20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Shangri-Las

Performer: The Shangri-Las
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: The Shangri-Las: Marguerite Ganser, Maryann Ganser, Elizabeth Weiss, Mary Weiss. Producers: Shadow Morton, Ronald Mosley, Robert Bateman. Compilation producer: Bill Levenson. Recorded between 1964 and 1966. Includes liner notes by Dave Thompson. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series. Liner Note Author: Dave Thompson . Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY; Bell Sound; Dynamic Studios, Genoa, Italy; Mirasound; UltraSonic Studios. Unknown Contributor Roles: Mary Weiss; Elizabeth Weiss. Arrangers: Robert Bateman; Artie Butler. A solid 12-track compilation at a budget price, this BEST OF THE SHANGRI-LAS is teenage angst at its angstiest. Guided by George "Shadow" Morton, who gave both Phil Spector and Joe Meek a run for their money in the eccentric Svengali sweepstakes, the Shangri-Las specialized in hyper-dramatic study-hall morality tales. Thanks, in large part, to Mary Weiss's unforgettably bratty street-kid vocals and wounded persona, songs like "Leader of the Pack," "I Can Never Go Home Anymore," and "Give Us Your Blessings" flirt with camp, except for the dead-serious tone of her haunted vocals. (The brilliant non-hit "Past, Present and Future" is absolutely frightening.) The too-often-ignored flipside of all this drama-queenery is the trio's string of flirty rockers, particularly "Out in the Streets," "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," and the gloriously giddy "Give Him a Great Big Kiss," the sexiest single of the whole hormone-charged 1960s girl-group era.

With their white go-go boots and mascaraed eyes, pioneering 1960s girl group the Shangri-Las were the first overtly sexual women in rock & roll. These dangerous myrmidons of melodrama sang of guys on motorcycles, walking in the sand, and not being able to go home any more. With producer Shadow Morton, they created some of the most wildly atmospheric records ever made. In 2007, lead singer Marry Weiss teamed up with Memphis garage rockers the Reigning Sound to cut the first solo album of her career.

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