When Gary Numan met Little Boots
via guardian.co.uk
Friday, 4 December 2009
Monday, 30 November 2009
Orchestral OMD
OMD will release their DVD of their performance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra earlier in the year on 14th December, just in time for Christmas. "Electricity: OMD with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra" features several of the band's hits performed with the orchestra as well as the only available recorded performance of The Energy Suite, music composed for the audio-visual installation shown at specialist new media gallery FACT in 2008 with visuals by designer Peter Saville and filmmaker Hambi Haralambous.
photo: Innes Marlow
As a preview of their new album History of Modern set for 2010 release the almost legendary 'Sister Marie Says' finally sees the light of day and the demo version is available as a free download from the official OMD site. (or listen to it here instead!)
Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark
photo: Innes Marlow
As a preview of their new album History of Modern set for 2010 release the almost legendary 'Sister Marie Says' finally sees the light of day and the demo version is available as a free download from the official OMD site. (or listen to it here instead!)
Orchestral Manouevres in the Dark
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
BONG! time again
Depeche Mode continue to expand their BONG singles catalogue with a new release (BONG 42) on 7th December. It's a "special A side single" with "Fragile Tension" and "Hole To Feed" from the already exhausted Songs of the Universe album. The usual avalanche of remixes and versions will ensue of course in various formats inclusing new remixes of other SOTU tracks Perfect, Come Back and Peace (again). details hereBut really lads, what's the point? Why oh why do DM still feel the need to release singles as their radio play is basically next to none, even in die-hard fan countries such as Germany and France? (Peace bombed and has already been dropped from their live setlist)
Anyway for those who will .. bong on ..
Dave Gahan naahh not annaver singul!
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Monday, 16 November 2009
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
First day (album) covers
Royal Mail will be issuing a set of stamps on January 7th 2010 featuring classic British album covers, including New Order / Peter Saville's 'Power Corruption & Lies' (after Henri Fantin Latour) and the original 'Tubular Bells' LP covers. Other covers featured include Blur's Parklife and Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head. As well as the cover image each stamp features a vinyl disc which appears outside the die-cut of the stamp. As I gave up collecting FDC's with the Beatles' album covers a couple of years ago these might be worth getting.
source: norphil.co.uk
Power, corruption and bells .. two of Royal Mail's classic album covers series
source: norphil.co.uk
Power, corruption and bells .. two of Royal Mail's classic album covers series
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Minds & OMD in Lights
The forthcoming Simple Minds tour with OMD will feature both the bands performing Kraftwerk classic Neon Lights together, starting with the first concert at the Newcastle Metro Arena on 30th November.
Jim Kerr of Simple Minds notes: "Kraftwerk were the link between a whole generation of kids in the UK that used synthesizers to define some of the 80's most glorious pop music. In our own way we want to honour their influence by performing Neon Lights."
"Kraftwerk's contribution to music is timeless," says Andy McCluskey. "Kraftwerk was the reason why we formed OMD. Simple Minds and OMD listened to Kraftwerk before we started making music, but eventually our individual styles of music ventured into different directions. Simple Minds' early electronic rock albums 'Empires and Dance' and 'Reel To Reel Cacophony' defined industrial electronic rock with 'I Travel', while OMD explored electronic soundscapes and minimalism with our early songs 'Electricity' and 'Messages'".
Both bands have released cover versions of the song, OMD on 1991's Sugar Tax and Simple Minds on their cover album Neon Lights.
UK tour dates:
Newcastle Arena (Nov 30)
Birmingham LG Arena (Dec 2)
Manchester MEN Arena (3)
Sheffield Arena (5)
Cardiff CIA (6)
London Wembley Arena (7)
Glasgow SECC (11)
Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (12)
Oh and for those who haven't heard it:
Jim Kerr of Simple Minds notes: "Kraftwerk were the link between a whole generation of kids in the UK that used synthesizers to define some of the 80's most glorious pop music. In our own way we want to honour their influence by performing Neon Lights."
"Kraftwerk's contribution to music is timeless," says Andy McCluskey. "Kraftwerk was the reason why we formed OMD. Simple Minds and OMD listened to Kraftwerk before we started making music, but eventually our individual styles of music ventured into different directions. Simple Minds' early electronic rock albums 'Empires and Dance' and 'Reel To Reel Cacophony' defined industrial electronic rock with 'I Travel', while OMD explored electronic soundscapes and minimalism with our early songs 'Electricity' and 'Messages'".
Both bands have released cover versions of the song, OMD on 1991's Sugar Tax and Simple Minds on their cover album Neon Lights.
UK tour dates:
Newcastle Arena (Nov 30)
Birmingham LG Arena (Dec 2)
Manchester MEN Arena (3)
Sheffield Arena (5)
Cardiff CIA (6)
London Wembley Arena (7)
Glasgow SECC (11)
Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (12)
Oh and for those who haven't heard it:
'allo John got a new synth?
Picture by Robert Ellis from The Quiet Man showing John Foxx and Gary Numan in autumn 1979 on the Touring Principle Tour.
GN: "Tell you what John, I've got vis nearly-new Arp Odysey lying in the corner of the studio doin' nuffin...it's yours for a fiver mate!"
Girl on left. "Don't listen to him John he's only trying to sell you second-hand Cars..."
GN: "Tell you what John, I've got vis nearly-new Arp Odysey lying in the corner of the studio doin' nuffin...it's yours for a fiver mate!"Girl on left. "Don't listen to him John he's only trying to sell you second-hand Cars..."
