¡Chicas! Spanish Female Singers Volume 3, 1963-1982

Third volume of the ¡Chicas! series, an irresistible collection of ye-yé, twist, disco, beat, popcorn, flamenco pop and even Northern Soul!

From the early 60s and in the middle of a difficult political and social context, Spanish female singers – and those who moved to Spain – disregarded conventions and overcame all barriers to be part of a music movement that shook the Spanish society of the period.

Many of the 24 tracks are reissued for the first time, including very hard-to-find records. It includes extensive notes by Vicente Fabuel featuring all the original record sleeves and artist photos.

The Vampisoul chicas are back. And for the third time. And, although collectors and connoisseurs have never stopped playing the songs by these Spanish female singers, here they are again, sounding as vibrant as they did half a century ago. Because these children of their times, the musical decades of the 60s and 70s covered by this compilation, boldly ventured into the limited spaces of freedom open to female artists back then. And they did so with attitude, in search of the right repertoire, proudly presenting new, daring personal projects often breaking away from the demure tone adopted by mainstream local female singers. And they were canny about it too. Realizing that the censors working back would just listen to the song that the record company flagged up as the listening target on the A side and not bother to flip the single over, they recorded many of their racier songs on the B side. That exciting dark side of singles, which have long tempted collectors.

Lacking the freedom and visibility enjoyed today, these daring records by these female singers went as far as they could and a few managed to go beyond. The songs on this compilation tell everyday stories, narrating small socio-musical conquests revolving round the enduring theme of young love. Sass, sex, boy-girl rivalry, the defense of liberating women’s fashion and, saying what women think loud and clear, all characterize these grooves. Performed in a variety of musical styles ranging from ye-yé, twist, disco, beat, popcorn, flamenco pop to Northern Soul, and, even more surprisingly, sung in an everyday, natural and self-assured tone that must have ruffled some feathers.

As in previous volumes of “¡Chicas!”, this third compilation includes female singers from outside Spain but whose career, their decision to sing in Spanish or their long tours and local stays, and occasionally permanent residence, meant their albums were created, recorded or produced here in Spain. It’s a winning proposition for everyone. Take the band Los Bravos, four of the singers that passed through the ranks of this quintessentially Spanish group were foreigners. It’s part of our open-door policy. Spain is different. In every sense. But let’s get down to the serious stuff and the ritual: vinyl on the turntable and needle poised ready to play.

Tracklist

A1.  Más - Enterprise
A2.  Y al amanecer - Gelu
A3.  Necesito - Mary Gema
A4.  Si un chico fuera yo - Sonia
A5.  Azul, azul, azul - Marion
A6.  El amor que soñé - Los Antifaces

B1.  Sola - Chocolate Menta Mastik
B2.  Te marchaste - Cecilia
B3.  Es tu error - Sylvia Nelson
B4.  Estilo beat - Hermanas Ros
B5.  Mirándote - Suzie
B6.  Todo es amor (Bingo) - María José Cantudo

C1.  Pelucón - Soledad Miranda
C2.  Mucho más - Teresa María
C3.  No necesito tu amor - Los Zarmatyseis
C4.  Twist contigo - Franciska
C5.  No me llames Dolores - Marian Conde
C6.  No, no, no - Elvira

D1.  Listen Here - Dolly
D2.  Abrázame así - Eros
D3.  Qué más me da - Rosa Morena
D4.  Amor amargo - Albertina Cortés
D5.  Mi amor mi bien - Nena Catherine
D6.  Casa Forte - Doris y Rossie