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Aug 07, 2024 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Widely touted as one of the first all-female rock and roll bands (and the first to be signed to a major label), Fanny emerged from California in 1970, sisters June and Jean Millington (June on guitar and vocals, Jean on bass), keyboardist Nickey Barclay, and drummer Alice de Buhr. The band released albums every year from 1970 through 1974, their earliest work being their best and cementing the band in the firmament of rock and roll groups for those in the know.

Despite their legendary status, Fanny has never released a proper live album. Aside from a radio broadcast of questionable audio quality from a concert in 1972 and a smattering of live cuts on an out of print box set that will cost you an arm and a leg to obtain, nothing has come close to the true Fanny live experience. Until now.

Live on Beat-Club features the two sets the group performed for the German TV show Beat-Club in 1971 and 1972, mastered from the hi-res mono files of the original videotape for absolutely stunning audio quality. There was no audience for these performance, but it’s no matter. Fanny is at the top of its game.

The album opens with the shake and groove of “Charity Ball,” from the band’s album of the same name. It’s all vocal fire, delicious backbeat, and pounded keyboards. “Place in the Country” features electrifying guitar riff, furious rhythm section, illustrious keyboard lines, and June Millington’s signature vocal wail.

“Thinking of You” is the closest thing Fanny comes to a ballad, filled with vocal harmonies. The song lilts beatifically, although Millington can’t seem to help ripping through a killer guitar solo mid-song. “Ain’t That Peculiar” features slide guitar, and “Special Care” is all bluesy holler. Barclay’s organ amazes on “Summer Song,” from the band’s 1973 album Mother’s Pride, which had yet to be released at the time of the performance. And the album closes with a cover of Ike Turner’s “Young and Dumb,” which Fanny released as a non-album single in 1972.

Live on Beat-Club features some of the earliest Fanny live performances on record, and the album is a stunner from start to finish. Undoubtedly there are a lot of terrific ‘70s rock and roll live albums. But you won’t find one better than this. (www.realgonemusic.com)

Author rating: 8/10