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VARIOUS ARTISTS
Del-Fi Girl Groups - Gee Baby Gee (Del-Fi)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Del-Fi honcho Bob Keane was at the front of the pack on a number of musical trends in the early sixties, with early entries in the surf category and his virtual invention of the hot-rod sound. He wasn't above jumping on a successful bandwagon or two, though, and he was more than happy to get a piece of the girl group action that was occupying a significant chunk of the charts.
While none of the Del-Fi girl groups ever achieved the success of, for instance, those that worked under the tutelage of Phil Spector, there was some fine talent on Del-Fi. This collection, for instance, includes an early version of Brenda Holloway's "Every Little Bit Hurts," and while it doesn't have the polish that caused the later Motown release of the same artist and tune to slip up the hit parade, it's got a smoky soulfulness that got rubbed away in the Motown shine job. Keane was always open to new sounds coming from SoCal's Mexican-American community (Richie Valens, Chan Romero) and he turned to the barrio for the Sisters, a trio of young Chicanas with a Ronnettes style and the talent to match. Their "Gee Baby Gee" gives the collection its title and one of its finest moments.
Keane also took a shot at creating his own Shelly Fabares, recording Lori Martin, TV's "National Velvet." Every act seemed to fit into a hit category , with Mary Sawrey as an American mod croonstress, Pierre & Anne-Lyse with a stab at exotica and The Ladybugs adopting an East Coast attitude. While they didn't all take it to the top, there are plenty of regional hits that will evoke fond memories for those who remember SoCal rock radio in the early sixties, and plenty of fine introductions for those who don't.
Track List: The Ladybugs/It's The Last Time * The Ladybugs/Sooner Or Later * The Sisters/Gee Baby Gee * Brenda Holloway/Every Little Bit Hurts * The Sisters/Ooh Poo Pah Doo * Pippy Shannon/My Love (For Thee) * Lori Martin/Home Of The Boy I Love * Brenda Holloway/I'll Give My Life * The Sisters/All Grown Up * Pippy Shannon/He Is * Lori Martin/Mine 'Til Monday * Pippy Shannon/Shade Of Red * Pippy Shannon/I Pretend * Pierre & Anne-Lyse/Tourne Toi * Desda/Splish Splash Twist * The Sisters/His Name Was John * The Sisters/Happy New Year Baby * The Sisters/Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home * The Sisters/For Sentimental Reasons * Mary Sawrey/A Lover's Plea * Mary Sawrey/Those Memories Of You
(C) 1998 - Shaun Dale