ISIS -"DO THE FOOTBALL" (1974)

"All-female Funk-Rock pioneers!"

Carol MacDonald is doubly important in the history of Rock. First, in the mid-60's she was guitarist for GOLDIE & THE GINGERBREADS, the first all-female Rock band signed by a major label. They toured with The Rolling Stones and made a handful of prized singles. Secondly, in the 70's she led ISIS, a ferocious all-female Funk-Rock octet who could take on the best of them.

ISIS burst out the gate soon after Fanny and Birtha had broken the barrier for all-female bands to make full albums. While those groups focused on blues-based Rock, ISIS was like a progressive octopus. Their first self-titled LP was overstuffed with stylistic ideas and the chops to pull them off. They were a match for anything Blood Sweat & Tears, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, or Parliament were putting out. They toured with Aerosmith, Kiss, ZZ Top, and Three Dog Night; made three very diverse albums; and got ignored by the Rock press and history.

Time reveals just how important they were. The ISIS collective was a training ground for dozens of female musicians, who seeded the future. They established a range of skill and style that broadened their successors' horizons. Their shocking debut cover declared they owned their sexuality on their own terms. And Carol had the immense courage to come out openly as a lesbian and sing about it in her work. Thus, ISIS paved the way for the Womyns Music labels, ESG, The Tom Tom Club, Madonna, Wendy & Lisa, Melissa Etheridge, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Ani Defranco, Joi, Le Tigre, and Peaches.

That infamous cover was shot by Jon Stevens, whose work with silver body paint made him a rising star during the Glam era. ISIS created themselves as modern goddesses from a deep history, silver deities who could take on the soul and the cosmos. Their sprawling debut was produced by "Shadow" Morton (The Shangri-Las) who had just survived The New York Dolls. This song was written and sung by their steller bassist, Stella Bass; is it mocking of male touch sports, a rallying cry, a come-on, or really intimate footsies? You be the judge. And Suzi's lead guitar will take your head off!

This is dedicated to the memory of Carol MacDonald, who passed away in March of 2007.


Carol MacDonald: lead vocals, rhythm guitar, writer, arranger
Ginger Bianco: drums, co-leader, co-founder, co-writer
Suzi Ghezzi: lead guitar
Stella Bass: bass, vocals, writer
Nydia "Liberty" Mata: percussion, congas, bongos
Lauren Draper: trumpet, French horn, vocals
Lolly Bienenfield: trombone, vocals
Jeanie Fineberg: tenor saxophone


Learn more:
http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/isis.html

http://www.audiolunchbox.com/album?a=84522&z=

http://www.audiolunchbox.com/album?a=84523


http://www.myspace.com/isishornrock



See these other videos:
ISIS -AIN'T NO BACKIN'UP NOW (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqz79lz4tC8

ISIS -APRIL FOOL (1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIFiuIV67u0

(All rights reserved by the copyright owners. Fan-made video to promote the artist.)
tym stevens

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ISIS
• Fanny
• Birtha
• TheRunaways
• ParliamentFunkadelic
• SlyStone
• TheMeters
• Peaches
• Prince

[IQ136]

The metallic paint/powder that the first Tin Man had in The Wizard of Oz, originally played by Buddy Ebsen, caused him to nearly die from it. He could not breathe and did not get better for quite some time afterward either. He later played Jed Clampett of The Beverly Hillbillies and also was in another TV series about doctors I think.

[funknroll]

He was the detective, "Barnaby Jones", in the 70's.

[jaybillzusuccaz]

Sounds like their sayin "Doin' it with Paul" Lol

[funknroll]

Maybe it's John Lennon murmuring, "Cranberry sauce"...

(ba-dum-bump!)

[funknroll]

NEW BIRTHA WEBSITE!!!

An excellent new website has just debuted dedicated to the band, BIRTHA:

birtharocks(dot)com

Check it out, tell your friends, and show the love!

[funknroll]

All the ISIS videos:

-ISIS -APRIL FOOL (1974)

-ISIS -"DO THE FOOTBALL" (1974)

-ISIS-"AIN'T NO BACKIN' UP NOW" (1975)

Also,

-YVONNE FAIR-"FUNKY MUSIC SHO' NUFF TURNS ME ON" (1975)

[SinnFein4ever]

Very cool.

It's a shame that she died before I'd ever heard of them.

I think I'll check out some more of their music.

It's a shame funk went out before I was born.

Most of the rap songs that replaced funk music are awful; and are sung by singers so vain, that they demand to be reffered to as "artists", despite the fact that their "music" sounds like rabid dogs being tortured.

[Javajessi]

So sad to hear of her passing. Got a chance to know her at the WCWMF in Willits in 1982. Her tent was by ours, and we had a turkey. Anyone who has been knows they are vegetarian, we were popular. Her and her daughter ate with us every night for 4 nights. and gave us free t shirts and an album. Godspeed.

[americandiscocrash]

funk!



[HardCorpsPredator]

Wait. They wanna do it with Paul? That's me! Dude, I feel so lucky right now!

[borgduck]

Face it. THIS is the true reason we all go onto Youtube, to look at silver naked women!

[MsHoodoogirl]

We need to see some video footage from their concerts. Ron Guitman has the footage.

COME ON RON

POST THEM UP!!!!!

[bugstrut]

@SinnFein4ever That's only the stuff you hear on Radio 1. You have to delve deeper into the underground to find the good stuff. Give these songs a listen: Pete Rock and CL Smmooth - TROY A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation People Under the Stairs - Disco Trippin Ugly Duckling - Smack Madkap - Proof is in the puddin Showbiz and ag - Bounce ta this (live) Justice System - Dedication to Bambaataa The Goats - Dug Dig Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Dr Bombay Sage Francis - Dance Monkey

[tornmask]

this all female rock'n, funk'n, rock'n soul band was HOT in the 70's!..under rated for it's time... =0\

[cheekymonkey1979]

Superb stuff: must get this album on wax next opportunity I get! Thanks for posting!

[xerman100]

You got me there Prrz. I recently wrote a (Dutch-language) review covering all three albums.

[soulsis1]

Awesome song & group, but in response to: "is it mocking of male touch sports, a rallying cry, a come-on, or really intimate footsies?" "The Football" was simply a popular dance in the earlyl 1970s, and there are many funky "football" songs. Nothing more, nothing less. ;-)