JUNE & JEAN MILLINGTON "BIRD IN FLIGHT" 1978 (Ladies on the Stage) FANNY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- JUNE & JEAN MILLINGTON
(FORMERLY OF THE ALL GIRL ROCK BAND FANNY)
"BIRD IN FLIGHT"
FROM THE 1978 MILLINGTON LP 'LADIES ON THE STAGE"
JUNE MILLINGTON - GUITAR & VOCALS
JEAN MILLINGTON - BASS & VOCALS
WRITTEN BY JUNE MILLINGTON
VINYL TRANSFER AND AUDIO RESTORATION BY TUSCADERO10
Hi all! I've written quite a few of you back, and just wanted to tell you a bit about this song: I wrote it around Fall '74, when I first experienced, and I mean Experienced, the Fall colors of the upper East coast. Like, Syracuse, Woodstock, driving up 91 or the NY State Thruway, the Taconic, and so on. I was absolutely thunderstruck - the swans, flying south!! So, so beautiful ... You can't explain, you just have to be in it. In late '75 I wanted to record "Bird in Flight", and I was in LA - Jean knew a 2nd engineer who needed the experience (Leslie Ann Jones), so we went in at midnight, when the rates were much lower. Also, cut it with a drummer whose name I don't remember but whom Jean knew as well, and I hired him simply on Jean's recommendation. If she said he was good, he was.
Jean and I got the record deal with United Artists in late '76 and began cutting in NYC, with Tom Sellers, who'd produced and done the arrangement for "Rock the Boat." I mean, he was top-notch at arranging strings, and was also, at the time, Clive Davis' "Golden Boy."
Well, Tom tricked me into learning how to write rhythm charts - by saying we couldn't record anything without writing it down, and proceeded to teach me how - and from there, I got interested in writing string arrangements myself. I was working with him, so it was all accessible by just watching and listening.
I learned. In the meantime, towards the end of all overdubs, he called me in Woodstock the night before the charts were due at the copyist. Remember, digital wasn't in the air yet, and every single chart, for every member of the orchestra, had to be copied by hand. They were absolutely beautiful.
Tom says, "June, I don't have time to do all the charts. You have to do "Bird in Flight." I said "wha-att????!! No way!" I whined, etc. But he said you have to do it, gave me the copyist's address - in Manhattan! - and hung up.
I loved Tom, and that was a magnificent trick. I sat up, and did it.The session was at Media Sound in NYC the next afternoon, and it was a pretty big orchestra. Huge room, pushed a lot of air.
At some point before all the sweetening, we'd tried to re-cut the song with Ed Green in LA on drums, but it didn't all feel right to me. Ed got mad at me for suggesting maybe he was rushing just a bit during the session (something just didn't feel right - and he's a great, first-call drummer!), so that tells you how conflicted I was. And at some point Tom and I decided we'd "marry" the 2 tracks together. I've never told anyone this before, and it will be in my upcoming book ~ but we rented studio time at The Automatt, in SF, where Leslie now worked; and somehow she played the first LA track, and at a particular point - I think just before, or after, the tom fill before V2 ... the later LA track was dropped in. There was the slightest pause there, so it was possible ; and there we were with a new master, because neither of the original tracks was actually touched. And I wasn't there. (Tom and I listened, and approved, over the phone; you get that there had to be two 2-inch machines in there, right? That was an expensive session).
Anyway, there's more: we did the strings, now the mix: and Tom Scott, again in LA, did some overdubs for us. One of them was on a Lyricon -brand-new! I think it looked and played like a clarinet, but was electronic - but it was at the "old"/"new" tempo, that is the second (with Ed Green) basic. Same with the strings. So we had to drop them into the old - which was now most of the new master - track!!
Suffice it to say that it was incredibly difficult, and included the time-honored method of pressing your thumb against the playback - a copy of the track you were trying to fly in, which was on a separate 2-track, not two-inch tape - so that was twice: a mixdown of the strings on stereo, and the Lyricon - to cause it to slow down slightly. It also affects pitch, but that was less important than the time issues.
That album was a labor of love. And after it was released, and the full band to represent it rehearsed with us in Woodstock ... the major tour (opening for Peter Allen) was cancelled because he was sick, and UA dropped us, because they'd been bought. They sent is a bill for, like, $80,000-$100,000 when they did. I asked Jean to save it, but I don't think she did. And that's just one of my music-biz stories. xx
And what an incredible story it is!!
