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Get Behind Fanny Podcast

Godmothers of Women Who Rock

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Get Behind Fanny: Episode 19

It’s Top Secret time! This week we take on some of the rumors and stories surrounding the band and put them to rest once and for all. Plus we chat about songs “Candlelighter Man” and “What Kind of Lover” from Fanny’s first album and “Charity Ball” respectively.

Hosts Alice, Kristen, and Byron are joined by Jean and June Millington via pre-recorded interviews.

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34 comments

  1. Alice notes Fanny had to tour constantly to combat the perception that male musicians were playing the instruments. This reinforced my belief that if Fanny had released a live album circa 1972-1973 be it Fanny: Live in 1972 in Cleveland, the Beat Club sessions or any given concert that it would have done for Fanny what Frampton Comes Alive did for Peter Frampton later in the decade. Obviously we can never truly know the answer but it is theory to which I subscribe.

    Looking forward to Linda Wolf’s appearance in a fortnight.

    1. I agree with you. Frampton, Kiss, Allman Brothers, Cheap Trick, and others, all enjoyed successes and a new found fandom after they released live albums. Fanny was ripe for one after “Fanny Hill” but alas, we’ll never know. Thanks for listening!

  3. “What Kind of Lover” is probably in my top 5 or so Fanny songs. It’s a perfect “sampler platter” of what I love most about the rock and roll side of the band. Snarling vox and pounding keys from Nickey, the thickest, “butteriest” bass Jean ever had to offer, ferocious and energetic driving drums from Alice, some of June’s most playful, funky, jangly guitar work, and super tight backup harmonies all around. It also is, to my ear, one of the closest matches to Fanny’s live sound. It’s mixed beautifully, and Richard Perry holds back on his tendency to overproduce, add superfluous strings/horns, etc. The Charity Ball album has a few tracks like this (“Soul Child”, “Cat Fever”, “Place In the Country”, etc) where they’re allowed to be the rock and rollers and have all of their parts heard without being overcrowded by the dreaded “mariachi horns”. “What Kind of Lover” showcases the band as a force to be reckoned with, no matter what gender the performers are (side note: a hearty middle finger to all who couldn’t see the band as musicians, not a bunch of “girls”). I hear notes of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” in it (my god, can you imagine an Otis cover of this tune?!) and I could imagine it being recorded exactly the same in 2021 as it was 50 years ago. Absolutely timeless.

    This episode absolutely flew by! I’m looking forward to future episodes delving further into the Mysteries of Fanny. Keep up the great work, everybody!

    All the best,
    Tim aka Applescruff
    ?????❤️??✌?

    2. I always love your insights and analysis, Applescruff. Thank you for being a part of these audio adventures with us. ?????❤️??✌?

  4. Wow! Y’all definitely ‘got behind’ Fanny on this podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the dispelled rumors and backstories. Cheers!

  5. Soooo Alice is 6 years older than I am, eh. I always wanted a big sister!
    “Candlelighter Man” was one of the first Fanny songs I ever heard. Thanks to my favorite record shop (read…head shop). They were playing Fanny and I was floored. Bought the album and the rest is history. This song is tight even with the Nickey overdubs. Great song! You KILLED it all right.
    Seriously? The Monkees?
    I never did care whether it was guys or gals doing the jamming. It was apparent to me you were playing your own instruments. By this time I was “enlightened” I guess. Of course, I’ve got 4 younger sisters so between my Dad and I the women in the house were always going to win. I’ve said over and over that Fanny are every bit as good as The Beatles. The writing and the music bears that out.
    Seriously, George Harrison? (Actually I believed this…..ahhhhhhh).
    How does it feel to play drums like Alice DeBuhr?…If I played drums Alice is an excellent model.
    “What Kind of a Lover” just grabs me right from the opening. Nickey is “yelling” at her lover there. Poor guy. June’s guitar was “funky”…yeah…that will work. LOL This is a damn fucking great rock and roll song! Just fucking incredible! Nickey wrote songs with such feeling. He soul was bared on almost all of her songs. I really, really wish she would grant an interview for the podcast. She has her reasons, we know, but still I can wish.
    I crave this podcast. I crave Fanny secrets. There is not enough Fanny music in the universe to ever get sick of.
    June’s guitar playing is just brilliant. In the old school hipster vernacular…she sends me, man. The podcast is far out!
    -Steve (ever faithful fan and sometimes artist and or musician)

    1. Steve,
      I have three older sisters, so I get where you’re coming from. They taught me a respect for women that a lot of guys don’t have. And I too think of the ladies of Fanny as my adopted older sisters. 🙂

      Glad you’re enjoying the podcast and thanks for listening!
      Byron

    2. Hi Steve,
      As the youngest of four, I never had the joy of “rearing” a younger brother or sister, so welcome to the family. Now, have you done your chores?
      Thanks so much for your kind words, and it’s so nice to know that some guys “get it.”
      Best,
      Alice

      1. This comment came in via email for some reason, but I wanted to be sure to share it…..
        Alice

        On Jan 29, 2021, at 3:08 PM, Stephen Lawrence Mitchell wrote:

        Byron…I can tell by listening to all 3 of you that you have a nice little family going there. Does Alice make you do chores and homework and stuff…cause she just nagged me about it. LOL

  6. I have to agree with Kristen and Byron on “Candlelighter Man”, Alice…..while the growth between the first album and Charity Ball and (especially) between Charity Ball and Fanny Hill is palpable, so is the tightness of this track!
    I’ve always loved the drums ~ that opening! ~ and guitar, but I love the keyboards even more now knowing just overdubbed them!!
    My God, they feel like such an intrinsic part of the song….almost like it was written on keyboards!
    My 1971 ears were never really fans of “What Kind of Lover”, but my 2021 ears have a whole new appreciation for the track!
    Another boffo episode!!

