George Benson - In Your Eyes

Today (May 31st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of In Your Eyes, the eighteenth studio album from American jazz/R&B guitarist George Benson. This record from 1983 went to number 63 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 28 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 1 on the US Billboard Jazz chart. It was produced by eleven-time Grammy Award winning Turkish-American Arif Mardin, who worked with the Bee Gees, Queen, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan and many more.

Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues

This week (May 31st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Speaking in Tongues, the fifth studio album from Talking Heads. This Platinum seller from 1983 went to number 21 in the UK, number 20 in Austria, number 15 in Australia, number 14 in the Netherlands, number 12 in Sweden, number 11 in Norway, number 7 in Canada, and number 3 in New Zealand. Here in the US, it went to number 58 on the Billboard R&B chart, number 15 on the Billboard Hot 200 and number 2 in the Billboard Dance Club chart.

Anita Baker - The Songstress

This week (May 31st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Songstress, the solo debut album from American R&B singer Anita Baker (prior to that, Baker was part of the Detroit-based band Chapter 8 who released a self-titled album in the fall of 1979). Her 1983 record was released by Beverly Glen Music and went to number 139 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 12 on the US Billboard R&B charts; in 1991 it was re-released when her new label Elektra acquired the rights.

Roman Holliday - Cookin' On the Roof

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Cookin'On the Roof, the first full length album by the British band Roman Holliday. It went to number 116 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 31 on the UK charts.

Mike Oldfield - Crises

Today (May 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Crises, the eighth studio album from English progressive-rock musician Mike Oldfield. A Platinum seller in Germany, it charted at number 6 in New Zealand and the UK, and number 1 in Norway and Sweden.

The track listings differed between the UK release and the US release (with mostly a re-ordering of songs). For this review, I will go with the US version of the album.

AC/DC - Powerage

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

This weekend (May 25th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Powerage, the fifth studio album from Australia’s hard rockers AC/DC. The 1978 release went to number 133 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 26 in the UK, number 22 in Australia, number 19 in Sweden and number 10 in France.

Dio - Holy Diver

Today (May 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Holy Diver, the debut album from the American heavy metal band Dio. This Platinum seller went to number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 18 in Sweden and number 13 in the UK.

Marshall Crenshaw - Field Day

Tomorrow (May 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Field Day, the second solo studio album from Marshall Crenshaw. Following his 1982 self-titled release (click here for that review), this 1983 album was produced by Steve Lillywhite who was known for his work with bands like U2 and XTC at this point. How would the English man’s studio magic mesh with the American band’s old fashioned sound? It turns out fairly well.

State Cows - The Second One

Today (May 24th) is the release date of The Second One, the aptly titled second studio album from the Swedish band State Cows. At the core of the group is a duo made up of Daniel Andersson (vocals and guitar) and Stefan Olofsson (keyboards and synth bass). Joining the guys on this record are Peter Olofsson (drums), Mikael Emsing (percussion), Christian Thomsen (backing vocals), Bill Champlin (backing vocals), and Marcuz Granberg (backing vocals). There are also a number of guest musicians, which I will note as they appear through out the album.

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Confrontation

Today (May 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Confrontation, the final album from Bob Marley & the Wailers. Released posthumously two years after Marley’s death, it is a compilation of unreleased material and singles recorded while the Jamaican singer-songwriter was still living . The album went to number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 31 on the US Billboard R&B chart, number 16 in Norway, number 14 in Austria, number 12 in New Zealand, number 6 in Sweden, and number 5 in the UK.

Carlene Carter - C'est C Bon

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of C’est C Bon, the fifth studio album from Carlene Carter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband Carl Smith. This was the last of her pop albums before she transitioned to mainstream country music in 1990.

Joe Walsh - You Bought It - You Name It

Today (May 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of You Bought It - You Name It, the sixth solo studio album from American rocker Joe Walsh. It peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and produced a couple tracks that were big on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

Joining Walsh on the record was Kevin Dukes (guitar), Don Felder (guitar and vocals), Don Henley (guitar and backing vocals), Michael Martin Murphey (vocals), George Perry (bass), Timothy B. Schmitt (vocals), Joe Vitale (various instruments) and Waddy Wachtel (guitar).

Hanoi Rocks - Back to Mystery City

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Back to Mystery City, the third studio album from the Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks. This May of 1983 release peaked at number 87 on the UK charts. It was produced by Dale Griffin and Pete Watts, former members of Mott the Hoople. This was the first album by the group featuring Razzle (Nicholas Dingley) on drums.

Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Heaven Tonight, the third studio album from Cheap Trick. This May of 1978 release went to number 84 in Australia, number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 200, and number 11 in Japan. It went on to become a Platinum seller in the US and Canada.

Commodores - Natural High

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Natural High, the sixth studio album from the Commodores. This May of 1978 release peaked at number 8 on the UK charts and number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It also provided the band with its first number 1 single outside of the US Billboard R&B charts.

The Fixx - Reach the Beach

Today (May 17th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Reach the Beach, the second studio album from the British new wave band the Fixx. This Platinum seller from 1983 went to number 91 in the UK, and number 8 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot 200. It generated a trio of top 40 singles here in the US.

Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind

Today (May 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Piece of Mind, the fourth studio album from British metal band Iron Maiden. The multi-Platinum release went to number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 10 in Austria and Canada, number 9 in Norway, number 8 in Germany, number 6 in Sweden, number 3 in the UK and number 2 in Finland.

