In 1963, Ronnie Spector asked the world to be his baby. Sixty years later, her voice still rings true for a new generation of musicians.
Asbury Park group Teen Idol’s Sara Abdelbury covers Spector and The Ronettes’ classic ‘Be My Baby’ on new ‘Fueled by Women: A Charity Compilation’. .
In the early ’60s, Spector set a new tone for female rock singles by being bold, bossy, and not apologizing for her beauty.
“Being from the Middle East myself, I have a lot of respect for all the strong women of color who were frontwomen in the ’60s,” Abdelbury of Spector said. I love it, but when you look at the lyrics, they’re so vulnerable and that’s how I write them.
“I feel like that song had a sonic impact on me, so I wanted to do a completely different version of the song,” said Abdelbury.
Teen Idol’s “Be My Baby” is a wistful, pathetic cry of the heart that warms on a wave of emotion.
Spector, who passed away on January 12th of this year, has a different connection to the city, having toured and recorded with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in the mid-’70s.
As for Abdelberry and the Fueled by Women compilation, it’s designed to bring the region’s women’s voices to the fore. Jersey artists contributing songs include Cynthia Littenbach, Baby Jules, Little Hug, Technopulp, Pamela Flores, bb. Popular indie rock.
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“There are so many talented female artists in Asbury Park, and I wanted to do something to bring that community closer and create a sense of that community,” Abdelbury said. “There aren’t enough shows where the entire lineup is female.”
“Fueled by Women: A Charity Compilation” is available in digital and cassette format. The funds raised will be donated to the Nomi Network and the Reproductive Rights Center to fight human trafficking.
“I’d love to see more events run by women for women, where female songwriters teach little girls how to write songs,” said Abdelberry, who is also the lead guitarist for the urban band Lightheaded. She said, “Sometimes when a girl is learning music, she feels like she has to compete with the boys to have her voice heard.”
For more information, visit fueledbywomencompilation.bandcamp.com.
low cut coney in town
What Low Cut Connie’s Adam Weiner does to the piano has to be seen to be believed.
Now fans of Asbury Park have two chances to see what happens over the next few days when Low Cut Connie performs at the City’s Stone Ponies on Friday, December 16th. The Rachel Anna Dobken Band will open for it. She is her AP her mover and shaker who will be releasing her new album soon.
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Connie and Dobken’s show has been moved from December 15th to 16th. All tickets are valid.
The Cherry Hill native will return for a Tough Cookies podcast broadcast about his performance on Thursday, Dec. 22 at the Transparent Clinch Gallery, two blocks from Pony, with special guest Tommy Stinson. For more information, visit lowcutconnie.com/toughcookies/.
go: Low Cut Connie with Rachel Anna Dobken Band, Friday, December 16, 7pm, Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, $20 prepaid/$25 door. stoneponyonline.com.
Extravaganza is back
Who Introduced Extravaganza to Christmas?
So was Glen Bartnick. Burtnik’s 30-plus-year-long Xmas Xtravaganza announced Friday, Dec. 16, to Vogel at Red Bank’s Count Basie Center of the Performing Arts for a one-year hiatus and his COVID-19 years for the show’s namesake. I’ll be back after Reduced to “Glen Burtnik’s Xmas” and “Glen Burtnik’s Socially Distance Xmas”.
If you’re lucky, look out for tons of surprises, guest stars, and seasonal thrills. Tickets were sold out when they went on sale in early November.
Proceeds raised will go to Fulfill, formerly the food bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
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A native of the Jersey Shore, Chris Jordan handles entertainment and features for USA Today Network New Jersey. Please contact @chrisfhjordan. cjordan@app.com.