The Fems of Feb.
As the poster queries, “"Who is Celia?" Perhaps The Stranglers manager Dai Davies heard the bob-haired singer Celia Gollin in a nightclub, where she was performing with Rod Melvin, previously of Kilburn & the High Roads. Dai Davies sez, "She was mixing Marlene Dietrich songs with Kinks & Velvet Underground stuff. She sounded so polite & English & proper that I thought it would be really great to see her singing in front of a nasty dirty rock band like the Stranglers. The contrast would be incredible".
Gollin's recording history at that time amounted to one previous appearance as a backing vocalist on a track of a Brian Eno produced Gavin Bryers album Ensemble Pieces in 1975.
Together The Stranglers & Celia recorded the single containing a version of Tommy James & the Shondell's classic "Mony Mony" b-sided with The Stranglers penned, "Mean to Me". The single was launched into the world on The Stranglers United Artists label in the spring of 1977.
A follow up single "You Better Believe Me", was co-written by Gollin & the Fabulous Mutations: Stranglers Jean Jacques Burnel; Wilko Johnson from Dr Feelgood; & Terry Williams from Man. The b-side is "Round & Around" featuring the Young Mutations made up of Phil Chambon & Andy Arthurs from Tonight.
No one seems to know what happened to Celia after her "5 minutes of fame" fronting The Stranglers in 1977.
all decryption codes in comments
Side 1 -
Mony Mony
Side 2 -
Mean to Me
Side 1 -
You Better Believe Me - Celia & the Fabulous Mutations
Side 2 -
Round & Around - Celia & the Young Mutations
Crustation was a trip-hop band, formed by Ian Dark, Stig Manley & Mark Tayler, three producers from Bristol. In the 80s they had played in bands with Adrian Utley of Portishead. In a later incarnation of Crustation they collaborated with vocalist Bronagh Slevin. In 1997 they released their only full length album Bloom, under the moniker Crustation with Bronagh Slevin.
I could say that Crustation - Bloom with Bronagh Slevin is basically a one-off, that no one can get enough "Flame"...but I've got to be honest. Ms Slevin just happens to be IT for me. I love trip-hop & I love female vocalists, but Ms S is the finest.
Side A -
Flame (12" master mix)
Flame (Mood II Swing vocal mix)
Side B -
Flame (Borderline Insanity Dub mix)
Flame (Freakniks remix)
Pitch
Nineteen
Snowdance
Breaking the Waves - Storm Carver featuring Bronagh Slevin
Edith Massey will forever be remembered as "Edie the Egg Lady" for her breakthrough role in John Waters' equally breakthrough 1972 cult classic Pink Flamingos. Here she dons her Female Trouble Aunt Ida's leathers & punks out (sort of). Who doesn't love Edith?
The Evidence are: Rob Fahey & Nick Longo - guitars; Susan Lauer - keyboards; Steve Longo - bass.
I Got the Evidence
Polyester Girl
Punks, Get Off the Grass
Fever
Enjoy,
NØ