Isis (Jazz Fusion Band)
Encyclopedia
Isis was an all-female horn-rock band from New York. They took their name from the Egyptian goddess Isis
, and were an early example of professional women in rock music in the 1970s.
. To fill out the line-up, they recruited Susan Ghezzi (guitar), Stella Bass (vocals/bass), Nydia 'Liberty' Mata (percussion) and a horn-section featuring Jeanie Fineberg (sax/vocals), Lauren Draper (trumpet/vocals) and Lolly Bienenfield (trombone/vocals).
Isis built a solid following on the New York club circuit, and in 1973 became the fifth all-female band to sign to a major label (Buddah Records). In the fall of 1974 they released their self-titled debut album. The Isis album was produced by George "Shadow" Morton
and drew comparisons to Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears
, Earth Wind & Fire, and Santana, as well as Black Sabbath, Yes and Jethro Tull. The album cover—a photograph of the bandmembers in nothing but metallic bodypaint—created a sensation, and the LP reached Billboard's Top 100 chart.
Despite receiving positive reviews for the album and live appearances, Isis failed to reach a mainstream audiences. One possibility for the resistance encountered by the band may have been singer Carol MacDonald's unwillingness to deny her homosexuality, which she sang about in the song "She Loves Me".
As time went on, the group scored support slots with the biggest acts of the day, including KISS, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others. In 1974, Susan Ghezzi (guitar) was replaced by Renata Ferrer and Lauren Draper was replaced by Ellen Seeling. The band also added Edith Dankowitz (sax/vocals) and former Gingerbreads organist, Margo Lewis (B-3).
In 1975, this incarnation of Isis recorded the group's follow-up album Ain't No Backin' Up Now, with producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint
at his studio in New Orleans. (Toussaint had just completed recording "Lady Marmalade
" with LaBelle
). Ain't No Backin' Up Now relies on soul, funk, and disco influences and featured a guest-appearance by guitarist June Millington, fresh from the break-up of Fanny.
In 1977, the band signed with its second label, United Artists, and released their third album Breaking Through, produced by Len Barry
. Frustrated by the inability to turn great reviews into commercial success, the LP was a departure from its two previous releases and was geared specifically to the commercial market. However, this LP, like the others, was once again a commercial disappointment. Alumni members Nydia Mata, Ellen Seeling, Lolly Bienenfield, Lauren Draper and Jeanie Fineberg, as well as newcomer Laurie Frink, also appeared on the album.
The band (with Frink and other gust members) toured to support the release of the LP throughout the USA and the Caribbean. The group opened for chart topping BT Express and Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band on the west coast swing, and for Blondie
on the east coast dates.
After the touring to support Breaking Through, the group took up residence for a time at Greenwich Village landmark "Trudy Hellers" on 6th Avenue and 9th Street, where they played nightly. However, the continued lack of commercial success eventually led the group to disband by the end of the 1970s.
Eventually MacDonald and Bianco decided to form a new version of Isis with Lolly Bienenfield (now playing with Jazz Diva) as the third core-member. The new members were Denny Colt (guitar), Bonnie Parker (bass), Pam Fleming (trumpet), Laura Dryer (sax) and Paula Jeanine (percussion).
This line-up debuted on January 26, 2001 at the New York Bottom Line headlining a female musicians' night. Plans for a new album, however, never materialised.
The original members and their replacements later gathered at a Women in Music jam; it turned out to be the final chapter in the band's history as health reasons soon forced lead singer (and the band's sole constant member) Carol MacDonald to quit.
MacDonald died on March 12, 2007. Six months later, on September 20, Ginger Bianco was given the Women Breaking Barriers Award by the GLBT Historical Society, partly for her work in Isis.
Isis
Isis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
, and were an early example of professional women in rock music in the 1970s.
The first two albums
Isis was formed in 1972 by Carol MacDonald (vocals/guitar) and Ginger Bianco (née Panabianco; drums), former members of 1960s female rock band Goldie & The GingerbreadsGoldie & the Gingerbreads
Goldie & the Gingerbreads was an all-female American rock band from 1962 to 1967 consisting of 3 musicians and a singer. They were the first all-female rock band signed to a major record label....
. To fill out the line-up, they recruited Susan Ghezzi (guitar), Stella Bass (vocals/bass), Nydia 'Liberty' Mata (percussion) and a horn-section featuring Jeanie Fineberg (sax/vocals), Lauren Draper (trumpet/vocals) and Lolly Bienenfield (trombone/vocals).
Isis built a solid following on the New York club circuit, and in 1973 became the fifth all-female band to sign to a major label (Buddah Records). In the fall of 1974 they released their self-titled debut album. The Isis album was produced by George "Shadow" Morton
Shadow Morton
George 'Shadow' Morton is an American record producer and songwriter best known for his influential work in the 1960s and the introduction of girl group The Shangri-Las to the pop music world....
and drew comparisons to Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
, Earth Wind & Fire, and Santana, as well as Black Sabbath, Yes and Jethro Tull. The album cover—a photograph of the bandmembers in nothing but metallic bodypaint—created a sensation, and the LP reached Billboard's Top 100 chart.
