Episode 370. Lesbian Concentrate and Beyond
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Continuing the Countermelody show of Pride for this month’s LGBTQ+ celebrations, I take a look back at the Women’s Music Movement of the mid-1970s as reflected in the 1977 Olivia Records release Lesbian Concetrate: A Lesbianthology of Songs and Poems. I present the album in its entirety, as well as providing some historical context for the release: on the history of Olivia Records as an offshoot of some earlier lesbian separatist groups; as well as the cruel and hateful legacy of Anita Bryant, who, with a swift collective kick to her rear, has recently descended to hell. Bryant coined language in her 1976 “Save Our Children” initiative in Dade Country, Florida. Such language continues to be used by ultra-right-wing Christian nationalists to this day. On a more positive note, there is some phenomenal talent and music to be heard here, including Linda Tillery, Meg Christian, Cris Williamson, Gwen Avery, Teresa Trull, and Mary Watkins. I describe and celebrate the legacies of each of the singers, bands, and poets heard on this release, all of which have increased resonance both politically and musically in this frought world of 2025.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Carole King, Gerry Goffin: Lady. Meg Christian [1974]
Mary Watkins: Don’t Pray for Me. Linda Tillery [with Diane Lindsay, Mary Watkins, Gwen Avery, Teresa Trull]
Meg Christian, Holly Near: Nina [live, Women on Wheels, VI.77]. Meg Christian [with Mary Watkins, Holly Near, Teresa Trull]
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey: Prove It on Me Blues. Teresa Trull, Mary Watkins
Cris Williamson, Jennifer Wysong: Sweet Woman. Cris Williamson [with Jacqueline Furman, Jacqueline Robbins, Meg Christian, Martie Adam, Martha Kimbie, Sherry McCall, Ima Templeton, Lee Morgan, Ellen, Madelyn MacKenzie, Novi]
Judy Grahn: A History of Lesbianism. Judy Grahn
Debbie Lempke: Gay and Proud. Berkeley Women’s Music Collective [Nancy Henderson, Susann Shanbaum, Nancy Vogl, Jake Lampert, Debbie Lempke]
Sue Fink, Joelyn Grippo: Leaping Lesbians. Sue Fink, the Los Angeles Women’s Community Chorus
Gwen Avery: Sugar Mama. Gwen Avery
Virginia Rubino, Gioia Siciliano: Kahlua Mama. BeBe K’Roche [Virginia Rubino, Jerene O’Brien, Peggy Mitchell, Jake Lambert, Matu Feliciano, Linda Tillery]
Mary Watkins: No Hiding Place. Mary Watkins [with Linda Tillery, Diane Lindsay, Meg Christian, Holly Near, Teresa Trull]
Pat Parker: For the Straight Folks Who Don’t Mind Gays But Wish They Weren’t So Blatant. Pat Parker
Meg Christian: Ode to a Gym Teacher [from I Know You Know]. Meg Christian
Teresa Trull: Women Loving Women [from The Ways a Woman Can Be]. Teresa Trull [with Mary Watkins, June Millinton Diane Lindsay, Sandy Ramsey and Chorus (Ginny Berson, Robin Brooks, Liz Brown, Kathy Davila, Judy Dlugacz, Amy Horowitz, June Millington, Sandra Lesbian Ramsey, Frances Reid, Sally Savitz, Liz Stevens, Sandy Stone, Kate Winter)]