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Monday, 12 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
a defintive collection?
via amazon.co.uk
despite the tacky cover (and title) could be a definitive collection of the music of the era? Oh and slight mistake on disc 2 track 20 ..
Monday, 5 October 2009
pre-Posterous
Lost in Music is now on posterous.com, which is an amazingly lazy way of 'blogging' but it's handy for someone like me who doesn't have a great deal of time available.
So cross that road and come and join us ... Lost in Music on posterous
So cross that road and come and join us ... Lost in Music on posterous
Monday, 21 September 2009
A Bad video
News from Bad Lieutenant, the new band featuring ex New Order members. Bad Lieutenant are: Bernard Sumner (vocals/guitar), Stephen Morris (drums), Phil Cunningham (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Jake Evans (vocals/guitar), Tom Chapman (bass).
The video for "Sink Or Swim" is now premiering on Yahoo Video. - seems to be a very 'back to basics' approacH with much guitar thrashing, Morris playing an acoustic kit and not a synth in sight!
The debut album from Bad Lieutenant, "Never Cry Another Tear" is also available to order exclusively at the Bad Lieutenant online store .
A limited edition, Deluxe Box Set is available to pre-order. This includes the "Never Cry Another Tear" CD album including two bonus tracks, double vinyl album, exclusive 7", a deluxe booklet and a numbered Art Print. The band have also designed a Limited Edition T-Shirt that can only be ordered with the Super Deluxe Box Set.
"Never Cry Another Tear" is also available on Limited Edition Digipack CD (featuring Two Bonus Tracks), Vinyl LP, standard CD, and Digital Download.
Bad Lieutenant watch their own video in nice new trainers.
The video for "Sink Or Swim" is now premiering on Yahoo Video. - seems to be a very 'back to basics' approacH with much guitar thrashing, Morris playing an acoustic kit and not a synth in sight!
The debut album from Bad Lieutenant, "Never Cry Another Tear" is also available to order exclusively at the Bad Lieutenant online store .
A limited edition, Deluxe Box Set is available to pre-order. This includes the "Never Cry Another Tear" CD album including two bonus tracks, double vinyl album, exclusive 7", a deluxe booklet and a numbered Art Print. The band have also designed a Limited Edition T-Shirt that can only be ordered with the Super Deluxe Box Set.
"Never Cry Another Tear" is also available on Limited Edition Digipack CD (featuring Two Bonus Tracks), Vinyl LP, standard CD, and Digital Download.
Bad Lieutenant watch their own video in nice new trainers.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Shifting pleasures in the glow
John Foxx will release two new special editions of previous albums as well as a new live album in October.
His first two albums recorded with Louis Gordon and will be issued in remastered double CD format: 97's comeback album Shifting City (“pure Urban Electronica...") together with “The Omnidelic Exotour” and 3 previously unreleased tracks, and 2001's The Pleasures of Electricity newly remixed in 2009 by Foxx with disc two featuring the original mix of the album plus two previously unreleased bonus tracks.
In the Glow is a definitive 2 CD Edition of Foxx's first ever solo tour in 1983 promoting his then-current album “The Golden Section”. The set features both his own songs and some originally performed with Ultravox.
All CDs available to order from Townsend
John Foxx and Louis Gordon: no it's not really them....is it?
J Foxx & L Gordon - Quiet City
His first two albums recorded with Louis Gordon and will be issued in remastered double CD format: 97's comeback album Shifting City (“pure Urban Electronica...") together with “The Omnidelic Exotour” and 3 previously unreleased tracks, and 2001's The Pleasures of Electricity newly remixed in 2009 by Foxx with disc two featuring the original mix of the album plus two previously unreleased bonus tracks.
In the Glow is a definitive 2 CD Edition of Foxx's first ever solo tour in 1983 promoting his then-current album “The Golden Section”. The set features both his own songs and some originally performed with Ultravox.
All CDs available to order from Townsend
John Foxx and Louis Gordon: no it's not really them....is it?
J Foxx & L Gordon - Quiet City
Catalogue Shopping
Kraftwerk are set to release their complete back catalogue in remastered CDs on 12th October.
All eight albums ranging from 1974's Autobahn to Tour de France Soundtracks, released in 2003 will be issued as a digitally remastered single CD, vinyl LP or together as a complete box set entitled "The Catalogue". Digital downloads will also be available.
Some of the original cover art has been re-designed, most notably on Man Machine where the iconic band photograph has been completely removed. Electric Café has also been renamed to it's original working title 'Techno Pop'. Tour de France also loses it's "Soundtracks" suffix. A German language version "Der Katalog" will also be available as early as October 2nd.
All eight albums ranging from 1974's Autobahn to Tour de France Soundtracks, released in 2003 will be issued as a digitally remastered single CD, vinyl LP or together as a complete box set entitled "The Catalogue". Digital downloads will also be available.
Some of the original cover art has been re-designed, most notably on Man Machine where the iconic band photograph has been completely removed. Electric Café has also been renamed to it's original working title 'Techno Pop'. Tour de France also loses it's "Soundtracks" suffix. A German language version "Der Katalog" will also be available as early as October 2nd.
Kraftwerk's Man Machine then and now : spot the differenz
Music for alienated youth, and Germans*
A BBC documentary entitled Synth Britannia will be shown on BBC on October .. th. The programme follows the origins and rise of synth-pop on the British music scene from the late 70s into the 80s and explores the impact of electronic music on popular culture in Britain. Artists such as Gary Numan, Martin Ware, Andy McCluskey and Martin Gore contribute interviews to the programme which will feature The Human League, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys and non - British Kraftwerk. "Gary Numan's 1979 appearance on Top Of The Pops heralded the invention of synthpop, which would provide the soundtrack as Britain entered a new, ruthless era in the Eighties" - BBC Press Office.
