Lohues & The Louisiana Blues Club - Grip (2005)

Daniël Lohues formed in the spring of 2003 the band Lohues & The Louisiana Blues Club. This he does in the United States with local Blues artists by making the album "Ja Boeh".  The lyrics are written in the Drents. (a Dutch dialect) If the band goes on tour, then find there is some changes in the occupation. In the spring of 2005 they recorded a second album named "Grip" . As guest musician on this album plays Candy Dulfer on saxophone.

The title of this album comes from the eponymous song that tells about the devil, a kind of Crossroads-song to Robert Johnson. The chorus: indifferent, 't veurbij gevaor. And the duuvel had grip on me.

Track listing

01.  De Trein Rolt Verder - 2:45

02.  Waailappe Blues - 2:44

03.  Liek Veur de Kop (with Candy Dulfer) - 4:38

04.  Boggel in 'T Rad - 8:04

05.  Nils Holgerssons Blues - 2:36

06.  New Orleans - 3:32

07.  Water op de Lont - 3:24

08.  Scheuvel Blues - 4:08

09.  Niet Alles Hebben - 4:33

10.  'T Is Mij Mislukt - 2:41

11.  Iene met de Jasse An - 3:18

12.  Grip - 4:49

13.  Zydeco - 2:18

14.  Zomerweer - 5:19

Released:  29 juni, 2005

Recorded at:  Studio Zeezicht, Spaarndam (The Netherlands)

Label:  Universal

Genre:  Blues

Length:  54:49

Producer:  Daniël Lohues

Mixed By:  Frans Hendriks

Personnel

Daniël Lohues - Leadzanger, Gitarist 

Keith Keyes - Bass

Joost Kolker - Bluesharp, Accordion 

Gralin Neal - Drums

Marco Geerdink - Guitar [Rhythm]  

Rob van Donselaar - Piano, Organ [Hammond] 

Candy Dulfer - Sax

Bert Boeren - Horns

Iwan Van Hetten - Horns

Jan Koper - Horns

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (2005)

"Jagged Little Pill Acoustic" is an album by Alanis Morissette. As the title indicates, it is an acoustic version of her third album Jagged Little Pill (1995), released by Maverick Records.

"Jagged Little Pill Acoustic" is the sound of an artist who is comfortable and settled, fondly reminiscing about her crazy past for an audience that is also comfortable and settled.

While there are acoustic guitars at the foundation of each of the 12 tracks here (plus the unlisted 13th bonus track), this isn't strictly acoustic, at least by most standards: with original JLP producer Glen Ballard, who never met a production he couldn't overdub a few more times than necessary, on board as well, it's not surprising that Acoustic winds up being a subdued adult alternative pop album filled with strings, keyboards, and production instead of a stark acoustic record. Since Ballard is a pro and since Alanis has lived with these songs long enough to find different, yet comfortable, ways to rephrase these familiar melodies, it's a pleasant enough listen, but it's hard to see the point of the album. That is, unless it is really for the kind of crowd she serenaded in that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm  a very satisfied, very comfortable audience that prefers to see the past only through rose-colored glasses that present their history in terms that are more acceptable to who they are now than who they were back then.

Track listing

01.  All I Really Want  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 5:24

02.  You Oughta Know  (Morissette, Ballard)   - 4:58

03.  Perfect  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 3:26

04.  Hand in My Pocket  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 4:32

05.  Right Through You  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 3:40

06.  Forgiven  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 4:43

07.  You Learn  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 4:10

08.  Head over Feet  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 4:17

09.  Mary Jane  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 5:08

10.  Ironic  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 3:57

11.  Not the Doctor  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 4:26

12.  Wake Up  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 5:18

13.  Your House (hidden track)  (Morissette, Ballard)  - 9:56

Released:  June 13, 2005

Genre:  Acoustic Rock

Length:  54:37

Label:  Maverick

Producer:  Glen Ballard

Mixed and Recorded by:  Bill Malina

Personnel

Alanis Morissette - Vocals, Harmonica

David Levita - Guitars, Marxophone, Perapaloshka, Mandolin

Blair Sinta - Drums, Percussion, Maraca, Cajon

Zac Rae - Pianoforte, Keyboards, Organ, Pump Organ

Jason Orme - Guitars

Cedric Lemoyne - Bass

Glen Ballard - String Arrangement

Suzie Katayama - String Arrangement, Conductor

Ralph Morrison - Violin I

Sara Parkins - Violin II

Roland Kato - Viola

Steve Erdody - Cello

Level 42 - A Physical Presence (1985)

