Wendy and Lisa/Girl Bros.Country of origin:U.S. Type of music generally:Mainstream & alternative pop, psychedelic funk Status:Most recent release, Snapshots (EP, 2011); most recent full-length release, White Flags of Winter Chimneys (2008/2009) See also:Wendy and Lisa/Girl Bros. site Comparisons:The Artist Formerly Known as Prince; some vague similarities to Smashing Pumpkins especially in the last couple albums. Covers/own material:Write own lyrics and music with occasional collaboration. General comments:Wendy and Lisa's four albums have been an evolution, a ever-maturing path from their roots as part of Prince's band, The Revolution, to the amazingly talented musicians, songwriters, and producers that they are today. In the late '80s and '90s I became a huge Wendy & Lisa fan, and Wendy is quite the guitarist. I had the pleasure of seeing them live on tour for Eroica, and again, despite my adoration of Lisa (I have a thing for keyboard players...it all started with Christine McVie) Wendy really impressed me as a guitarist. (colford@chlotrudis.org) Recommended first album:Girl Bros. (colford@chlotrudis.org) Recordings:
Wendy and LisaRelease info:1987—Columbia—CK 40862 Availability:Readily available Ecto priority:Recommended for fans of The Artist formerly known as Prince, psychedelic funk and jazz-influenced funk. Group members:Wendy Melvoin—vocals, bass, guitars, drums, percussion, organ, programming Guest Musicians:Jonathan—percussion, drum overdubs, cymbals, congas, drums Produced by:Wendy and Lisa and Bobby Z Comments:Wendy and Lisa's debut solo effort is a mix of high highs and somewhat forgettable lows. Their first single, "Waterfall" is, in my opinion, one of the best modern songs around. They hadn't yet found a definite style and it seemed they were trying to prove their ability as musicians and producers on this album. Still, definitely worthwhile and containing many strong works. (colford@chlotrudis.org) Fruit at the BottomRelease info:1989—CBS Records—CK 44341 Availability:Available online and in England Ecto priority:Recommended for fans of The Artist formerly known as Prince Group members:Wendy—lead vocals, background, guitars, bass, drums, programming Guest artists:Susannah and Cole—vocals Produced by:Wendy & Lisa Comments:The ladies do it all on their sophomore effort, playing just about everything you hear on the album, writing the songs, and producing as well. Fruit at the Bottom is Wendy & Lisa's funkiest album, and in some ways, their most reminiscent of Prince. While I enjoy the album a lot, it's the one I play the least. (colford@chlotrudis.org) EroicaRelease info:1990—Virgin Records—2-91378 Availability:Available online and in Germany Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Wendy Melvoin—lead and background vocals, guitar, electric and acoustic basses, oud, harmonicas, drums, drum programming, programming, tambora, percussion Guest artists:Carla Azar—brush snare, drums Produced by:Wendy & Lisa with Tony Berg Comments:Wendy & Lisa move to the next level of musical maturity with Eroica. Combining their brash funk, with a psychedelic feel and top notch musicianship and production, Eroica is a winner on all counts. This album matches the best Prince has offered. An amazing mixture of gentle acoustic ditties, lush, layered ballads, upbeat pop gems and powerfully intense, psychedelic anthems. I was fortunate to catch them live for the Eroica tour and it was simply incredible. I wouldn't be surprised if Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins was a fan of this album as the band's recent sound is not that far off from Wendy & Lisa's. (colford@chlotrudis.org) Girl Bros.Release info:1998—Girl Bros.—WDW10089-2 Availability:Available Ecto priority:Highly recommended Group members:Wendy and Lisa—all instruments except where noted Guest artists:Chris Bruce—guitar on "All Nite" Produced by:Tchad Blake with Wendy & Lisa Comments:Oh my God! It's been a looooooong wait, but finally Wendy & Lisa are back with a new recording...and it is awesome. Quite possibly the best thing they've ever done, certainly the warmest and most mature. Oh man I am so excited about this album. They seem to be working under the name Girl Bros. now, so if you don't find it under Wendy & Lisa check under the Gs. The album is dedicated to Jonathan Melvoin, Wendy's brother who died while he was the touring keyboardist for the Smashing Pumpkins. Like his sister, Jonathan was an amazingly accomplished musician who wrote some of the beautiful orchestral pieces on Prince's Around The World In A Day album. The most beautiful song on the album is written and sung by Lisa (Coleman) and it's called "Jonathan". Worth the price of the CD alone, but you'll love all of it because these women BLOW MY MIND! God, they are SO talented I can't stand it! (stunning@tezcat.com) Further info:Wendy & Lisa have done an amazing amount of session work, as musicians, songwriters and producers in a wide array of musical genres. Here is a brief list of some of the artists and albums they've worked on: Appollonia 6 (1984), Jean Louis Aubert, Doyle Bramhall II, Miles Ciletti: Long Days and Monster Nights, Sheryl Crow: The Globe Sessions (1998), Andre Cymone (1985), Nona Gaye: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler), k.d. lang: Drag, Joni Mitchell: Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm, Me'Shell Ndegeocello: Peace Beyond Passion, Michael Penn: March, Prince: Dirty Mind, Prince: Controversy, Prince: 1999, Prince & the Revolution: Purple Rain, Prince & the Revolution: Around the World in a Day, Prince & the Revolution: Parade, Prince: Sign O' the Times, Prince: Black Album, Prince: The Hits/The B Sides (Box Set), Seal (1991), Seal (1994), Seal: Human Being (1998), Three O' Clock: Vermillion, The Time: The Time (1981), The Time: Ice Cream Castles (1984), and Toys (Soundtrack). Thanks to Michael Colford for work on this entry.
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