    1. A famous precedent is the Christmas carol “Silent Night”, the melody of which was composed on and for guitar when a church organ was put out of action by a flood.

      Agreed, Nickey’s keyboard parts on “Candlelighter Man” just blend in perfectly. What a star!

      The song wrong-footed me when I first heard it; the title suggested a classic blues such as Ma Rainey or Bessie Smith might have sung, with a double entendre, but the lyrics turned out to have more of a religious, specifically Catholic, flavour – that is until the candles are blown out and he ignites something quite different! 🙂 I love such subtlety.

      Welsh Dave

    2. Thanks Jef,
      I hear you!!!! I’m just so glad you’re having as much fun as we are….you ARE, aren’t you? BTW – the book is in the mail today!
      Alice

    3. Hi Jef! I had the same experience with “What Kind of Lover.” Listening to it with 2021 ears, it’s became one of my faves. Cheers, Kristen

  7. Another great show! You guys always kill it. “What Kind Of Lover” is one of my favorite songs, and Alice’s drumming is outstanding!
    Cheers,
    E

  8. Good stuff! Smooth laid-back grooves and dirty bar room funk – 2 of my faves! ‘Candlelighter man’ – great intro and harmonies, love the whole sound. ‘What kind of lover…’ – Nickey’s vocal style is perfect and that brilliant drum pattern from Alice sounds really tricky – kind of like a ‘precision stumbling’ kind of a groove (or staccato? style – I don’t know how to describe it or what it’s called but the timing is ace!). Great guitars on both tracks – as always – right on the button. I love it when you can hear the bass clearly too. It’s actually difficult to find anything negative to say about 99.9 percent of Fanny’s output (which is why I like them so much). I can’t imagine how irritating/frustrating it must be for serious artists to be looked upon as a bit of a novelty simply because of gender – how boring! And kudos for carrying on regardless – alot of folk would’ve folded under that constant BS! It’s totally rock n roll to carry on, no matter, like Fanny did. Rock n roll is all about the struggle! ?The overdubs factoid – that’s amazing. If I understood it right – Nickey worked keyboards into an already completed album? Wow.
    Looking forward to the next one.
    Cheers!

    1. Hi Brian,
      You are correct. Nickey overdubbed keyboards on the tracks we kept from the “original” Fanny recordings, and yes, that’s a sign of a very good musician – one who can overdub a part so it fits flawlessly with the original track – and we all know who talented Nickey was. I feel blessed to have been in a band with her and privileged to have had the opportunity to create drum parts for the songs she brought to us.
      Thanks so much for taking the time to send us your kind words.
      Best,
      Alice

  9. A little off topic question in the category ‘what sticks you’re using’, but I’m curious how the three of you in this ‘epidemic’ time are recording this podcast. Is this via video calling or do you live so close to each other that you are together in one studio/room together?

      1. What you’re doing is a miracle. So happy that everybody’s staying safe! I marvel at what technology allows you and other creative and talented people to do. ????❤️✌??

    2. Hi Anoniem,
      As Byron said, we’re using Zencastr, which makes it possible to sound as if we’re all in the same room, listening to tunes together and having a chat. That’s what makes it so much fun to share. I’m glad you’re enjoying our efforts!
      Best,
      Alice

  10. Hi! I’m just a fan who just discovered Fanny’s great music a month ago. I know I’m TOO late but… being late is better than never, right? Lol
    I have listened to your first two albums ‘ Fanny ‘ and ‘ Charity Ball ‘ and now I’m listening to Fanny Hill… There’s no word that can describe how much I’m impressed and touched by your artistry and talent… AMAZING!
    But I wish there were more songs from your albums to be released as single. For example, I think Seven Roads is a very gorgeous song and I wonder why it was never released as a single.
    I often listen to ‘ A Little While Later ‘ these days… it’s a very calming song and I must confess that Nickey got a very very beautiful voice ( I mean all of you did )
    I wanna thank you Alice for giving us a chance to talk to you and telling us these fun stories about Fanny and caring about fans.
    and I endlessly thank Byron for staying with Fanny all these years and being such a lovely loyal person… you’re a TRUE FAN!
    At the end I thank everyone who works in this blog… New fans like me wouldn’t have a chance to know more about these amazing women if it wasn’t for your hard work and patience.
    Love you so much and wish all the happiness in the world for Fanny members and their fans! Stay healthy and happy^^
    ( from a 16 years old fan )

    1. Never too late to enjoy great music, so welcome to the party! Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to us. Alice and Kristen put a lot of work in on the podcasts getting them organized, it is such a team effort. And much happiness to you as well!
      Byron

    2. Hi Mimi,
      Thank you for your kind words. Kristen’s overall “story arc” for telling Fanny’s story is a driving force of the podcast, before she and I even start working on the outline and episode topic! She really is amazingly good seeing “down the road” ahead for where we are going. Byron and I play our part as well, but if you’re enjoying the podcast, you can thank Kristen for playing the major part she plays. I don’t mean to not give credit to Byron or myself, as it takes ALL THREE of us to put it together, but I wanted to make sure you understood how important Kristen’s vision is for us all.
      I’m so glad you’re enjoying the music. Welcome to the family!
      Best,
      Alice

      1. Oh I’m really sorry if I caused a misunderstooding. I didn’t mean any disrespect to dear Kristen. I just had many things to tell you ( cuz you are one of my all-time favorite artists ) and I was excited, so I forgot to mention Kristen’s name to thank him. I apoligize for that.
        Also thank u Kristen for working hard and making us happy with these interesting stories about Fanny… Wish you the best^^

        1. Thank you, Mimi! My pronouns are she/her, but I do appreciate your commentary and love of Fanny. Welcome to the Fanny family.

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