It’s a two-fer Thursday! That’s because we have two versions of the exact same Falco 12 inch, “Der Kommissar.” One has the standard plain black DJ sleeve, and the other a vibrant color jacket with a picture of Falco, a.k.a. Johann (Hans) Hölzel. Both pieces of vinyl have the exact same songs, serial numbers, and the year, 1982. But the color sleeve is dated 1983. (?) In the US, people are more likely to be familiar with After The Fire’s cover version of “Der Kommissar”, which came out in 1983. This one is better. You can’t beat early ’80s rapping, in German!
Falco died in a vehicle accident in 1998. He was barely 40. I wish we had more of his stuff, at least “Rock Me Amadeus.” The video for that one is a must-see, and I’ve included it below. Lucky you!
Songs on these 12 inches:
“Der Kommissar (The Commissioner)”
“Auf Der Flucht (On The Run)”
“Helden Von Heute (Alles Wartet Auf) (Today’s Heroes)”
Another 12 inch single, “How To Be A Zillionaire”, from the album of the same name. But I think this came out before the album. This record includes the original plus two solid remixes. I dig it.
I`ve seen the future, I can`t afford it
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
Acquired: Late 1980s, birthday gift from her sister Jolly
Keeper: Yes
Not sure what to say about this one. I just know we have to keep it. If you want to join the Partridge Family Fan Club see the info in the pic below. “Add 25¢ for rush handling.”
Acquired: 1983 – Kempmill Records in Springfield, VA.
Keeper: Yes
I’m not sure what the deal is with this self-titled Madness album. Mary thinks it was a US-only release that the label put out after the single “Our House” was a hit everywhere else. Before that tune nobody in the US knew who Madness were. Nobody, except the cool kids that is. It includes songs from their first four records. Anyhow, I couldn’t find any info about it on the official Madness site or Wikipedia’s page about Madness.
I like everything on this record, but I think my favorite is “Grey Day.” The piano, bass and concert chimes together sound so heavy.
Acquired: 1989 – Our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
Keeper: Yes
Joe Jackon’s “Blaze of Glory” is very much an “adult” album. And I’m not usually in a very adult mood. The first time I played this the other day I was distracted, but also stunned by what I initially perceived as over-production and even some… cheesiness. At first I didn’t get it at all, despite being an adult, sorta. After a couple more proper listens it’s starting to make sense. This is a very complex, some might say “concept”, album. There are few if any audible gaps between the songs, and the lyrics move from youth to the reality beyond it. It feels almost like a musical.
It seems the single “Nineteen Forever” made it up the charts, but I don’t remember hearing it on the radio.
“This album is dedicated to my generation.” — Joe Jackson (from the liner notes)
Acquired: 1986 – Bought it when she was working at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
Keeper: Yes
I like to say that ABC was the greatest pop band ever. But this isn’t the greatest 12 inch remix ever. Side 1 has “Vanity Kills (U.S.A. Remix)” and side 2 “ABC Megamix.” The song “Vanity Kills” is solid, if not my favorite ABC track, and the mix is decent. The flipside is less interesting, and not very “mega.”
Yesterday the packing tornado ripped the turntable out of my sweaty hands and it’s about consume this keyboard. The moving truck comes tomorrow morning, and what’s not already in a box will be shortly. But, yes, I did in fact play the records I hope to log over the next week in flurry of rock and roll yesterday.
Today is an “M” day. Madness, the band, strikes again. They’re always popular at our house, no pun intended. This record, “Absolutely”, has the super-fun-hit-that-everybody-knows… “Baggy Trousers.” On matters of Madness I always defer to Mary.
Me: What would you rate this?
Mary: A 10.
Me: “Absolutely”?
Mary: It’s Madness!
Not sure I like it as much as “One Step Beyond”, but she has a point. It is Madness.
Acquired: 1985 ? — I don’t know, girl keeps going to bed early.
Keeper: Yes
OK, back to the full LPs for another round. Starting again with ABC, the greatest pop band of all time. No, I’m not kidding. I’m posting this from Hampton, VA while we’re visiting with family. (Don’t rob my house!) But of course I did in fact spin it, while we were packing to leave this morning… With ten million other freaks trying to get outta DC, in the rain, at the start of spring break. Ugh.
“How To Be A Zillionaire!” is their third album and I have to admit I don’t know it as well as the first two. And certainly not as well as Mary. What would she have to say about it? She’d probably say the title track is her favorite and that she also really likes “Be Near Me.” But since she keeps falling out early we may never know.
This sounds so ’80s, but it’s decent pop. I definitely like it more than the other single of this year, “Always Something There To Remind Me.” But if never heard either of them again that would be OK by me. Mary gives “Promises Promises” a 6.
Acquired: 1984 ? – When Mary worked at Tower Records in DC.
Keeper: Yes
This single was part of the soundtrack to the movie “Mike’s Murder” starring Debra Winger. Yeah, I’ve never seen it either. Anyhow, the primary riff in “Memphis” sounds so much like the Spencer David Group song “I’m A Man” that I can’t help but think of that when I’m listening to this. Despite that the “Memphis” vibe is more new wave than classic rock. I like it, but it bothers me. “Breakdown” on the flip is an ethereal instrumental number, and unlike any Joe Jackson music I’ve ever heard.
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