Episode 38! In this episode, it’s Part 1 of our hashtag #AskAlice! Fanny’s drummer answers fan’s questions as she talks about her drumming on a variety of Fanny tunes. We play “Seven Roads” from Fanny’s first album, and “A Little While Later” from the “Charity Ball” album in full, as well as clips from other songs.
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“Seven Roads”
Okay, just re-listened! Must say, I like the first version better (I think, the only difference was the intro organ cut, and vocals either added to or re-done ~ I noticed a few crossing parts) because it feels so much better and vital! And, quite frankly, I can feel all our hours of jamming and playing and just jamming and jamming!
I think Jean and I started the groove and Alice came down and we were off!And now, to Alice’s parts: From the intro, Alice has got her part “blocked out,” exquisitely. She starts out with a few hh hits, then launches. She is incrdible, and all of it is exciting! You know, Alice’s style (and maybe, everyone’s drum parts back then, but in particular Alice has it down) is “busy” compared to now, but it totally works! And try to do it without her perfectly placed fills, no baby ~ no no, won’t work. I also noticed that on ‘Hey Bulldog,’ you gotta do her parts – when we first played with Lee [Jean’s son], he of course was playing the modern way, and I was like ‘what’s wrong?’ It was, like, chubby, clunky, no life, even though what he was playing was in essence, perfectly fine. So, we listened, and I said, ‘You gotta absolutely do what Alice did.’ Click!
As I was listening to version #2, I noted just a little lick at 2:15 that Alice repeated a few times, it just talks to you. (well, if you know how to listen ~ but even if not, you can feel it). And how about that last long press roll Alice does at the end?? Godalmighty, how dare she?? Who does that?? Alice, that’s who – she went right to the line, and crossed it. Total success!
You know, when Jean and I did a Honolulu gig back in the late ’90s, fans came out of the woodwork. And a few told us that they’d seen Fanny in the Midwest back in the day. They were like, “how did she do that???!” They said her parts were impossible, but she did ’em anyway. Their mouths were still wide open. Now, that’ drumming Art and, moreover, sleight of hand 🙂 )” – June Millington
“It was an exercise in writing a rock song…when we wrote it. We wanted to have the song represent ourselves and to show that we had the ability to pound away at rock…but because we’re Fanny – we were melody conscious and lyrics conscious – not just straight-ahead R&R. And so what we came up with was a much more polished rock song. It was our sound and that’s how we did rock.” – Jean Millington on Fanny’s approach to “Seven Roads”
“A Little While Later”
Alice gives it a lot of space at the top (we all do, I think it was just Jean with the piano) and when Alice comes in she’s just loping, nice and easy. Perfect. And on the choruses, the cymbal part must’ve been overdubbed because it’s in double-time and there’s no way she could’ve played that along with the underlying drum track. (and I must say, I didn’t stick around – or maybe, pay attention to – every bit that was laid down, I knew it was going on but also knew everyone was taking care of business. Essentially, I’d just get in the way. Much better to hang out with Harry Nilsson or whoever else was around!). We must’ve done this track with a click, but at the end of chorus two there’s, again, that sleight of hand because I could swear that Alice slows the drums down just that little bit (after the triplets) to get us back into the lope-y feel of that repeat first verse: perfect. It takes a lot of skill to do that. – June Millington
(These quotes were given exclusively to Dr. Kristen Hillaire Glasgow for the “Get Behind Fanny” podcast via email and phone, October, 2021.)
BOOM!
Ep.38 drops and we’re in “heavy” territory from the get-go with “Seven Roads”! Listening intently (it’s the law!) to Alice’s tom patterns, I too was thinking of Ginger Baker… I’d argue he would “invert” the pattern and make it have his more “African” feel (dumDUM dumDUM, as opposed to Alice’s pulsing DUMdum DUMdum), and then he’d claim he wrote the song and thump anyone who disagreed with him… sorry… where was I?
It lovely to hear Alice speak with such pride over the unique drum parts she wrote… I can safely say that I “air drum” these drum parts in my kitchen when cooking… not with wooden spoons as any splat of pasta sauce hitting the walls is a bugger to clean up! BUT… these parts are infectious, groovy, tasteful… chef’s kiss MWAH!!!!
The total contrast between the tracks selected (wow!! thank you for incorporating my comments AND both cuts of “Place In The Country”!) show how brilliant Alice is… I really dug deep listening to “A Little While Later”. From those subtle cross-sticks in the first verse to the “balls to the wall” finale, Alice has it all!!! (Even if the music box outro wrenches at my heart…)
Looking forward to a FAAAT “part deux”. The “Posco Posse” was supercharged today! ❤️?❤️
Thank you so very much, Nigel! Your #AskAlice comments and questions were fabulous! So happy to hear you enjoyed the posco all around. ❤️?❤️
Hi Nigel,
I’m glad you spared the kitchen walls (unless of course, Billy can reach that high to clean with his tongue….AND you let him eat pasta sauce LOL)! I can imagine the air drumming going on as you cook, and am honored to be there with you over the stove!
