Sometimes I come up with themed-post ideas that are so easy to write that my fingers can barely keep up with my thoughts. Other times they’re like this one and are like pulling teeth while trapped underwater.
My next post is going to be as random as shit.
Torch Song
Don’t Look Now (U.K. Mix)
Can’t Find My Way Home (U.K. Mix)
Mothdoom Ecstasy
Torch Song was William Orbit’s band that he formed in the mid-80s along with one Laurie Mayer and Grant Gilbert. From what I could find online, Gilbert later left the group and was replaced by Rico Cunning Conning.
The group never had much success in either Europe nor the states though. They released a few albums, even one in the 1990s well after Orbit’s solo career was established, but none of them ever took off like Orbit’s solo stuff eventually did.
At least some of the other members of Torch Song have found a measure of success outside the group. According to Laurie Mayer’s MySpace (hey, MySpace!) page she continues to sing, and has released at least one solo album since Torch Song disbanded in the 1990s. She also works as a photographer. Rico Conning has fared even better, and has contributed remix work for artists like Depeche Mode and Erasure. As for Gilbert Grant…well your guess is as good as mine. I could not find any information on him online.
To me, William Orbit’s material with Torch Song is far superior to his solo work from the same time period. “Don’t Look Now” and “Can’t Find My Way Home” are both great, cute little pop tunes, while “Mothdoom Ecstasy” is an amazing sprawling tune with excellent guitar work and some super-sexy vocals by Mayer. It’s certainly better than anything off of Orbit’s first album or the early Strange Cargo releases, that’s for sure.
William Orbit
Feel Like Jumping (One Jump Beyond)
Blue Street (Extended Edit)
But don’t take my word for it! Compare and contrast! These songs are fine, but I started this post on Saturday, it’s Monday now and I’ve already forgotten what these songs sound like. Meanwhile, “Don’t Look Now” and “Mothdoom Ecstasy” are each stuck in my head at the same time.
it’s Rico CONNING, and he’s from either the specials or the english beat
Well, I’m all wrong, but you’re only half-right. I can’t find any evidence of a Rico Conning in either of those groups. Unless my Googling has failed me.
“Prepare To Energize” from the AMAZING soundtrack to Bachelor Party was my fave track they did!! Orbit also did a cool Torch Song remix for Sting’s “If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free”-check it if ya havent 🙂
I’ve heard of his late 80’s project(Bassomatic),but not this. Thanx 4 the tip off.
oop my bad. I just did my own googling and realize i just know his name from alot of remixes (especially the erasure ones)
“Sweet Thing” is another great Torch Song track. I recently looked for it on iTunes with no luck.
You probably know this already but “Can’t Find My Way Home” is a remake of an old Steve Winwood song hw recorded with Blind Faith. It’s probably my favorite thing he ever did.
Just two things:
1st – Torch Song is still up and running. In fact they have an album almost finished, called Cellcloud that has been postponed a couple of times.
2nd – “To me, William Orbit’s material with Torch Song is far superior to his solo work from the same time period.” Well that’s just a matter of taste and mood, but not authorship as even in Williams’ solo albums, Laurie and Rico play a major role. Just look at the credits.