Carly Simon - Hello Big Man

Today (August 31st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Hello Big Man, the eleventh studio album from singer-songwriter Carly Simon. This 1983 release charted at number 69 on the US Billboard Album chart.

XTC - Mummer

Today (August 30th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Mummer, the sixth studio album from the UK rock band XTC. It was originally scheduled for a May 26th release in 1983 but was delayed because the label thought it was too acoustic and out-there for the American market; it was held off in the US until February of 1984. This one charted at number 145 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, number 51 in the UK and number 28 in Sweden.

The line-up for this one was Andy Partridge (vocals and guitars), Colin Moulding (vocals and bass) and Dave Gregory (vocals, guitar and keyboards). Drummer Terry Chambers quit the band during the recording sessions; he only played on two of the original vinyl tracks. Peter Phipps was brought in to record most of the tracks. Additional musicians Nigel Warren-Green, Steve Nye and Gavin Wright also appeared on the album.

Kenny Rogers - Eyes That See in the Dark

This week (August 31st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Eyes That See in the Dark, the twelfth solo studio album for American country singer Kenny Rogers. This multi-Platinum selling album went to number 6 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, number 5 in Canada, number 2 in New Zealand, and number 1 on the US Billboard Country chart.

The entire album was written and produced by Barry Gibb with assists by his brothers Robin and Maurice on the songwriting, and Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson on production. The Bee Gees also sang backing vocals and played guitar and keyboards on a number of tracks.

Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (35th anniversary)

On this date (August 28th) back in 1978, the new-wave band Devo posed the question and answered it with Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!. Today we mark that debut album's thirty-fifth anniversary.

Click here to explore this album in detail.

Moody Blues - The Present

Today (August 28th) is the thirtieth anniversary of The Present, the eleventh studio album from the Moody Blues. It charted at number 35 in Sweden, number 33 in Germany, number 26 in three countries (the Netherlands, New Zealand and the US Billboard 200 Album chart), number 15 in the UK, number 14 in Norway, and number 11 in Canada. The album’s cover was done as homage to Maxfield Parrish’s painting Daybreak.

Herbie Hancock - Future Shock

This month marks the release of Future Shock, the thirty-fifth album from jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. It was his first foray in to the Electro-funk genre. Working with him on the record were Bill Laswell (bass), Pete Cosey (electric guitar), Michael Beinhorn (keyboards), Daniel Ponce (percussion), Sly Dunbar (drums and percussion), Dwight Jackson Jr. (vocals) and Lamar Wright (vocals).

Translator - No Time Like Now

Following their debut album Heartbeats and Triggers from 1982 (click here for that review), Translator returned to the studio for their sophomore effort. The result was 1983’s No Time Like Now which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this month.

Depeche Mode - Construction Time Again

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of Construction Time Again, the third studio album from the British new-wave band Depeche Mode. Joining Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher was keyboardist Alan Wilder. This one charted at number 201 in the US, number 44 in New Zealand, number 34 in the Netherlands, number 21 in Switzerland, number 16 in France, number 12 in Sweden, number 7 in Germany and number 6 in the UK.

The Gap Band - V: Jammin'

This week marks the release of V: Jammin’, the seventh studio album from the Gap Band (Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson). This Gold selling album charted at number 28 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart and number 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Ratt - Ratt (EP)

Today (August 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled EP (extended play) album from Ratt. Hailing from San Diego, the hard rocking glam band consisted of Stephen Percy (lead vocals), Warren DeMartini (rhythm guitar), Robbin Crosby (lead guitar), Juan Croucier (bass) and Bobby Blotzer (drums). This six-song debut was released on the independent Time Coast label.

Stray Cats - Rant N' Rave with the Stray Cats

Today (August 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rant N’ Rave with the Stray Cats, the third studio album from rockabilly band from Massapequa, New York. This one from Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom charted at number 51 in the UK and number 14 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart.

Ashford and Simpson - High-Rise

Following their 1982 album Street Opera (click here for that review), husband and wife team Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson returned to the studio to work on their eleventh studio album. Today (August 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of 1983’s High-Rise, which charted at number 84 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart and number 14 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Heart - Passionworks

Today (August 20th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Passionworks, the seventh studio album by the rocking Wilson sisters (Ann and Nancy) of Heart. This 1983 release, which spent twenty one weeks on the US Billboard 200 Album chart where it peaked at number 39, saw a shift in the band’s sound to a more mainstream rock direction. It was also the first album to include Denny Carmassi (drums) and Mark Andes (bass and backing vocals).

Michael Stanley Band - You Can't Fight Fashion

Following their 1982 album MSB (click here for that review), the Michael Stanley Band released You Can’t Fight Fashion on this day (August 19th) back in 1983. It was their eighth studio album and their final one on a major label. It charted at number 64 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, their highest chart position ever. Today, we’ll give it a listen to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary.

Risky Business (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

In August of 1983, a movie about an entrepreneur high school Senior who is left alone while his parents are on a trip hit the movie theatres. Risky Business became a box office smash, launching a young Tom Cruise into stardom. The film also starred Rebecca De Mornay, Joe Pantoliano, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Masur and Bronson Pinchot.

Juice Newton - Dirty Looks

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Dirty Looks, the fifth studio album from country singer Juice Newton. This one charted at number 61 in Canada, number 52 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, and number 22 on the US Billboard Country chart.

