Episode 35! In this episode, we’re smokin’ as we return to the hashtag #JeanJeanie to finish up, for now, our look at Jean Millington’s vocals and bass playing on Fanny’s songs. The songs we chat about this time are “You’re the One” (Charity Ball), “What Kind of Lover” (Charity Ball) and “Shade Me” (Fanny). Alice, Kristen, and Byron are joined by Jean and June Millington via pre-recorded interviews.
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This was a “nice but” of an episode. Or a “nice butt” depending on your point of view.
Anyhow no apology is necessary. The ballads can wait for #JeanJeanie Part Trois.
I mean Jean’s bass & vocals made an amp go up in smoke. Well better that than Jean spontaneously combusting on stage (although that is usually reserved for drummers).
Speaking of Alice, I’m glad she paid tribute to Charlie Watts before bringing it back home to Jean.
With that I look forward to the spotlight turning to June.
Aaron,
How could I NOT say something about Charlie? I’ve admired him, and not for just his drumming, for so long. It’s a huge loss! I wanted to at least speak my heart for him….
Thanks,
Alice
Part Deux!!! Very reassuring to know that Jean’s ballads will be discussed on another Posco… which means so many more Posco’s will drop in the future!!
Jean… ah… wonderful Jean… her bass playing is liquid: so lyrical yet driving, so delicate yet vital. She weaves her magic between and through the keys, drum patterns and guitar parts. The bassist is the glue for any band. Great bass players take the band to extraordinary heights. Jean does this so humbly and subtly. The sign of musical brilliance. Not so subtle is playing an Acoustic 360 200watt bass amp and speaker set up causing it to combust!!! That’s the power of Fanny for you! As always, a wonderful posco from you and here’s to some #JuneJams (questions are being thought up!)
WOW!!!! An emotional part 2!!!! Thrilled by your birthday wish! Really!!!
For me, I always saw Jean as Fanny’s secret weapon almost. FANNY WAS ALWAYS BRILLIANT AT building a fire, Bulldog is a perfect example! Her bass lines on You’re the one are fabulously fluid as is her vocal, and yes sexy !! Puts me in mind of how fluid her lines are on I just realized, a seemingly effortless dance of play! Talk about smoking hot….on Every level! What kind of lover,…well what a drive downtown!!!! And HEY, I WANNA GO TO THE GAY FANNY SQUARE DANCE!!!!
SHADE ME, , again, Jean’s fabulously relaxed play up and down the neck, just so on it!!! She and Alice during June’s solo are just so locked in and the whole band are just cooking that groove!!!
Vocally too, Nickey at her hysterical best!!!! Jean’s playing as always, like Big Sister said, MAJIC!!!!!
Sending big LOVE Love love to uou all!!!!! RA!!!!
BRING ON THE RAINBOW!!!
Thanks, everyone, for the kind and heartfelt words. They made me feel special and appreciated. I didn’t expect that kind of response to my playing and singing. Thank you so much, from my heart.
Well, you deserve it, Jean!
Jean, your singing and playing are just such a joy!!! A big part of my growing up!!!!
Thank YOU!!!
SENDING BIG LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
BRING ON THE RAINBOW!!!
????
You’re always very welcome Jean! You are *so* special and appreciated. Your bass playing gave Fanny such a huge and exciting sound!!!
Wishing you all the very best, and thank you for being contributing to this wonderful podcast!
Hi Jeanie,
I don’t think there are enough episodes to cover all of your magic. Have you listened to your bass parts on all of the Fanny catalogue? I mean, really! I’m so glad the accolades are reaching you and affirming your fantastic talents!
Love you,
Alice
Another great posco! Jean is such a great bass player and singer. When i first watched video of the band she knocked me out. She still does. I think it’s great how she tries not to laugh at ‘that line’ in “You’re the One” on Old Grey Whistle Test video. Great musician. But then, all four of you are great musicians. What a combo. We love you, Jean.
Peace
E
IF NOT TOO LATE FOR THE NEXT POSCO!
#JuneJams… that exquisite Gibson 355… it was quite “modded”.
Does June remember what extra controls were loaded into the guitar… booster? Pre-amp?
All I know is, that beautiful red guitar produced a tidal wave of sound!
Best wishes to you all and all the best for posco 36!!!
I’ll make sure Dr. K sees this!
Jean– Hope you’re well and getting better all the time. I wish I had heard Fanny back in the early ’70s when I was learning how to play–you could have been one of my teachers, like Paul McCartney (of course) and Carol Kaye and James Jamerson (although I didn’t know their names back then). I am learning from you now, though. Thanks!
Vocally, I think Jean was the key to Fanny’s group vocal sound, because she could blend with both June and Nickey. She could sing sweet, and she could growl! And yes, singing with feeling while playing a syncopated bass part is not easy.
Alice– A belated Happy Birthday! You + Jean = the rock-solid foundation of Fanny!
Byron & Dr. K– Thanks! Still lovin’ the posco. Ciao!
Hi Perry,
Thank you for the birthday wishes, and mentioning the rock-solid foundation of Fanny. I was the lucky one who got to play for all those years with the best!
Best,
Alice
A paean to Fanny live
Some people say there’s nothing novel here. I say that it is as if you are listening to an
old friend of a musical experience even when hearing it for the first time. There is an
inevitability to the piece. It’s as if the solos could not be structured any other way; there
is an eventuality ’bout it. The way the individual musical instrumental parts fit together
to form a whole complete. The solos of pi-ano and gui-tar never let you forget that you
are listening to a group experience. The other band that comes to mind that pulled this
off on a consistent basis is The Band. To keep up The Band comparison, the staccato,
syncopated group vocals that Fanny sometimes employ
Exanple: https://youtu.be/Zcb1HpH42N8?t=26m8s
Joy: Emitted and received.
In the Beat Club tape Fanny barely breaks out in a sweat. I have heard their live performances
described as funky, sweaty RnR in which the sweat was freely pouring off the performers as
well as the audience. We have only the Live in 1972 CD, the Beat Club and French TV tapes.
Quel dommage.
A paean to Fanny live –
Some people say there’s nothing novel here. I say that it is as if you are listening to an
old friend of a musical experience even when hearing it for the first time. There is an
inevitability to the piece; as if you’ve heard it before. It’s as if the solos could not be structured any other way; there was an eventuality ’bout it. The way the individual musical instrumental parts fit together to form a whole complete. The solos of pi-ano and gui-tar never let you forget that you are listening to a group experience. The other band that comes to mind that pulled this
off on a consistent basis is The Band. To keep up The Band comparison, the staccato,
syncopated group vocals that Fanny sometimes employ
Examples: https://youtu.be/Zcb1HpH42N8?t=26m8s
Joy: Emitted and received.
In the Beat Club tape Fanny barely breaks out in a sweat. I have heard their live performances
described as funky, sweaty RnR in which the sweat was freely pouring off the performers as
well the audience. We have only the Live in 1972 CD. the Beat Club and French TV tapes.
Quel dommage.
Another great podcast for Fanny fans to learn more about our favorite band. Alice says it best, “Fanny on stage, we had that magic with just the four of us. You know, the four of us individually, that we came together as one sound. One magical sound! And that magical sound is just like Jeanie magic!”
Roger,
You’re damn straight! I love that I’ve lived long enough to be able to realize the magic!
Best,
Alice