*post title (c) Martin L Gore, seetrailer:
OMD - Electricity (1980 Dindisc version)
*post title (c) Martin L Gore, seetrailer:
OMD - Electricity (1980 Dindisc version)
Monday, 7 September 2009
2009 bells
Well, we couldn't have had another year go by without another Tubular Bells record from Mike Oldfield.
After Tubby Bells 2 / 3 / remaster / re-issue / DVD / live / complete / re-recorded / orchestral / piano / boxset / collection etc etc at last we have Tubular Bells "de-luxe edition". This new issue contains a new mix of the original TB, the original TB (as if you didn't have it already) on CD, and a 5.1 surround mix and live 70s TV performance of Part 1 on DVD. Perhaps the whole thing is worth it tho for Viv Stanshall's rioutous and drunken Sailor's Hornpipe, which I believe has only been available as a bootleg up to now. All that for only 12 quid from amazon so definitely worth it. Mind you the TB Ultimate Version is pretty tempting too...
Says Mike on writing his his opera omnia "It was as if something had invaded me spiritually and made me afraid and uncomfortable."
Oldfield circa 1973: "Ha!Ha! .....whaddya mean I'll still be mixing this in 36 years time!?!?!"
Mike Oldfield - The Sailor's Hornpipe
After Tubby Bells 2 / 3 / remaster / re-issue / DVD / live / complete / re-recorded / orchestral / piano / boxset / collection etc etc at last we have Tubular Bells "de-luxe edition". This new issue contains a new mix of the original TB, the original TB (as if you didn't have it already) on CD, and a 5.1 surround mix and live 70s TV performance of Part 1 on DVD. Perhaps the whole thing is worth it tho for Viv Stanshall's rioutous and drunken Sailor's Hornpipe, which I believe has only been available as a bootleg up to now. All that for only 12 quid from amazon so definitely worth it. Mind you the TB Ultimate Version is pretty tempting too...
Says Mike on writing his his opera omnia "It was as if something had invaded me spiritually and made me afraid and uncomfortable."
Oldfield circa 1973: "Ha!Ha! .....whaddya mean I'll still be mixing this in 36 years time!?!?!"Mike Oldfield - The Sailor's Hornpipe
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Modern Manoeuvres
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark have announced the working title of their new studio album via Twitter. History of Modern is set for release in April / May of 2010 and according to Andy McCluskey will feature "a lot of analogue synth sounds...lots of Mellotron sounds..and even a few cheesy organ sounds as well!" Twitter uses are invited to express their opinion of the proposed title.
In an interview with Electronically Yours McCluskey expresses little enthusiasm for recent trendy electro-pop style bands such as Little Boots and La Roux although praises Ladytron and Marsheaux, with whom he has worked on a version of the classic OMD track She's Leaving.
A DVD of the recent performance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is also being prepared.
OMD perform an acousic session for absolute radio tomorrow 3rd Sept. and are set to tour with Simple Minds this autumn / winter. Plans for touring with the new album are still to be decided.
OMD: thoroughly modern orch-men
Further reading: Owen Hatherly on OMD and Dazzle Ships
OMD - Genetic Engineering
In an interview with Electronically Yours McCluskey expresses little enthusiasm for recent trendy electro-pop style bands such as Little Boots and La Roux although praises Ladytron and Marsheaux, with whom he has worked on a version of the classic OMD track She's Leaving.
A DVD of the recent performance with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is also being prepared.
OMD perform an acousic session for absolute radio tomorrow 3rd Sept. and are set to tour with Simple Minds this autumn / winter. Plans for touring with the new album are still to be decided.
OMD: thoroughly modern orch-men
Further reading: Owen Hatherly on OMD and Dazzle Ships
OMD - Genetic Engineering
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Nowhere film
A new film on the teenage years of John Lennon entitled Nowhere Boy has been chosen as the closing film for this year's annual London Film Festival.
The film, starring Aaron Johnson in the role of the young Lennon and Kirstin Scott Thomas as Aunt Mimi, is directed by Sam-Taylor Wood longtime collaborator with the Pet Shop Boys (see earlier LIM post). Screenplay is by Matt Greenhalgh, writer of Control, Anton Corbijn's film on the life of Joy Division's Ian Curtis.
UK general releases for Nowhere Boy is set for Christmas Day 2009.
the young John Lennon plays ukelele: would go on to bigger things.
The Beatles - That'll Be the Day
The film, starring Aaron Johnson in the role of the young Lennon and Kirstin Scott Thomas as Aunt Mimi, is directed by Sam-Taylor Wood longtime collaborator with the Pet Shop Boys (see earlier LIM post). Screenplay is by Matt Greenhalgh, writer of Control, Anton Corbijn's film on the life of Joy Division's Ian Curtis.
UK general releases for Nowhere Boy is set for Christmas Day 2009.
the young John Lennon plays ukelele: would go on to bigger things.
The Beatles - That'll Be the Day
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Praying to the aliens
Electro-pioneers John Foxx and Gary Numan have finally been coming together this week thanks to Numan's contribution to the DNA exhibition in London, and artistic and multi-media celebration of Foxx's work which spreads over more than 30 years.
