Beebe Gallini is:
Miss Georgia Peach—-Lead Vocals, Guitar
Amy Larson Pearson – Bass, Backing Vocals
Travis Ramin – Drums
*Mike Bennett – Lead Guitar in Live Band
Guest Artists:
Keith Patterson – Lead Guitar on “Run, Run, Run,” “Why,” “I Believe”
Melanie Vammen – Keyboards on “I Believe”
Russel Quan – Lead Vocals on “Cry Girl”
This was fairly new territory for me, as I was previously unaware of Beebe Gallini, although we have reviewed an album by Miss.Georgia Peach here at the magazine previously, and I’m always interested in what is going on over the pond!
I am including my press release information here so any casual reader can get up to speed as I did!
Beebe Gallini is a modern garage rock band out of St. Paul, MN, releasing their second album: “Begged, Borrowed and Stealed!”
For this record, the band headed to the legendary Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis, a place rich in musical history, where everything from The Trashmen’s legendary “Surfin Bird” to all of Soma Records’ Big Hits Of Mid America were recorded. Beebe Gallini has always mixed should-a-been hit covers from the garage rock era with original songs for shows and recordings. Drummer and producer Travis Ramin booked the historic room at Kay Bank Studios – now part of Creation Audio – and legendary sound engineer Tom Herbers and invited some friends to sit in on the recordings. Keith Patterson (The Funseekers, The Spectors), Melanie Vammen (The Pandoras, The Coolies) and Russell Quan (The Mummies) joined the band for a historic set of sessions.
After recording Minnesota garage rock classics “Run, Run, Run” by The Gestures, “Why” by The Accents, “I Believe” by The High Spirits and The Kan-Dels’ raucous “Cry Girl,” the band decided to expand the project into the full-length party album “Begged, Borrowed and Stealed!” The finished record, pressed in vinyl by Soundflat Records, adds tunes from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, Otis Redding, and others, as well as “Hey Honey,” an original song from bassist Amy Larson Pearson. Recording in the sacred space made for a special rock and roll album, which was paired with original artwork by Cliff Mott. So get your party started with a little dose of Minnesota Garage Rock and Soul!
My review:
The album has 11 songs and runs to just under 31 minutes.
As a little bit of extra side information from me, garage rock was an early 1960s form of punk that flourished in the US; it traditionally runs with basic chords, energy and a raw sound. I will see what awaits in 2025!
The album was released on May 23 so is available on all platforms now.
“Run, Run, Run” has a solid drum sound that neatly took me back to the sixties and the heady days of the youth culture of the time. The vocals of Georgia Peach do a great job and the track sets up the album nicely with this rendition of The Gestures number.
“Hold Tight” had an intro section that made me think of Tom Robinson Band “2-4-6-8 Motorway,” which may well have been influenced by the original track of “Hold Tight” by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (1966). This original song was something of a classic of its time and remains fresh with this version that gives it all!
“Something You Got” is a reworking of Wilson Pickett’s (1966) track. The original was more laid-back; this one has a greater urgency. The guitar breaks are fun, and the whole feeling of the album is of a band enjoying the music and playing with some favorite parts of their music heritage.
“Why?” is a reimagining of The Accents track (written by Lonnie Mack). This is a very fine vocal performance; it brings soul and emotion to the delivery and manages to really connect. I felt the connection between singer and lyric; it was a fine, emotive delivery, almost a touch of Eartha Kitt in places, and I love Eartha Kitt.
“I Believe” had the possible misfortune to follow “Why?” I was still too impressed by that. This track introduces some keyboards and some background singers that help it along. It was fine in its own way.
“Cry Girl” has Russel Quan on lead vocals for this The Kan-Dels’ revisit and it brings in an early garage feel to the vocal, very rough and ready in sound and delivery, this one. It was well enough done but out of step a little with the general feel of the album.
“Beg, Borrow and Steal” is the title track for the album. It delivers a clap-along style of delivery with some sixties-style guitar breaks. There is a form of a sing-along stripped-down sound.
“Hey Honey” is the original track for the album but was very much written to fit within the choices of tracks for the album. It is an energetic garage/pop-style delivery.
“Kvar I Min Bil” brings back a bit of stomping Drum and bass sound. It has a solid groove to it, the most straightforward dance number on the album. For sure, get on the dance floor with this one. I liked it, my second favorite on the album so far due to that beat – you have to move to it!
“That’s How Strong My Love Is” slows it down a bit and introduces some sway. It is the ballad for a late night on the dance floor when a small number of couples remain. It has a decent vocal kick with the chorus. It was an Otis Redding number that is given a very decent rework here. I was very pleased to listen to it again.
“Rowed Out” closes the album; it was done by The Eyes in 2006. It rocks away to close matters, but before doing the summary for the album, I went back to listen to “Why?” again.
Standout Tracks: “Why?” and “Kvar I Min Bil”
In summary: Beebe Gallini may be looking back, but they’re charging forward with fuzzed-up heart and garage soul. Whether you’re a crate-digging connoisseur or a newcomer to the scene, Beg, Borrow and Steal delivers a loving, lo-fi jolt of retro electricity.
We hope you enjoyed reading the review. Please do check out some of our features while you are here. As a finishing point, to keep us improving the magazine, we really do need your support, and if you can go to the ‘Support us’ button and buy us a coffee, it helps us feel appreciated and keep improving the magazine.
Artist website here
Stream music from Beebe Gallini here
By: Stevie Ritson
