English Heart

by Ronnie Spector

Overview

Few if any artists of the girl group era were as iconic as Ronnie Spector. As the lead singer of the Ronettes, Ronnie was the crown jewel of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound (and also his wife for a while). But as iconic sounds of the '60s go, Ronnie and her peers had to play second fiddle to the Beatles and the many other British groups who invaded America in their wake. As it happens, Ronnie was a fan of the British Invasion bands just like the rest of us. What's more, she shared stages with the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and the Kinks when the Ronettes toured the U.K. back in the day. So it makes sense that Ronnie would look back at this era by recording an album of classic tunes by great British acts of the '60s. Released in 2016, English Heart features covers of ten memorable British rock tunes from the '60s. (She also throws in one ringer, the Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," which the Australian act released in 1971.) It's certainly a fun idea for an album, and Ronnie and producer Scott Jacoby have chosen wisely, tackling hits that suit her moody timbre, as well as a few lesser-known classics. (The Rolling Stones' obscurity "I'd Much Rather Be with the Boys," here given a gender switch, is an inspired pick. So is Sandie Shaw's mournful "Girl Don't Come," a U.K. smash that didn't do much in the States.) Jacoby's production is strong, giving the material arrangements that honor their original era but have a fresh modern twist. It's exciting to hear one of the most distinctive voices of '60s pop take on some of the best songs of the era, and English Heart is an often fascinating meeting of two musical worlds. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	04/08/2016
Label:	429 Records
UPC:	0795041612212

Tracks

1. Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)
2. Because
3. I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls
4. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
5. Tired of Waiting
6. Tell Her No
7. I'll Follow the Sun
8. You've Got Your Troubles
9. Girl Don't Come
10. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
11. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ronnie Spector   Primary Artist
The Ronettes   Primary Artist
Scott Jacoby   Drums,Clapping,Mellotron,Wurlitzer,Percussion,Farfisa Organ,Fender Rhodes,Vox Continental,Vocals (Background)
Billy White   Clapping,Wurlitzer,Vocals (Background)
Cindy Mizelle   Vocals (Background)
Elaine Caswell   Vocals (Background)
Garo Yellin   Cello
Eli Menezes   Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Dave Keyes   Piano,Farfisa Organ,Organ (Hammond)
Lorenzo Johnson   Organ (Hammond)
Regis Ceccarelli   Drums,Tambourine
Celia Chavez   Percussion
Tricia Scotti   Vocals (Background)
Jeremy Chatsky   Guitar (Bass)
Easton Morang   Clapping,Ride Cymbal
Toyin Hunter   Vocals (Background)
Carl Vanasse   Guitar (Electric)
Jack Dine   Clapping,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Paul McCartney   Composer
Andrew Loog Oldham   Composer
Sol Marcus   Composer
Scott Jacoby   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Drum Programming
Bennie Benjamin   Composer
Joseph Baldassare   Album Concept
John Lennon   Composer
Rod Argent   Composer
Roger Cook   Composer
Roger Greenaway   Composer
Ray Davies   Composer
Emily Lazar   Mastering
Gerry Marsden   Composer
Barry Gibb   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
Robin Gibb   Composer
Ronnie Spector   Executive Producer
Jim Doris   Composer
Gloria Caldwell   Composer
Dave Clark   Composer,Composer
Les Maguire   Composer
Steven Saporta   Album Concept
Les Chadwick   Composer
Freddie Marsden   Composer
Evan Seplow   Photography
David Calderley   Art Direction
Chris Andrews   Composer
Leo Maguire   Composer
Fred Marsden   Composer
Gerard Marsden   Composer
Jonathan Greenfield   Executive Producer
Chris Allgood   Assistant Mastering Engineer
Raymond Davies   Composer
Easton Morang   Assistant Engineer
Carl Vanasse   Assistant Engineer
Jack Dine   Engineer,Additional Production,Synthesizer Programming