"A Physical Presence" is a two-disc live album by the British jazz-funk pop group Level 42, released in June 1985 and recorded in England during March 1985 at The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire. "A Physical Presence" is an impressive document of the band's dynamic live performances, and the live renditions of many of the songs improve on the original studio recordings.  Much of the material on "A Physical Presence" comes from the band's first four studio albums, and several of Level 42's minor British hits "Hot Water," "The Chinese Way" are included. Physical's highlights, however, are the blistering live takes on lesser-known non-single releases. For example, "Kansas City Milkman," which originally appeared in a somewhat lackluster version on the 1984 release "True Colours", is given new life in concert; the version here is slightly faster and more energetic than the original. "Eyes Waterfalling" (originally from the 1982 album "The Pursuit of Accidents") is given the same treatment and features Mark King's mind-boggling thumb-slapping bass-playing technique, which is all the more impressive considering his simultaneous role as lead vocalist. King is an amazing musician, but his fellow bandmates are no less capable; vocalist and keyboardist Mike Lindup, drummer Phil Gould, and guitarist Boon Gould give first-rate performances. Level 42's studio efforts (particularly on the early albums) tend to suffer from over-production, barely giving the musicians room to breathe. That certainly isn't the case here; on "A Physical Presence", Level 42 truly shines, combining energy, talent, and songcraft to breathtaking effect.

Track listing

Disc one

01.  Almost There  (King, P. Gould, R. Gould)  - 6:47

02.  Turn It On  (Badarou, P. Gould, R. Gould, King)  - 5:47

03.  Mr. Pink  (Badarou, King)  - 6:08

04.  Eyes Waterfalling  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, R. Gould)  - 5:20

05.  Kansas City Milkman  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)  - 7:17

06.  Follow Me  (King, R. Gould)  - 5:01

07.  Foundation & Empire  (King)  - 8:39

Disc two

01.  The Chant Has Begun  (King, P. Gould)   - 6:12

02.  The Chinese Way  (King, P. Gould, Badarou)  - 4:47

03.  The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)  (Badarou, King, Lindup, P. Gould)   - 4:59

04.  Hot Water  (King, P. Gould, Lindup, Badarou)   - 6:24

05.  Love Games  (King, P. Gould)   - 9:44

06.  88  (King)   - 12:33

Released:  June 1985

Recorded at:  The Coronet Woolwich, The Hexagon, Reading and Goldiggers, Chippenham, Wiltshire

Label:  Polydor

Genre:  Funk, Fusion, Live

Length:  89:38

Producer:  Greg Jackman, Level 42

Personnel

Mark King - Bass, Guitar, Vocals,

Mike Lindup - Keyboards, Vocals

Phil Gould - Drums, Backing Vocals

Boon Gould - Guitars

Krys Mach - Saxophones

Soundtrack - A View To A Kill (1985)

"A View to a Kill" is the soundtrack for the film of the same name, the 14th installment in the James Bond film series.

The theme song "A View to a Kill", was written by John Barry and Duran Duran, and was recorded in London with a 60-piece orchestra. "A View to a Kill" is the most successful Bond theme to date. In 1986 Barry and Duran Duran were nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

Duran Duran was chosen to do the song after bassist John Taylor (a lifelong Bond fan) approached producer Cubby Broccoli at a party, and somewhat drunkenly asked "When are you going to get someone decent to do one of your theme songs?"