The Waitresses - Bruiseology

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Bruiseology, the second full-length studio album from the Waitresses. It charted at number 155 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

The roster of the band continued to be consistent here. Guitarist Chris Butler had his hand in writing all of the tracks. Patty Donahue continued with lead vocals, Billy Ficca was behind the drum-kit, Dan Klayman played the organ, Mars Williams provided the smooth sax, and Tracy Wormworth supported it all with her bass.

Men at Work - Cargo

Following their multi-Platinum selling 1981 debut album Business As Usual, the Australian rock band Men at Work returned to the studios to work on their follow-up album. What resulted was 1983’s Cargo which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this month. This one too went multi-Platinum worldwide, charting at number 8 in Sweden and the UK, number 4 in Norway, number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 2 in New Zealand, and number 1 in Australia.

A Flock of Seagulls - Listen

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Listen, the second studio album from the new-wave band A Flock of Seagulls. Following their self-titled debut album (click here for that review) from the previous year, this 1983 sophomore effort did equally well on the charts. It peaked at number 90 in Australia, number 16 in the UK and on the US Billboard Hot 200, and number 14 in the Netherlands.

The Stranglers - Black and White

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (May 12th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Black and White, the third studio album from the UK punk band the Stranglers from 1978. The album went Gold in the UK where it climbed all the way to number 2.

The line-up for the band at this stage was Jet Black on drums and percussion, J.J. Burnel on bass and vocals, Hugh Cornwell on guitar and vocals, and Dave Greenfield on keyboards and vocals.

Foghat - Zig-Zag Walk

Today (May 11th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Zig-Zag Walk, the twelfth studio album from the British rock band Foghat. It charted at number 192 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

The line-up for the group for this album was Dave Peverett (guitar and vocals), Erik Cartwright (guitars), Roger Earl (drums) and new bassist Kenny Aaronson. Peverett wrote five of the tracks while Cartwright penned one.

Ministry - With Sympathy

Before they went down the route of industrial metal music, the American band Ministry released With Sympathy, a synth-pop dance album. This 1983 debut peaked at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 200. In Europe, the album was re-titled Work for Love with the order of the tracks completely shuffled around. Today (May 10th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of that record’s release.

At the core for this album were Alain Jourgensen (vocals, guitar, keyboards and drums) and Stephen George (drums and percussion). They also got additional assists from John Davis (keyboards), Vince Ely (percussion and keyboards), Brad Hallen (bass), Robert Roberts (keyboards and bass), Martin Sorenson (bass), and Bob Suber (saxophone). Additional vocalists included Doreen Chanter, Shay Jones and Marybeth O’Hara.

Dolly Parton - Burlap & Satin

This week (May 10th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Burlap & Satin, the twenty-fifth studio album from American country singer/songwriter Dolly Parton. It charted at number 106 on the US Billboard Pop charts, number 41 in Sweden and number 5 on the US Billboard Country charts.

Uriah Heep - Head First

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Head First, the fifteenth studio album from English rock band Uriah Heep. The album peaked at number 150 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 56 in Germany, number 46 in the UK, and number 19 n Norway.

The band’s line-up for this album was Mick Box (guitar and vocals), Bob Daisley (bass), Peter Goalby (lead vocals), Lee Kerslake (drums and percussion) and John Sinclair (keyboards, synthesizer, guitar and vocals).

Human League - Fascination! (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Fascination!, a six song EP from the British synth-pop band the Human League.

Click here for my full review.

Deniece Williams - I'm So Proud

Today (May 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of I’m So Proud, the seventh studio album from R&B singer Deniece Williams.

This 1983 album, produced by George Duke, charted at number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 10 on the US Billboard R&B charts.

Doctor Detroit (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Tomorrow (May 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Doctor Detroit, an American comedy film. It tells the tale of a professor named Clifford Skridlow (Dan Aykroyd) from a college with financial problems. He meets four prostitutes (played by Fran Drescher, Donna Dixon, Lydia Lei and Lynn Whitfield) that change his life. Unfortunately, their pimp Smooth Walker (Howard Hesseman) has problems of his own with a Chicago mob boss known as "Mom" (Kate Murtagh) and decides to use Skridlow as his patsy. Skridlow comes up with a fake identity named Doctor Detroit.

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Stranger In Town

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Stranger In Town, the tenth studio album from Bob Seger and his second with the Silver Bullet Band. It also features backing by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. This multi-Platinum seller from 1978 reached number 45 in Sweden, number 31 in the UK, number 28 in Germany, number 14 in France, and number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Little River Band - The Net

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of The Net, the seventh studio album from Australia’s Little River Band. It charted at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 11 in Australia.

The line-up for the band at this time was Beeb Birtles (guitar and vocals), Graeham Goble (guitar and vocals), David Hirschfelder (keyboards), Stephen Housden (guitar and vocals), Wayne Nelson (bass and vocals) and Derek Pellicci (drums and percussion). It was also the first album to feature John Farnham as the lead vocalist.

New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies

Today (May 2nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Power, Corruption & Lies, the second studio album from the English rock band New Order. It charted at number 66 in Canada, number 38 in Australia, number 18 in Germany, number 16 in Sweden, number 14 in the Netherlands, number 4 in the UK and number 3 in New Zealand.

The album was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine at number 94 on its list of the “Top 100 Albums of the 1980’s”. Slant Magazine ranked it at number 23 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980’s”.

Meat Loaf - Midnight at the Lost and Found

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Midnight at the Lost and Found, the third studio album from rock singer Meat Loaf. It was also his final one for the Epic Records label.

Although the record failed to make much chart noise here in the US, it did chart around the world. It reached number 84 in Australia, number 26 in Germany, number 21 in Sweden, and number 7 in both Norway and the UK.