Frankie Say… HOW MUCH???
Spied online yesterday, selling for £93.25 each, these classic, original T shirts….
Frankie Say Arm The Unemployed
Frankie Say War! Hide Yourself
Frankie Say Relax Don't Do It!
I had the “War! Hide Yourself” version back in the day and for the life of me can’t find it, not that it would fit me today 
There are so many cheap and badly made/designed rip offs available nowadays but nothing like these originals. I was hoping that ZTT might have seen the marketing opportunity when they released the Frankie Say Greatest “best of” last year, or even the 25th Anniversary Edition of “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” but alas not
Ho hum…
ZTT – New Collectors Editions and Compilations!
A Secret Wish
ZTT. One of my favourite record labels, owned and run by my favourite record producer, Trevor Horn.
Nowhere near as popular or influential as they were, but still home to an eclectic bunch of artists. However, one of it’s strengths is it’s back catalogue and under the guidance of curator Ian Peel, the Element series of re-releases continues unhindered and unabated!
Coming out on July 19th 2010 (conveniently 10 days before my birthday!) are two exciting releases. Firstly, we have the 25th anniversary re-release of Propaganda‘s “A Secret Wish“. Often overlooked at the time, it spawned some awesome tunes and influenced many. Sadly for Propaganda, a Teutonic quartet based in London, Frankie Goes To Hollywood were blowing everything else out of the water, including Propaganda, their own label mates. But the upshot was that the things learned with the production of “Welcome To The Pleasuredome” (also recently re-released as a collectors edition) were taken and refined and used in “A Secret Wish”, with Trevor Horn stepping back as an Executive Producer and allowing Steve Lipson to produce this masterpiece of art pop.
I have the rare SACD version of this album in glorious digital 5.1 and it still blows you away today, but this double disc edition with remixes, b-sides and rarities is a worthwhile addition to anyone’s collection.
Influence
Also on the same day, we will witness the first, and probably best, all round Art Of Noise collection. Usually, you have to settle for a collection centred around particular incarnations of this art pop collective, but the release of the aptly named “Influence” sees all era’s of AON united under one album sleeve. From early works to the slightly embarrassing late 80′s period and back to the “almost” original line up in the 90′s and 00′s, this 2 disc collection features some of the finest, most pretentious pop you will ever have the pleasure of hearing.
With both sets only costing £7.99 each, you have no excuse!!
One November Monday…
This lucky bastard (Kevin Foakes, no offence intended!) got to delve into the “ZTT Cupboard”, a cupboard full of priceless gems!!
A fascinating article with many lovely, breathtaking photos!
Welcome To The Pleasuredome – 25 Years on….
I recall the day well. It was October 1984 and at lunchtime, a girl whose name escapes me now, returned from the town centre, back into the 4th Year common room at high school. In a Woolworths bag was a copy of the new Frankie Goes To Hollywood album, “Welcome To The Pleasuredome”. We all huddled around as she withdrew it from the bag and we marvelled at it’s pristine white cover that contain weird, Picasso-esque paintings by Lo Cole of things that looked like animals entering the glans of a giant phallus! The front picture of the band, bodies askew and in various hues, was instantly recognisable.
I don’t think many of us had even experienced a double album before. Some of us, myself included, had believed that the double album was the reserve of well established artists, already on to their 6th or 7th album, not some excessively hyped bunch of Liverpudlian upstarts with a massively produced sound and a penchant for leather and fetish wear.
The girl moved to the record player that we had been allowed to have and placed Side One on the deck and applied the needle to the record. None of us really knew what to expect. We’d already heard Relax & Two Tribes in all their glory, with surfeit of mixes and versions. But this band, and the hype behind them so masterfully conducted by the legend that is Paul Morley, had us on tenter hooks. And then it started….
The opera singers voice, followed by massive chords and gongs, like some other worldly ceremonial announcement of arrival…. then Holly speaking the words, “The world is my oyster….” followed by his maniacal laugh and a chord reminiscent of Relax….. then a plucked acoustic guitar and more operatic vocals…. and a bell like melody… more Holly and the extended “Yeeeeeeaaaahhh” from Two Tribes… and then, emerging from track two, the sounds of a jungle, vocoded vocals, Holly singing the first line of Ferry Across The Mersey…… the flute….. more animal sounds and ambience (recorded by dangling a microphone out of a Sarm West Studio window, as legend would have it), more synth, more vocoded vocals….. welcoming us to the Pleasuredome…. and then, BANG…. into the funky intro of the title track.
