NOVEMBER 21, 1997 Gay People's ChronicLE 17
MUSIC
Four CDs bring new music to the start of winter
Lesbian Favorites
Women Like Us Various Artists
Rhino Records
Reviewed by Harriet L. Schwartz
Far too many record companies continue to insult the intelligence of the gay and lesbian community, taking music that has nothing specific to do with being gay or lesbian, sticking naked same-sex couples on the covers and calling them "gay" or "lesbian" compilations. Lesbian Favorites: Women Like Us is no such weak effort.
Rather, this Rhino Records collection provides an interesting survey of lesbian life and love in the '90s. Lesbian Favorites is by no means a overview of lesbian music-artists from the harder end of queer pop, like Tribe 8 and Sleater-Kinney, are missing. However, this collection finds its worth in the range of lesbian experiences it represents.
There is Janis lan's soothing and sexy "Ride Me Like a Wave," which captures a much different moment than Jill Sobule's more playful "I Kissed a Girl." Sandra Bernhard co-opts Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover," providing one of the requisite break-up songs. K.d. lang, Phranc, and Sonia Rutstein of Disappear Fear are among other lesbians appearing on this Rhino collection.
A few other artists, like Dar Williams and Jane Siberry, who have never identified publicly as lesbians, contribute relevant songs to the collection-in particular, Williams' reflective "As Cool as I Am" fits wonderfully on this album, which gets bonus points for thoughtful and interesting liner notes.
Photobook Steven Gellman
Hidden Poet Music
Photobook is the perfect title for Steven Gellman's second solo release. Gellman's songs provide an array of snapshots.
Opening track "Autumn's Love Song" is a gentle and sweeping tune that captures the mood of this season. "The First Chill of Winter" and "Blue on Blue” also combine visual imagery and sonic soundscaping to preserve moments in time. Gellman picks up the mood and the tempo with "Believe," an uplifting song featuring memorable guitar and a solid
backbeat. Similarly, "There's a Path" moves along with sheer joy.
Openly gay Gellman dedicates "I've Got a Question," a tender longing song, to Bob, his partner of six years. He offers a different sort of love song in "Almeda at 90" a tribute to the senior citizens with whom he often shares his musicGellman works actively with senior groups in the Washington, D.C. area.
Changing styles one more time, Gellman rocks it up with "Boss Lady," a folk singer's revenge. While family photo albums tend to capture big events like vacations and birthdays. Gellman seems most at home writing about everyday life. With
soft and sweet vocals, occasionally reminiscent of Art Garfunkel's solo work, and richly textured instrumentation, Photobook will be a treasure for folk music fans and easy listening enthusiasts.
(Self-released, call 301-428-0313 or e-mail Hiddenpoet@aol.com to order.)
COMMITMENT Vows
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outside the traditional fold with sincere respect for each couple who love, honor & cherish each other.
Please call Rev. Renee Goodman 216/247-2772
No Mercy Extra Fancy
Butch Ditties
Melodic hard rock filled with catchy guitar riffs, hooky melodies and plenty of groove this is Extra Fancy. As this Los Angeles band, fronted by openly-gay Brian Grillo, keeps searching for a major record label, fans can finally snag some new music with the band's self-released EP No Mercy.
Title track "No Mercy," "When Heads Roll," and "Christmastime" confirm this band's rock potency. “No Mercy” is quintessential Extra Fancy-Grillo's voice and driving guitar give the song a hard rock edge while bass and drums move it along in highly danceable fashion. "When Heads Roll" captures the same vibe while “Christmastime," a song about internal strength, is a more relaxed yet highly emotional song musically reminiscent of the band's "Seven Years Ago." No Mercy features two new mixes of “You Look Like a Movie Star, Honey," first released on Sinnerman, the band's debut album. "Son of That Man" is the album's biggest surprise as Extra Fancy shows its versatility with this sleek and bluesy arrangement.
As the music industry fumbles around looking for The Next Big Thing, any major label would be wise to sign this band. Musically, Extra Fancy offers hard rock and punk aggression, elevated one step higher by lead singer Grillo, likely one of the best front men in the business.
(Call 213-969-2530 or e-mail ExtraFancy@aol.com to order.)
Fantasy Fashions & Fetishes
Three Full
Color Catalogs!
Extensive Collection Includes:
• Quality Lingerie ⚫ Leather
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New Release XXX Videos at Below Market Prices.
Free Gift Wrapping at Your Request. Products discreetly shipped.
Send $4.95 (deductible from first order) to: Fantasy Fashions,
P.O. Box 19122, Cleveland, OH 44119, or order by phone 24 hours, Local 216-461-4194 or Toll Free 1-888-216-8686 Must be 18 years of age!
The Need The Need Chainsaw Records
If you took the B-52s and sent them into a macabre fun house, out would come The Need. Mixing carnival-like organ with guitar, bass and drums, this lesbian duo is truly making alternative pop music unlike anything you'll hear on the radio.
"Whitewash Cannonball" and "Jacky The Ripper" romp along with a rough pop edge, while "Crown" and "Don't Touch the Ribbon" are slightly more rooted in traditional rock instrumentation. “Majesty❞ moves The Need back into new wave-like land until the weird piano and vocal bridge takes over.
"Rim Me Isabella," "Sam," and "Pony 4 Honey" round out the album. "Pony for Honey” distinguishes itself most vividly, leaving the carnival-like atmosphere behind for a deeper feel created by bass and drum.
Lyrically, The Need also seems to walk a fine line between playful and intense, offering nonsensical phrases like "I heard electric trumpets pop up on a modern girl" with much more overtly sexual commentary.
Too bizarre to appeal to anyone by default, The Need will be a huge find for adventurous listeners longing for a new new wave sound and alterna-pop kids looking for music that rewrites the rules.
(Contact Chainsaw Records at P.O. Box 1151, Olympia, Wash. 98507-1151, or at www.chainsaw.com, to order.)
Harriet L. Schwartz is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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