8.8.18

"Count on Me" by Julie Grant (1994)


Delicious slice of early 1960s pop from a singer who somehow faded in obscurity, although she was as good as anybody around. The first time I heard wonderful Julie Grant was on some 1960s compilation, probably "Here Come The Girls" where she rubbed shoulders with likes of Sandie Shaw and such, it intrigued me enough to look everywhere for this compilation that collects all her recordings for Pye Records so we are talking about years 1962-65, roughly the years of British invasion. Grant was just a teenager back than, only sixteen at the time of her first single and producers obviously wanted to follow in the successful footsteps of another deep-voiced teenager Helen Shapiro - however, the lighting didn't struck twice or perhaps the gimmick was too obvious, in any case Grant was every inch good as Shapiro but with less luck on the charts.

"Up On The Roof" and "That's How Heartaches Are Made" are obvious highlights here amongst bunch of uptempo 1960s numbers and while its true that due to her youth Grant probably didn't have much choice in selection of material, there are some genuinely delightful songs here like "Baby Baby (I Still Love You)" or "Watch What You Do With My Baby" that show how music inspiration floated between both sides of Atlantic - if anything, Grant is often more convincing than original versions. Allegedly her contract with Pye Records eventually expired and overworked (and probably disillusioned) singer passed over the offer to introduce new song by Tony Hatch called "Downtown" and continued performing in places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. If you like classic girl-group sound, this one is for you. She might not have big hits but I guarantee that Julie Grant was one of the best female singers of her time. 




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