Mr. Mondo

I do not have any, though I quite liked that country rock record he released a few years ago.

Great VHS videos that should be re-issued onto DVD. I have noticed that there are still a great amount of videos from my collection that have not made their way onto DVD. Whilst acts such as ‘Deacon Blue’, ‘Hall & Oates’ and ‘Dead or Alive’ have made it on to DVD, there are still a great number of great video acts from the 1980s and 1990s that have not been yet re-issued. From great singles collections by bands such as ‘Soft Cell/Marc Almond’, ‘the Sisters Of Mercy’ and ‘Yello’ to projects like ‘Savage’ by ‘the Eurythmics’, what would you like to see moved from VHS to DVD? Which collections would you like to see compiled? What should get the re-issue treatment?

If you want to be pedantic about this list you could single this record out and argue that this is not a ‘duet’, but rather two gentlemen who just happen to be singing the same song at the same time with no ‘suspect overtones’ (more like ‘the Proclaimers’ than a love song between two lovers). On the other hand, I would have not included this record on a list like this because you have to remember that this was really only a record that was ‘tacked’ onto the end of the re-issue of the ‘Stars We Are’ album; an after-thought in fact. The ‘Stars We Are’ was one of the best LPs of the late 1980s, and whereas Almond’s solo recording of the record was good it is outshined by the majority of the other tracks, including two amazing collaborations with Nico and Agnes Bernelle. The Nico track ‘Your Kisses Burn’ was one of the very last tracks Nico recorded before she fell off her bike and died; and the contrast between her dark deep deadpan voice and Marc’s more theatrical tones are just amazing. The other track is ‘Kept Boy’, a duet between Agnes Bernelle as an older lady (but I imagine more Barbara Cartland, than ‘urban cougar’) and her younger ‘kept boy’ as played by Marc Almond. I think this record is best described as a ‘tragic love story’ even though the song’s subject matter is twisted and not as straight forward as the definition that I have just given. The song is akin to a ‘West End’ play that has been condensed into a three-minute pop song; and is both theatrical and ultimately disturbing. Finally, whilst I am the subject of Marc Almond and twisted love ‘duets’, may I remind you of another great record called ‘A Lover Spurned’. This is another amazing record by Marc Almond and features the actress Julie T. Wallace from the BBC Television series ‘The Life and Loves of A She-Devil’. You might remember the video for this single, which was directed by the French photographic duo ‘Pierre et Gilles’, which looked like ‘Pee-wee Herman’ (Paul Reubens) had visited the ‘Eurotrash’ set. I think it is time that all of Marc’s promotional videos were released on one DVD as my ‘Soft Cell/Marc Almond’ greatest ‘Memorabilia’ video needs updating.

I prefer that drink to sarsaparilla. Actually there is a ‘temperance bar’ in Rawtenstall Lancashire that still sells sarsaparilla as well as other ‘olde worlde’ cordials and root beers. I have not been there yet as I am on the other side of Manchester, but have been meaning to go to have a look around. Re: ‘Dandelion and Burdock’ Does anyone remember which ‘alcopop’ brand used to sell an alcoholic version, was it ‘Spoof’ or was it ‘Hooch’

18. Colin Vearncombe and ‘Black’ 25 YEARS OF RECORD COLLECTING: MUSICAL MEMORIES 1982 - 2007 “I think my heart must be made of clay because everyone said it would be broken one day and now I’ve come to that fateful day, so I sit on the floor with my head in my hands” “The cotton is high, the field is still full, it’s dust is drifting everywhere, a harvest moon comes up in the sky, the blues to shake me wake me” “Just like a forming rainbow, just like the stars in the sky, life should never feel small” “I need a friend to make me happy not so alone” “There’s so many ways to sing the blues, I’m not afraid” “Look at me standing here on my own again up straight in the sunshine” Another of the greatest albums of the 1980s was the first ‘A&M Records’ release for Colin Vearncombe and his ‘band’ Black. In fact, by this time the ‘band’ had shrunk down from a trio to essentially being a solo project lead by Vearncombe, whilst his former band member Dave Dix moved to production duties and ‘the Creamy Whirls’ provided backing vocals. Originally signed to Warner’s ‘wea’ imprint, the band were contemporaries of other great Liverpool bands, such as ‘The Icicle Works’, ‘Wah!’ and ‘Care’, before they found themselves without a major record deal and on the Manchester based independent ‘Ugly Man Records’ label. ‘Ugly Man Records’ was the label where the single ‘Wonderful Life’ was originally released, and after this single made headway into the indie charts of 1986, the band singed to the minor-major ‘A&M’ where the single would be re-recorded and would subsequently hit the Top Ten. Unfortunately, the success of ‘Wonderful Life’ was twinned with the similar tempo of the superb ‘Sweetest Smile’ single. Even though these were some of the greatest top ten hits ever, these releases actually formed a rigid opinion of Vearncombe’s musical style in the public’s minds, so when an upbeat funky track such as ‘I’m Not Afraid’ was released the public avoided the record and this great track limped just out side the Top 75 to about number 78. This was a shame as this record is very under-rated and shows that Vearncombe is no ‘one trick pony’. In fact the parent ‘Wonderful Life’ album is one of those albums that still has loads of potential singles on it such as ‘Finder’, ‘Just Making Memories’ and ‘I Just Grew Tired’, whilst ‘Everything Is Coming Up Roses’ and ‘Paradise’ were also released. 25 YEARS OF RECORD COLLECTING: MUSICAL MEMORIES 1982 – 2007

We never pronounced it correctly, we always called it ‘Men-Zes’ and still do, even with Menzies Campbell in the News.