My best!
Alice
Loved all of the song choices today – ‘I Just Realized’ is my daughter’s favourite Fanny song as I went through a period where I played and replayed it over and over again.
To be fair, ‘Seven Roads’ could easily be featured in any of the hash-tag series’ featuring fave songs. All instruments are wonderfully featured.
I am only mid-episode, but am looking forward to Part Deux!
Hi Jason,
I LOVE “I Just Realized!” It’s got such a great groove! “Seven Roads” does have a great track, but I’ve always been a little, “These lyrics don’t really say anything,” so I hadn’t listened to it in quite a while. It is fun to revisit the old tunes and hear them with our 2021 ears!
Thanks,
Alice
Great posco as usual.I really like Alice’s drums in A Little While Later,the way they start off softly and build up throughout the song-art and style points through the roof!Nicky’s plaintive vocals are among my faves that she sings.I like version 2 of Seven Roads much better,Those crazy 16ths on the hh are just killer.Alice NEVER plays boring drum parts…always adds a LOT to each song.Keep up the good work gang and thanks for the shout out and you know I always Crank That Shit Up on Sonic Landscapes!!I look forward to #39…How about discussing Alice’s lead vocals on Solid Gold and Rock Bottom Blues in #39?
Hi Guy!
So glad you enjoyed the posco, and Happy Birthday!
Thanks for the suggestions on “Solid Gold” and Alice’s vocals. We discussed this in depth on Ep. 11, so, just in case you didn’t hear it, here’s the link: https://getbehindfannypodcast.com/podcast/get-behind-fanny-episode-11/
In terms of “Rock Bottom Blues” and Alice’s vocals: Do you have a specific question about her vocals? Let me know.
Cheers,
Kristen
Hi Guy,
I have to give it a pass for “Solid Gold.” I can only listen sparingly to that song….
As for “Rock Bottom Blues,” we might just chat about it on Part II!
Thanks again!
Alice
Hi Guy,
I’m kind of glad we didn’t dig into “Solid Gold” and “Rock Bottom” too heavily………especially “Solid Gold.” Even if I know it was a spoof, hearing my voice still makes me cringe a bit…..
And, ALWAYS, “Crank That Shit UP!”
Alice
This episode was fascinating, guys. Thanks so much, Alice!
So interesting to hear the two versions of “Place in the Country” back to back, and witness the making of a great drum part. (Did anyone notice Version 1 is sharp/fast by a quarter tone or so? I wonder if other tracks from the Canadian first album are also fast.)
Incredible that Fanny never used a click track. Talk about a solid sense of time.
Speaking of creating unobtrusive drum parts: Alice, what’s the story with “All Mine”? On the demo, you’re clearly still working things out, yet on the finished track you’ve dialled it back to probably your least ambitious part ever. Were you happy with the way that went?
As for “Solid Gold,” I think it’s a pretty cool song, and a great production. That brings me to another question, Alice: on the live videos, you’re often seen singing backup parts. Did you sing backgrounds in the studio as well?
Meanwhile, I managed to catch the doc for the second time last week — this time in a real theatre, which was a thrill. Part of what makes the film so rich is the trove of photos, clippings and other paraphernalia, including pages from (I assume) Alice’s diary. There’s even a couple of flashes of footage of the Svelts (or maybe Wild Honey?) on stage. Do you know if that footage has sound? That would be fascinating to hear.
Anyway, thanks again!
HI Roman,
Okay, I’m going to try to answer all of it…..forgive me if I leave something out!
I imagine, if any song is faster on the original LP version, it might have been done in the mastering, when they tried to fit it all on one side of an LP? Not sure. Just supposing….
No click track, and I can hear me speeding the tempo a number of places…..insert frowny face here.
I’m TOTALLY fine with “All Mine.” It’s one of my favorite June songs!
I did NOT sing backup in the studio, just live when we needed a third harmony part to fill out the song. And, I was usually slightly flat….darn it, but I tried!
I sent A TON of my archival “stuff” to the filmmaker, including many pages from my journals. She ended up using a whole lot less than I sent, but the film is more about Fanny Walked The Earth than Fanny. That’s a whole other story that needs telling.
I don’t believe there is audio to that old footage of the Svelts. Wild Honey (the band signed to WB Reprise) was Addie (Clement) Lee, Jean, June and me.
Thanks,
Alice
Thanks for all that, Alice, you’re an information goldmine!
About “All Mine”: yes, it’s a lovely song, but I was referring to the drum part — I don’t think there’s a single fill, just that straight beat all the way through. Doesn’t really seem like your style.