Numan's contribution to the apart from exhibiting his very first synthesiser is also an interview with Steve Malins where he expresses his admiration for Foxx during Ultravox's Systems of Romance period (1978-79) "light years ahead of anything else at the time". Numan states his admiration for Foxx and states that "Ultravox genuinely did a lot of the things I get credit for", although admits that Ultravox didn't quite get 'the visual side' right.
A further interview with Foxx by Numan himself has also been published by Drowned in Sound. Foxx discusses his early years with Ultravox, his solo work moving into total electronics,"You couldn't ask a band to hang around while you chanced everything on a single move like that", and plans for the future "Mainly making movies...Music projects with Harold Budd, Paul Daley (Leftfield), Benge, Vincent Gallo all in various stages of completion".
John Foxx's new 'The Quiet Man' spoken word CD is out this week and DNA continues until 31st July.
A new book "Backstage" on Numan's touring years at the end of the 70s/early 80s has been rescheduled for release in March 2010.
Numan's Oscar synth ay DNA: sadly, switched off.
Numan's contribution to the apart from exhibiting his very first synthesiser is also an interview with Steve Malins where he expresses his admiration for Foxx during Ultravox's Systems of Romance period (1978-79) "light years ahead of anything else at the time". Numan states his admiration for Foxx and states that "Ultravox genuinely did a lot of the things I get credit for", although admits that Ultravox didn't quite get 'the visual side' right.
A further interview with Foxx by Numan himself has also been published by Drowned in Sound. Foxx discusses his early years with Ultravox, his solo work moving into total electronics,"You couldn't ask a band to hang around while you chanced everything on a single move like that", and plans for the future "Mainly making movies...Music projects with Harold Budd, Paul Daley (Leftfield), Benge, Vincent Gallo all in various stages of completion".
John Foxx's new 'The Quiet Man' spoken word CD is out this week and DNA continues until 31st July.
A new book "Backstage" on Numan's touring years at the end of the 70s/early 80s has been rescheduled for release in March 2010.
Numan's Oscar synth ay DNA: sadly, switched off.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Chav's revenge
..and by some coincidence, My Sylvian's ex-wife Ingrid Chavez will also be releasing her new solo album A Flutter and Some Words in September.
Chavez began working with Sylvian on Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Heartbeat' single. Soon after, Ingrid married David and over the years contributed her trademark whispered-stylevocals to a number of her husband's releases. During the mid-1990s, Chavez worked with Sylvian on a second solo album entitled, 'Little Girls with 99 lives' which was never released.
On her facebook profile Chavez cites her influences as "..thunderclouds, tangerine skies, venus over temple mountain, power lines, silhouettes, moonlight and shadows, back roads."
Her current partner, Lorenzo Scopellito, has also colloborated on "Flutter". Follow Ms Chavez on twitter if you will..
Sylvian/Sakamoto - Heartbeat
Ingrid Chavez and some snow; cheer up Ing, might never happen..
Chavez began working with Sylvian on Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Heartbeat' single. Soon after, Ingrid married David and over the years contributed her trademark whispered-stylevocals to a number of her husband's releases. During the mid-1990s, Chavez worked with Sylvian on a second solo album entitled, 'Little Girls with 99 lives' which was never released.
On her facebook profile Chavez cites her influences as "..thunderclouds, tangerine skies, venus over temple mountain, power lines, silhouettes, moonlight and shadows, back roads."
Her current partner, Lorenzo Scopellito, has also colloborated on "Flutter". Follow Ms Chavez on twitter if you will..
Sylvian/Sakamoto - Heartbeat
Ingrid Chavez and some snow; cheer up Ing, might never happen..
Thursday, 16 July 2009
September is..
..the title of a song by David Sylvian and also the month of the release of his new album... Manafon is set for release on September 14th 2008 and will be available as a regular CD/digipak edition and a twin volume deluxe edition with CD and DVD featuring the film 'Amplified Gesture'. Details and new website to follow soon.Watch this space..or this one.
David Sylvian - Small Metal Gods
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Cargo plaque for Joy Division
Joy Division are to be honoured by Rochdale Council with a commemorative "blue plaque" at the Kenion Street Music Building, formerely Cargo Studios where the band among others recorded many of their songs. The building was also home to Peter Hook's Suite 16 Studios until closure in 2001. The blue plaque on the building has been the subject of a campaign by Chris Hewitt who has also managed to get a blue plaque for the Tractor Sound Studios in Heywood in memory of John Peel who financed the studios.
Says Hook of Cargo Studios "the effect it had on Rochdale and the North West music scene is immeasurable, much the same that Ian Curtis had on Macclesfield".
Both plaques will be unveiled on September 23rd with Hook and other northern musical celebs, such as OMD's Andy McCluskey, attending.
a fine example of a "blue plaque", pictured earlier.
Says Hook of Cargo Studios "the effect it had on Rochdale and the North West music scene is immeasurable, much the same that Ian Curtis had on Macclesfield".
Both plaques will be unveiled on September 23rd with Hook and other northern musical celebs, such as OMD's Andy McCluskey, attending.
a fine example of a "blue plaque", pictured earlier.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Sink or swim for Barney and pals
Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris's new project Bad Lieutenant will release its first single 'Sink Or Swim' on September 21st with an album, 'Never Cry Another Tear' to follow on October 5th.
Typically there would seem to be some confusion about the band members with some sources citing Sumner and fellow New Order member Phil Cunningham as mainmen together with new vocalist/guitarist/Jake Evans of Rambo and Leroy, with Stephen Morris and Blur bassist Alex James not being "official members".
