Episode 31! In this episode, we explore the two songs Fanny recorded with Barbra Streisand for her “Barbra Joan Streisand” album in 1971. We listen to two tracks that Fanny recorded live with Streisand in the studio, “Where You Lead” and “Space Captain”.
Alice, Kristen, and Byron are joined by Jean and June Millington via prerecorded interviews.
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From Fanny fan Applescruff:
“It’s hard to think of a better backing band for Barbra Streisand than Fanny and Billy Preston. And Richard Perry did no harm with his tambourine. Much more understated than a mariachi band, after all. ?
Perry’s production is mostly pretty slick on this track, at least in my headphones. Jean’s effortlessly breezy bass, June’s bright and bendy guitar, Nickey’s ferocious attack on the piano keys, Alice’s dynamic drums (which should have been mixed higher), and the band’s soulful backing vocals really provide incredible support for Streisand, whose voice works surprisingly well for rock and roll. I only learned recently that Billy Preston was playing organ; I thought it sounded like Nickey playing! That’s high praise for both of them, if they sound like one another. I hold both in high esteem.
All in all, the song slaps! Carole King’s original is terrific, but the Babs/Fanny collaboration kicks it into a higher gear, which it deserves. The sentiment behind it may be a little cornball, but it’s catchy as hell and all involved should be proud.”
First of all, congratulations to Nigel & AppleScruff for guessing all the Nickey songs & earning the Beat Club bootleg CD with material from the ’72 appearance. Perhaps one day I’ll hear the Beat Club renditions of “Young & Dumb” & “Knock On My Door”.
Your focus on “Barbra Joan Streisand” helps broaden the Fanny canon & I especially enjoyed Alice’s journal entries.
It seems to me that BJS & “Stoney End” were inspired by Carole King’s “Tapestry”. Indeed, “Where You Lead” appears on “Tapestry”. This endeavor might have been more successful had she gone on the road & taken Fanny & Billy Preston with her. It would have put Babs in a new light while elevating Fanny’s profile.
One question for Alice. What were your impressions of Billy Preston?
I look forward to your deep dive on both “Thinking of You” & “A Little While Later”. The former features some of June’s best guitar work while the latter is my favorite Nickey song.
HI Aaron,
Thanks for the comments, and so glad to hear you enjoyed the BJS/Fanny episode!
As for “Stoney End” being inspired by Carole King’s “Tapestry,” this is not the case. Richard Perry goes into great depth about this in his book, “Cloud Nine,” as to how/why he wanted to work with Barbra. Basically, he wanted to hear what Barbra’s voice would do with contemporary pop. He had success with Ella Fitzgerald, his star was on the rise, and he wanted his next project to be with Barbra. The songs he selected for her came after she agreed to work with him.
Would love to hear more about why you like “Thinking of You” & “A Little While Later.” Let us know.
Cheers and have a great weekend!
Kristen
Hi Kristen,
“Barbra Joan Streisand” certainly had a Carole King vibe as three songs from “Tapestry” appeared on the album – “Where You Lead”, “Beautiful” & “You’ve Got a Friend”.
Under the circumstances it might be easy to view “Stoney End” in that way. Needless to say I stand corrected. Yet it is worth noting that “Tapestry” & “Stoney End” were both released in February 1971. “Stoney End” might not have been inspired directly by Carole King but was in the wheelhouse.
“Thinking of You” has a Buffalo Springfield meets Laura Nyro feel to it & is a perfect fit for the middle of the Beat Club session. Like I said before, it features some of June’s best guitar work.
“A Little While Later” is Nickey’s most emotionally vulnerable song. The lyrics “And I ain’t have a hand to guide me/And I ain’t got a friend beside me/And I do need a place to hide me/From all the troubles in my head” speak of not having support much less a place in the world while being overwhelmed by anxious thoughts and not knowing what the hell to do. The harpsichord fade out is a forlorn yet gentle ending to both “A Little While Later” & the Charity Ball LP. As I have noted before, “A Little While Later” is the longest song in the Fanny canon at 5:41.
Hi Aaron,
My impressions of Billy Preston – magical….brilliant…professional…charming….a gentleman… did I say, brilliant?
Best,
ALICE
Hi Alice, Glad you got to get back with Billy Preston.
WOOOHOOO!!!
What a sensational podcast! What a joy to hear Fanny provide such wonderful backing to Barbra Streisand. 1971 must’ve been the year where “hint of gospel” was the flavour for music! “Space Captain” wouldn’t be out of place on the soundtrack to “Vanishing Point” (also from 1971!), many soundtrack cuts there also had a “hint of gospel” to them!
Lovely hearing your memories about the session, Alice, and I’m so glad you didn’t hit the cat on your way home…
Even if cats have lives that number nine… number nine… number nine… number nine… etc. !!
