Garage Sale Vinyl: Genya Ravan
Urban Desire / 20th Century Fox / 1978
by Christopher Long
For female rock artists, she defined the term “trailblazer” way before that was even an acknowledged thing. Truth be told, while the 1979 film The Rose has long been thought to be based on Janis Joplin’s story, except for the life-ending rock star overdose bit, the movie actually borrowed as much from Genya Ravan’s story as Joplin’s.
In the early ’60s, Ravan fronted Goldie & the Gingerbreads, the all-girl group that toured with The Stones. By the late ’60s, she was the ringleader of the otherwise male-dominated jazz / rock fusion band, Ten Wheel Drive. Along the way, Ravan also developed private, personal relationships with the likes of Mick Jagger and Van Morrison.
The mid-‘70s found Ravan establishing herself as one of the first major league female music producers, overseeing records from such artists as pioneering punk combo Dead Boys and R&B / pop siren Ronnie Spector. During that time, she also released a pair of acclaimed solo records, including one of my all-time favorites, the 1978 bruiser, Urban Desire.
Shamefully, I didn’t become familiar with the New York-based music legend until the release of her 2004 memoir, Lollipop Lounge. In short order, I began a diligent pursuit of her records. In late 2004, I acquired a CD copy of Urban Desire from an online indie retailer. I also spotted and snatched up a pre-loved vinyl copy at a local joint for just $8.
Despite Ravan’s rep for being associated with the burgeoning NYC punk and new wave scenes of the day, Urban Desire was a straight-up rock record. Among the many standouts, the steamy back alley romp with Lou Reed, “Aye Co’lorado” and the whiskey-soaked, piano-twinkling ballad “The Sweetest One” were among the tallest. However, the raucous, guitar-fueled opener “Jerry’s Pigeons” was the most bottom-blistering of the bunch.
Over the years, I’ve purchased Urban Desire FOUR times: one CD, two secondhand LPs, and a shiny new, fairly recent vinyl reissue. And in a time when there are fewer and fewer authentic rock records being made, Urban Desire, remains one of my frequent go-tos when I really gotta scratch that itch!
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Urban Desire Track List
SIDE ONE
1. Jerry’s Pigeons (G. Ravan, C. Giordano, Cola) – 4:08
2. The Knight Ain’t Long Enough (J. Droukas) – 3:47
3. Do it Just For Me (W. Liberty) – 3:56
4. Shot in the Heart (S. Daye) – 2:48
5. Aye Co’lorado [w/ Lou Reed] (G. Ravan, C. Giordano) – 2:58
6. Back in My Arms Again (Holland, Dozier, Holland) – 4:38
SIDE TWO
1. Cornered (S. Daye) – 4:11
2. The Sweetest One (J. Droukas) – 3:01
3. Darling, I Need You (J. Cale) – 3:37
4. Messin’ Around (G. Ravan, C. Taylor, Oplach) – 3:33
5. Shadowboxing (J. Droukas) – 7:03
