V.A. Marylebone Beat Girls 1964-1967

This follow-up to our recent “Love Hit Me! Decca Beat Girls” and “Scratch My Back! Pye Beat Girls” releases comprises superior 60s she-pop from the EMI group of record labels – Parlophone, Columbia and HMV – headquartered in Marylebone in the heart of London’s West End.

The LP edition is pressed on 180g orange vinyl in a heavy duty sleeve with comprehensive notes and rare photos on the inner bag.

Most of the female acts signed by EMI were teenagers completely tuned in to the current pop trends. Scottish duo the McKinleys, R&B club habituée Julie Driscoll (cover star of the vinyl version), talent show winner Billie Davis (the CD cover girl) and Midlands pub singer Beverley Jones took original material from London’s Tin Pan Alley and American covers and gave them an abrasive, vigorous kick that made for fabulous 45s. They may not have had quite the polish of their US counterparts, but the rough’n’ready sound of the Marylebone Beat Girl was precisely her appeal.

Among the many highlights are ‘Dancing Yet’, a Dobie Gray-style discotheque number by Liza & the Jet Set; ‘Like The Big Man Said’ by Toni Daly, a cover of Italian star Caterina Caselli’s ‘L’uomo D’oro’ with edgy English lyrics by Peter Callander; and Billie Davis’ groovy gender-switched update of Chuck Willis’ R&B nugget ‘Whatcha’ Gonna Do’.

Compilation and notes by Ace Records’ in-house girl-pop buffs Mick Patrick and Sheila Burgel.