Track listing

01.  View to a Kill [Main Title Song]  (John Barry)  (performed by Duran Duran)  - 3:36 

02.  Snow Job John  (Barry)  - 2:29 

03.  May Day Jumps  (John Barry)  - 2:52 

04.  Bond Meets Stacey (A View to a Kill)  (John Barry)  - 2:31 

05.  Pegasus' Stable  (John Barry)  - 3:23 

06.  Tibbett Gets Washed Out  (John Barry)  - 1:43 

07.  Airship to Silicon Valley  (John Barry)  - 2:34 

08.  He's Dangerous  (John Barry)  - 2:16 

09.  Bond Underwater  (John Barry)  - 2:35 

10.  Wine With Stacey (A View to a Kill)  (John Barr)  - 1:55 

11.  Bond Escapes Roller  (John Barry)  - 1:24 

12.  Destroy Silicon Valley  (John Barry)  - 2:24 

13.  May Day Bombs Out  (John Barry)  - 3:02 

14.  Golden Gate Fight  (John Barry)  - 3:31 

15.  View to a Kill [End Title Song]  (John Barry)  (performed by Duran Duran)  - 2:04 

Released:  1985

Label:  EMI

Genre:  Pop, Score

Length:  38:09

Producer:  John Barry, Bernard Edwards

Personnel

John Barry - Composer, Conductor

Duran Duran

Rick Springfield - Tao (1985)

"Tao" is an album by pop singer Rick Springfield. It was released in 1985 on RCA Records.

 Its a very experimental album, very different from ´"Living In Oz" (another work of experiment).

This album gives you great love and passion, because of its underlying spiritual tones, but also because Rick's musical expansion and maturity are clearly evident.

The lyrics are great, and the subject matter surpasses the "get-the-girl" theme of previous songs like: "How Do You Talk To Girls" and "Love is Alright Tonite." Subjects ranging from the destruction of the world in, "Walking on the Edge", to the innocence of childhood in "Celebrate Youth", combined with electronically synthesized dance beats, forces you to think while clapping your hands and tapping your feet. One of the best track is, "My Father's Chair", very touching, it mellows out this very energetic, busy album.

Track listing

01.  Dance This World Away  (Rick Springfield)  - 4:35    

02.  Celebrate Youth  (Rick Springfield)  - 3:52    

03.  State of the Heart (Intro)  (Rick Springfield)  - 0:31    

04.  State of the Heart  (Eric McCusker, Tim Pierce, Rick Springfield)  - 4:02    

05.  Written in Rock  (Rick Springfield)  - 4:35    

06.  The Power of Love (The Tao of Love)  (Rick Springfield)  - 5:00    

07.  Walking on the Edge  (Rick Springfield)  - 5:12    

08.  Walk Like a Man  (Rick Springfield)  - 4:09    

09.  The Tao of Heaven   (Rick Springfield)  - 1:29    

10.  Stranger in the House  (Rick Springfield)  - 4:03    

11.  My Father's Chair  (Rick Springfield)  - 3:28    

Released:  1985

Label:  RCA Records

Genre:  Pop, Rock

Length:  41:02

Producer:  Rick Springfield, Bill Drescher

Personnel

Rick Springfield - Vocals, Guitar, Sampler [Emulator Ii], Programmed By [Dmx Programs], Bass, Synthesizer [Dx 7, Jx-3p], Percussion

Pino Palladino - Bass (Fretless)

Mike Baird - Drums

Tim Pierce - Guitar, Synthesizer [Gr707]

Mike Fischer - Percussion [Acoustic]

Mitchell Froom - Sampler [Emulator Ii], Keyboards [Optigan], Synthesizer [Dx 7, Jupiter 8, Memory Moog], Effects [Expander] 

Nicky Hopkins - Synthesizer [Dx 7, Jx-3p]  

Jeff Silverman - Synthesizer [Gr707]

John Phillip Shenale - Synthesizer [Ppg, Ob 8, Dx 7]

Nigel Lundemo Pierce  - Voice [Talking Boy]

Edie Lehmann - Backing Vocals

Mike Seifrit - Backing Vocals

Richard Page - Backing Vocals

Tom Kelly - Backing Vocals

Tom Funderburk - Backing Vocals

Big Country - Wonderland (EP) (1984)

Big Country followed up its debut album, "The Crossing", with the EP "Wonderland", which contained the characteristically anthemic title track, a U.S. chart single and U.K. Top 10 hit. Also included were "All Fall Together" and two U.K. B-sides, "Angle Park" and "The Crossing." None of these tracks turned up on a Big Country album in the U.S. until 1994, when The Best Of Big Country featured "Wonderland." Although out of print, this record provides an effective sampler of The Big Country sound.

