Girlschool – Reissues – CD Reviews

June 17th is the release date for 2 Girlschool album re-issues & available here.  Nightmare at Maple Cross along with Take a Bite.

Both albums are good in their own right & for those of you who are just discovering the band are a worthy purchase & both feature an expanded booklet with new liner notes written by Malcolm Dome.

Nightmare at Maple Cross is the harder sounding album as opposed to the slightly more polished Take A Bite & this is down to the producer of the albums in fairness.

Vic Maille (Motorhead & Hawkwind producer) was brought back on board to produce Nightmare so it has a much grittier & dirtier feel.

The cover of Mud‘s Tiger Feet shows that the girls not only have a sense of humor but also a glam rock influence.

This album also features Girlschool as a 5 piece band after losing founder member Kelly Johnson, Jackie Bodimead was brought in for vocal duty.

Track Listing:
1. ALL DAY ALL NIGHT
2. PLAY WITH FIRE
3. DANGER SIGN
4. NEVER TOO LATE
5. TIGER FEET
6. BACK FOR MORE
7. LET’S GO CRAZY
8. YOU’VE GOT ME (UNDER YOUR SPELL)
9. LET’S BREAK OUT
10. TURN IT UP

Score 7.5/10

After completing “Nightmare At Maple Cross” in 1986, bassist Gil Weston-Jones left the band. Her replacement was an inspired choice in Rock Goddess bass guitarist Tracey Lamb, joining Cris Bonacci on lead guitar and founder members Kim McAuliffe on vocals / rhythm guitar and Denise Dufort on drums.

Not only does this album feature a brief return from founder Girlschool member Enid Williams, providing backing vocals on ‘This Time’, but also features FM’s Merv Goldsworthy & Pete Jupp, who sing backing vocals on the self-explanatory ‘Girls on Top’

Producer Andre Jacquemin ( known for his work on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Life of Brian & A Fish Called Wanda) was brought into produce the album which gives it it’s more polished sound

Once again showing their humor The Sweets Fox On The Run was covered.

Track Listing:
1. ACTION
2. FOX ON THE RUN
3. GIRLS ON TOP
4. TEAR IT UP
5. LOVE AT FIRST BITE
6. HEAD OVER HEELS
7. UP ALL NIGHT
8. THIS TIME
9. DON’T WALK AWAY
10. TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Score 7/10