Album Reviews

Josie Cotton, best known for her “controversial” 1980 song “Johnny Are You Queer” that turned into a minor international phenomenon while outraging evangelical types and has a back story worthy of a mini-novel, returns with a high low-concept album. You can search the internet for the backstory and watch her perform the song on YouTube.

Invasion of the B-Girls playlists reworked cult movie theme songs sung by Cotton and all you need to know about the vibe if you’re not familiar with KROQ-FM, Pasadena California circa late ‘70s-mid ‘80s is that the notes were written with obvious love by none other than film director John Waters, who knows a thing or a hundred about kitschy cult movies.

L.A. punk scene producer Geza Gedeon (a/k/a Geza X), who produced Dead Kennedys, The Germs, Black Flag and other seminal west coast punk bands helms the set recorded at Cotton’s City Lab Studios in L.A. While this is in many ways a “novelty” disc, the production is complex. Not surprising since the artist owns the facility and can take her time!

Where else can you hear the theme from the obscure (to me at least) Japanese horror film “The Green Slime,” followed by the title tune of Russ Meyer’s “Valley of The Dolls” originally performed elevator music style by The Sandpipers? No place, I bet. Stu Phillips co wrote it with a guy names Bob Stone. I’m sure it’s the same Stu Phillips who brought us The Beatles kitschily interpreted/exploited by The Hollyridge Strings.

The production on “Valley…” is particularly impressive and indicative of Cotton’s goal, which was to honor not lay waste to the low grade movies out of which these tunes sprung.

“Who Killed Teddy Bear,” (from the film of the same name), written by Al Kasha and Bob Gaudio of Four Seasons fame (also writer of The Royal Teens’ hit “Short Shorts”) has a neat Bacharach/David vibe. Kasha with partner Joel Hirschhorn wrote Oscar winning tunes for “The Poseidon Adventure” and “The Towering Inferno,” so these guys have their feet (and some Oscars) firmly planted in the kitsch/schlock camp!

Theme from “Black Klansman?” It’s here. “Girl in Gold Boots?” Here too as is “Goodbye Godzilla” from the film “The Return of Godzilla.” Cotton does a good job singing in Japanese “Shiawaseo Yobou (Let’s Try to Be Happy)” from “Ghidra The Three-Headed Monster.”

The set opens with “Maneaters (Get Off the Road)” from “She Devils on Wheels,” and closes with the same song remixed by Ursula 1000. The opener sounds like something that could have come from a B-52s album.

The smart production harkens back to the bygone era in Los Angeles when there were recording tape supply stores on Sunset Blvd., messengers running around town with rough mixes and acetates and a vibrant studio scene.

The credits are sprinkled with ‘70s and ‘80’s music scene luminaries in addition to the producer who also plays lead guitar and some rhythm too and with special thanks given to Waters, Russ Meyer, Tequila Mockingbird, Undead Film Critic among others, the album’s bona fides are assured.

While you’re not likely to sit and ponder this, put it in your party mix and it’s sure to be appreciated—at least by the film cognoscenti in your crowd. Nice triple gatefold packaging too.