If you are one who is on the search for obscure hard rock from the late 60's and early 70's, then Fanny Adams' self titled and sole release is something you should definately give a listen to. Progressive blues rock that was born into obscurity. The album was recorded in London in 1970 but would not be released until 1971 after the band had already ceased to exist. The name of the band is in fact the name of a little girl that was brutally murdered in 1867. Her limbs were removed, and all her innards taken out. A rather brutal name for the band if you think about it.
The name doesnt portray their sound however as their sound is a progressive blues sound at times touching on Jazz (the track "Yesterday Was Today" being a prime example), and fronted by one of the most soulful singers I have ever heard in a rock and roll band. The opening track "Ain't No Lovin Left" is a heavy blues number showcasing the bands heavier side. Had the album continued on in this fashion, we would most likely have our earliest example of a sound that would become known as stoner rock.
The albums second track "Sitting on Top of the Room" shows a more eerie, ethereal side of the band based on acoustic guitars and letting Doug Parkinson's soulful vocals take the lead. And he does just that as the song brings a real mellow feeling as I listen to to this track. It breaks in and out of a progressive folk jam to establish seperate moods and help build on the climax at the end of the track. "Yesterday Was Today" kicks it up a notch with its jazzed out rock that acts as a shaker to bring you out of the mellow state left in from previous track.
"Got to Get a Message to You" see's the band make their way back to heavy blues rock with plenty of groove much like the albums opener. "You Don't Bother Me" shows more of their progressive rock side, which comes across as kind of folk rock inspired with the rythem being lead with an acoustic guitar. "Mid Morning Madness" is their last blues rock song, and the heaviest out of them all spending five and a half minutes on one riff while building upon it till it becomes a wall of sound. The albums final track "They're All Losers, Honey" is a little mix of everything on the album. A jazz inspired progressive blues jam infused with soul by Parkinson's vocals, including what is the only real guitar solo on the whole album.
From front to back, the album is a solid piece of work. Its more of a mellow blues rock album, but plenty heavy on its own level. Doug Parkinson's vocals are a driving force in their sound, leading the group over repetative riffs adding to the heaviness of their sound.
http://www.myspace.com/fannyadams71
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