It’s time to shake things up! This time Alice talks about the beginnings of Fanny and the very first recording done with producer Richard Perry. Then we dig into “Come and Hold Me” and “Bitter Wine” both off Fanny’s eponymous album. Pay attention class, there might be a quiz!
Hosts Alice, Kristen, and Byron are joined by Jean and June Millington via pre-recorded interviews.
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In her book “Land of a Thousand Bridges”, June identifies the secretary who discovered Wild Honey/Fanny as Norma Goldstein (no relation that I know of). But it makes my fascination with Fanny that much more interesting.
As for Richard Perry’s voice, you can hear it on Nilsson’s “Son of Schmilsson” album.
Hi Aaron,
We’re not sure whether or not it was Norma, which is why we didn’t include her name. As for Richard’s voice on Nilsson’s album, yes, but we wanted his voice for Wild Honey/Fanny. Quite the historical moment.
Hope you enjoyed the podcast and that you have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Kristen
Hmmmn!!! The plot thickens.
Hi Aaron,
I didn’t mention a name for the secretary because I don’t agree with June’s memory, and I’m not calling the (possible) mistake out. One of my goals with the podcast, and one Kristen and Byron are fully on board with, is to correct the false stories about Fanny. That said, if I don’t have the accurate and information that can be verified, I will not perpetuate rumors/myths.
As for Richard’s voice, I have heard it on Nilsson’s LP. I don’t remember him putting himself “out there” with any of the other acts he produced, and I found the intro he did with Fanny to be a nice little historical “gem.”
I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcasts!
Best,
Alice
You mean Wild Honey/Fanny wasn’t discovered by a Goldstein. Say it ain’t so!!!
Aaron,
You’ll find out….EP 23!
Alice
This was the best history lesson I’ve attended! Hooray for the “unnamed Secretary” (Norma Goldstein) who got Richard Perry to check out “Wild Honey”. Yes, trials and tribulations followed, but when that “fourth member” was finally found, “history” was made!
Another wonderful episode , guys! The little shake ups are keeping my favourite podcast fresh, fun and fannytastic! ❤️?❤️
Hi Nigel,
As I mentioned to Aaron, we’re not sure if it was Norma Goldstein (even if it’s in June’s book), which is why we didn’t include her name. As a historian, unless you can back it up with evidence, it’s better to play it safe. 😉 SO happy to hear you enjoyed the episode, including the little shake ups! ❤️?❤️
Cheers,
Kristen
Time to don the overcoat, break out the magnifying glass and search out this mythical “unnamed female secretary”…???.
The game is afoot!
Hi Nigel,
Kristen pretty much sums up my response to your comments. We’re trying hard to make sure that what we say and what we talk about on the podcast are the true stories about Fanny. If we don’t know something, we’ll not say it. As an historian, I’ll take instruction from Kristen every time!
You probably know this already, but it’s Kristen’s “vision” of a story “arc,” embellished by me, that makes the podcast so much fun. When she suggests to me that we need to “shake it up,” I’m all ears! We definitely want to keep it fresh and entertaining as we tell the true stories of Fanny!
So glad you appreciate that!
Best,
Alice
Kristen’s vision has paid off enormously. We really owe her a debt of gratitude for spearheading this thing. How fortunate that Alice, Byron, June, Jean, et al are also in on the historic (*her*storic?) document that this podcast exists to be.
Alice, your “That’s what she said” response to “I wanna hear your cowbell” was so out of left field, I laughed so hard, I just
about shot my (thankfully non-carbonated) drink out of my nose. ?
Again, thank you all so, so much for everything you’re doing. Can’t wait for Episode 22! The pairing of “Cat Fever” and “You’ve Got a Home” is exquisite.
❤️???❤️
Hi Tim,
I agree. Kristen’s vision has been spot on! I can’t begin to equal her passion for this project, there’s just no way to keep up with her energy!
I, too, got a chuckle out of my response to Kristen, and it so took her by surprise, that she guffawed….which I cherish!
