Reprinted from Out in America Suziemuzic / Monday, June 02, 2008

This won't be one of those lengthy reviews that takes you song by song. It is after all just my opinion & I'd rather write an overview of what I think this CD is all about. FERRON & BITCH! Is there a disconnect here?? I think not, & I couldn't be prouder of Bitch for pulling off a magnificent Generation Bender CD! We have Bitch's generation, many of whom haven't really experienced Ferron's music which moved you with her special gift of weaving words. But you probably thought she's just another "girl with guitar" from the early Lesbian music circuit. Then we have Ferron's generation, many of whom have heard of Bitch & seem to have this yin/yang admiration/disgust for her. It seems much like parents have for their teens music. You know, they want to connect & like it; but they can't let go, so it drives them crazy! "She's the one that does that pussy song!" Some can't handle the raw honesty of her words as she weaves her political creations. They don't understand that she calls herself Bitch to reclaim it as a positive; perhaps because they have trouble letting go of what was ingrained in them. Others totally get it & love her! I hope this CD connects the two generations in a way that I think both will find great inspiration in. Will they hear the words, feel it, groove to it, claim it, cherish it, & most importantly pass it on? It's a gift of connections crossing many paths. It's a journey then & now & both together. Sit back & listen! It's raw, hip, spiritual, groovy, plain & very special. From a Ferron song the following definitely applies to her: "I did my best to follow the calling of my soul" & "I've been waiting for you to remember me". Bitch has taken someone who thought no one wanted to hear her anymore & enlisted the talents of many amazing artists to whom Ferron was/is an inspiration. You'll hear them singing backup & playing their instruments as they add special layers to those amazing poetic words of Ferron. What an accomplishment for Bitch to be able to take one of her heroes & put her music out there for the older generations to enjoy again, & for the newer generations to really experience for the 1st time.

Is it still girl with guitar? Yes & no. Many are slow, but Bitch has added some great musical layers to one of the best wordsmiths of our lives. For those of you who aren't familiar with Ferron, her writing has often been described as the Bob Dylan of the lesbian circuit. Pretty lofty honor! But it doesn't stop with her writing as she also has a very cool, deep, sexy voice that sends shivers through your body giving the songs an even deeper connection. The selected songs go back to 1978 up to the present, but they are timeless! I dare say you might not even notice that one of the songs is written by Bitch. Are the generations really that different? Different ways yes, but the talent & creative genius is there in both of them.

There are many talents Bitch asked to contribute to this CD. As I listened I would be thinking " I know that voice" in that song - yes, it's Ani; oh that's gotta be Tina G(from Goddess & She). Yes I know that guitar work; it's Emily Sailers. That electric violin & bass; yes it's Lyndell Montgomery. That's the talented Julie Wolf on piano & accordion. Yes, Amy Ray playing mandolin......plus the fine, fine licks woven in by Bitch on bass, violin, viola, fiddle, cello, & back up vocals. I remember Lyndell telling me she didn't understand why Bitch was asking her to play on It Won't Take Long. After all, she & Bitch play the same instruments. Bitch told her she was stuck & needed a different perspective on the song & it works beautifully.  I love the way the CD starts & ends. My biggest disappointment is Misty Mountain. Not because this version isn't moving because it is, but I long for Ferron's voice singing that old timeless song! Oops, I said I wasn't going to give my opinion! The last song, In The Meantime, has a groovin, wonderful variation of J.D. Sampson's(Le Tigre) beats with Bitch & Tina's voices that leave you wanting more!

Hear them Live performing many of these songs together. They're very funny trading quips. There is a definite respect, admiration, & connection between them; not a oneupwomanship. They are both great artists whose combined talents create a magical CD that hopefully will transcend to their respective generations & beyond. The magic is absolutely there in their live performance! Catch them June 6th at the Stonewall Columbus Pride Kick off festival in their tented parking lot at 1160 N. High St. www.columbuspride.org/weekend. . Then they'll be gracing the main stage at Cleveland's Pride Festival June 21st. www.clevelandpride.org. Don’t pick one or the other; go to both. See them every chance you get. Their live shows are one of the best around!