Tag Archive for 1980’s

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Prince and The Family – Nothing compares 2 U

Those of you who know me may not be too shocked to find out that I am somewhat cynical about Valentines Day. My intention was to ignore it completely in today’s post, however a good friend was goading me that I should prove that “I have a tiny bit of romance somewhere in my soul” (he may have been confusing me with someone else). He then went on to suggest I post one of two songs about heartbreak? Davy – Sinead O’Connor isn’t my thing but I can do Prince any day of the week so you will have to make do with the original.

Meanwhile, back in the real world I am going to see tUne-yArDs in Hammersmith tomorrow night. Should be fun, I’m pretty excited. I will write up a review to post later in the week.

RjK

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Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

Posting two Whitney songs in a week is a little break from the spirit of the blog up until now. But given the circumstances I think it is appropriate.

I have been listening to a lot of Whitney and feeling a little sombre today. Her’s was a tragic if sadly predictable story. What talent she had. Perhaps the perfect pop voice, I would view her as being one of the few to be in the same league as her godmother, Aretha Franklin. This is her at the mid-80’s peak of her powers. 

RjK

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Whitney Houston* – I wanna dance with somebody (GPF)

It’s Friday again (thanks goodness). That means another cheesy, upbeat tune. A colleague reminded me of Whitney this week and was talking about seeing her in concert last year. Wow! What an amazing voice. Also a very pleasingly kitschy and perfectly 80’s video here. I hope you have a great weekend.

RjK

*Artist #382

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My Bloody Valentine* – Lose my breath (Matt Graham guest post)

My Bloody Valentine are well known for their brilliant yet divisive second album Loveless and the fact that the live performances of that album were so loud it was painful.

The first album that they made, Isn’t Anything, is less well known but well worth a listen. The track that I listen to most off that album is called Lose My Breath. I first became aware of this track through the Destiny’s Child cover, and I’ve been thankful to Beyonce et al ever since.

The contrast between the ominous guitar and drone at the beginning of the track and the soft female vocal is quite intriguing and the chorus (just the word oooo), is simply beautiful.

MG

*Artist #378

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The Blue Nile – Heatwave
 

This came into my head today. The Blue Nile are a less than prolific but wonderful Scottish band. They make music that is subtle and full of feeling. It somehow just seems true. I would highly recommend taking some time to investigate them.

This is taken from A walk across the rooftops, which is one of my very favourite albums of the 1980’s.

RjK

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Teena Marie – Square Biz

I really enjoyed my musically meandering 2011, stumbling into many tracks that knocked me out whom I couldn’t have imagined liking as I embarked on the voyage in January. One of my frustrations is that it forced my taste to be ephemeral. I never felt as though I could dwell on any particular artist and investigate them fully.

Teena Marie is a perfect example of this. It has taken me until now to get back to giving her a further listen after posting her last January. She makes upbeatm funky music of which this is a perfect example. 

I got the best, the most, baby, from coast to coast and I don’t wanna boast, but I love you Square Biz… 

RjK

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Asia* – Heat of the moment (GPF)

This is cheesy but enjoyable. It has a wonderful 80’s feel; the big chorus, big hair, white shoes and ‘special effects’ in the video. I heard it this week on my travels and it made me smile. I hope it does the same for you. 

RjK

*Artist #374

Liquid Liquid* – Cavern (Rory McDermott guest post)


99 Records and New Wave

Post-punk, new wave, no-wave, punk-funk, dance-rock….Turgid. Immediately conjures the image of a ‘Flock of Seagulls’ posturing in a shit club in Bristol.

Now rewind, imagine a warehouse party; walls adorned with projected videos, pimpled young art graduates called Eno and Byrne in awkward discussion over tones of this new sound which combines the vibrancy of 70’s disco with punkish grunge and the naivety of new technology. This loosely defines the ‘scene’ that was developing within the confines of New-York Tri-State area in the early 80’s.

99 (nine nine) Records are one of many independent basement run labels of the day. Its output however was particularly driven by heavy funk baselines and chiming guitar riffs. I first came across the label on hearing Cavern by Liquid Liquid. (Incidentally this song led to the financial ruin of the label following a lengthy copyright battle involving a Grandmaster flash sample-see White Lines).

ESG, a band formed by the Scroggins sisters (I know!), had youth, rhythm and pop sensibility in abundance. Singles such as Dance and Moody sound much like New Order’s 3 minute wet dream. Bush Tetris another 99 staple continued the theme of percussive grooves.

This scene played out in clubs like the Ritz, Mudd and CBGB and despite being well documented by a host of artists/photographers at the time remains largely unrecognised now. Its substance is clearly evident in today’s raft of indie/electronic rock bands.

UK exports into the genre were largely by-passed here but big NYC floorfillers namely APB’s – Shoot you Down and Medium Medium – So hungry so angry.

Of course like everything else it eventually consumed itself and we were left with a pile of excrement, namely ‘no-wave’. Avoid at all costs anything that describes itself as ‘sonic experimentation’!

RMcD

*Artist #372

13th January 2012

Phil Collins* – Easy Lover (GPF)

Another Friday, another guilty pleasure. There is something completely naff about Phil Collins but at the same time utterly irresistible.
RjK
*Artist #370

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Talking Heads – This must be the place (Naive Melody)

Sometimes you can’t fight the cosmos. I was speaking to a buddy about the music that he had been listening to over the Christmas break and he highlighted this. Seperately, I had also been listening to Talking Heads and made a note to post them early in January.

This is such a simple, warm song. Classic David Byrne vocals and a very fitting video here. Both great. I particularly like the Chief with the portable keyboard. 

RjK