Author: John EckmanPage 1 of 113
The Power Station were a kind of supergroup, pairing Andy & John Taylor (Duran Duran) with Tony Thompson (Chic) and Robert Palmer (who was later replaced by Michael…
This is the German language version of the third album Gabriel put out as self-titled (“Peter Gabriel”) but popularly known as Peter Gabriel III or “Melt” – listed…
Debut album from Norway’s a-ha, fronted by Morten Harket, with Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. “Take On Me” with its animated video is the song everyone knows, but there’s…
An EP or “Mini LP” by Dolby with the 12″ single versions of songs from The Golden Age of Wireless. The version of “Airwaves” here (5:20) is the…
This was the second Fine Young Cannibals album following their self-titled debut. Roland Gift on vocals with the rhythm section of Andy Cox and David Steele (formerly of…
Sophomore album from Amy Ray and Emily Sallers, with their massive breakout hit “Closer To Fine.” Michael Stipe guests on “Kid Fears” and Hothouse Flowers guest on multiple…
Fourth (and final) studio album from The Smiths, produced by Stephen Street, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr and recorded at The Wool Hall in Beckington, Somerset. On constant repeat…
The Fun Boy Three (Terry Hall, Neville Staple, and Lynval Golding) were a spin-off / outgrowth of The Specials. This was their debut, self-titled album with guests Bananarama…
Dylan’s 26th studio album, produced by Daniel Lanois and recorded in New Orleans. “Political World,” “Where Teardrops Fall,” and “Everything is Broken” make a great opening trio on…
Sting’s first solo live album, a 2xLP set recorded over multiple nights of a tour in 1985. Sting was touring here with Branford Marsalis, Darryl Jones, Kenny Kirkland,…
Released on Vertigo in the UK but Warner Bros in the US, this was the third full-length from Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. Produced by Jimmy Iovine and…
Sophomore album from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, following The Hurting. Hard to imagine trying to follow up that record, but this went to number one in the…
Sexton was a guitar wunderkind from Austin who was 16 when this came out. A poster of the album cover is seen in Ferris Bueller’s bedroom, and John…
This was the sixth single from New Order, put out by Factory in 1983 as a follow up to “Blue Monday.” Produced by and co-written with DJ Arthur…
John Hiatt’s eighth studio album and his first on A&M. What a fantastic songwriter! Actually paid for by Demon Records in the UK, but picked up after being…
Pat MacDonald would go on to be one half of Timbuk 3 with his wife Barbara Kooyman, listed here as Barbara K. MacDonald. “Too Much Sex (Not Enough…
Second album from the duo of Jeffrey Townes (aka DJ Jazzy Jeff) and Will Smith (aka The Fresh Prince), including “Parents Just Don’t Understand” which won the first…
Fourth (as the name suggests) full length studio album from Foreigner, who brought together three Brits and three Americans (making half the band at least foreigners wherever they…
Debut album from English new-wave band Re-Flex, on EMI in the UK but Capitol in the US. Produced by John Punter who produced Roxy Music and Japan. Re-Flex…
Extended version 12″ single from The Specials (Special AKA), produced by Elvis Costello. One of my favorite early 80s ska protest songs. Now dated in its reference but…