Great work as ever guys; such a richly detailed and loving lot curated posco!
As for the competition? Wow! I cheered like England won the Euros!
Such a great prize to win and I’ll cherish it: prizes like this don’t come about every day!
Until #32… best wishes and love!
❤️?❤️
Congratulations on the win, Nigel! It’s so great to hear you’re excited about the contest prize! YAY!!
Until #32…best wishes and love back! ❤️?❤️
Hi Nigel,
I saw what you did there…thank you for the chuckle! I’ll be sending your CD out in a few weeks. Congrats on the win, and I’m so glad you’re still enjoying the podcasts so much!
Best,
Alice
I used to love to listen to WLS late at night way down in South Carolina, got to hear things our radio stations didn’t play.
Can’t wait for next podcast to hear about A Little While Later, one of my most favorite Fanny songs.
Love you guys!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for the great feedback, as well as your memories about WLS! Amazing that you could hear it in South Carolina!
Since “A Little While Later” is one of your most favorite Fanny songs, do you have any questions or comments for the podcast? Let us know.
Cheers and love,
Kristen
Hi Elizabeth,
I LOVE “A Little While Later,” too! It’s always a great listen, and maybe we’ll do a little dissection, as opposed to just listening…although, I’d be happy with that as well!
YES! WLS all over the Midwest and the South. They played some great music!
Best,
Alice
Great episode!Congrats Tim & Nigel..I am jealous.Didn’t even have a chance to listen to the clips this time around.Busy being Lonesome ha!I think that Fanny could have had either of these tunes on an album.”Where You Lead” especially captures the Fanny sound.I had to reexamine my copy of the LP and lo and behold – they were toking up.Too funny!!Not only is this podcast informative,y’all are hilarious at times.Please keep it up.
I would also be interested in collaborations by any Fanny member-even post Fanny.Thanks for a super posco.See you on the radio…
Hi Guy,
Ya snooze, ya loose….okay, some of us ARE busy with other things …. and, I know you are! I did play on one album after I left the band, probably heard by about three people.
I know Jean, June and Nickey all played with other artists, but I don’t have that info. We’ll see what we can find out!
Best,
Alice
The fact that (just over the age of twenty) Fanny served as session musicians and backup vocalists for Barbara Streisand alone proves just how accomplished the women of Fanny were (and are).
I would love to hear an Alice version of The Way We Were.
At the time it was released, I did not know that Fanny was on the BJS LP.
And I am still trying to find out when and where I saw Fanny, in Chicago.
WLS-AM was a giant among radio stations. Fred Winston was stellar. Thanks again to John Records Landecker (Records is his real middle name) for posting on his WGN-AM page, information about the Fanny film and revival. WGN-AM in Chicago, is another 50,000 watt power house. He spent many years as a top personality at WLS-AM as well as other stations.
Alice’s journal would make a fine book…and film! How about a mini-series? Did Wild Honey play in Chicago? There is a Wild Honey listed at various venues, but it is a different band.
Hi John,
Wild Honey never played in Chicago, only as Fanny did we perform there, and at a number of different venues….high schools..the Brown Shoe (?) I’d have to check my journals to find others! And FYI, there’s WAY too much sappy poetry in my journals amongst the nuggets of what the band was up to, so NO, there won’t be a book….or a film…..not a mini-series either! LOL!
I don’t think you’d want to hear me singing “The Way We Were,” either – HA! But, Kristen has a great singing voice. Maybe we can get her to sing a few bars……
Best,
Alice
testing 1….2…3
Colleen,
Received….1….2….3
Alice
thanks for confirming mic check….I’ll come up with a more thoughtful comment later.. I’m jamming tonight, I’m on drums and vocals, wish me luck ya’ll
Fantastic episode! This was such a great listen and opened my eyes, well ears, to two more obviously great Fanny tracks with a pretty cool ‘guest vocalist.’
The journal notes are great in providing context and placing the listener in the scene.
Great listen and from now on contest entries are a must with such an incredible prize!
You guys rule!
Hi Jason,
You got the message! Yes, it’s always good to at least enter the contests. I WILL cut Byron some slack. He’s tighter with Nickey than anyone else is, and he did make it difficult, but who knows what the next contest will look like!? So, do join in!
Best,
Alice
For the first time, 50 years later, I’m now listening to ‘Barbra Joan Streisand’.
Hi John,
And, that’s not such a bad thing, eh?
Best,
Alice
This one took me right back to High School singing my lungs out after buying the album, ‘Barbra Joan Streisand’ and memorizing it… little did I know who was playing those drums back then or how she would impact my life all these years later… Big Hug to you Alice.
Thank you all for a trip down one of my favorite “Memories” pardon the Pun!
Ah, my friend!
What a wonderful picture you painted! I’m so happy that you are in my life!
