We enter the dog days of summer. These long, luxuriant days are ruled by Leo, the sign that rules the sun and the heart. So I dive into the heart of the matter, what’s better than a radiant lady of the stage?

Fixed Fire lights up the stage with an extended romp with some of my favorite Divas. Surprisingly, for all that firm flame, in the present they aren’t as well known as they should be. For every Jackie DeShannon and Darlene Love track, there’s equitable representation from forgotten Leonine greats like Timi Yuro, Barbara Jean English and Maxine Brown.

I’ve got quite a spectrum of women attached to Soul Music, Jazz and Pop that commanded the stage like no other with Mid-Century Megawattage.

Have you ever told a Leo to stop being a stage hog? Then you’ll understand why there’s 42 tracks, focusing on some core voices known and not so known as we languidly love before we get back to Virgoan tasks at the end of August.

1. Barbara Jean English (8/22/46) & The Fashions – We Need Them (1962)
2. Timi Yuro (8/4/40) – If I Never Get To Love You (1963)
3. The Chiffons (Lead Singer Judy Craig was born 8/6/46) – Easy To Love (So Hard To Get) (1964)
4. Eydie Gorme (8/16/28) – I Want To Meet My Baby (1964)

5. 

   The Velvelettes (Lead Singer Carolyn Gill was born 8/10/47) – You Can’t Get Away (1964)

6. The Marvelettes (Co-Lead Singer Wanda Young was Born 8/10/43) – Twistin’ The Night Away (1962)
7. The Ronettes (Lead Singer Ronnie Spector was born 8/10/43) – Silhouettes (1962)
8. The Shirelles (Member Beverly Lee, lead on this track, was born 8/3/41) – You Don’t Want My Love (1961)
9. Lorez Alexandria (8/14/29) – Baltimore Oriole (1963)
10. Barbara Mason (8/9/47) – Trouble Child (1964)
11. Abbey Lincoln (8/6/30) – Brother, Where Are You? (1959)
12. Maxine Brown (8/18/39) – My Time For Cryin’ (1962)
13. The Shirelles (Member Doris Coley, lead on this track, was born 8/2/41) – I Saw A Tear (1960)
14. Jackie DeShannon (8/21/41) – Just Like In The Movies (1962)
15. Eydie Gorme – The Moon & The Stars & A Little Bit Of Wine (1964)
16. Pat Thomas – (7/31/1938) – The Long Long Night (1964)
17. Darlene Love – (7/26/41) – He’s A Quiet Guy (1964)
18. Jackie DeShannon – Be Good Baby (1964)
19. Ketty Lester (8/16/34) – Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid (1964)

    

20. The Marvelettes (Wanda Young) – I Should Have Known Better (1964)
21. Clydie King (8/21/43) – If You Were A Man (1965)
22. Barbara Mason – Keep Him (1965)
23. Patti Austin (8/10/50) – Leave A Little Love (1966)
24. Maxine Brown – I Wonder What My Baby’s Doing Tonight (1965)
25. Barbara Jean English – You’ve Got Me Sitting In A Corner (1965)
26. The Toys (Lead Singer Barbara Harris was born 8/18/45) – What’s Wrong With Me Baby? (1966)
27. The Velvelettes (Carolyn Gill) – Save Me (My Ship Of Love Is Sinkin’) (1965)
28. Ketty Lester – Nice & Easy (1966)
29. Madeline Bell (7/23/42) – Help Yourself To All Of My Lovin’ (1968)
30. The Ronettes (Ronnie Spector) – You Came, You Saw, You Conquered (1969)
31. Clydie King – ‘Bout Love (1971)
32. The Marvelettes (Wanda Young) – The Stranger (1968)
33. Bobbie Gentry (7/27/44) – Fancy (1969)
34. Timi Yuro – It’ll Never Be Over For Me (1968)
35. The Toys (Barbara Harris) – Try To Get You Out Of My Heart (1968)
36. Lorez Alexandria – I’m Wishin’ (1968)

    

37. Rita Wright (Syreeta, Born 8/3/46) – I Can’t Give Back The Love I Feel For You
38. Maxine Brown – Seems You’ve Forsaken My Love (1968)
39. The Blossoms (Darlene Love) – Break Your Promise (1970)
40. Madeline Bell – Didn’t Wanna Have To Do It (1967)
41. Damita Jo (8/5/30) – That Special Way (1966)
42. The Chiffons (Judy Craig) – See You In September (1963)