GIRL GROUP SOUNDS USA 1962-1968

Description

Since the very beginning of Ace Records, female music has always held a special place in our hearts. A year has passed since the release of our last compilation highlighting the sound of 1960s American girl groups – think castanets, melancholic young singers, charismatic producers, and mini-sonatas on dreams, dancing, and romantic (sometimes lost) loves – and it's time for us to offer you a new, exclusively vinyl volume. As 1968 drew to a close, the golden age of girl groups seemed to be over: the Shangri-Las, the Ronettes, and the Chiffons, for example, hadn't had a notable hit since 1966. Then came "Condition Red," a cleverly produced psychodrama performed by the Goodees, who grace the cover and open side A of this new compilation with panache. On the more soulful side B, Les Chansonettes kick things off with "Don't Let Him Hurt You," an upbeat track with polished production, written in the spirit of Martha & the Vandellas. Elsewhere, Beverly Williams performs "One Way Street," a very Lesley Gore-esque track; "Go Away" by the Murmaids (from 1966) is a richly produced track with chamber pop accents; "What Did You Do Last Night" by the Drake Sisters was recorded with the Phase-O-Phonic sound; the lyrics of "Wild Side" by Denita James evoke classics of the genre like "He's A Rebel," "Out In The Streets," and "Chico's Girl"; and the Sweathearts close the show with a magnificent, modern, and harmonious rendition of the 1950s hit "Eddie My Love." As usual in this series, the inner sleeve features a richly illustrated 4,000-word commentary by long-time compiler Mick Patrick.