"a la the Beatles"? That should make me snort with derision—Yeah, you only wish, pal—but somehow it's kind of adorable; like watching a little kid trying on his father's clothes. Oh, Robbie, you scamp!
Terrific mix this week, Ted.
Ted
· 1 year ago
Thanks, Jack. Yeah, I think the note basically meant a "Strawberry Fields" fade out/fade in. But Robbie has 12 seconds of silence after the first fade, and when the song finally fades up, it begs the question: "Why bother?"
David_E
· 1 year ago
I would argue – at the risk of blaspheming the canons of any number of critical darlings – that the Outfield's "Play Deep" is one of the best front-to-back releases of the middle '80s. The hooks are everywhere, the band is tight, the harmonies unexpected and the hits just keep on comin': "Your Love," "Everytime You Cry," "Say It Isn't So," "All The Love," "I Don't Need Her" ... how many singles did this thing spin off, anyway?
Ted
· 1 year ago
According to our friends at Wiki, they had four singles off "Play Deep."
Malchus
· 1 year ago
Yes, "Play Deep" is a GREAT rock and roll album and was a wonderful surprise in 1986. While Van Halen's "5150" got all of the hype, this record quietly produced some stellar songs. "61 Seconds" is fantastic, "Mystery Man" is fun, and the whole record ends with the very dark, bitter song, "Nervous Alibi." Granted, John Spinks isn't the greatest lyricist, but the man can write a pop hook with the best of them.
Eric S.
· 1 year ago
I agree. I think the Outfield's work holds up better than people give it credit for. They are also one of the '80s bands whose new output I will routinely check out. I certainly can't say that for any of the other bands in this mix.
terje
· 1 year ago
Great mix, Ted. Take away T'Pau, add a little Level 42, Matt Bianco/Basia, possibly Johnny Hates Jazz and a lot of Pet Shop Boys and Prefab Sprout - and it's exactly where I was at in 1987.
Swing Out Sister really used to annoy me, though. I enjoyed "Breakout," but they never got it right with their mix of pop, jazz, latin and easy listening. I still believe their intentions were good, but they never really managed to get it across in their music. No soul. And I always thought Corinne Drewery's voice was a bit too weak.
jefito
· 1 year ago
How were you *not* where T'Pau was in 1987? And why didn't you take the rest of us with you? That song was inescapable.
terje
· 1 year ago
Oh, I was well aware of them. I just ran as fast as I could whenever they appeared.
But "China in Your Hand" was by far their biggest hit in Norway (and the rest of Europe, I think.)
JonCummings
· 1 year ago
I heard "Heart and Soul" the other day--first time in awhile--and found myself singing/reciting along at the top of my lungs, my son staring at me in horror...
jefito
· 1 year ago
He'll never understand! He wasn't there!
Ted
· 1 year ago
My wife got the same reaction from our daughter months ago. Except the song was "I Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon.
JonCummings
· 1 year ago
Well, that song's a whole other kettle of fish...
Ted
· 1 year ago
You're right about Corinne's voice being weak, but I still like them. I even downloaded their last album, which was okay.
Oh, and even though Level 42's "Something About You" got massive airplay in the U.S., I never really grew tired of that song. Have you noticed the Joe Jackson sound alike vocals on "Something About You"? Mostly, when he sings "How" at the beginning.
terje
· 1 year ago
I never thought about it - but I just played some Joe Jackson, and you're absolutely right.
Ted
· 1 year ago
When I first heard "Something About You" back in the day, I thought it was Joe Jackson.
jefito
· 1 year ago
Same here.
J
· 1 year ago
The guy's voice from "Living in a Box" reminds me of that guy awhile ago...you know who I mean, the red head with the deep voice and the boring music, with a bit of a swing vibe to his manner? Yeah, that guy.
Yay to the Outfield! Loved this album. Loved it.
Somehow when you asked me if I remembered Robbie Nevil yesterday, I was thinking of the Neville brothers. I know, why would you marry such a person? ;) That song was such an earworm, though, that even now when I hear the term 'c'est la vie', it pops into my head. Curse you, Robbie Nevil!
J
· 1 year ago
Just remembered the name of that guy...Rich Astley. :)
Ted
· 1 year ago
I believe you mean Rick Astley. The production values sound the same as Stock, Aitken & Waterman churned out for Astley and a bunch of other acts, but Living in a Box didn't work with them.
Malchus
· 1 year ago
Another great Mix, Ted! Bravo!
Colin McKay
· 1 year ago
The girl from T'Pau, Cathy Dennis, Amy Grant. They dressed like moms most of the time, but they were still on my "list".
All Comments
Terrific mix this week, Ted.
Swing Out Sister really used to annoy me, though. I enjoyed "Breakout," but they never got it right with their mix of pop, jazz, latin and easy listening. I still believe their intentions were good, but they never really managed to get it across in their music. No soul. And I always thought Corinne Drewery's voice was a bit too weak.
But "China in Your Hand" was by far their biggest hit in Norway (and the rest of Europe, I think.)
Oh, and even though Level 42's "Something About You" got massive airplay in the U.S., I never really grew tired of that song. Have you noticed the Joe Jackson sound alike vocals on "Something About You"? Mostly, when he sings "How" at the beginning.
Yay to the Outfield! Loved this album. Loved it.
Somehow when you asked me if I remembered Robbie Nevil yesterday, I was thinking of the Neville brothers. I know, why would you marry such a person? ;) That song was such an earworm, though, that even now when I hear the term 'c'est la vie', it pops into my head. Curse you, Robbie Nevil!
Still can't figure it out. Amy Grant? Really?