If the term had been as popular back then as it is now, we’d have all gone, “What the fuck?????”
Some of us had appeared to have been baffled, others not bothered, and those like me, utterly transfixed at this sonic delight appearing before us. As the titular track grooved on, building in the most awesome production, feet started tapping, hips and shoulders swaying and we all ended up ensnared. The spellbinding combination of the sound, the image and the style working it’s intended magic on us teenagers. If we weren’t already sold, this pushed the rest over the edge.
And so the album went on…. Relax, War, Two Tribes…. all there, but in new versions… more remixes to complement the already burgeoning collection of 12″ variations. Tracks interspersed with clever, witty segues, Chris Barrie doing his “Prince Charles”, babbling on about orgasms. And then Side Two, with it’s covers of Bruce Springsteen and Dionne Warwick, the Neo Synth Funk of Wish The Lads Were Here, into the sexual Ballad of 32. Krisco Kisses, Black Night White Light & The Only Star In Heaven being the first time we had heard successive new compositions from the band/production team. And then the grand finale of The Power Of Love. It’s sumptuous textures and sweeping vocals were divine.
And then it was over. Such a journey. And when you went back for a repeat play, it felt like it was the first time all over again.
Then there was the artwork. Images punctuated by cryptic, arty quotes. None of us really knew what Morley was on about, but it made us feel intellectual and cool.
It may not be considered as a classic album. It’s not held in great esteem alongside some of the great albums of the 20th century, but for me it is worthy of inclusion into those ranks. It was the culmination of catchy pop songs, superb Trevor Horn production, brilliant marketing and the energy of five young lads from Liverpool. The boys loved the lads, the girls loved the lads. Holly Johnson was this quirky little guy, full of style, audacious attitude and a great, unique voice. Paul had soothing BV’s and was as handsome as fuck. Mark O’Toole was the pretty boy on bass and Nash (guitar) & Ped (drums) were the bits of scally rough 
This album, a triumphant success, was to be their high point. the follow up, “Liverpool”, produced this time by Steve Lipson, found them full of great pop, but the moment had passed. I don’t know where or why, but it had gone. And it was shortly after that Frankie said goodbye. Holly had a brief spell of success as a solo artist (working with my good friend Steve Howell on his first album, Blast) and then moving onto painting and becoming a renowned artist with brief forays back into music. Paul moved to New Zealand and settled, Mark moved on to Trapped By Mormons and Nash & Ped all but disappeared, briefly releasing various bits of solo work. A brief reunion minus Holly & Nash took place at the Princes Trust gig for Trevor Horn’s 25th anniversary of being “in the biz”. It was nice, but it wasn’t the real Frankie.
So, this album is up there for me. Mainly because I was one of it’s intended victims. I was of that age group that ZTT, under the guidance of Paul Morley, was after. But also because as a blossoming musician, I fully appreciated the immense production work that went into it. Not taking anything away from the band, but Trevor’s excellence shines through on every second of this opus. It’s fair to say that aside from Holly, the rest of the band didn’t have a great deal to do with the making of it. Holly has told me stories of late night sessions, trying out all sorts of things like playing instruments on roofs to get certain tones & timbres.
But this album should be held up as a great work. Excellent song writing, brilliant production and undeniable energy from the band.
And now, it has been re-released by ZTT through Salvo/Union Square, 25 years on, in a 2 disc package. Disc 1 features the entire album, remastered. Disc 2 features mixes, b-sides & out-takes.