In a statement, Sumner praised his band-mates, saying, “We've worked hard on it [the album] and I'm proud of it.” A tour is also expected to be announced, with Morris and bassist Tom Chapman joining Bad Lieutenant’s live line-up.
Bernard Sumner: he's bad.
Typically there would seem to be some confusion about the band members with some sources citing Sumner and fellow New Order member Phil Cunningham as mainmen together with new vocalist/guitarist/Jake Evans of Rambo and Leroy, with Stephen Morris and Blur bassist Alex James not being "official members".
In a statement, Sumner praised his band-mates, saying, “We've worked hard on it [the album] and I'm proud of it.” A tour is also expected to be announced, with Morris and bassist Tom Chapman joining Bad Lieutenant’s live line-up.
Bernard Sumner: he's bad.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Party like it's 1979
Continuing our belated '30 years of..' 1979-2009 celebrations, LIM picks this week's weird and wonderful compilation of the week, thanks to Compo Culture: CD & record compilations from the 70s and 80s.
The marvellous Rock n Roller Disco on the Ronco label delightfully highlights what a weird year 1979 was, f
luctuating between MOR pop, disco and much watered-down reggae but with some 'new wave' and post punk creeping in there too.
So we therefore find The Boomtown Rats rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dollar (two hits featured here), and The Real Thing with Public Image Ltd. Jimmy Lindsay's Ain't No Sunshine blends almost seamlessly with Sparks' G Moroder produced Beat the Clock (which anticipated synth pop by a good couple of years) and the wonderfully whacky Flying Lizards come crashing in with Money after Bill Lovelady's crashingly boring Reggae For It Now. The Buggles 'Video Killed..' oft misquoted as the quintissential "80s" record takes it's rightful place in 1979 alongside B A Robertson (only one of his two hits featured here, sadly) and The Jolly Brothers...who?
Enjoy and party like it's 1979...
link
1979 music on wiki
B A Robertson - Bang Bang
Sparks - Beat The Clock.mp3
B A Robertson: 1979 incarnate
The marvellous Rock n Roller Disco on the Ronco label delightfully highlights what a weird year 1979 was, f
luctuating between MOR pop, disco and much watered-down reggae but with some 'new wave' and post punk creeping in there too.So we therefore find The Boomtown Rats rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dollar (two hits featured here), and The Real Thing with Public Image Ltd. Jimmy Lindsay's Ain't No Sunshine blends almost seamlessly with Sparks' G Moroder produced Beat the Clock (which anticipated synth pop by a good couple of years) and the wonderfully whacky Flying Lizards come crashing in with Money after Bill Lovelady's crashingly boring Reggae For It Now. The Buggles 'Video Killed..' oft misquoted as the quintissential "80s" record takes it's rightful place in 1979 alongside B A Robertson (only one of his two hits featured here, sadly) and The Jolly Brothers...who?
Enjoy and party like it's 1979...
link
1979 music on wiki
B A Robertson - Bang Bang
Sparks - Beat The Clock.mp3
B A Robertson: 1979 incarnate
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
30 years of Pleasures pt 2
Gary Numan has announced a tour, a book and a brand new CD issue to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his seminal electronic album The Pleasure Principle, first issued in September 1979.
Although initially planned as one-off show at the Manchester Academy on 21st November, the tour will now take in more dates, despite Numan's dislike of 'nostalgia' tours. Full details to be announced shortly.
Meanwhile the book Backstage written by über-fan Steve Roper is also due for issue in November. Steve runs The Touring Principle site "dedicated to the most prolific and entertaining period of Gary Numan's career, 1979 to 1981" and was a driving force behind the issues of Numan's classic 'lost' live performances on CD, Living Ornaments 1980 (2005) and Engineers (2008).
Backstage's myspace also announces an official release date of September 21, 2009 for The Pleasure Principle 30th Anniversary edition. According to the site's blog "the CD will be a double CD with extra demo tracks, plus there will also be a limited edition 3rd CD available, from NuWorld only."
The Pleasure Principle: 30 years on and the pyramid still hasn't budged.
Gary Numan - Conversation (Early Version 2)
Although initially planned as one-off show at the Manchester Academy on 21st November, the tour will now take in more dates, despite Numan's dislike of 'nostalgia' tours. Full details to be announced shortly.
Meanwhile the book Backstage written by über-fan Steve Roper is also due for issue in November. Steve runs The Touring Principle site "dedicated to the most prolific and entertaining period of Gary Numan's career, 1979 to 1981" and was a driving force behind the issues of Numan's classic 'lost' live performances on CD, Living Ornaments 1980 (2005) and Engineers (2008).
Backstage's myspace also announces an official release date of September 21, 2009 for The Pleasure Principle 30th Anniversary edition. According to the site's blog "the CD will be a double CD with extra demo tracks, plus there will also be a limited edition 3rd CD available, from NuWorld only."
The Pleasure Principle: 30 years on and the pyramid still hasn't budged.
Gary Numan - Conversation (Early Version 2)
Friday, 26 June 2009
Jacko dead
Michael Jackson is dead. He never was LIM's musical cup of tea. I hated Thriller when it came out: after all the years of post-punk and 'new wave' American mass-produced pop-pap was obviously back in a big way, firstly with Jackson then with Madonna etc etc. He played in big part in the "MTV revolution" especially with the Thriller video, which again was Reagan- driven US music for the masses being exported with ease to Thatcher's UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
Jackson's eccentric behavio(u)r, Neverland home built especially with children in mind (ahem) and last but not least his desire to look like Diana Ross, but whiter, were all part of the Whacko-Jacko package, and after all he was finally proved 'innocent' of certain crimes.