Who the hell disses the first album? I need to find them, take them into a dark alley and make the listen to THE ARCHIES!!! Regarding Alice, and I ask anyone…”WHY IS ALICE NOT RECOGNIZED AS A GREAT GREAT ROCK (and ballad) DRUMMER. A drummer that can follow melody as strong as rhythm sure, as hell has MY vote. We all know what MY vote counts for. Ringo stayed simple (and was left handed) and Moon was just a menace who would have rather beat the kit to death could have qualified as a “lead” drummer if not for Townsend guitar. Question? Why, if Alice created the drum parts why does she not get writing credit? I’m all over the place with these comments. Alice mentioned on “Seven Roads” that it was recorded without Nickey and she overdubbed the keyboard (and background) It was a question I was going to ask that was answered before I asked it. Hmmmm trying to figure out how she did that. Linda Ronstadt could have sang “A Little While Later” (that is a compliment). Jeeez maybe she did and I missed it. I better check. I’m a big Ronstadt fan so I should know this…I feel so inadequate now. Me thinks I have meandered way too long. Continuted on comment #2. I can hear it now #shut the fuck up.
I absolutely agree with you on every aspect of this commentary, including Alice’s status in the rock world . We’ll address some of your questions on the next episode.
Hi Steve (my favorite wacko!)
I have dissed the first album for years UNTIL we started listening with new ears for the podcast. I can now hear how prepared and how tight we were and have eaten my words more than once! I don’t think I’m recognized as a great R&R drummer, I think, because Fanny is not recognized as a great R&R band. MOST people have still never heard of us, which is what I hope to change with the podcast!
You can meander all you want…..and, I’m not ready to yet tell you to #shut the fuck up! LOL!
Stay crazy!
Alice
#AskAlice part 2. My song suggestion is “Badge”. Being a Cream fan I have never heard anyone pull off the drum part like she does. I think Ginger Baker would bow down to Alice, She made those drum parts her own. The reprise of the lead part at the end now only blows my mind but gives me chills every time I hear it. My comment above…I got the hash wrong. Too many spaces. I’m not responsible. I never learned that stuff in kindergarten or was it pre-school, or was it my friends paying all that attention to their phones instead of baby Stevie. Wait…phones weren’t invented yet. We used string and tin cans. No one know how to text with those things so cell phones were invented and I missed the train until I am now too old to learn new tricks…or am I? No one knows. Even I don’t know. One more request, and this is from the heart…”SOLID GOLD” goddamn it! Plus I want to know what the booze of the day was there. There I’ve said my piece and now I leave in peace. (see what I did there?) ooo ooo ooo A NEW hash #shutthefuckupSteve”
Hi Steve!
My apologies for not getting back to you on your previous comments. Life has been busy, but still no excuse. Hope all is well. As for “Solid Gold” – we discussed it in depth on Ep. 11, including what the booze of the day was to help Alice prepare for recording the vocals. 😉 Here’s the link to it: https://getbehindfannypodcast.com/podcast/get-behind-fanny-episode-11/
As for “Badge” – great comments re. Alice’s playing! We’ll include it on Part of #AskAlice. Thank you!
Also…loving the artwork you’re creating in Fanny’s honor – WOW!! Great work!!
And, yes, as for our new hashtag #shutthefuckup, _______, it allows for us to tell ourselves or someone else whom we love to #STFU. All said with total humor and affection, of course. 🙂
Cheers,
Kristen
Hi Steve,….. yes, again!
I love Badge, and wanted to include it, but we’ve done it so much, we tried to find songs we’d not talked about recently. We’ll get back to “Badge” at some point. It’s just that good!
You have to know how painful it is for me to listen to “Solid Gold.” I DO get that it’s a fun song and that it could have been shown more credit, but I request we do that song sparingly….so, it’s MY fault!
My booze of the day was Southern Comfort, and the very thought of it makes me nauseous today!
Okay, now – Shut The Fuck Up, Steve…..feel better? LOL!
Alice
Another great posco! Alice is such a great drummer. Thanks for playing that clip of solid gold. I got that stupid grin like i do every time. It’s one of my favorite songs. A little while later is one of the best songs by anyone, ever. Between the last verse and the repeating choruses at the end, the drum fill on the toms grabs me every time. It’s brilliant. Thanks for the great music.
Peace
E
Hi guys – recent convert to the band (Beat Club on YouTube) and now I’m all about it. Lockdown is finally over in this part of the world (Melbourne) so I’m looking to get back on the drums again. I have two questions for #AskAlice.
1. Why do you have a blue floor tom on the Beat Club gig?
2. How were you received by your drumming peers back in the day – did you encounter others in the business very much, and how were you treated? Were there any drummers that were especially nice to you (or perhaps not so nice?)
Thanks,
Matt
PS – my grandmother was from Decorah…. descended from Norwegians, of course
Hi Matt,
Decorah?!?!?!?!? What a small world! I think you probably know by now that we answered both of your questions on Part II, right??
Thanks for contributing!
Alice
wow! Amazing drum parts on Seven Roads! Whoa! Especially at the end where you do those fast rolls! how the drums fit into this track is really cool. Thanks for playing this tune!
Thanks, Nina!
I used to cringe at those triplets at the end of “Seven Roads,” but now, they do seem to fit!
Thanks for writing in!
Alice