Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Girls! Girls! Girls! (An Occasional Series)

From the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1979, please enjoy Ellen Foley and her authoritative cover of The Rolling Stones' puckish satire of contemporary mores "Stupid Girl."



The studio version of this was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson, BTW.

I gotta say that, having never been a fan of anything remotely connected with the gentleman the New York Times refers to as "Mr. Loaf," I never paid particular attention to Foley except for when she was on TV's Night Court. But I also gotta say that this is freaking great.

[h/t LG]

10 comments:

Blue Ash Fan said...

The album this is from is brilliant. I highly recommend it. "Night Out," that is.

buzzbabyjesus said...

Her 1981 album, "Spirit Of St. Louis" was produced by Mick Jones of The Clash, and credited as "My Boyfriend". The Clash is the backing band and almost all the songs are written by Strummer-Jones.
Here is "Torchlight" from that album:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxtYHgVSn1k

FD13NYC said...

Good looks, good voice, good song. It all fits.

James Lynch III said...

She's still playing around NYC, and still great... has a band with my friend Paul Foglino... great lady, probably has some great stories to tell, judging by these other comments!

buzzbabyjesus said...

I saw her singing backup with Hunter- Ronson at the Santa Monica Civic while they toured "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic". I was pretty close to the stage and saw a funny moment, when Ellen was about to miss her cue. Ronno goosed her with the headstock of his guitar just in time for her to make it to the mic.

Blue Ash Fan said...

Not to be too sexist or anything, but as for the front and back cover art for "Night Out," well, let me just say, if you're a leg man, you won't be disappointed. I once saw "Night Out" described as a "minor classic." Yeah, I get that.

And I don't hold the odious "Night Court" against her. Just love that album too damn much.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Of course, she also had a bit part in the movie "Hair" singing "Black Boys"

Hannes A. Jónsson said...

She also did a pretty good cover of Timi Yuro's "What's the Matter Baby". And she can be (clearly) heard on The Clash's Motown tribute "Hitsville U.K.", arguably one of the highlights from "Sandinista".

Jerry Lee said...

According to Wikipedia, she was also in the Scorcese movie "The King Of Comedy". Her role was "Street scum".

Alzo said...

Ellen Foley's 'Spirit of St. Louis' is THE GREAT LOST CLASH ALBUM! And I believe it was a Stereo Review Record of the Month.