![]() "Pedal to the Medal" is high-end treble rock before it came into vogue. A girl group pioneer who worked with Richard Perry prior to his finding the Pointer Sisters groove, there is no doubt Ravan influenced that major producer, and his work did the same for her. And I Mean It is possibly the most concise and picture-perfect statement of what the woman is musically about. To hear her exquisite voice on "Night Owl" soaring above her own backing vocals is intense, imagine Etta James backed by the Sex Pistols doing a rock version of "Earth Angel." Of all Ravan's work. And I Mean It is an amalgam of girl group, new wave, blues, pop, and folk-rock by Genya Ravan. In her book 'Be My Baby' on page 248, Ronnie says "Genya was a strong producer who knew what she wanted, just like Phil.Genya Ravan - And I Mean It! - 1979 - 20th Century Records This is a dynamic and diverse album with even Janis Joplin/Merrilee Rush/Troggs songwriter Chip Taylor weighing in on "Any Way That You Want Me." If Phil Spector overproduced to good effect, Genya Ravan purposely underproduced, choosing instead to let flavors of different musicians paint the fabric behind Ronnie Spector. Here's the classic '60s voice which ruled on Top 40 for five hit records in 19 rocking out with the best of them on songs like "Settin' the Woods on Fire" with backing by the Diamond Dupree Band, or singing to the reggae beat of the Bahama Mama Band on Roger Cook's "Let Your Feelings Show." Members of Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers, the Dead Boys, and Mink DeVille must have been honored to appear on this, and the musical integrity and heart is there, for sure. They may have been headbangers, but they were Ronnie Spector fans. Genya Ravan's choice of the Ramones song "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" is brilliant. One of the Ramones biggest selling albums, if not their biggest, was the one produced by Phil Spector. It is an important piece of Ronnie's musical legacy which bridges the gap between The Ronettes Sing Their Greatest Hits to the 1995 collection of her '70s/'80s material on Sony, the "Dangerous" re-release on Australia's Raven Records. Well, if not thousands, more session people scattered over one album than Phil Spector would put on one song. And it has pretty much a cast of thousands. ![]() It has a street feel much like Ronnie Spector's solo concerts over the years. It was conceived and produced by the legendary Genya Ravan (aka Goldie Zelcowicz) of one of the first all-girl bands, Goldie & the Gingerbreads. There are many extraordinary things about Ronnie Spector's Siren album. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow / Darlin' / Any Way That You Want Me / Tonight / Boys Will Be Boys / Hell Of A Nerve / Settin' The Woods On Fire / Let Your Feelings Show / Dynamite / Happy Birthday Rock'N' Roll. ![]()
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