But when all's said and done you have to hand it to him - he did some cracking pop songs and yes I secretly did like Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Billie Jean and later Black or White and a few others.
In the year of Obama's "black revolution" the black man who wanted to become white passed away. RIP Michael Jackson.
Jackson's eccentric behavio(u)r, Neverland home built especially with children in mind (ahem) and last but not least his desire to look like Diana Ross, but whiter, were all part of the Whacko-Jacko package, and after all he was finally proved 'innocent' of certain crimes.
But when all's said and done you have to hand it to him - he did some cracking pop songs and yes I secretly did like Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Billie Jean and later Black or White and a few others.
In the year of Obama's "black revolution" the black man who wanted to become white passed away. RIP Michael Jackson.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
The quiet man speaks
Official sites The Quiet Man and Metamatic have given details of the new John Foxx CD The Quiet Man which features some of the surreal, dream-like stories from the musician's on-going novel about London of the same name.‘The origins of the novel are firmly cinematic,’ says Foxx. ‘I found an old grey suit in a charity shop in the 1970s. Over the years, I got some friends to wear the suit in various locations in London. I filmed them just walking or sitting in cafes or apartments. As I did this, The Quiet Man story began to emerge. It’s about London becoming overgrown, about the suit being alive somehow, and the way cities can alter us - and our memories. ‘It’s also about film’, he adds. ‘In the novel, The Quiet Man walks into the screen at one point. I think we all do this when we view a film, we enter into it. Participate. Travelling without moving. If that isn’t magic, I don’t know what is.’
The Quiet Man CD will be issued on Monday 27th July and will be exclusive to the Foxx Official Shop at Townsend Records. This will be Foxx's 4th CD release this year.
The issue of the CD coincides with a new exhibition, DNA,which features images and narratives from the book alongside work by visual artists, film-makers, illustrators, Manga artists, graphic designers and musicians who have been inspired by the character and different aspects of Foxx's thirty-year career.
John Foxx: keeping it Quiet
Friday, 19 June 2009
Phil in Boots
The Human League's Philip Oakey has made a guest appearance on a track on Little Boots' new album Hands. The track, entitled Symmetry, was also performed live by the not-entirely-unlikely duo at a recent LB gig. It's a stomping track which fits in seamlessly with all the other frankly amazing songs in Blackpool-born Victoria Hesketh's debut. Close your eys and you can imagine a 1981-style Oakey singing it on TOTP.
"I'm a huge Human League fan and I just didn't think it would happen. When [singer] Phil Oakey said he would do it, I was like, 'Wow, incredible', because I'm just a massive fan".
Little Boots' electro-driven debut bears all the influences of greats such as The Human League, Pet Shop Boys, Heaven 17 et al yet the numerous references to Kylie by some critics are a little shallow and ill-founded. Hesketh writes all our own material and is a keyboard and techno wiz (witness her deftly using the Yamaha Tenori-on). A child of her time, and a very talented one at that. LIM says: Real new talent..at last!
Little Boots with Phil Oakey: together in electric dreams.
sources: BBC, Electronically Yours
Little Boots official
"I'm a huge Human League fan and I just didn't think it would happen. When [singer] Phil Oakey said he would do it, I was like, 'Wow, incredible', because I'm just a massive fan".
Little Boots' electro-driven debut bears all the influences of greats such as The Human League, Pet Shop Boys, Heaven 17 et al yet the numerous references to Kylie by some critics are a little shallow and ill-founded. Hesketh writes all our own material and is a keyboard and techno wiz (witness her deftly using the Yamaha Tenori-on). A child of her time, and a very talented one at that. LIM says: Real new talent..at last!
Little Boots with Phil Oakey: together in electric dreams.
sources: BBC, Electronically Yours
Little Boots official
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Monday, 15 June 2009
New Nouvelle news
Well love em or hate em Nouvelle Vague are back with a new album of their off-beat versions of various punk and new wave songs, making this their third so far. The new album - appropriately entitled '3' - differs from the band's previous albums however in that it actually features the original singers on some of the songs - Ian McCulloch on the Bunnymen's All My Colours, Terry Hall on Our Lips Are Sealed and Martin Gore on Master & Servant among them.
Other songs covered include laid back versions of Gary Numan's Metal, Psychedelic Furs' Heaven, The Sex Pistols' God Save the Queen and Simple Minds' The American.
Nouvelle Vague, led by producer/arrangers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux and a revolving cast of chanteuses, embark on an extensive world tour this weeks rating in New York taking in much of Europe up until December.
NV on my space
NV offical site
Nouvelle Vague: il sont fous ces francais . .mais très aimables.
Other songs covered include laid back versions of Gary Numan's Metal, Psychedelic Furs' Heaven, The Sex Pistols' God Save the Queen and Simple Minds' The American.
Nouvelle Vague, led by producer/arrangers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux and a revolving cast of chanteuses, embark on an extensive world tour this weeks rating in New York taking in much of Europe up until December.
NV on my space
NV offical site
Nouvelle Vague: il sont fous ces francais . .mais très aimables.
Friday, 29 May 2009
On the Mode again
and then....
..the DM official announcement did duly come yesterday. Fans who bought tickets for the concert in Leipzig, Germany on June 8th can breathe a sigh of relief as the Tour of the Universe will re-start from there. Dave Gahan has had an operation to remove a 'low-grade malignant tunour' from his bladder.
