"We believe that women's health and freedom of choice should not be a controversial idea. Each woman should be able to determine her own destiny, creatively and procreatively." - Joy Ray and Julie Hermelin, producers for Spirit of '73. Does 1973 evoke similar musical memories? Welcome to the realm of talented musical politics. With the pro-choice premise as the topic of conversation of executive producers Joy Ray and Julie Harmelin in December of 1991, Spirit of '73: Rock for Choice was conceived. With that idea and enormous persistence, the producers, in tandem with Epic Records, 550 Records and Sony Music, watched Spirit of '73 become reality three years later. Comprised entirely of female artists of the Nineties performing remakes performed originally by female artists of the Seventies, the collection makes an excellent purchase for enthusiasts of music of the early Seventies period.
With the first year of marketing Spirit being the toughest, Ray and Hermelin encountered a number of obstacles. Prior to the 1992 Presidential election, the issue of pro-choice v. pro-life was too controversial to handle; when Mr. Clinton was elected, pro-choice became a non-issue in the eyes of many of Ray and Hermelin's contacts. Thanks to tenacity, a deal was finally signed.
The compilation, which includes fourteen remakes of Seventies originals, begins with Babes in Toyland's version of "More, More, More (1)," a heavily instrumented and intriguing version of the original [Ooooh, how do you like your love?", to re-familiarize the song], one which will instantly put the listener in the early Seventies mood.
Joan Jett coordinates with L7, cofounders of Rock for Choice, in a raspy, driving remake of The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb." Jett appeared because of her belief that, "A person's right to follow their own conscience and a woman's right to govern her own body is a basic freedom and a principle our country was founded on, and one for which our soldiers have fought and died."
Sophie B. Hawkins performs a mellow remake of the Joan Baez classic "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Says Sophie B.: "This is for Shannon Lowney, Dr. David Gunn, Leanne Nichols, Dr. John B. Britton, Rosie Jimenez, James H. Barrett and Clarabell Duvall, who have been killed in the struggle for individuals to advocate for their own bodies, to define their own values, and to express the divinity of their own unique spirits. Would that all of their voices could resonate within the living, and invigor us to keep creating truth in a world of ignominious standards."
The compilation also includes Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", remade by Letters to Cleo remake. I have mixed reactions to this song. The instrumentation holds sufficient similarity to the original to suspend disbelief within the business of remakes; however, the vocals seem to flow less smoothly in several sections of the song and probably should have remained with Fleetwood Mac.
Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" is temperately and beautifully remade by Cassandra Wilson. Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You" is remade by Eve's Plum. The Nineties version, at approximately 115% the speed and intensity of the original, is an experiment that works.
Also included in the compilation are Ebony Vibe Everlasting's version of "We Are Family," Melissa Ferrick's version of "Feel Like Makin' Love," Rosanne Cash's version of Joni Mitchell's "River," a remade "Dancing Barefoot" by Johnette Napolitano, and more. This compilation would be best appreciated by those alternative fans who still can appreciate some of the songs which, for better or worse, are classic songs of the mid 1970's.
TRACK LISTING: Babes in Toyland - "More, More, More (Part 1)"; Ebony Vibe Everlasting - "We Are Family"; Letters to Cleo - "Dreams"; Eve's Plum - "If I Can't Have You"; Johnette Napolitano - "Dancing Barefoot"; L7 & Joan Jett - "Cherry Bomb"; that dog. - "Midnight At The Oasis"; Pet - "Have You Never Been Mellow"; Rosanne Cash - "River"; Melissa Ferrick - "Feel Like Makin' Love"; Cassandra Wilson - "Killing Me Softly With His Song"; Sarah McLachlan - "Blue"; Indigo Girls - "It Won't Take Long"; Sophie B. Hawkins - "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"