Track listing

01.  Wonderland  (Big Country)  - 3:58  

02.  Angle Park  (Bruce Watson, Stuart Adamson)  - 4:08  

03.  All Fall Together (Jimmy Iovine Remix)  (Big Country)  - 5:16  

04.  Chance (Extended Re-Mix)  (Big Country)  - 6:10  

05.  Heart And Soul  (Big Country)  - 4:28  

06.  The Crossing   (Big Country)  - 7:10 

Release:  01 april, 1984

Label:  Vertigo

Genre:  Rock, Pop

Length:  31:09

Producer:  Steve Lillywhite, Big Country, Steve Churchyard, Chris Thomas

Personnel

Stuart Adamson - vocals, guitar, piano, e-bow

Bruce Watson - guitar, mandolin, sitar, vocals, e-bow

Tony Butler - bass, vocals

Mark Brzezicki - drums, percussion, vocals

Nik Kershaw - Human Racing (1984)

"Human Racing" is Nik Kershaw's first album. It was released in 1984 by MCA Records.

Eighties pop delivered several talented artists in the genre, one of them being the British, Bristol-born Nik Kershaw.

Kershaw's '84 debut "Human Racing" not only showed his vocal skills and ability to play Guitar, Bass, Keyboards and Percussion, but also Nik's superb songwriting and the terrific production by Peter Collins.

"Human Racing" itself is a product of its time, superbly dynamic and brilliantly arranged with an emphasis on melody and hooks. Catchy choruses a-plenty, guitar solos and the customary '80s keyboards and synths.

Track listing

01.  Dancing Girls  (Kershaw)  - 3:46

02.  Wouldn't It Be Good  (Kershaw)  - 4:32

03.  Drum Talk  (Kershaw)  - 3:10

04.  Bogart  (Kershaw)  - 4:38

05.  Gone to Pieces  (Kershaw)  - 3:11

06.  Shame on You  (Kershaw)  - 3:33

07.  Cloak and Dagger  (Kershaw)  - 4:55

08.  Faces  (Kershaw)  - 4:05

09.  I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me  (Kershaw)  - 3:23

10.  Human Racing  (Kershaw)  - 4:26

Released:  1984

Recorded at:  Sarm East Studios, East London

Genre:  Electronic, Synthpop

Length:  39:39

Label:  MCA

Producer:  Peter Collins

Engineer:  Julian Mendelsohn

Personnel

Nik Kershaw - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion

Paul Westwood - Bass

Charlie Morgan - Drums

Martin Ditcham - Percussion 

Don Snow - Keyboards

Nick Glennie-Smith - Keyboards

Reg Webb - Keyboards

Wix - Keyboards

Bill Reichenbach - Horns

Cary Grant - Horns

Jerry Hey - Horns

Kim Hutchcroft - Horns

Larry Williams - Horns

Lynda Hayes - Voice Over

Sheri Kershaw - Backing Vocals

The Beat - What Is Beat (1983)

"What Is Beat? - The Best of The Beat" is a greatest hits album by the ska band The Beat released in 1983.

This compilation showcases many of the band's strongest points, including its two biggest American hits in the incipient alternative scene. "Mirror in the Bathroom" is a crisp, to-the-point picture of self-doubt with great, unnerving sax on the breaks, while "Save It for Later" remains one of the few pop songs about holding off on sex instead of taking the plunge. The latter appears in its fine 12" remix version, one of several rarities making What is Beat? of interest to hardcore fans. Most are U.K.-only singles that never appeared on any of the group's three albums, including the almost sprightly "What's Your Best Thing" and "Too Nice to Talk To"'s just-dark-enough nervous dance. Two other remixes turn up: the cover of "Can't Get Used to Losing You" moves with moody, string-touched atmosphere, while noted early-'80s dance producer John "Jellybean" Benitez does a salsa-tinged revamp of "I Confess." More familiar cuts include the captivating remake of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown," the shuddering "Twist and Crawl," and "Doors of Your Heart," which features Ranking Roger's toasting skills quite nicely. The album wraps up with a fiery live medley of "Get a Job" and "Stand Down Margaret," recorded in Boston in late 1982, a bonus that captures the band at a definite highpoint.

