Various - Don't Let Him Hurt You: Girl Group Sounds USA 1962-1968

     From Ace Records’ early days, there’s always been a place in our hearts for music’s feminine side. A year having flown by since the release of our last compilation spotlighting the US girl group sound of the 60s – think castanets, anguished teen sirens, Svengali-esque producers and mini-sonatas about dreaming, dancing and moody boyfriends (sometimes deceased) – means the time has come for a new vinyl-only volume.
     As 1968 drew to a close, the golden age of girl groups had seemingly been and gone: the Shangri-Las, Ronettes and Chiffons, for example, hadn’t had a hit record of note since 1966. Then along came ‘Condition Red’, a cleverly produced psychodrama performed by the Goodees, who grace the front cover and open the top side of this new comp in dramatic style. Over on the generally more soulful second side, Les Chansonettes are first up with ‘Don’t Let Him Hurt You’, a big production stomper written with Martha & the Vandellas in mind. 
     Elsewhere, Beverly Williams performs the very Lesley Gore-like ‘One Way Street’; ‘Go Away’ by the Murmaids (of ’66) is a lavishly produced number with a chamber pop vibe; ‘What Did You Do Last Night’ by the Drake Sisters was recorded in Phase-O-Phonic Sound; the lyrics of Denita James’ ‘Wild Side’ call to mind genre classics such as ‘He’s A Rebel’, ‘Out In The Streets’ and ‘Chico’s Girl’; and the Sweathearts close the show with a gorgeous harmony-filled update of the mid-50s oldie ‘Eddie My Love’. As usual in this series, the inner sleeve features a picture-packed 4,000-word track commentary by long-serving compiler Mick Patrick.

Condition Red - The Goodees
Go Away - The Murmaids
Where Is The Boy Tonight - The Charmaines
One Way Street - Beverly Williams
What Did You Do Last Night - The Drake Sisters
Forget Where I Live - The Half-Sisters
He Told Me He Loved Me - Miss Cathy Brasher
Don't Let Him Hurt You - Les Chansonettes
He's A Lover - Tutti Hill
Anything Worth Having (Is Well Worth Waitin' For) - Joan Moody
I'll Come Running Over - 2 Of Clubs
Hey Boy - The D.C. Blossoms
Wild Side - Denita James
Eddie My Love - The Sweethearts