Cancelled dates have been or will soon be re-scheduled. see depechemode.com
the good burgers of Leipzig in a celebratory mood, yesterday
..the DM official announcement did duly come yesterday. Fans who bought tickets for the concert in Leipzig, Germany on June 8th can breathe a sigh of relief as the Tour of the Universe will re-start from there. Dave Gahan has had an operation to remove a 'low-grade malignant tunour' from his bladder.
Cancelled dates have been or will soon be re-scheduled. see depechemode.com
the good burgers of Leipzig in a celebratory mood, yesterday
Thursday, 28 May 2009
The Universe can wait
Ticket holding Depeche Mode fans in the UK are anxiously waiting to know whether they should abandon homes and loved ones to reach the capital for the scheduled DM concert at the O2 Arena on Saturday.
So far a total of nine concerts of the much anticipated Tour of the Universe have been cancelled due to singer Dave Gahan's ill health.
An announcement as to whether London or other gigs will also be cancelled is expected later today.
Gahan was rushed to hospital just minutes before the concert in Athens earlier this month, allegedly due to 'a severe bout of gastroenteritis'.
Lost in Music asks: couldn't Gore do all the singing?
Dave Gahan : not a well man.
So far a total of nine concerts of the much anticipated Tour of the Universe have been cancelled due to singer Dave Gahan's ill health.
An announcement as to whether London or other gigs will also be cancelled is expected later today.
Gahan was rushed to hospital just minutes before the concert in Athens earlier this month, allegedly due to 'a severe bout of gastroenteritis'.
Lost in Music asks: couldn't Gore do all the singing?
Dave Gahan : not a well man.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Marsheaux break through
Marsheaux announce that their new 5 track EP Breakthrough will be released on Friday 29th May through all the usual download outlets.
As well as the radio edit and club mixes there will be a 'B' side called 'How Does It Feel?' exclusive to this EP release only, not be featured on the band's upcoming album 'Lumineux Noir'. It's not known whether this track is a cover version of the Slade classic.
tracklisting
1. Breakthrough - Radio Edit
2. How Does It Feel?
3. Breakthrough - Fotonovela Remix
4. Breakthrough - Auto Auto Remix
5. Breakthrough - Marsheauxxxx Remixxxx
Breakthrough on play.com
Marsheaux : ooh look, they're talking about us on Lost in Music!
As well as the radio edit and club mixes there will be a 'B' side called 'How Does It Feel?' exclusive to this EP release only, not be featured on the band's upcoming album 'Lumineux Noir'. It's not known whether this track is a cover version of the Slade classic.
tracklisting
1. Breakthrough - Radio Edit
2. How Does It Feel?
3. Breakthrough - Fotonovela Remix
4. Breakthrough - Auto Auto Remix
5. Breakthrough - Marsheauxxxx Remixxxx
Breakthrough on play.com
Marsheaux : ooh look, they're talking about us on Lost in Music!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Hyperactive Dolby
Synth-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby has just released a CD/DVD retrospective collection entitled The Singular Thomas Dolby on EMI. The British artist became one of the most recognizable figures of the synth-pop movement of early-’80s new wave with songs such as "Europa & the Pirate Twins", "Windpower" and "She Blinded Me With Science" (featuring Dr. Magnus Pyke) . Dolby successfully harnessed the power of synthesizers and samplers, to make catchy pop and light electro-funk, becoming successful in the US when the 'new wave' hit America in the mid 80s. The CD covers his career from the early tracks "Urges" and "Leipzig" through to "I Love You Goodbye" and "Silk Pyjamas", while the DVD features "..seldom seen cut from his 1983 concert, “Live Wireless”.." and all the videos.
Remastered and enhanced versions of Dolby's classic albums The Golden Age of Wireless (CD/DVD) and The Flat Earth are also set for release in June. Although the new CDs contain "all peripheral songs from each era that didn’t make it onto the albums for whatever reason" Dolby also promises that extras will also be available as free downloads from the official web site. 12" extended versions have been avoided.
Dolby is currently working on a new studio album which will include songs performed on the 2006/2007 Sole Inhabitant tour called "Your Karma Hit My Dogma" and "Jealous Thing".
Thomas Dolby: then and now
Remastered and enhanced versions of Dolby's classic albums The Golden Age of Wireless (CD/DVD) and The Flat Earth are also set for release in June. Although the new CDs contain "all peripheral songs from each era that didn’t make it onto the albums for whatever reason" Dolby also promises that extras will also be available as free downloads from the official web site. 12" extended versions have been avoided.
Dolby is currently working on a new studio album which will include songs performed on the 2006/2007 Sole Inhabitant tour called "Your Karma Hit My Dogma" and "Jealous Thing".
Thomas Dolby: then and now
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Songs without frontiers
The 2009 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Norway's 23 year old contestant Aleksander Rybak with the self-penned "Fairytale". The young singer-songwriter of Bielorus origins was a strong favourite and came first in Moscow with 387 votes beating Iceland into second place (218 votes) and Azerbaijan 3rd (207 votes). Rybak, son of a pianist and violin player, begaun playing both instruments at 5 years old. The rousing number, sung in English, has a strong melody and chorus as well as a catchy folk style violin line as played by Rybak himself on stage.This year's contest held in Moscow was the most expensive to date at an estimated cost of 42 million euros. The show was also somewhat overshadowed by the Gay Pride parade held on the same day as the final in the Russian capital, which saw several arrests. the parade had not been approved by the city's mayor Iuri Luzhkov.