Track listing (US Version)

01.  Mirror In the Bathroom  - 3:07

02.  Twist & Crawl  - 2:33

03.  Tears of a Clown  - 2:39

04.  Can't Get Used To Losing You (Remix)  - 3:23

05.  Doors of Your Heart  - 2:59

06.  What's Your Best Thing  - 3:47

07.  Hit It  - 3:00

08.  Save It For Later (12" version)  - 4:54

09.  Best Friend  - 3:02

10.  I Confess (12" remix)  - 5:45

11.  Too Nice To Talk To  - 3:05

12.  Get a Job/Stand Down Margaret (recorded live in Boston, November 19, 1982)  - 6:40

Released:  1983

Genre:  Ska, Reggae, Mod

Length:  46:01

Label:  Arista

Producer:  Bob Sargeant

Personnel

Ranking Roger - toasting vocals

David Steele - bass

Andy Cox - guitar

Dave Wakeling - vocals, guitar

Everett Morton - drums

Saxa - saxophone

Soundtrack - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" is a 1983 film directed by Nagisa Oshima, produced by Jeremy Thomas and starring David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Takeshi Kitano.

It was written by Oshima and Paul Mayersberg and based on Laurens van der Post's experiences during World War II as a prisoner of war as depicted in his works The Seed and the Sower (1963) and The Night of the New Moon (1970).

The film is notable for its soundtrack, by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The main score, which bears the same title as the movie, ranks among Sakamoto's most well-known songs and made him known to a broader public. The soundtrack also contains the vocal version of this title track, better known as "Forbidden Colours" with lyrics sung and composed by David Sylvian.

Track listing

01.  Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence  - 4:34  

02.  Batavia  - 1:18  

03.  Germination  - 1:47  

04.  A Hearty Breakfast  - 1:21  

05.  Before The War  - 2:14  

06.  The Seed And The Sower  - 5:00  

07.  A Brief Encounter  - 2:23  

08.  Ride, Ride, Ride (Celliers' Brother's Song)  - 1:03  

09.  The Fight  - 1:29  

10.  Father Christmas  - 2:00  

11.  Dismissed  - 0:10  

12.  Assembly  - 2:16  

13.  Beyond Reason  - 2:01  

14.  Sowing The Seed  - 1:53  

15.  23rd Psalm  - 2:00  

16.  Last Regrets  - 2:40  

17.  Ride, Ride, Ride (Reprise)  - 1:04  

18.  The Seed  - 1:02  

19.  Forbidden Colours (Vocals, Composed By: David Sylvian)  - 4:42 

Release:  1983

Recorded, Mixed at:  Onkio Haus, Tokyo

Label:  Virgin

Genre:  Ambient, Score

Length:  4 0:39

Performer, Recorded, Mixed, Composed by:  Ryuichi Sakamoto

Recorded, Mixed by:   Seigen Ono, Shinichi Tanaka

Mixed by [Assistant]:   Michio Nakakoshi

Personnel

Ryuichi Sakamoto - Composer

David Sylvian - Vocals

Chicago - 16 (1982)

"Chicago 16" is the fourteenth studio album, and sixteenth album overall, by the American band Chicago, released on June 7, 1982. The album marks the beginning of a new era for Chicago. It is the first album in a decade-long association with new label Warner Bros. Records; the band's first project to be produced by David Foster.

The band had realized in 1981 that their commercial appeal and image were at an all-time low. So they brought on Sons of Champlin frontman/founder Bill Champlin as keyboard player and singer, a man who successfully replaced Terry Kath vocally in the band's sound.  Foster radically redefined Chicago's sound for the 1980s, with all of the latest technologies and techniques and introducing the significant use of outside songwriters and studio players. (Four members of Toto lent their expertise to the sessions.) Given the use of the new recording technology on this album, it's fitting that the album cover features the famous band logo grafted onto a silicon computer chip. Of all the band's members, Peter Cetera benefitted most from the stylistic changes, having much in common musically with Foster. Their adult contemporary leanings permeated much of "Chicago 16", swaying the band further from their ensemble jazz and rock roots and successfully introducing Chicago to a new and younger audience.

Upon its release, "Chicago 16" proved a big hit album, especially as "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" became the band's second #1 US single, "Love Me Tomorrow" and "What You´re Missing".

