Saturday, November 30, 2013

Freur - Doot-Doot

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Doot-Doot, the debut album from Freur who hailed from Cardiff, Wales. The group was made up of Carl Hyde (vocals and guitar), Bryn Burrows (drums), Rick Smith (keyboards and guitar), Alfie Thomas (guitar) and John Warwicker (synthesizers).

Earth, Wind & Fire - Electric Universe

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of Electric Universe, the thirteenth studio album from Earth, Wind and Fire. It charted at number 40 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 22 in the Netherlands, and number 8 on the US Billboard R&B Album chart.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Re-Flex - The Politics of Dancing

Hailing from the UK, Re-Flex was a four man new-wave synth-pop band. Their roster consisted of John Baxter (vocals), Paul Fishman (keyboards), Roland Vaughan Kerridge (drums) and Nigel Ross-Scott (bass). Their one album release was 1983’s The Politics of Dancing which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this month. The record charted at number 58 in Germany, number 53 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 34 in New Zealand.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

The Blues Brothers - Briefcase Full of Blues

Today (November 28th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Briefcase Full of Blues, the debut album from the Blues Brothers. Formed out of a Saturday Night Live sketch, actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi turned their love of the old soul and blues music into a genuine recording act. The record, a collection of covers recorded live on September 9th of 1978 at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, hit a chord with the American public as it went all the way to number 1 on the US Billboard Album chart in February of 1979 (knocking out Billy Joel's 52nd Street) and eventually achieved double-Platinum sales.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Gloria Gaynor - Love Tracks

Today (November 27th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Love Tracks, the sixth studio album from disco/R&B singer Gloria Gaynor. It went to number 34 in Germany, number 31 in the UK, number 15 in Australia, number 14 in Norway, number 10 in Sweden, and number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Eurythmics - Touch

Today (November 26th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Touch, the third studio album from Eurythmics. Following on the successful heels of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (click here for that review), this Platinum seller went to number 20 in France, number 14 in Switzerland, number 9 in Germany and Sweden, number 8 in Norway, number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 4 in Australia, and number 1 in New Zealand and the UK. The record has appeared on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (first at number 500 then at number 492 on the revised 2012 list).

Monday, November 25, 2013

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Nocturne

Today (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Nocturne, the first live album from Siouxsie and the Banshees. Taken from the shows at the Royal Albert Hall on September 30th and October 1st of 1983, this double-disk release charted at number 35 in New Zealand and number 29 in the UK; it achieved silver sales status in the UK also. Robert Smith (of the Cure) played guitar with the band for these shows.

Tracey Ullman - You Broke My Heart In 17 Places (30th anniversary)

Today (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of You Broke My Heart In 17 Places, the debut album from Tracey Ullman. Before she was a known as a comedy star, she showed the world the singer side of her talent. The result was a pretty solid pop album.

For the full review, please click here.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Corey Hart - First Offense

Today (November 24th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of First Offense, the debut album from Canadian singer Corey Hart. It was recorded in Manchester, England, a year earlier and was produced by Jon Astley and Phil Chapman. The 1983 release went to number 31 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 6 in Canada, where it also achieved triple-Platinum sales status.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Status Quo - Back to Back

This week (November 25th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Back to Back, the sixteenth studio album from the English rock band Status Quo. The group was first formed, under another name, in 1962 and released their first album in 1968. This album from 1983 charted at number 60 in Germany, number 56 in France, number 38 in Sweden, number 25 in Austria, number 20 in Switzerland, number 18 in Norway, and number 9 in the UK.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Kool & the Gang - In the Heart

This week (November 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of In the Heart, the seventeenth studio album from Kool & the Gang. This one peaked at number 32 in New Zealand, number 29 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 19 in Germany, number 18 in the UK, number 17 in the Netherlands, and number 5 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger

Today (November 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Seven and the Ragged Tiger, the third studio album from Duran Duran. It achieved Platinum sales status in the UK within a week of its release, and Platinum in the US by the start of 1984. Chart-wise, it reached number 20 in France, number 17 in Germany, number 16 in Switzerland, number 8 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 7 in Canada, number 3 in Finland, number 2 in Australia, and number 1 in the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Captain Sensible - The Power of Love

English singer-songwriter Captain Sensible followed his 1982 solo debut Women and Captains First (click here for that review) with The Power of Love. I had to do a bit of digging on the Internet just so I could review this 1983 release as it is a pretty rare record, so let’s see what we come up with.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Split Enz - Conflicting Emotions

This month celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of Conflicting Emotions, the second-to-last studio album from Split Enz during the 1980’s. This 1983 release went to number 137 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 18 in the Netherlands, number 13 in Australia, and number 3 in New Zealand.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Leo Sayer - Have You Ever Been in Love

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Have You Ever Been in Love, the tenth studio album from Leo Sayer. Following up his 1982 release World Radio (click here for that review), this one from 1983 only charted at number 15 in the UK.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Olivia Newton-John - Totally Hot

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today, in honor of its thirty-fifth anniversary this month, we are giving a listen to the 1978 release Totally Hot. This was the tenth studio album for Australian-born singer Olivia Newton-John. The Platinum selling record went to number 30 in the UK, number 18 in New Zealand, number 9 in Japan, number 7 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 5 in Canada, and number 4 in Australia on the US Billboard Country chart.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

John Denver - It's About Time

This week (November 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of It’s About Time, the seventeenth studio album from John Denver. Dedicated to his father, the record peaked at number 92 in Canada, number 90 in the UK, number 61 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 55 on the US Billboard Country chart, and number 19 in Australia.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Dazz Band - Joystick

Today (November 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Joystick, the fifth studio album from the Dazz Band. This one peaked at number 73 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 12 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Ozzy Osbourne - Bark at the Moon

Today (November 15th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Bark at the Moon, the third solo studio album from Ozzy Osbourne. This multi-Platinum seller went to number 94 in Australia, number 24 in the UK, number 19 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 9 in Sweden.

