Welcome to The Pleasuredome

I was not very familiar with Frankie Goes to Hollywood other than the usual songs, Two Tribes and the ever popular Relax.  So imagine my amazement when I finally listen to their first album Welcome To the Pleasuredome. Not only did they have the notable hits as the a fore mentioned, but there were also covers!  3 to be exact if I'm not mistaken "quickly looks at song list"  Yes there are 3.  That I know of any way, there could be more but I don't recognize any of them.  I'm sure someone will set me straight on that later.

War-excellent version and arrangement, really like that narrative in the background.
Born to Run-Wow! gutsy choice of songs to cover, I really think I like this version more than the Boss's
San Jose-Okay not sure why it was chosen, but it is one of my favorite Bossa nova type songs.  They even kept the same feel to it which was quite nice.

At first when I listened to the album, I was really dead set against the title track Welcome To The Pleasuredome, mainly because its like 15 mins long.  But truthfully in hindsight, if you listen to it in it's entirety, it goes by pretty quickly, kind of like an ambiance new age kind of song..like Enya without the chanting.  Oh wait, I think there was a little chanting..

All in all I really enjoyed listening to the album.  Holly Johnson and the guys are high octane at its finest and it's displayed in their songs.  I hope if you haven't already, you get an opportunity to give this gem a listen.

Oh, and one more thing.  If you can, check out the artwork inside the liner notes, very creative.  I especially like the quote about Andy Warhol.

Ciao For Now...xx

New Tunes-Visage by Visage

Well honestly I don't know what to say.  Had I not already have heard Fade to Grey I would not have known this was Visage.  Which means as you may have guessed, nothing else on the album sounds like it.  Not that I was hoping it would, but some part of me really want to hear some more of that sultry French murmuring in the back ground on perhaps another song?  I know I'm not the only one, come on now, don't leave me hanging here....Anyone? Anyone?..

So which songs did I like?  I like Tar, that song to me is candy for your ears, not so much the lyrics but all of the sounds and rhythms that were produced to create it..very cool.  Same with Malapaso Man, lots of percussion, I love percussion!  Steps was very good as well, short, sweet and to the point.  I like that too. As a matter of fact if you blink you might miss the whole album, the majority of the songs are only 3-4 minutes long and there are only ten of them. 

The jury is still out on how I feel about the album as a whole.   I don't hate it, but it's not quite what I thought it was going to be.  I will give it a few more listens and let some of the other songs grow on me, like "Moon Over Moscow" and "Blocks on Blocks"  A lot of theses songs are reminiscent of  some of John Foxx's stuff  which I do like very much.

I will say however I am glad to have in in my 80s Music Library as it was a long time coming.  Who knows I might even have some one to thank for that.  After all Limahl recently referenced Visage in his song 1983. But seeing as I cannot tell a lie, I had already purchased it before I heard the song :) (Yay! I'm psychic!)  What can I say, there was a lot of Steve Strange buzz going around Twitter at the time, I just jumped into the vortex and ran with it ;)  Next on the list of albums to blog?  Frankie Goes To Hollywood-Welcome to The PleasureDome very excited about that one.  Ciao For Now!

In closing, I will thank Limahl for giving a shout out to Visage and several other bands that were cresting the 80s New Wave Era, everyone likes to be appreciated every now and then. 

1983

"Hey! Do you want to know what I wanna do? I wanna go back in time"

Those are the opening lyrics to one of the best pop songs I've heard in a really long time. 

The new single is 1983,  by none other than Limahl himself.

I honestly can't remember when I've been so excited about something.  This may be an exaggeration but really, only I would know that.  The minute I heard it I knew that I had to have it.  It is to me the quintessential dance tune that can move the stubbornest of non-movers.  The more I listen, the more I wanted to listen and the more I want to listen, the more I wished I was on a dance floor choreographing the best dance number since Thriller.  It inspired me that much.  Sound unbelievable?,  probably, but hey, those who know me don't call me Pollyanna for nothing.

There are 6 versions of 1983, a little something for everyone.  There are the Clouds and Coffee versions, one for radio play and one that is extended..very nice.  There are the two Tom Moroca Remixes, one is extended play and the other is the radio play.  These latter two I felt were a must for any hard-core clubber that wants more beat and less lyrics.  The next one is the Original Radio Version, very upbeat and poppy keeping your foot-tapping and your body swaying, the way pop songs should.  And finally my personal favorite, the Acapella version, except for some added vocals to fill the chorus, this version is all Limahl, singing in the smooth and silky style that has made him well known throughout the world. No beats, no music.  Its heaven.



What? That's it? No back story? No history?  Hey, I didn't write the song I just really love it.  I know that Limahl has done several radio interviews since the release, so you might want to go to his website and check them out or follow him on Twitter to keep posted on the happenings.  Me personally I want it to be a world wide phenomenon.  But here again this is Pollyanna talking :)  1983 is available for MP3 download on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.UK (UK residents only), 7digital.com and iTunes.  Get yours today, I highly recommend it. 

