Lambda Publications

Oct. 1, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What do country, folk, rock, rockabilly, blues, punk, disco, power pop, electronica, jazz, celtic, choral, alternative rock and big band music have in common? All these genres and more are featured on a new double­CD collection, High Risk, available from Chicago´s Outlines newspaper, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the non­profit Lesbian Community Cancer Project.

Thirty­seven singers and bands, either currently based in Chicago, or formerly from the Windy City, help document the early rise of the lesbian music movement in the city, from Ginni Clemmens and Linda Shear in the 1970s to one of Chicago´s first out­lesbian bands, Surrender Dorothy, in the 1980s, to nationally recognized musician Patricia Barber of the 1990s.

The CDs, priced at $20 retail, will be available in Chicago area stores starting Oct. 15. They are also available by mail, for $20, plus $4 shipping, to Music Project, Outlines, 1115 W. Belmont, Suite 2­D, Chicago, IL 60657.

The range of styles and sounds on High Risk is truly amazing, from Michal Brody´s a capella "The Old Woman Song," to Jorjet Harper´s haunting "Paris Was Yesterday" tribute to lesbian foremothers, to Godiva´s cover of Carole King´s "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman."

Disk A includes many of Chicago´s favorite lesbian singer­songwriters, from Betsy Godwin, Diana Laffey, Joanne Swanson, Paula Walowitz and Paula Berg to Anne­Marie Akin, Minna Bromberg, Valerie James, Linda Smith, Debe Welch and Angie Mead. The first side also includes Chicago´s only lesbian­feminist choral group, Artemis Singers, performing "Good Night Walt Whitman," and the band Mollycoddle performing "Adrift."

Disk B starts with Patricia Barber, Ripley Caine, Kimi Hayes and Patty Ortega, and picks up rocking speed with Ellen Rosner, Patty "Elvis" Manning, Stewed Tomatoes, Evil Beaver and The Prescriptions. Pal, Three Dollar Bill, and Mocktet featuring Laurie Lee Moses are up next on Disk B, followed by Pulsation, Skratch and the Boobettes doing a cover of "Takes My Breath Away" by Claire Hammill, Lynne Mandarino, Great Dane, State of Collision and Big Hello. A reprise of Brody´s "Old Woman" song completes the second disk.

The beautiful, 4­color cover design for High Risk was created by Carol Forsythe Design in Chicago. The inside cover panel was designed by Chicago artist Juarez Hawkins.

A series of CD release parties are scheduled for the Chicago and suburban area. The first kick­off party, featuring five acts from the CD, will be Friday, Oct. 15, 10 p.m. at Temptations. Performers include: Pal, Stewed Tomatoes, Ripley Caine, Diana Laffey and Lynne Mandarino. Cost is $8, and CDs will be available that night for a special $18 cost. The event is sponsored by AlizŽ, and this is an opportunity for people to get their CDs signed by artists on the recording. Temptations is at 10235 W. Grand Ave., Franklin Park (for directions, 847­ 455­ 0008).

Outlines newspaper conceived of producing a compilation of lesbian Chicago music one year ago, as a fundraiser for LCCP, as well as a way to document the rich history of women´s music in the city. A call went out to local musicians¯and more than five dozen entries were received. A variety of volunteers helped host "listening parties" to sift through the materials. Once the final roster of songs was selected, producer Martie Marro (of MaterVille Studios and the band Stewed Tomatoes) was instrumental in taking the project to the next level. Many of the musicians needed to re­record their work, and Marro worked with every artist to make sure to create the best selections and sounds for the CD project.

In addition to Outlines newspaper, the CD Project is also sponsored by Tower Records, Temptations nightclub, and Curve Magazine.

Outlines is a weekly newspaper for the gay and lesbian community, serving the city and suburbs since 1987. Lambda Publications, which publishes Outlines, also publishes Nightlines, BLACKlines, En La Vida, Clout!, OUT! Guide and Taste. Outlines newspaper was recently awarded 13 Vice Versa Awards¯a contest featuring the largest participation by gay and lesbian media in the U.S., with more than 1000 entries. The 13 awards Outlines won made it the most honored gay paper in the U.S.

Lesbian Community Cancer Project promotes lesbian health, with a focus on cancer­related issues. LCCP provides support, information, education, advocacy, and direct services to lesbian and non­lesbian women and their families of choice. Free services include support groups, one­on­one "buddy" support, practical support services, gynecological care, mammograms, spa visits/massage, a resource library, and smoking cessation workshops. For LCCP information, call (773) 561­ 4662, or visit their web page at www.lccp.org

If you have additional questions please contact Tracy Baim, Publisher and Managing Editor, Lambda Publications, (773) 871­ 7610. Or contact Kathleen Ulm, Marketing Director, (773) 871­ 7610.
For an e­mail version of this release, send request to outlines@suba.com
Please FAX review copy requests to: (773) 871­ 7609, Attention: Music review.
Individual artist photos and CD artwork are available upon request.

Outlines newspaper, Nightlines Weekly, BLACKLines, En La Vida, Clout! Business Report, OUT! Guide,Taste Guid ­ Publisher, Tracy Baim (773) 871­ 7610, FAX (773)871­ 7609, Lambda Pub.1115 W. Belmont, Suite 2-D, Chicago, IL 60657 outlines@suba.com World Wide Web: www.outlineschicago.com

Liner Notes