Chicks With Picks & Sticks
Various Artists
Genesis House

Cleveland's musical past has always had female artists, sometimes on their own and sometimes with male counterparts, putting forth many types of music. First female rock bands locally I can remember would be Bridie Murphy, a bevy of birds and all things British, and their greaser chick counterparts, the Satin Dolls. Both covers acts by trade, I really can't remember them having any originals, things have now morphed to a hard rock trio like Rebel Girl to carrying that torch from many decades ago. And, on the plus side, there are so many females now in the performance end of Cleveland music, they can band together for a good cause at times.

Back in 2006, the Savannah in Westlake did their semi-annual benefit for the Genesis House Domestic Violence Center in Lorain County. Organized, as always, by Marilyn Zeidner, it was decided to record this one, since it featured many of the female-led acts in town, thus giving the disc its title.

With Swamp Boogie Band drummer Gerry Parisi in charge of recording the night, the Swamp Boogie Band kicks it off via "You Got Me Running," with keyboardist Betsy Marshall on lead vocals, as the volume then does go down a handful of notches as Becky Boyd does an acoustic original, "70 Degrees In Ohio." The Jane Deans give "Don't Say It" some hard driving action as Alexis Antes and Victoria Fliegel, two thirds of Odd Girl Out, team up under their VA Dare banner with the harmonious "Out For Coffee," a Simon & Garfunkel moment without the testosterone.

The Wild Woman Blues Ensemble summons all the female blues players to the stage for an all-out take of "Wild Women Don't Get The Blues," with Swamp Sindelar and Becky Boyd on lead vocals and guitar moves by Debi James and Candy Olson. Robin Stone adds jazzy touches into her "Bad Girl" original, plus Forte take us to the familiar, thanks to their rendition of Heart's "Barracuda." Tracy Marie teams up with Bad Boys of Blues bassist Michael Barrick on her "Hey, Hey, Hey" and Burning Sage closes it out with a return to the psychedelic age of "White Rabbit," even with their bass player missing in action.

Whoever had the idea to record the night should get a gold star on their permanent record, although I have to point out one major flaw: instead of lumping all the musicians into a single paragraph on the back cover and thanking them, things should have been broken down more as to whom played on what cut. As a disclaimer of sorts, I was there for most of the show and pretty well knew who was on stage at what point. Anyone else, reviewer or otherwise, is going to have a tough time figuring out whom was playing when on what song, even though there won't be a flash quiz later.

That said, Chicks With Picks & Sticks is worth picking up for the music and can be had either at the Savannah in Westlake or by calling 1-866-213-1188. Proceeds go to a good cause and I'm just glad someone didn't take a misstep of covering Mott The Hoople's "Violence" that night.

Check out some acts featured on the compilation this Saturday, May 19! Virginia Dare performs at The Nickel / Five Cent Decision, 4365 State Rd., with a full band show at 8PM. The Swamp Boogie Band hits Fat Fish Blue at 8PM. http://www.fatfishblue.com. And Robin Stone performs at the Greenville Inn in Chagrin Falls at 9PM. http://www.thegreenvilleinn.com.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Peanuts hostofthenorthcoastATyahoo.com
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