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Loading... The Shangri-Las' Golden Hits of the Shangri-Las (33 1/3)by Ada Wolin
None No current Talk conversations about this book.  pomo58 | Apr 1, 2020 |  no reviews | add a review
Belongs to Series33 1/3 (138)
"Of the many girl-groups that came out of the 1960s, none is more idiosyncratic and influential than the Shangri-Las. They were together only five years, but within that time they subverted pop standards and foreshadowed a generation of tough women in music. Critically, they are not lauded in the way of the Ronettes, and they are certainly not a household name like the Supremes. They were a little too low-brow with an uncouth flair for theatrics that has placed them just left of the girl-group canon. This book examines the still-elusive validation of 1960s girl-groups as a whole, but also paradoxically aims to free the Shangri-Las from that category, viewing them instead with the sort of individuality traditionally afforded to rock groups. They were somehow able to challenge the status quo under the guise of sticky-sweet pop, a feat not many pop groups can achieve, but which they do fleetingly but not insubstantially in Golden Hits of the Shangri-Las."--Bloomsbury Publishing. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)782.42164092The arts Music Vocal music Secular Forms of vocal music Secular songs General principles and musical forms Song genres Western popular songsLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (4.5)
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Wikipedia in English
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While the idea of having a book in this series focus on a greatest hits album seemed a little odd at first, it makes perfect sense both for the period and the thesis Wolin puts forth. The early years of pop/rock and roll were singles oriented and this was especially true for girls groups. In addition, Wolin is arguing about the place of the Shangri-Las both within the context of girls groups as well as the context of pop/rock history. As such, a compilation of their singles is the best choice.
The one issue I have with the book is that her arguments really need more space to be fully realized. I don't think that this is a big issue, she supports her ideas with examples and quotes as well as making rational arguments, I just would have enjoyed more time to engage with the information before moving on to the next point. That said, I think she did a remarkable job of condensing her ideas into the format of this series, which is intentionally short in length while offering a freer rein to the writers for exploration.
Among the points I found most interesting is the influence The Shangri-Las had on later music, particularly a vein of the punk scene. She elaborates on this but this isn't really something for a reader to believe or not believe. The quotes and musical references from the punk artists attest to the fact they did indeed have some influence. To "not believe" the connection amounts to not believing facts, which unfortunately is far more common nowadays than it once was. Understand, this is not put forth as being a large influence, but The Shangri-Las' delivery and even their melodramatic style offered an alternative to future acts on what they might do.
I recommend this to music fans and those readers who like to understand music as something in addition to just the music. These things occurred at specific points in time and to ignore that is to ignore much of what they were saying and what they were responding to.
One other quick point, this series is not a track-by-track account of each album. If you want such a look at an album, I recommend the British Classic Albums documentary series. They are more about the actual recording and sound of each album. The 33 1/3 series is more about each album within a social and cultural context.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. (