Rich cross-section of ’60s girl soundsby Anonymous

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August 17, 2003: With so many girl group and girl singer anthologies and reissues on the market, it’s hard to know where to start one’s collection. Varese’s generous 25-track collection provides a valuable tutorial, with a song selection that includes both iconic hits and lesser-known regional singles, it cuts a wide swath through girl groups (e.g., Shirelles, Chiffons, Dixie Cups, Murmaids, Paris Sisters, Shangri-Las), pop songbirds (e.g., Linda Scott, Marcie Blane, Kathy Young), and soul and R&B singers (e.g., Betty Everett, Claudine Clark, Barbara Lewis, Barbara George, Barbara Mason, Barbara Lynn). ¶ Nearly all of these tracks started life on indie labels, some well known (Red Bird, Sceptor, Wand, Laurie), and some hopelessly obscure (Tuff, Seville, A.F.O., Arctic). They were produced and hustled to radio in a time when regional hits on indie labels could still break out nationally. Then again, some of these gems remained regional favorites; the Philly soul favorite "The 81" only touched #51, failing to ignite a nationwide dance craze, and Yvonne Carroll’s sophisticated ballad "Laugh or Cry" was well known in Pittsburgh, but never cracked the national charts. And though Motown’s Detroit sounds are missing, Felice Taylor sounds remarkably like Diana Ross on the Barry White produced "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It’s Spring)." ¶ In addition to the girls in the studio, the talent behind the glass is equally impressive. Songwriters anthologized here include Kenny Gamble (who would later co-develop the famed 1970s Philly Sound with Leon Huff), David Gates (whose "Popsicles and Icicles" is even stickier than his later work with Bread), and Brill Building stalwarts Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich, Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and Barry Mann. Producers heard here include Kim Fowley (who would develop a rather different girl-sound with The Runaways in the late 70s), Phil Spector, Van McCoy and Shadow Morton, along with lesser-known names whose talent is laid down in these grooves. ¶ Varese’s gathered together an impressive number of stereo masters (1-3, 7-11, 15, 19-20, 23-25, possibly 4 and 12), and several of these tracks (6, 9, 13, 19, 21) are reasonably rare in CD circles, making this a good catch for both collectors and neophytes. ¶ 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.