‘The Conterfeiters’ by the director Stefan Ruzowitzky, looks good, it looks like it could be this years ‘Lives Of The Others’ or ‘Downfall’.

I was too young to get to know ‘Joy Division’ then and too old to become obsessed by them now, but I have the ‘Substance’ compilation because I like ‘New Order’ and most of their off-shoot bands. As well as the ‘New Order’ link, I think my interest in the film comes from the locality and the fact that it is part of the history of the area where I live (Sadly, I notice in the ‘Metro’ newspaper that the film is not being shown at the cinema in Stockport which is actually around the corner from the ‘Tasty Fish’ chip shop that ‘The Other Two’ saw one day on their way home from Manchester to Macclesfield).

‘Crank 2’ I have read that there is going to be a follow up to the film ‘Crank’ with Jason Statham and that it will be a straight sequel that will follow on from the events in the first film. I can not see how his story is going to progress from the end of the last film, maybe he will wake up in the shower like ‘Bobby Ewing’, maybe it was bad drugs. Even though Jason Statham is great in these roles, it is a pity as I was hoping someone like Jet Li could take over the lead role and have him in danger instead.

Yes, it is a great retro styled pop record. It ticks all the boxes that a good little pop record should be: it is ‘catchy’, the record is not boring, it is not a ‘dirge’ that ‘drones’ on and on; and the chorus has a great hook.

You need to buy ‘Radio Nowhere’ by Bruce Springsteen. It is a brilliant comeback single. The record actually sounds more like a late 1980s ‘Alternative College Rock’ record than any ‘Stadium Rock’ tune you might expect from him, but I guess he has always been more ‘alternative’ and ‘subversive’ than people actually give him credit for.

I am quite surprised that nobody here has mentioned the film ‘Control’ yet, especially seeing as it has already been rated by the press as ‘one of the films of the year’, as it is a ‘British’ film and as it is about the singer of one of the most important bands ever to come out of the ‘Manchester’ area.

Has anyone seen ‘The Kingdom’ yet?

‘Mr. Woodcock’ - “Script needs more exercise” 3/5

‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ is not recommended then?

It is a nice comedy film to watch on a Sunday evening, just the type of easy ‘rom-com’ you need before a week of hard work. 4/5

Personally I cannot comment, as I do not own any of his albums previously mentioned, it was just the opinion of a magazine I had bought, however I would like to get the new ‘Magic’ LP, as that new single is amazing (I think this opinion has something to do with being in my thirties, maybe I was too young to appreciate his music before).

25 YEARS OF RECORD COLLECTING: MUSICAL MEMORIES 1982 - 2007 17. Jimmy Ray “Are you Johnny Ray? (Who wants to know?) Are you Slim Ray? (Who wants to know?) Are you Link Wray? (Who wants to know?) Are you Jimmy Ray? (Who wants to know? who wants to know? About me!)" Be-quiffed Fifties-throwback ‘Jimmy Ray’ was (I think) 19 Management’s first big solo launch after ‘the Spice Girls’ and while his singles were only briefly around in the UK singles chart, in the States his ultra-catchy single ‘Are You Jimmy Ray’ became a massive hit. And what a great pop song it was, some people may look down on pop and disrespect its ‘values’, but this ticked all the boxes for me. If he had followed up this record with an Elvis cover then maybe we would have had another big hit and would be more easily remembered but ‘Are You Jimmy Ray’ was such a great pop song that I guess he will be still playing the retro circuit in the States as we speak (Well if Chesney Hawks and 'When In Rome' can have their continuing careers why not Jimmy? perhaps in Vegas?)

I used to love watching ‘Rapido’ on BBC 2. It was one of the ‘DEF II’ shows along with ‘Rough Guides’ and Jonovotti’s ‘Gimme 5’. I think it was broadcast on either a Monday or a Wednesday night at around 7pm. The show was a very good pop programme with better acts than a show such as ‘the Ozone’. I think the ‘Rapido’ show actually came from France and he would record French links for their television channel as well as doing the English presentation.

Was that gum another dusty pink strip from the ‘Topps’ company?

I think it is more likely to be the factor of ‘local brand’ verses ‘national brand’. However, does anyone know if all the ‘John Menzies’ stores survived in Scotland after the retail side was bought out by the ‘W.H. Smith’ group.

Well if it is ‘The Boss’ you are talking about, I guess it depends on whether people have gone for ‘Born In The U.S.A.’ or have gone for ‘The River’. Critically it always seems that ‘The River’ and ‘Nebraska’ are the essential albums to have in your collection, before you get round to purchasing ‘Born In The U.S.A.’ or others.

I think that was advertising a London brew.

I like all of those acts and I think ‘Big Audio Dynamite’ were cruelly robbed of a number one hit in 1991, as they were actually the double A-side to the Clash’s ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ on about three out of the four formats available (and since Bono and Frank Sinatra charted as a B-side of another ‘U2’ record a few years later). ‘Rush’ was a great single from the late ‘B.A.D. II’ period of the band and I liked ‘Looking For A Song’ as well.

I think it would have been a better success either as a solo project for Lee, or if they had acted even more deadpan (a la ‘Pet Shop Boys’) and moved not an inch from their synths. Some of the dancing spoiled the concept of the boys at the back. Re: Neil Arthur / Blancmange Does anyone else remember a single called ‘I Love, I Hate’ from the ‘Suitcase’ album (I think it was Chrysalis Records circa 1994)? That was another great lost electro-pop moment.