost, bass; Mark Cuff, drums. These instrumental tracks were recorded when the Textones were Carla Olson, Mark Cuff, Kathy Valentine (now of the GO-GO’s) and David Provost (later of the Dream Syndicate, now of the Droogs). The tracks remained unreleased and unfinished until a friend of the band members, Chris Somma, suggested singing some vocal tracks. Chris appeared in the Ramones film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School and was a backup singer with Josie Cotton. She now heads her own group in Los Angeles, Chris & the Fits.
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Definitely like that Chris Somma song - has kind of a punk flavor without sacrificing melody. Leslie Shannon - how wrong can you go with a Jackie DeShannon song? I'm familiar with this song through the version done by the Searchers. Must say, though, that their version is superior. She has a bit of a Ronnie Spector vibrato.
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To me, the sleeper in this group is the Ru Carley song - the backing is a little much of its time, and the song's title would seem to predestine it to awfulness. But the voice has a strong, slightly rough quality, as if she'd been listening to a lot of really good singers and was in the process of absorbing their influences into something that was definitively hers. Unlike, say, Leslee Swanson - while that song is a semi-lost Jackie DeShannon gem, as dermahrk correctly points out, you get the impression her voice will always be overshadowed by the ghost of Ronnie Spector's.
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dermahrk & ivylander, thanks for the perceptive insights. Now I live to hear the Searchers' version of "Each Time."
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I remember her voice! I was a huge Go Gos fan and I saw the movies you mentioned! Great memories! Thanks for sharing!
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2Serenity, it's cool that you remember some of this from back in the day. These voices were all new to me when I discovered them on the LP. Sometimes it becomes apparent that a lot of great music falls between the cracks.
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Spike: I grew up in Washington, DC listening to the radio more so than TV so I have a true appreciation for music from the 1980s. Sometimes though I still wonder how do I know so much music. My parents though allowed me to listen to anything on the radio and I always channel flipped!! So much music has fallen between the cracks and I appreciate you sharing with us here!