Track listing

01.  What You're Missing  (Jay Gruska, Joseph Williams)  - 4:10

02.  Waiting for You to Decide  (David Foster, Steve Lukather, David Paich)  - 4:06

03.  Bad Advice  (Peter Cetera, Foster, James Pankow)  - 2:58

04.  Chains  (Peter Cetera, Ian Thomas)  - 3:22

05.  Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Get Away  (Cetera, Foster, Robert Lamm)  - 5:08

06.  Follow Me  (Foster, Pankow)  - 4:53

07.  Sonny Think Twice  (Bill Champlin, Danny Seraphine)  - 4:01

08.  What Can I Say  (Foster, Pankow)  - 3:49

09.  Rescue You  (Cetera, Foster)  - 3:57

10.  Love Me Tomorrow  (Cetera, Foster)  - 5:06

11.  Daddy's Favorite Fool  (Champlin)  - 3:52

Released:  June 7, 1982

Genre:  Rock, Adult Contemporary

Length:  41:51

Label:  Warner Bros.

Producer:  David Foster

Personnel

Peter Cetera - electric bass, acoustic guitar, vocals, background vocals

Bill Champlin - pianos, keyboards, guitars, vocals

Robert Lamm - pianos, keyboards, percussion, background vocals

Lee Loughnane - trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, percussion, background vocals

James Pankow - trombone, percussion, background vocals

Walter Parazaider - saxophones, flute, clarinet

Danny Seraphine - drums, percussion

David Foster - keyboards

Chris Pinnick - guitar

Steve Lukather - guitar

Michael Landau - guitar

David Paich - synthesizer

Steve Porcaro - synthesizer programming

Stars on 45 - The Longplay Album Volume II (1981)

"Longplay Album Volume II" was the second album by the Dutch soundalike studio group Stars on 45, released on the CNR Records label in The Netherlands in August 1981.

For the creation of the second Stars On 45 full-length release producer Jaap Eggermont repeated the process from the previous album.  It contains, The Star Wars and other hits (The Instrumental Medley), The 60´s Medley, The Supremes Medley and The Abba Medley.

Track listing

1. Star Wars and Other Hits (The Instrumental Medley) - 5:10

Star Wars Main Title / Can't Give You Anything / Kung Fu Fighting / Layla (Clapton, Gordon) / All Right Now / Fire / Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? / Ma Baker / Y.M.C.A / The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly / Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough / Theme from M.A.S.H. (Suicide Is Painless) / The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) / Overture from Tommy / Get Off / Stars On 45 /

Baker Street

/ Bette Davis Eyes / Eve of the War

2. More Stars (The 60's Medley) - 6:10

Stars On 45 / Papa Was a Rollin' Stone / Dance to the Music / Sugar Baby Love / Papa Was A Rollin' Stone / Let's Go to San Francisco / A Horse with No Name / Monday, Monday / San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) / California Dreamin' / Eve of Destruction / Cracklin' Rosie / Do Wah Diddy Diddy / A Lover's Concerto / Reach Out I'll Be There / The Sounds of Silence / The Tears of a Clown

3. The Supremes Medley - 6:25

Stop! In the Name of Love / Love Child / Reflections / Someday We'll Be Together / Stars on 45 / Baby Love / Love Is Here and Now You're Gone / Where Did Our Love Go / I Hear a Symphony / You Keep Me Hangin' On / Ain't No Mountain High Enough / Stars On 45

4. ABBA Medley - 8:30

Stars On 45  / Voulez-Vous / SOS / Bang-A-Boomerang / Money, Money, Money / Knowing Me, Knowing You / Fernando / The Winner Takes It All / Super Trouper / Stars on 45 / Dum Dum Diddle / Lay All Your Love on Me / On and On and On / Super Trouper / Summer Night City / Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) / Stars on 45

5. '45 Stars Get Ready (Eggermont, Duiser) - 7:08

Released:  August 1981

Genre:  Pop, Dance, Medley

Length:  32:57

Label:  CNR Records

Producer:  Jaap Eggermont

Personnel

Claudia Hoogendoorn - vocals (Agnetha Fältskog & Anni-Frid Lyngstad)

Jody Pijper - vocals

Adam Curry - vocals, news announcer "Ma Baker"

Soundtrack - Xanadu (1980)

"Xanadu" is the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name, featuring the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the British group Electric Light Orchestra.

The original album release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO.

Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment, the soundtrack was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics.