I guess the podcast should come with a warning: “Step away from the carbonated beverage while listening to this podcast.”
Later,
Alice
Hi Alice! Oh the shake up was a joy!
Wherever this arc takes us, it’s a fabulous journey!
Best wishes as always!
Nigel
Well… June moon, I, too, have lots of memories lost in the ether and smoke, but at least that night you slept with your guitar! At that time, you slept in the first bedroom on the right upstairs. I did not sleep with you regularly, but that night we were most likely hanging out on your bed while you practiced and fell asleep together there in the early morning hours –I remember having to push the guitar and you yourself over to get any room in that bed. There’s a photo from 1969 of you sitting on that same bed playing guitar and another one from 2016 I did of you lying down with your guitar in the bed in the pineapple room in your pineapple pjs!!!! At any rate, I’m sticking to my story.. xox
PS while I worked at Reprise, Richard’s secretary’s name was Kyo, or something like that. I have a photo of her at her desk in front of Richard’s office.
Hey Linda!
Do you remember Kyo’s last name….or do you remember/know the name “Norma Kemper” from those old Reprise days? And, would you send me a copy of the Kyo pic you have?
Thanks,
Alice
I don’t, but I did send you the photos of her! Do you remember her? She was his secretary while I was working there.
“Come and Hold Me” Is probably my favorite FANNY song which is weird because it’s such an early song and relatively pop in nature compared to FANNY’s hard-hitting Rock and Roll. The round at the song’s end still sends shivers up my spine. Jeannie sings? Has Nickey come into the picture. BYRON!!! Love ya man. You and I agree on this song as a classy opener.
Hi Steve,
June sings lead on this one, and yes, Nickey was either on the scene or very soon to join the band when this was recorded.
Glad you like it!
Best,
Alice
OK then. I got the sister wrong on that one. LOL Doesn’t matter. It is a remarkable song. I could talk about FANNY stuff until I die. The music just never gets old. June was an excellent songwriter but I wish she would have written more. Of course, every FANNY fan understands that Nickey was in a universe all by herself as a songwriter. No FANNY without you, Alice. I will defend your honor as an excellent rock drummer. Those that do not know of your brilliance will have to face my wrath and my wrath includes a really cool ray gun.
Thank you, Steve….
If my “honor as an excellent rock drummer” need defending, I’m glad you’ve got my back!
Alice
Thanks for another great show! It is always fun and the stories are awesome. Can’t wait to hear about Cat Fever next time (one of my faves).
Cheers,
E
Eric,
You will NOT be disappointed!
Alice
Hi Everyone!
Jeanie here, with her secretary Vicky. We really enjoyed this episode! We appreciate hearing everyone’s comments on the songs—we enjoy hearing the in-depth comments on music and memories.
P.s. “More cowbell!”
Hi Vicky,
I only wish I could go back and add cowbell more liberally, but I might just over do it!
LOL!
Alice
Today I listened to 3 podcasts – yes I was a little behind. I just love listening to the history of FANNY. Especially when Jean mentioned the wah wah sound from one of the songs discussed. You lady’s (June, Jean, Alice) Kristen and Byron bring us back to 1970 when FANNY was happening. It is truly amazing to hear the stories and facts of the time. I am so elated and ecstatic and overjoyed that it brings me to tears! Tears of joy. FANNY is happening now and forever will be in my heart and soul. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Melanie,
I’m so glad those are tears of joy, because that’s what we’re trying to produce….the world needs more!
Best,
Alice
Another GREAT episode!
I agree with Byron & Kristen….there’s a crispness and freshness to “Come And Hold Me” that is unlike pretty much any other Fanny track!
I’ve always loved the song ~ it’s probably tied with “I Just Realized” as my second favorite cut off the first album, behind only “Badge” ~ but it wasn’t until I heard the remastered version on the boxed set that I REALLY appreciated it’s layers and complexity….but also it’s sweetness!