Love you, and ’twas a good pun!
Alice
Really like Applescruffs take and comments about the BJS and Fanny’s session together. Two songs enhanced by their collaboration and talents, along with the awesome background talent Alice mentions. “Space Captain” is definitely my fav of the two. By happenstance, I recently listened to Joe Cocker’s MDAEnglishmen version of “Space Captain”, and can’t help but wonder how Fanny and a Joe Cocker collaboration would have been!!! Something to behold for sure!
Another great episode guys!
Hi Roger,
I, too, know the Cocker version of “Space Captain,” and I love it! Backing Joe Cocker would have been quite the collaboration, indeed!
Thanks so much,
Alice
I’m catching up on some work and re-watching the Beat Club footage (inspired by the wicked awesome prize from the Nicky-themed contest!) and just realized that everyone was sharing one bottle of Coca-Cola! It was clearly hot on the set and you get 1 Coca-Cola! (Also pretty sure Nicky wiped the bottle-top after Jean had sip!)
HI Jason,
Yes, I don’t think we were so “germ” conscious in those days. I’ve noticed that same Coke sharing as well! At least one of us was smart enough to bring a drink! LOL!
Best,
Alice
How was Streisand to work with? I have friends that have worked with her on various projects and they say she is anything but difficult-in fact, they claim she is open to any and all ideas. Would you say this is true?
Hi Roger,
We talk about Alice, June, and Jean working with Barbra on the podcast. She was professional but wonderful, and put everyone at ease.
All the best,
Kristen
dude this reminds me of that god awful song I couldn’t escape in 8th grade by Duck Sauce about the Babs…who would of thought I’d like a band years later who worked with her…I see her differently now lol….Mad respect for the Babs….but team Carole for life!!
Hi Colleen,
Maybe I should be glad I don’t know the Duck Sauce song you reference? I’ll take your word for it that it was god awful and not waste my time tracking it down (thank you for saving me THAT effort).
Team Carole is not a bad team to be on!
Best,
Alice
Fanny got Babs to rock! One of your best podcasts. Alice,it was great to hear your affectionate recollections of what sounds like a great experience.
Hi Neil,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcasts, and yes, it was a GREAT experience!
Best,
Alice
The songs recorded with Barbra Streisand are unquestionably part of the Fanny canon, and should be part of a compilation album of the band’s work. Not sure which I love more; “Where You Lead” has Fanny’s pure backing vocals while “Space Captain” has the awesome Gospel voices added. It’s a toss-up!
Alice, if you hadn’t been a musician, you could have made a living as a journalist, no sweat. So informative and entertaining.
“A Little While later” seems connected to “I Need You Need Me”, possibly a stage at which the narratress is still able think rationally about her relationship with someone who will inevitably move on – and she’s prepared to accept that – before her mental disintegration when he eventually breaks it off unannounced and completely. Or was he only having casual sex all along? I hear the same anguish and insecurity in both songs. Particularly harrowing is “above my station”. Intellectual, social, or simply that of a subordinate? Come on, girl, you’re better than that, and you know it.
To my mind there’s a distinct Beatles vibe about this poignantly real song, with the chorus breaking into waltz time like “She’s Leaving Home” and “We Can Work It Out”, both about the breakdown of a relationship. The sound, though, is distinctly Nickey’s and Fanny’s. “Hide me from all of the troubles that bother my head” rocks from side to side like a descending pendulum before bottoming out in the flatline of sleep. What an earworm!
The emotional climax of the last verse, with the whole band giving their all, fades into a reprise, instrumental this time, of the same descending cadence, ending this time with a nursery-style lullaby. A masterpiece.
“Thinking of You” can be seen as a light-hearted precursor to “A Little While Later”, perhaps a year or two earlier, from the point of view of someone playing the field so hard she can’t even remember this guy’s name or how they met! June’s line “dancing through the day in that special way you do” is poetic, revealing a mind perfectly capable of thinking about relationships, but caught up in the fun of loving for its own sake. At least she’s not quite about to get caught, mothlike, in the flame she is fanning… Give it time. Was Nickey’s title “A Little While Later” (than what exactly?) a conscious reference to June’s song? Act in haste, repent at leisure.
That’s what I love about Fanny; so many of her songs make you think, and in depth.
Hey, my name got lost somewhere in the robotics! Welsh Dave, you know, Wotsisname…. 🙂
What a Gem of a comment!
Hi Dave,
I have to disagree that “Thinking of You” can be seen as “light-hearted,” even though it can appear that way. I think anyone speaking their heart, as I believe June was, makes it much more complex.
I do not believe Nickey’s “A Little While Later” had anything to do with June’s song, but I love that Fanny music has you thinking, and I enjoy your comments, even if I don’t always agree.
Best,
Alice