This soundtrack is fluff stuff to be sure, but some pearls float amongst the mire. Lead-off "Magic" remains a fine single. "Suddenly," a duet Olivia Newton-John ekes out with British luminary Cliff Richard, seems better than most love themes. The sudden appearance of the Tubes almost saves the doomed swing/rock hybrid "Dancin," but the two styles should never meet. The second half glows from the Electric Light Orchestra, soaring at its commercial height, escaping this crippling fairy tale fairly untarnished with three more hit bits: "I'm Alive," "All Over the World," and the Olivia Neutron Bomb showcase title track. "Don't Walk Away" and "The Fall" stand as two of Jeff Lynne's finest, thus the flip nukes the front which should stay stuck to the theater floor. Listening to this soundtrack may beat watching the actual film, but know that if you didn't dig "Xanadu" when it came out, the platter gains nothing through time.

Track listing

Side One (Olivia Newton-John) 

01. Magic  (John Farrar)  - 4:31

02. Suddenly (with Cliff Richard)  (John Farrar)  - 4:02

03. Dancin' (with The Tubes)  (John Farrar)  - 5:17

04. Suspended in Time  (John Farrar)  - 3:55

05. Whenever You're Away from Me (with Gene Kelly)  (John Farrar)  - 4:22

Side Two (Electric Light Orchestra) 

01. I'm Alive  (Jeff Lynne)  - 3:46

02. The Fall  (Jeff Lynne) -  3:34

03. Don't Walk Away  (Jeff Lynne)  - 4:48

04. All Over the World  (Jeff Lynne)  - 4:04

05. Xanadu (with Olivia Newton-John)  (Jeff Lynne) -  3:28

Released:  August 1980

Label:  Jet Records

Genre:  Pop, Disco

Length:  41:34

Producer:  Jeff Lynne, John Farrar

Personnel

Olivia Newton-John - Vocals

Jeff Lynne - Lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards,synthesizers

Bev Bevan - Drums, percussion, Tympani

Richard Tandy - Pianos, synthesizers, all other keyboards

Kelly Groucutt - Bass guitar, backing vocals

Louis Clark - Strings conducted

Gruppo Sportivo - Copy Copy (1980)

Touching on ska, jazz, a bit of disco and some pop thrown in for good measure this is a fine release from the group. Dutch by birth, demented by nature they are able to build clever song structures and lyrics around widely divergent material. Running for an ode to a police dog to a dig at weekend trendites and lost loves and such one is never bored listening to Gruppo. And some finely honed chops they have as well. The cover is a nice 80's New Wave colorful lot, front and back. not my favorite from these guys, but still a good record.

Gruppo Sportivo's third album. It seems as if everyone had forgotten them again after the first two excellent albums. It is fair to say that this third Unfortunately however is a lot less. It is all still there: the funny lyrics, the harmonies, the pointy new-wave sound, the year-old tasty. Surely a number of Nice songs: Only On Weekends, Don't Count On Me, Goodbye Radio, Life In Tokyo, Watch Your Boy.

Track listing

01.  Don't Count On Me  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:26  

02.  Goodbye Radio  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:30  

03.  Police-Dog  (Van DeFruits)  - 3:26  

04.  It's Too Late  (Peter Calicher, Van DeFruits)  - 2:23  

05.  Life In Tokyo  (Gruppo Sportivo)  - 3:22  

06.  I Don't Need You  (Anne Martin, Van DeFruits)  - 2:48  

07.  The Unusual Soup Recipe Blues  (Van DeFruits)  - 0:47  

08.  Up To Date  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:47  

09.  Only On Weekends  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:36  

10.  Watch Your Boy  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:53  

11.  You And I Will Stick Together  (Van DeFruits)  - 3:03  

12.  In Love Again  (Van DeFruits)  - 3:34  

13.  Ramona  (Peter Calicher, Van DeFruits)  - 1:45  

14.  What Happened To Romance?  (Van DeFruits)  - 2:22 

Release:  1980

Recorded at:  Rockfield Studios, Wales, april 1980.

Mixed at:  Rockfield Studios and Wisseloord Studios, Holland

Label:  Ariola

Genre:  Ska, Pop

Length:  37:03

Producer:  Gruppo Sportivo

Personnel

Hans Vandenburg  - Guitar, Lead Vocals

Jan De Ligt - Baritone Saxophone

Martin Bakker - Bass, Backing Vocals 

Max Mollinger  - Drums, Backing Vocals

Peter Calicher  - Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Anne 'Never Say No' Martin - Other [Extra Special Guest]

Laurens De Jonge  - Tenor Saxophone

'Skamasters' Edwin Theuerzeit  - Trumpet

Mel Collins - Saxophone