Hey June, This piece is really interesting for sure. The Lyricon is absolutely incredible. The production struck me as way forward for the times. I really liked hearing this one. Seems it's always a lot like a road trip to speak music.
thanks for sharing
Hi June. I like this song, the harmony's are beautiful. Can you talk about the Strat pictured? Thank you!
Michael
Yeah! just coming across this tonight in this surreal new time, Im in Brooklyn , and getting a measure of peace from the smooth production and strings going on, and the awesome harmonies! Really dig the studio talk as well. June, best to you and all your family, thanks for the music!
Another beautiful song ❤️
❤Fanny❤Beat-Club in Germany
Blown. Away.
None of you should feel terrible about missing these gals. None of us were given the appropriate opportunity to hear them! they were not promoted properly--way ahead of their time. None of us knew of them until this year! Sad--but at least we know who they are now!
Jean and June
This is an awesome song and I love it. It’s so inspiring watching you two do music. I’m so inspired to get beck into music because of both of you back then and now!
Thanks ladies
Nice!
This is the kind of song you put on in your house as your doing some chores maybe,, and its so good you listen to it again and again and again,, Millington sisters always leave you wanting more!
Michael McLoughlin
This the first time I've heard this song. Its's good
Life is for learning.
Had such a crush on June always referred to her as my Indian queen thanks for the memories girls
Fanny.Fantastic; the female equivalent of the Who live!Great stuff.
Dear June,
You have made some beautiful music and are an inspiration to MANY! Thank you very much!
Don't forget to mention Jean!
Great song 🎵
Fucking love love love this song!!!!!!! BRING ON THE RAINBOW!!!!!1
Fabulous Girls and fabulous songs!!!!
That these women are not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame shows there is little justice in the world.
Thank you. xx June
Agreed!
Thanks Robert, thanks all! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks so much, xx June
WTF they aren't in ???
Yep absolutely! I was shocked when I heard June play with Jean pounding out the bass.
Hall of Fame is in your future !
I was Class of '77 and Into all sorts of music, especially Rock-n-Roll...
So why have I not heard of these lady pioneers of rock until just recently..?!
I feel cheated...
I feel terrible. All these years I had never heard of Fanny or the Millington sisters and now that I kind of stumbled on them by accident, now I'm discovering all I missed all these years. So, I love the Fanny songs I've discovered. I'm just now learning that June and Jean also had a solo project apart from Fanny, and I'm liking most of that too. You ladies came out just a few years early for me. I was born in '65, so I missed what would have been the height of your popularity.
You know about them now, and that's the important thing. :)
@@MarkT80014 Thanks so much Rob! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks. xx June
Born in 1983, I feel like I sorely missed that train too. But I'm just glad I can listen to their albums thanks to technology and that they're keeping their music legacy alive. I'd rather have the chance to stumble onto their music accidentally than never hear it because there are no place available to enjoy it anymore.
I hope Jean Millington recovers and carries on playing music with her beloved sister June and friends. Such talented ladies deserve recognition. Cheers from France!
Same situation with me,i'm born '68, discovered FANNY few years ago, but recently i heard few interviews with various members of the band. They really deserved more,but they don't sound bitter, they are great artists and they don't chase millions. Great ladies, a real inspiration
Don't feel bad,I was born in '55 and was totally into rock and roll when they were in their prime. I just stumbled onto them recently also,I had never heard of them.
Best song off this album for me......LOVE LOVE LOVE .....BRING ON THE RAINBOW!!!!!!
Salamat po!xx
Great vid! Thanks
My new fave from these lovely ladies!!!
My favourite sister act
How these women did not make it as musical superstars constantly amazes me.
I still can’t believe how your band was jypped out of so much more that could have been. We the listeners got gypped by them gypping you! Never a single song on the air in San Jose/San Francisco ares. But I’m sure glad were able to see and hear a lot of what you did then here on TH-cam. It makes up for a little bit of it. My hat's off to you both and I hope that your sister gets well soon. Truly…
WOW...
The 70's sound and feel different in the music and the production. This is very well done. Thank you for all the music!
I have made that drive many times, It, inspirational. This is a beautiful song.
Man the world of music in the 70's was very very special looking back. Wish Fanny was a part of my playlist back then. Wish I knew the Millingtons so I could follow their careers.