“Bitter Wine” is, hands down, one of Nickey’s true masterpieces. It’s a real shame she didn’t allow that vulnerability to come through more often, to let the walls come down and be a little less guarded and/or steely.
And you can NEVER go wrong with more cowbell….or cowbell period!!
Hi Jef,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to these comments, but you, as usual, are spot on!
Love ya,
Alice
Another insightful episode + chuckles – always adds to my Saturday (mid) morning breakfast time! ?
Great stuff.
Cheers!
Thank you so much, Brian! This is so nice to hear. Cheers, Kristen
Hi Brian,
What was for breakfast?
Alice
Not really to do with this podcast, but just saw the Midnight Special 1971 appearance on YouTube, wow, where have I been?!? I couldn’t help but wonder, as I watched everyone, the feelings that must have been going on, knowing (or not) that the end was near for this version of Fanny. Hope you talk about that at some point, depressing though it may be, but I’m curious as to the reasons why it ended.
Elizabeth,
We most likely won’t get to the “why we broke up” stories for a while. There are just too many good and lively tales from the early years!
Best,
Alice
Love hearing different recollections of Fanny’s history. It reminds me of the (apocryphal) saying that if you can remember the Sixties, you weren’t really there. Smiles.
The cowbell and wah-wah have always appealed to me and they are very noticeable on “Bitter Wine”. Those celestial harmonies and the intricate counterpoint are quite enchanting. Alice, having grown up listening to Cream, Zepp and The Who,we Brits never thought your drumming was too busy; it fitted the Fanny sound perfectly.
Nickey’s multi-coloured curly wig in Fanny Mark 2 may hark back to the clown reference in Bitter Wine. Watcha fink?
I’m so looking forward to the gang’s discussion of “You’ve Got a Home”, one of my very favourite Fanny songs. It didn’t seem so cool to admit that back in the day, but many people must have felt the same way about it in private. Just typing this brings tears of loving memories of my wonderful mum. The song is simultaneously a lullaby and a ballad, with Jean’s gently cradle-rocking bass rhythm perfectly complimenting June’s bottleneck guitar, which is alternately sad, wistful and, at the end, hopefully optimistic. Her cadences are just like maternal speech.
One of the song’s beauties is that it is so unspecific; the listener is left to make up his or her own back story. Purely personally, I can’t help linking it with Paul Simon’s “I am a Rock”; are the two narrators gazing on the same snow, a shroud for one and a pleasurable experience for the other and her young son? Did the same disastrous affair drive two people into reclusion? Does Paul’s tragically isolated character even know he has a son? Questions, questions…
Hi Dave,
Once again, your comments make me smile, and it’s a different smile this time; one that matches the song and June’s news…..
Take care,
Alice
Hooray for that female secretary whoever she is 🙂
Great show AS USUAL!Love both these tunes a bunch..I dig the bass on Bitter Wine.Kudos Jean!!! I look forward to the next podcast.I am going to further Fannyfy my day by listening to the first 4 LPs on vinyl.
Peace and Love
Guy,
That sounds like a lovely plan!
Enjoy!
Alice
A belated comment. I have just listened to “I Find Myself”, “Queen Aretha” & “Flame Tree”. It’s interesting to hear Addie in the mix. Wild Honey’s sound seems as cross between The Byrds & The Supremes. Obviously, Nickey would change the dynamic. But there is a rawness to Wild Honey that is something to savor.
Aaron are those songs from “Wild Honey”? Are they on YouTube?
Yup. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_eZTgBhlRBM&list=OLAK5uy_mMuJvXWcGqEpP__i33xhXDLQCPQTdBI0k&index=20
Melanie,
Most of the tracks Aaron’s talking about were put on the Rhino Handmade Fanny Box Set – “Fanny – First Time In A Long Time.”
Alice
Aaron,
Wild Honey (and also the Svelts) were light years apart in musicality. I’m not sure if that “rawness” is something I’m able to savor…….YET!
Alice