Various Artists Girls With Guitars Know Why!

A collection of guitar-wielding all-girl bands, drop-dead female frat rock, garage girls and axe-centric she-pop from the 60s. 14 hot nuggets, each one hand-picked with vinyl lovers in mind. Features a bevy of genuine all-girl bands - namely Goldie & the Gingerbreads from the environs of New York; the Debutantes from Detroit; Florida's the Belles; the Rums & Coke and Girls Take Over, both from Wisconsin; and Ace favourites She from California, all of whom give their male counterparts a good run for their money. The Belles, incidentally, released only one record - a killer rendition of Them's 'Gloria', gender-switched as 'Melvin' - before drifting apart, never dreaming that copies of the disc would one day change hands for $500 a pop. Some of the other girls receive help from male colleagues. Glenda Collins, for example, is backed by producer Joe Meek's favoured house band the Outlaws featuring guitarist Richie Blackmore; Merseyside ex-pat Sandy Edmonds is accompanied by the Pleazers, New Zealand's answer to the Pretty Things; and teenage trio the Chymes are supported by the Turtles. Pressed on 180g transparent violet vinyl, with a swanky inner bag sporting a fact-filled 4,000-word track commentary and an array of rare photos. Compilation and note by Mick Patrick.