Despite receiving positive reviews for the album and live appearances, Isis failed to reach a mainstream audiences. One possibility for the resistance encountered by the band may have been singer Carol MacDonald's unwillingness to deny her homosexuality, which she sang about in the song "She Loves Me".
As time went on, the group scored support slots with the biggest acts of the day, including KISS, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others. In 1974, Susan Ghezzi (guitar) was replaced by Renata Ferrer and Lauren Draper was replaced by Ellen Seeling. The band also added Edith Dankowitz (sax/vocals) and former Gingerbreads organist, Margo Lewis (B-3).
In 1975, this incarnation of Isis recorded the group's follow-up album Ain't No Backin' Up Now, with producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern...
at his studio in New Orleans. (Toussaint had just completed recording "Lady Marmalade
Lady Marmalade
"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#...
" with LaBelle
Labelle
Labelle is an American all female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing...
). Ain't No Backin' Up Now relies on soul, funk, and disco influences and featured a guest-appearance by guitarist June Millington, fresh from the break-up of Fanny.
Breaking Through and breaking up
Without commercial success, it was difficult to keep the group together. Equally challenging was finding qualified female musicians to join the band. By 1976, the core line up was Carol MacDonald, Margo Lewis, Jeanie Feinberg, Ellen Seeling and new members Faith Fusillo (vocals/guitar), Barbara Cobb (bass), Vivian Stoll (drums)and Lynx (sax/guitar/vocals).In 1977, the band signed with its second label, United Artists, and released their third album Breaking Through, produced by Len Barry
Len Barry
Len Barry is a retired American vocalist, songwriter and record producer.-Career:...
. Frustrated by the inability to turn great reviews into commercial success, the LP was a departure from its two previous releases and was geared specifically to the commercial market. However, this LP, like the others, was once again a commercial disappointment. Alumni members Nydia Mata, Ellen Seeling, Lolly Bienenfield, Lauren Draper and Jeanie Fineberg, as well as newcomer Laurie Frink, also appeared on the album.
The band (with Frink and other gust members) toured to support the release of the LP throughout the USA and the Caribbean. The group opened for chart topping BT Express and Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band on the west coast swing, and for Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
on the east coast dates.
After the touring to support Breaking Through, the group took up residence for a time at Greenwich Village landmark "Trudy Hellers" on 6th Avenue and 9th Street, where they played nightly. However, the continued lack of commercial success eventually led the group to disband by the end of the 1970s.
Solo projects
The majority of the ex-Isis-members are still working in the music field, and are often involved in a variety of projects.- Nydia Mata, already a fulltime member of Laura Nyro's band before Isis, played with Ginger Bianco, Jeanie Fineberg and Ellen Seeling in the salsa-band, Latin Fever. In March 1981 (Women's History Month) she formed the Afro-Cuban group Retumba.
- Jeanie Fineberg and Ellen Seeling formed the jazz band, Deuce. Mata and MacDonald join them for Deuce's self titled, debut release in 1986. In 1989 Fineberg and Seeling moved to California where they led the Montclaire Women's Big Band.
- Stella Bass moved to Atlanta, Georgia; she formed her own band (with male and female musicians) called The Stella Bass Band and released a 2007 gospel-album. The Stella Bass Band did a soundtrack for the movie Hall Pass directed by Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly and is also featured in the film.
- Laurie Frink is one of NYC's most sought after session players, having recorded and toured with numerous artists including Gerry Mulligan and Laurie Anderson.
- Margo Lewis opened a talent agency, Talent Consultants International, Ltd., in NYC in 1983. Through the years, its clients have included Bo DiddleyBo DiddleyEllas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
, Wilson Pickett, Asia, The Zombies, Carl Palmer, Belinda Carlisle, among others.
- Faith Fusillo joined Lewis in 1983 and became business manager to Bo Diddley in 1992. Since his passing on June 2, 2008, Lewis and Fusillo manage the Estate of Bo Diddley through their company, Talent Source.
Isis 2001: the Second Coming
On November 13, 1997 Margo Lewis, Ginger Bianco and Genya Ravan participated in a one-off Goldie & the Gingerbreads reunion. This took place thirty years after the initial break-up of that group, and 22 years after their last performance together as members of Isis.Eventually MacDonald and Bianco decided to form a new version of Isis with Lolly Bienenfield (now playing with Jazz Diva) as the third core-member. The new members were Denny Colt (guitar), Bonnie Parker (bass), Pam Fleming (trumpet), Laura Dryer (sax) and Paula Jeanine (percussion).
This line-up debuted on January 26, 2001 at the New York Bottom Line headlining a female musicians' night. Plans for a new album, however, never materialised.
The original members and their replacements later gathered at a Women in Music jam; it turned out to be the final chapter in the band's history as health reasons soon forced lead singer (and the band's sole constant member) Carol MacDonald to quit.
MacDonald died on March 12, 2007. Six months later, on September 20, Ginger Bianco was given the Women Breaking Barriers Award by the GLBT Historical Society, partly for her work in Isis.
Discography
- Isis (1974), Buddah RecordsBuddah RecordsBuddah Records was founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding...
- Ain't No Backin' Up Now (1975), Buddah Records
- Breaking Through (1977), United ArtistsUnited ArtistsUnited Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
External links
- itsaboutmusic.com, Audio samples of all Isis recordings
- Isis, Band history at answers.com