Just love these girls and they know it!!
What a great song 🎵 and well produced . . . June & Jean are so good 😊👍
Proud to have grown up in the UK in the early 70's as a huge Fanny fan. They were bigger over here! Also proud to have met both the girls in Bodega a few years ago, together with Alice! Best day of my life!
I always wondered - because "fanny" means something rather rude in the UK, did some British folks feel the band were very provocative/outrageous for choosing that name? I mean, I know they probably didn't realize the other meaning, but did they have to explain themselves quite a bit when they toured over there? :D
Yay, and thank you! ~ And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks so much, xx June
@@MarkT80014 Perhaps they toured as "Pudenda"
@@ifanmorgan8070 I love it :D
Really lovely to hear this.
From Fanny to duets.
I feel like I’m taking crazy pill’s. This music is good. Where have I been.
Sublime!
Thanks so much! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks. xx June
They're old but better like wine!!!
Beautiful!
Beautiful track, I really love this.
Thanks so much! I love that you love ... And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks. xx June
Great song, performed very well!!!💗👍
... legends ...
Thanks so much! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And keep spreading the word please! Thanks. xx June
This song is badass..
This should have been a hit. I have a feeling if a more famous artist have covered it, it could have climbed higher on the charts, just with the added sparkle of a "star status" of whoever that famous artist is. But IMHO the song is already great in itself!
Beautiful!!!!
Discovering new band from d '70s.
Sadly it was 5 decades later. By youtube. ✌🎸
An(other) example of "the family that plays music together stays together". Not bad for a couple of McClatchy grads (I live in Sacramento where Jean and June attended high school)...or anyone else for that matter. I just found out about these two women and Fanny in the last couple of hours after seeing "The Right to Rock" for the first time; years late and dollars short on my part. Fascinating and kind of amazing, actually.......
Excellent!
Sweet synth action in that bridge!
Eu adoro Jean Millington
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Tuscadero! Awesome song! Thank you so much! Still gives me chills.
Holy shit this is incredible
So good! I've been a Fanny fan for a lot of years and this sounds really good!
Thanks so much Robin! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks. xx June
@@JuneEsWorld 99mnnhbj.mj7.i.miss96
Musk7grg9l9o9
Iniibig Kita ✌💙🎸🎼
Seguro? Jean is 70, and my babe June (tomboy) is 71...buhay, eh? ;-) th-cam.com/video/6D-NVRdxgH8/w-d-xo.html
Salamat! Thanks so much! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks so much, xx June
Hey all, Happy Thanksgiving and just wanted to tell you, if you didn't know, that Jean had a stroke and is in recovery ... I set up a Go Fund Me account, so if you would like to donate and share (please do!) please include a note - they're all so so healing! - and go to www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go THANKS!!! xx June (guitarist, and Jean's sister:))
Great music - this is my morning dev-up in the Bangkok office. How is Jean progressing with her recovery??
Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks is a chord progression clone of this song
:)) Thank you! And I'm gonna just keep telling everyone: Jean had a stroke over a year again, and needs our help in recovery. If you'd be so inclined, please make any-sized donation (with a note! it all helps) at www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go And spread the word please! Thanks so much, xx June
As well as many , many others ..
j'm
Well, y'know....Jean left Fanny in '73-ish, yes ? Along with Alice. Then the band hobbled along for another year or so. So THEN 4 years later Jean decided to get back to it so she & June released THIS album in '78 ? Doesn't seem like the wisest course of action, really. Why not re-form the band instead ? Nickey Barclay was still recording around then, she hadn't hung it up ! The name recognition and probably airplay would have been significantly better had they done that, as opposed to this. Just sayin'.
Nicky wasn't (and isn't) inclined to reunite... (makes me sad)
Just sayin' you don't know how bands go and you don't know what you're talking about.
@@JuneEsWorld Boom.
The sister that left Fanny was June, not Jean. By the time the band imploded Jean was the only original member remaining.
@@JuneEsWorld Hey June... a lot of people buy into the PR and the videos and imagine that bands are always made up of best friends. I mean, I loved the musical marriage and the songs you folks produced but I wouldn't wish a dysfunctional "marriage" on anyone. I love the music you made with Fanny Walked the Earth too but bands have to ebb and flow if they are to remain healthy and productive. Keep on playing young lady. And may women everywhere be inspired by your music!