CD1
1. “Well…” (Gill/Johnson/Nash/O’Toole/Andy Richards) – 0:55
2. “The World Is My Oyster” – 1:02
3. “Snatch of Fury (Stay)” (Gerry Marsden) – 0:36
4. “Welcome to the Pleasuredome” – 12:58
5. “Relax (Come Fighting)” (Gill/Johnson/O’Toole) – 3:56
6. “War (…and Hide)” (Barrett Strong/Norman Whitfield) – 6:12
7. “Two Tribes (For the Victims of Ravishment)” (Gill/Johnson/O’Toole) – 3:23
8. “(Tag)” – 0:35
9. “Fury (Go)” (Marsden) – 1:49
10. “Born to Run” (Bruce Springsteen) – 3:56
11. “San Jose (The Way)” (Bacharach/David) – 3:09
12. “Wish (The Lads Were Here)” (Gill/Johnson/O’Toole) – 2:48
14. “The Ballad of 32″ – 4:47
14. “Krisco Kisses” – 2:57
15. “Black Night White Light” – 4:05
16. “The Only Star in Heaven” – 4:16
17. “The Power of Love” – 5:28
18. “Bang” – 1:08
CD2
1. “Relax (Greatest Bits)” – 16:59
2. “One September Monday” – 04:49
3. “The Power of Love (12 inch version)” – 09:30
4. “Disneyland” – 03:07
5. “Two Tribes (Between Rulers And Ruling)” – 04:10
6. “War (Between Hidden And Hiding)” – 04:00
7. “Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Cut Rough)” – 05:40
8. “One February Friday” – 05:00
9. “The Ballad of 32 (Mix 2)” – 11:03
10. “Who Then Devised the Torment?” – 00:16
11. “Relax (Greek Disco Mix)” – 06:18
12. “Watusi Love Juicy” – 04:03
13. “The Last Voice” – 01:14
If this CD isn’t already in your collection, it deserves to be.
New music – 2010 so far….
So, I can get rather excitable when I hear great, new music and 2010 so far has been full of some awesome stuff. Rather than make unique posts, here’s what has grabbed my attention and hogged my MP3 player so far this year.
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
The first of 2010′s most hotly anticipated albums, “One Life Stand” is Hot Chip’s 4th studio album and probably their very best. The stand out title track, album closer “Take It In” and new single “I Feel Better” are fine examples of what to expect from the rest of the album. Choc full of quirky yet melodic and musical pieces, these guys have struck gold. Check these video’s out, especially the Peter Serafinowicz directed “I Feel Better”.
Check it out on Spotify here.
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Gorillaz are already a bit special. The post Blur vehicle of Damon Albarn, Gorillaz have blurred all lines between music, art, visuals and collaborations. Fail to take them seriously at your peril. Their third studio album is a masterpiece, and I do not use that word lightly. Featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, Little Dragon, Mos Def, Mick Jones, Paul Simenon, Gruff Rhys & Mark E. Smith, this is an exquisite blend of stlyles, genres and melody that features that rare quality not often found in albums today; each track is as equally impressive as the rest.
Check it out on Spotify here.
And here is the video to the first single, Stylo…
French Horn Rebellion Vs Database – Beaches & Friends
I’ve ranted and raved about French Horn Rebellion for ages now and this is their new single. The boys have been touring all over, including a few dates here in the UK and are getting played on all the radio shows that matter, so word is spreading FAST. Expect a new album this year too.
Rubicks – Giddy Up
I first saw Rubicks supporting Gary Numan and instantly fell in love. Their blend of rock and electronics is somewhat Yeah Yeah Yeah’s crossed with New Order and Numan too. Vanessa is gorgeous and her voice is silky yet razor sharp. Marc’s bass lines are deep and dub like. Let’s hope their second album breaks them in a big way.
Not so new music but newly available in 2010……
Buggles – Adventures In Modern Recording
This album has been “lost” for many years. Not as successful as it’s predecessor, The Plastic Age, Adventures In Modern Recording was made after Trevor & Greg’s ill fated stint with prog rockers Yes. You can hear the blend of pop and prog sensibilities and without doubt, it carries the hallmark of the legend that is Mr Horn. Out now through Salvo music, this is a bargain with extra bonus tracks including 12″ mixes, demo’s and unused songs.
Blur – No Distance Left To Run
The reformation of Blur last year was one of the musical highlights of the decade and this documentary is nothing short of staggering, charting not only the story of Blur, but the story of how bitterness and awkwardness were overcome and replaced by new found respect and love when the guys got back together to perform a string of sell out concerts, culminating with two gigs at London’s Hyde Park, one of which is contained on the 2nd disc of this set. This documentary is up there with the great rock & roll docs of all time.
Also, looking very much forward to the remastered re-releases of Duran Duran’s back catalogue, including the monumental “Seven & The Ragged Tiger”. All albums will be receiving the Special Edition treatment, including the Arcadia album, “So Red The Rose”. Also being reissued is Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s seminal “Welcome To The Pleasuredome”