Performing with Osbourne on the record were Don Airey (keyboards), Tommy Aldridge (drums), Bob Daisley (bass) and Jake E. Lee (guitar).

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Yes - 90125

Today (November 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of 90125, the eleventh studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes. This one went multi-Platinum in the US (number 5 on the Billboard Album chart) and Canada, and it charted at number 27 in Australia, number 16 in the UK, number 9 in Austria, number 8 in Norway, number 7 in Sweden, and number 2 in the Netherlands.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Chic - Believer

Tomorrow (November 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Believer, the seventh studio album from Chic. It charted at number 14 in the Netherlands. This was the group’s final album on the Atlantic Records label and the final featuring the classic line-up (Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards, Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin and Tony Thompson). Assisting Chic on the record were Rob Sabino (on keyboards) and Brenda White, Fonzi Thornton and Curtis King (all on vocals).

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Night Ranger - Midnight Madness

Following up on their debut album Dawn Patrol from 1982 (click here for that review), Night Ranger returned to the charts in 1983 with Midnight Madness. This one hit pay dirt for the band, peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Monday, November 11, 2013

38 Special - Tour de Force

This week (November 8th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Tour de Force, the sixth studio album from the southern rock band 38 Special. Following 1982’s Special Forces (click here for that review), this one from 1983 peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Clash - Give 'Em Enough Rope (35th anniversary)

Today (November 10th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Give 'Em Enough Rope, the second studio album from UK punk group the Clash.

Please click here for more details on this 1978 release.

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell


Today (November 10th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rebel Yell, the second full-length solo studio album from Billy Idol. This one went to number 36 in the UK, number 16 in Australia and Switzerland, number 8 in Canada, number 6 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 2 in Germany and New Zealand.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Adam Ant - Strip

Yesterday (November 8th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of Strip, the second solo studio album from Adam Ant. This one reached at number 65 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 20 on the UK charts.

The cover, of Adam posing coyly on a bed of straw, was modeled after a photo of Jane Russell from the 1943 film The Outlaw.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Yentl (soundtrack)

Today (November 8th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack for Yentl. The romantic drama film, which opened in limited release on November 18th of 1983 and full release on January 6th of 1984, starred Barbra Streisand as a Jewish girl who dresses like a man in order to get an education in Talmudic Law after her father dies and eventually finds herself in the middle of relationship between a fellow student and his fiancée. Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving play those last two characters..

Thursday, November 7, 2013

U2 - Under A Blood Red Sky

Today (November 7th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Under a Blood Red Sky, the first live concert album from the Irish rock band U2. The multi-platinum album climbed to number 48 in Ireland, number 39 in Belgium, number 28 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 22 in Sweden, number 20 in Germany, and number 2 in Australia and the UK.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Pointer Sisters - Break Out

Today (November 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Break Out, the tenth studio album from Anita, June and Ruth - the Pointer Sisters. This record, a multi-platinum seller, turned out to be their biggest seller to data. It also won the group two Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards. Chart-wise, it hit number 27 in Sweden, number 17 in Australia, number 15 in the Netherlands, number 9 in the UK, number 8 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 6 in New Zealand and on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 4 in Canada.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Rolling Stones - Undercover

This week (November 7th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Undercover, the seventeenth studio album from the Rolling Stones. This 1983 release spent twenty three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 4, and eighteen weeks on the UK album charts, peaking at number 3.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Paul Simon - Heart and Bones

Today (November 4th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Heart and Bones, the sixth solo studio album from Paul Simon. This one reached number 99 in Australia, number 51 in Germany, number 35 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 34 in the UK, number 19 in France, number 14 in the Netherlands, number 11 in Sweden and number 3 in Norway.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Cheryl Lynn - Preppie

Tomorrow (November 4th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Preppie, the fifth studio album from R&B singer Cheryl Lynn. This record peaked at number 161 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 8 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

the Police - Outlandos d'Amour (35th anniversary)


Today (November 2nd) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Outlandos d'Amour, the debut studio album from the UK trio known as the Police.

You can click here to read my complete review of this career starting album.

Irene Cara - What A Feelin'

Following her appearance in the movie Fame (click here for that soundtrack album) and her 1982 debut Anyone Can See (click here), Irene Cara put out her second studio album in 1983. Today (November 2nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary that record which charted at number 77 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 49 in Australia, number 45 on the US Billboard R&B chart, number 29 in Germany, number 12 in Norway, number 8 in Switzerland and number 3 in Sweden.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Girlschool - Play Dirty

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Play Dirty, the fourth studio album from British all-female rock band Girlschool. The line-up of the band for this record included Kim McAuliffe (guitar and vocals), Kelly Johnson (guitar and vocals), Gil Weston (bass and backing vocals) and Denise Dufort (drums). Additional musicians on these recordings include backing vocals by Lemmy (of Motorhead), Vicki Blue (of the Runaways), Martin Haircut and Paul Sampson. It was produced by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea of Slade. This 1983 release went to number 207 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 66 in the UK.

ABC - Beauty Stab (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Beauty Stab, the second studio album from ABC. Back in late 1983 and early 1984, the album charted at number 69 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 58 in Australia, number 50 in Germany, number 42 in New Zealand, number 36 in Canada, number 34 in Japan, number 32 in Sweden, number 29 in the Netherlands, number 22 in Finland, and number 12 in the UK.

For my full review, please click here.