The Ultimate Eighties-100 Hits

 Here we are kids, this is my new listening toy :) there are so many artists on here that I know absolutely nothing about it's shameless, but I'm loving it!  If you get a chance to check it out do so. Just as a word of warning, I'm not really loving CD #3 particularly songs 13-20.  I know that's a big lot of songs but hey, I know me and I know what I like.  Enjoy!

Tracks
1. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Wham
2. Never Gonna Give You Up - Astley, Rick
3. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
4. Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles
5. Waiting For A Star To Fall - Boy Meets Girl
6. Maniac - Sembello, Michael
7. Maneater - Hall and Oates
8. 99 Red Balloons - Nena
9. Down To Earth - Curiosity Killed The Cat
10. Breakout - Swing Out Sister
11. I Can Make You Feel Good - Shalamar
12. Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
13. She Works Hard For The Money - Summer, Donna
14. Rhythm Of The Night - DeBarge
15. Don't Stop The Music - Yarbrough and Peoples
16. Message - Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
17. Reward - Teardrop Explodes
18. Bridge To Your Heart - Wax
19. Axel F - Faltermeyer, Harold
20. Race - Yello

1. Poison Arrow - ABC
2. Love Plus One - Haircut 100
3. Prince Charming - Adam and The Ants
4. Shout To The Top - Style Council
5. I'm So Excited - Pointer Sisters
6. Let's Hear It For The Boy - Williams, Deniece
7. Midas Touch - Midnight Star
8. Feels Like I'm In Love - Marie, Kelly
9. You Can't Hide (Your Love From Me) - Joseph, David
10. Only Way Is Up - Yazz and The Plastic Population
11. Theme From S'Express - S'Express
12. Baby I Don't Care - Transvision Vamp
13. Swords Of A Thousand Men - Tenpole Tudor
14. Breakaway - Ullman, Tracey
15. Eighth Day - O'Connor, Hazel
16. Wonderful Life - Black
17. Labelled With Love - Squeeze
18. Lady In Red - De Burgh, Chris
19. Happy Talk - Captain Sensible
20. Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco

1. It's Raining Men - Weather Girls
2. Celebration - Kool and The Gang
3. Oops Upside Your Head - Gap Band
4. Word Up - Cameo
5. All Cried Out - Moyet, Alison
6. Shout - Tears For Fears
7. It's Different For Girls - Jackson, Joe
8. Harvest For The World - Christians
9. Get Down Saturday Night - Cheatham, Oliver
10. Secret Lovers - Atlantic Starr
11. Up Where We Belong - Cocker, Joe and Jennifer Warnes
12. Footloose - Loggins, Kenny
13. Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz
14. When Will I Be Famous - Bros
15. Heartache - Pepsi and Shirley
16. This Ole House - Shakin' Stevens
17. Do The Hucklebuck - Coast To Coast
18. Cry - Godley and Creme
19. I've Never Been To Me - Charlene
20. I Should Have Known Better - Diamond, Jim

1. Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
2. Wouldn't It Be Good - Kershaw, Nik
3. World Shut Your Mouth - Cope, Julian
4. Look Of Love - ABC
5. Let's Get Serious - Jackson, Jermaine
6. System Addict - Five Star
7. Teardrops - Womack and Womack
8. My One Temptation - Paris, Mica
9. And The Beat Goes On - Whispers
10. Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent - Guthrie, Gwen
11. Sleep Talk - Williams, Alyson
12. Tell It To My Heart - Dayne, Taylor
13. Push It - Salt 'N Pepa
14. Breakin'.../There's No Stopping Us - Ollie and Jerry
15. Don't Turn Around - Aswad
16. Pass The Dutchie - Musical Youth
17. Too Good To Be Forgotten - Amazulu
18. Ever So Lonely - Monsoon
19. Calling Your Name - Marilyn
20. Seven Tears - Goombay Dance Band

1. Addicted To Love - Palmer, Robert
2. Something About You - Level 42
3. Get Out Of My Dreams (Get Into My Car) - Ocean, Billy
4. All Night Long (All Night) - Richie, Lionel
5. Break My Stride - Wilder, Matthew
6. Down Under - Men At Work
7. I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Kershaw, Nik
8. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) - Dead Or Alive
9. Obsession - Animotion
10. Sonic Boom Boy - Westworld
11. Fade To Grey - Visage
12. I'm In Love With A German Film Star - Passions
13. New England - MacColl, Kirsty
14. Stop - Brown, Sam
15. Don't Look Any Further - Edwards, Dennis and Siedah Garrett
16. On The Wings Of Love - Osborne, Jeffrey
17. Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime - Korgis
18. Da Da Da - Trio
19. Nellie the elephant - Toy Dolls
20. Ace Of Spades - Motorhead

Who Dat When I Say Who Dat?

My most recent CD acquirement (is that a word?) was from the same people who brought you 100 Hits 80's Pop.  This CD collection,  which is not quite as popular as its predecessor does have quite a few more bands on it that I've not heard of so I decided to make a list of all the bands combined, to see if anyone else had a difficult time recognizing them also..(redundant? I think not)

The title of this album surprisingly enough is 100 Hits 80s 100 Classic Tracks of the Decade.  I was a bit confused as to which genre of 80s music it was as the other box sets were listed as Dance, Pop, Rock and Pop and Rewind.

