Tag: 1980s
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The Parachute Club, At the Feet of the Moon, 1984, RCA / Current
Great early 80s pop – look at the outfits on that back sleeve. The Parachute Club were a Toronto band and this was their second full length following a self-titled debut. Reminiscent a bit of Level 42 (strong baselines) but with a more mainstream pop sensibility. “At the Feet of the Moon” was a hit…
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Billy Joel, The Nylon Curtain, 1982 on Columbia
It may never have been cool to be a Billy Joel fan. It certainly was not among my friends in 1982. But this is a great album. Joel’s 8th, it was produced by Phil Ramone and includes “Allentown,” “Pressure,” and “Goodnight Saigon.” And that’s just side one. Also I no longer care if it is…
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The Specials, More Specials, 1980 on Two-Tone
Second album from Coventry’s own The Specials, with Jerry Dammer, Sir Horace Gentleman, John Bradbury, Dick Cuthell, Roddy Radiation, Lynval Golding, Rico Rodrigues, Neville Staples and Terry Hall. Several members of the Go-Go’s join for backing vocals: Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, and Jane Wiedlin (who would co-write “Our Lips Are Sealed” with Hall). My copy—via…
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The Cure, Wake Me In the Dark, 2023 on Mind Control
Another live vinyl bootleg from The Cure (said to be an FM radio broadcast), this one from November 1st, 1987 at Forest National in Brussels Belgium. Many tracks from the then-new Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me album. This has also been bootlegged as Belgian Kisses on Casino Records. You can find audio from the…
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The Cure, Hang On a Second, 2023 on Mind Control
Another bootleg claiming to be from an FM broadcast, this one features The Cure at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle Washington, from October 21, 1984. (It’s actually from October 23rd, 1984 as the night of the 21st was cancelled). As is common with these, it has been widely released and said to be an FM…
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The Cars, Panorama, 1980 on Elektra
This was the third studio LP from Boston band The Cars, situated between Candy-O and Shake It Up. Includes “Touch and Go.” An underappreciated album in The Cars’ discography: seen by critics as a let down and not as commercial successful as the one before or after. I like it though – more experimental, more…
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Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman, 1988 on Elektra
Its popularity has recently resurged, due in no small part to Luke Combs’ cover version and their duet at the Grammy’s but this record never went out of rotation for me. Technically I know it’s not true, but I like to imagine Tracy Chapman’s voice was still echoing around Boston from her busking days when…
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U2, Two Hearts Beat As One, 12″ Single, 1983 on Island
This has long been one of my favorite U2 songs whether in this “Club Version” or the Francois Kevorkian remix or the original. I love the photo here of the lads out in a wheat field. My copy—via Music DNA in Methuen MA—is a UK pressing 12″ 45 rpm on the vibrant Island labels.
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U2, Pride (In the Name of Love) (single), 1984 on Island
One of my favorite U2 singles from the early 80s, released as the lead single just ahead of The Unforgettable Fire. Also has one of my favorite mistakes, when they sing “Early Morning, April 4.” I always figured the lads were not used to the American habit of not using 24 hr time. (They fixed…
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Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Live Alive, 1986 on Epic
Recorded across four live performances between July 1985 (Montreux Jass Festivale) and July 1986 (Austin Opera House and Dallas Starfest). Includes his take on “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Superstition,” and “Vodoo Child (Slight Return).” The CD versions leave off “Live Without You.” Brother Jimmie Vaughan guests on four tracks, other personnel are Tommy Shannon…
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Colin James Hay, Looking for Jack, 1987 on Columbia
Solo debut from the man more well known (to me at least) as the lead singer of Men At Work, which he fronted from 1978 to 1986. He’s actually had quite a lengthy solo career and done a lot of really interesting work. This album may not be the pinnacle of that work, but it…
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Bob Dylan & The Grateful Dead, Dylan & The Dead, 1989 on Columbia
Recorded live in July 1987 during the six-city tour of that summer. While the shows from that tour typically had a first set of Dead material followed by a set with Dylan, this recording highlights the Dylan songs with the Dead serving as a backup band. Got some harsh critical reviews a the time as…
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Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Get Happy!!, 1980 on Columbia
Yes, that’s “Get Happy!!” with not one but two exclamation marks. Fourth Costello studio LP and the third with The Attractions, following after Armed Forces. More influence here from R&B, soul, and even Ska. My copy—via the Vinyl Vault in Littleton MA—is a Pitman pressing with (like most releases of this LP) the sides reversed…
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Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA, 1984 on Columbia
Having recently seen Deliver Me From Nowhere, which covers the period where Springsteen wrote and recorded Nebraska, it was interesting to come back to this album, which included some of the songs that came out of that era but did not fit that record. It was so unavoidable, and so associated (so much for any…
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Depeche Mode, People Are People, 1984 on Sire / Mute
Compilation album for North America put out by Sire in 1984, pulling the title track single and a combination of album cuts, and b-sides. This song was such a key to the soundtrack of my life in the early 80s: “People are people so why should it be / you and I should get along…
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Leo Kottke, Guitar Music, 1981 on Chrysalis
Eleventh (?) LP from Kottke, a solo outing instrumental style. Recorded at Sound 80 in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. Includes a cover of Ry Cooder’s Available Space” as well as “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and eight originals. My copy—via Salem Flea Marketplace—is a Santa Maria pressing on blue Chrysalis labels.
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Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Too-Rye-Ay, 1982 on Mercury
Credited on the cover to “Kevin Rowland & Dexys Midnight Runners,” this was their second LP, the first with Mercury Records and the one with the massive hit “Come on Eileen.” Wonderful album – also includes “Jackie Wilson Said.” There were plans for a 40th anniversary reissue of Too-Rye-Ay “As It Could Have Sounded” (a…
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Sir Douglas Quintet, Live From Austin TX, 2006 on New West
Doug Sahm’s Sir Douglas Quintet recorded in 1981 but released in 2006 (on CD/DVD) / 2018 (vinyl) – live on Austin City Limits. (In 1981 that means the old Studio 6A at UT Austin, not the new Moody Theater). This was part of a reunion tour after the quintet split up in the early 70s…