Mr. Luzhov..zero points.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Cale's Wales...in Venice
Ex Velvet Underground member John Cale will be representing his home country of Wales at the Venice Biennale arts festival this summer.
Born in Garnant, South Wales, Cale attended Goldsmiths College, London. In 1963, he moved to New York, where he met LaMonte Young, Andy Warhol, and Lou Reed, and founded The Velvet Underground.
For Wales at Venice 2009, Cale will produce a new audio-visual work made in Wales, in collaboration with artists, filmmakers and poets. The work has at its heart Cale’s own personal relationship with the Welsh language and the issues surrounding communication. The installation will be gheld in the ex-birreria, a former brewery on the island of Giudecca from June 7th to November 22nd 2009.
Jonathan Jones in The Guardian describes the work as "a wonderful spoken-word recording, like a cross between Dylan Thomas and William S Burroughs played on an old radio".
Intriguing...might be worth a vist.
John Cale: "Mae gweithio yn aml-gyfryngol yn gweddu’r broses o ddadreibio ac rwyf yn ddiolchgar am y cyfle hwn i’w harchwilio yn ddyfnach"
Born in Garnant, South Wales, Cale attended Goldsmiths College, London. In 1963, he moved to New York, where he met LaMonte Young, Andy Warhol, and Lou Reed, and founded The Velvet Underground.
For Wales at Venice 2009, Cale will produce a new audio-visual work made in Wales, in collaboration with artists, filmmakers and poets. The work has at its heart Cale’s own personal relationship with the Welsh language and the issues surrounding communication. The installation will be gheld in the ex-birreria, a former brewery on the island of Giudecca from June 7th to November 22nd 2009.
Jonathan Jones in The Guardian describes the work as "a wonderful spoken-word recording, like a cross between Dylan Thomas and William S Burroughs played on an old radio".
Intriguing...might be worth a vist.
John Cale: "Mae gweithio yn aml-gyfryngol yn gweddu’r broses o ddadreibio ac rwyf yn ddiolchgar am y cyfle hwn i’w harchwilio yn ddyfnach"
Monday, 11 May 2009
Awaydays: soundtrack to a generation
The soundtrack to the new movie Awaydays, based on the original novel by Kevin Simpson, will be released on 25th May and features some of the best 'new wave' music from the 78/79 period. Ultravox!, Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Cabaret Voltaire, The Human League, The Mekons are just some of the names on the CD accompanying the film to be released in the UK on the 22nd.
Putting together the soundtrack on a low budget was not an easy task, as Simpson eplains in a recent article in The Guardian.
The film's producer is David Hughes, formerly of Dalek-I and and early line-up of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The legendary Eric's Club in Liverpool features in the film.
"David Hughes and I are unusual in that we have a background in music", explains Simpson, "and we really wanted to clear a glut of new wave classics for that £10,000. We had our work cut out."
Well, full marks for the end result. Looking forward to the soundtrack as much as the film..
Awaydays soundtrack on Amazon
Awaydays offical site
Awaydays cast: here are the (smart) youg men.
Putting together the soundtrack on a low budget was not an easy task, as Simpson eplains in a recent article in The Guardian.
The film's producer is David Hughes, formerly of Dalek-I and and early line-up of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The legendary Eric's Club in Liverpool features in the film.
"David Hughes and I are unusual in that we have a background in music", explains Simpson, "and we really wanted to clear a glut of new wave classics for that £10,000. We had our work cut out."
Well, full marks for the end result. Looking forward to the soundtrack as much as the film..
Awaydays soundtrack on Amazon
Awaydays offical site
Awaydays cast: here are the (smart) youg men.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Pleasure Circuit
Gary Numan is said to be preparing a special concert in Manchester in November to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his first solo album 'The Pleasure Principle' and seminal synth-rock/pop single 'Cars'.Nuworld also states that "It's possible that other Pleasure Principle shows will be added around this Manchester gig to create a Pleasure Principle mini tour."
Numan recently performed anniversary tours of both his Telekon and Tubeway Army's Replicas albums, although towards the end of the latter the performer expressed in typical style that he was tired of 'nostalgia' tours and wished to concentrate on new material only.
Numan's schizophrenic attitude towards avid fans and touring is not unknown: his songs Sleep By Windows and Remind Me to Smile and general 'stand-off' attitude are testament to that. In 1980 he also announced his decision to 'retire' from performing live. After the 'farewell' shows in 1981, he returned to the live circuit in 1983. Numan is married to long-time fan Gemma O'Neill, and they have two children.
Gary Numan: he's got Asperger syndrome
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Concrete music
Mick Karn is set to release his new solo album 'The Concrete Twin' later in the summer. The artist's official site gives the full tracklisting although no definite issue date.
Karn (real name Anthony Michaelides) has enjoyed an eclectic yet prolific solo career since departing from Japan in 1982. Most noted for his work with the art-rock group, his distinctive fretless bass sound has been used with a wide range of artists from Kate Bush to Gary Numan as well as re-joining his former bandmates David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri on various projects.
Mick Karn: yes he's been to France
Karn (real name Anthony Michaelides) has enjoyed an eclectic yet prolific solo career since departing from Japan in 1982. Most noted for his work with the art-rock group, his distinctive fretless bass sound has been used with a wide range of artists from Kate Bush to Gary Numan as well as re-joining his former bandmates David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri on various projects.
Mick Karn: yes he's been to France
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