Steel Breeze - Heart on the Line

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Heart on the Line, the second studio album from California's Steel Breeze. For this album the group had gone through some line-up changes, adding Kevin Chalfant on vocals and Loren Haas on keyboards (both formerly of the band 707), and J. Schock on drums.

Unlike their self-titled 1982 debut Steel Breeze (click here for that review), the 1983 follow-up was a little tough to track down to listen to for this review. But, once again, the Internet did not let me down (thanks, YouTubers).

AC/DC - Flick of the Switch

Today (August 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Flick of the Switch, the eighth world-wide released studio album from hard rock band AC/DC. A Platinum seller in the band's native Australia and here in the US, it charted at number 28 in Switzerland, number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 12 in Canada, number 9 in Austria, number 8 in New Zealand and Sweden, number 5 in France, number 4 in Norway and the UK, and number 3 in Australia.

Cheap Trick - Next Position Please

This week (August 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Next Position Please, the seventh studio album from Cheap Trick. It peaked at number 75 in Japan and at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It was produced by Todd Rundgren.

Kajagoogoo - White Feathers (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of White Feathers, the debut album from the British pop band Kajagoogoo (who were made up of Limahl, Nick Beggs, Steve Askew, Stuart Croxford Neale, and Jez Strode).

Click here for my full review of this album.

Stephanie Mills - Merciless

Today (August 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Merciless, the seventh studio album from Stephanie Mills. Following her 1982 album Tantalizingly Hot (click here for that review), this 1983 release on the Casablanca label charted at number 104 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 12 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Chic - C 'est Chic (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (August 11th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of C 'est Chic, the second studio album from the R&B band Chic.

Please click here for my full track by track review of this disco classic.

Boston - Don't Look Back

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Don't Look Back, the second studio album from Boston. Following on the heels of their smash self-titled debut (click here for that review) from 1976, this 1978 album charted at number 17 in New Zealand, number 13 in France, number 9 in Norway and the UK, number 8 in Sweden, number 6 in Switzerland, and number 1 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Billy Joel - An Innocent Man

Today (August 9th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of An Innocent Man, the ninth studio album from Billy Joel. This 1983 release has gone multi-Platinum in sales and charted at number 39 in Sweden, number 36 in Germany, number 14 in Japan, number 12 in Canada, number 9 in Norway, number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 3 in Australia and Japan, number 2 in the UK and number 1 in New Zealand.

New Edition - Candy Girl

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Candy Girl, the debut album from the R&B boy-band New Edition. It charted at number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 14 on the US Billboard R&B charts. Hailing from Boston, the original recording line up for the group back in 1983 was Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant. Today we will take a look at the music to mark the album's thirtieth anniversary this year.

Black Sabbath - Born Again

Today (August 7th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of UK release of Born Again, the eleventh studio album from British heavy metal band Black Sabbath; it would be released in the US on October 4th of 1983. Although panned by critics, it charted at number 44 in New Zealand, number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 37 in Germany, number 14 in Norway, number 7 in Sweden, and number 4 in the UK.

Rick James - Cold Blooded

Yesterday (August 5th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Cold Blooded, the seventh studio album from funk master and Buffalo-native Rick James. This record charted at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 200 and number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart

Elvis Costello - Punch The Clock

Today (August 5th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Punch The Clock, the eighth studio album from Elvis Costello and the Attractions. The album charted at number 27 in the Netherlands, number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 22 in Australia, number 18 in Norway, number 9 in Sweden, number 6 in New Zealand and number 3 in the UK.

Easy Money (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

This month marks the release of Easy Money, the 1983 movie about a hard-living man (played by Rodney Dangerfield) who stands to inherit ten million dollar. The catch: he has to give up drinking, drugs, gambling and every other vice he indulges so eagerly in. Also starring in the movie were Joe Pesci, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Candice Azzara, Jeffrey Jones, Taylor Negron and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

The film grossed $29 million in box office and also produced a soundtrack album. Today, we'll take a look at the music on this compilation to mark the film's thirtieth anniversary.

Sissy Spacek - Hangin' Up My Heart

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Hangin’ Up My Heart, the first studio album for actress Sissy Spacek. Having done an amazing job in the 1980 film Coal Miner’s Daughter (her Oscar winning performance in the biography of country star Loretta Lynn), Spacek hit the studio for this 1983 release to continue to explore her musical side. The results resonated with fans, climbing all the way to number 17 on the US Billboard Country chart.

Jackson Browne - Lawyers In Love

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Lawyers In Love, the seventh album from Jackson Browne. Released in August of 1983, this Platinum selling album went to number 37 in the UK and number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 200.

Performing with Browne on the album were Craig Doerge (synthesizer, piano and keyboard), Bob Glaub (organ, bass and guitar), Doug Haywood (organ, bass and vocals), Danny Kortchmar (guitar and percussion), Russ Kunkel (drums), Billy Payne (organ) and Rick Vito (guitar and vocals).

Bette Midler - No Frills

Today (August 1st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of No Frills, the sixth studio album from American singer/actress Bette Midler. It was also her first studio albums in four years, a time period during which she took to do movies like Divine Madness!, Jinxed! and The Rose (click here for the review of that last one).

No Frills charted at number 71 in Canada, number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 46 in Germany, number 41 in the Netherlands, number 3 in Norway and number 1 in Switzerland.