Take Five: Non-Blondie Tunes Featuring Deborah Harry

As justly acclaimed and admired as she is, vocalist Deborah Harry is far more musically eclectic than casual listeners might recognize. As lead singer and co-leader of Blondie, Harry was a prime exponent of the New York City punk and new wave movement of the late 1970s. Fronting that Grammy-nominated (and 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted) group, Harry scored No. 1 hit singles with “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” “The Tide is High” and “Rapture” before Blondie went on hiatus in 1982.

The band would return (and continues to this day), but before, during and outside of Blondie – and in addition to a solo career – Ms. Harry embarked on a wide array of sessions with other outside-the-mainstream artists, underscoring her adventurous spirit. On the occasion of her recent 80th birthday (July 1) here are five fascinating tracks featuring Deborah Harry.

Wind in the Willows – “Djini Judy” from The Wind in the Willows (1968)
This New York folk rock band made one self-titled album in 1968; band member Harry sang harmony on many tracks, and took the lead on this one. Impresario Artie Kornfeld invited them to play a festival he was helping organize, but the group demurred, deciding they’d “play it next year.” As a result of that decision, Wind in the Willows did not appear at Woodstock. The group folded soon thereafter, with its members going on to other worthy projects.

Ramones – “Chop Suey” from Pleasant Dreams (1981)
After their stylistic detour on 1980’s Phil Spector-produced End of the Century, The Ramones hooked up with pop songwriter and producer Graham Gouldman for Pleasant Dreams. A bonus track appended to that album’s CD reissue was “Chop Suey.” The song was originally cut for the soundtrack of the Alan Arkush film Get Crazy; the alternate version here features Harry on backing vocals, joined by B-52’s singers Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – “Strawberry Fields Forever” from Rey Azúcar (1995)
This popular and influential group from Buenos Aires, Argentina began in 1985, showcasing their inimitable brand of ska-meets-rock with a Latin twist. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs won a Grammy Award in 1998, and earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2000. The band’s seventh long player, 1995’s Platinum-selling Rey Azúcar was produced by Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth and featured a ska reinvention of The Beatles classic “Strawberry Fields Forever,” featuring Deborah Harry on vocals.

The Jazz Passengers – “Don’cha Go Away Mad” from Individually Twisted (1996)
Another NYC outfit – but one quite different than most on this list – The Jazz Passengers are an avant garde collective of jazz players led by trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and Roy Nathanson. The group of playful yet serious dance band musicians has recorded a number of albums enlisting special guests. For their 1996 album the group brought in Deborah Harry – who’d go on to sing on several albums – and Elvis Costello. The two rock legends duet on “Don’cha Go Away Mad.”

John Doe – “Go Baby Go” from The Westerner (2016)
Guitarist and singer John Doe is best known for his work as a member of Los Angeles punk pioneers X, but he has long maintained a fruitful solo career as well. Doe’s work encompasses much more than punk; his 2016 release The Westerner adds an American flavor to the mix. Deborah Harry joined Doe on “Go Baby Go,” a highlight of the well-received album.