Be that as it may...and with out further ado, I shall list the bands and their tunes in the order in which I did not recognize them.  Just kidding, I will just list them:

Princess-Say I'm Your Number (must be a bingo fan)
Pat & Mick-I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet (must be really exhausted)
Sabrina-Boys or the more popular version (Summertime Love with scantily clad bikinis in the video)
Fuzzbox-Pink Sunshine (i got nothing)
Voice of The Lattisaw-Jump to the Beat (still trying to get past the band name)
Desireless-Voyage Voyage (ahoy there?)
The Reynolds Girls-I'd Rather Jack-(what? cars? airplanes?)
Errol Brown-Personal Touch (must be talking about sex)
Blue Zoo-Cry Boy Cry (nope, got nada with this one too)
Then Jericho-Big Area (follow up albums?-  large spaces and huge terrain?)
Matt Bianco-Get Out of Your Lazy Bed (a motivational speaker in his past life perhaps?)
Snowy White-Bird of Paradise (must be a side gig, princess by day/singer by night)
The Cool Notes-In Your Car (don't remember much of the song, I wonder why)
Mai Tai-History (actually the only thing that I get from a Mai Tai is a hangover, must be it drinking wrong)
Stock Aitken Waterman-Roadblock (sounds like a law firm, or an account firm or something not like a band)
Monyaka- Go Deh (Go to the Top) (or go learn some English? I don't know)
Steve Arrington-Feel So Real (self explanatory)
Hot Streak-Body Work (fitness guru perhaps?)
Simon Harris-Bass (how low can you go) (as low as I need to before I keel over? what a question!)
London Boys-London Nights (with London Girls perhaps?)
The Belle Stars-The Clapping Song (resurfacing itself once again in a VW commercial well done girls)
The Look-I Am The Beat (well you must keep really busy then)
Hazell Dean-Love (pretty succinct and to the point I think)
Red Box-For America (this is actually a good song)
Taja Seville-Love is Contagious (I'm not sure that's true. Measles..the measles are contagious, definitely)

So that's the most recent CD box set I purchased, I will have to write another blog to include the first one.  Who knew a 5 disc box set could take up so much time.  Yeah I know, it's a crap excuse but its the best one I have and I'm running with it.

Ciao for Now ;)

Shaking the Tree

So the other day I was out wandering around the neighborhood where I work and I decided to pop into one of my favorite places, Rainy Day Records.  I was in the mood for something 80s that I did not already own.  I couldn't put my finger on it, but I would know it when I saw it.  And then I saw it :)

Peter Gabriel -- Shaking the Tree,  Sixteen Golden Greats.    Honestly, I didn't even thoroughly look to see what songs were on the album when I initially purchased it.   If you have any Peter Gabriel in your music library at all you know the feeling of satisfaction and triumph that I felt when I saw this.  Mr. Gabriel is a fabulous musician and a wonderful story teller.  The liner notes take it a step beyond the usual by listing the songs selected from which albums and the years these albums were created.  Nice.

Once again I shall admit to not knowing quite a few of these hit singles but that's okay, I loved listening to them for the first time. Hearing Kate Bush's voice on Don't Give Up really made me smile.  Here Comes The Flood however made me reflective and quiet which I'm sure Peter had intended for the listener. (well I like to think so).

The one song that was not on the album that I thought would be was In Your Eyes even though quite a few songs on this album were from his 1986 album So.  I decided to find out why :)

Apparently it was not released as a single in the UK..imagine that.  It is quite a beautiful song, and I'm sure I have it in my collection somewhere, so I didn't lose any sleep over it :)

Well there you have it.  Be amazed  and revere he who is Peter Gabriel.  He has a lot to say and many colorful wonderful ways to say it.

Big Time ;)

Mr. Tambourine Mens

"I loves me some tambourine playin!" 

I know the title might be a bit confusing but there's a reason for it.   I wanted to discuss something that not many people give consideration to these days..The Tambourine.

Yeah I know, I can hear it now.."are you serious?"  Yes, yes I am.  Because something interesting occurred to me the other day while I was listening to Gary Numan singing Cars.  There is a really cool part of the song where he grabs a tambourine and just goes to town on it.

Now if you've ever played the tambourine, you know that you must have some sense of rhythm and dexterity in order to keep a good sound going.  It may not be as exciting to play as say a bass or a lead guitar, but you can look just as sexy playing one ;)

Gary Numan does.  He looks really hot playing that tambourine in the video.  Almost compelling, beckoning you with his eyes..."come hither, listen to my tambourine solo, you know you want me.."

 (see, he still has that look in his eyes ;))

I think Gary took some pointers from his tambourine mentor.  Yep, none other than that lad from Manchester the one and only Davy Jones of the Monkees.  He was quite the mean tambourine player as well, and boy could he look sexy.

(I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but doesn't Davy look a bit like Russell Brand in this photo?)

Oh well, never mind.  So that's it,  The Tambourine, boring for some, sexy for others, fun for all...why else would Bob Dylan have written a song about it..he knew..