It seems like forever that I’ve had a post of nothing but random 80s remixes! Sounds like a problem that I need to fix.
The Dream Academy
Life in a Northern Town (Extended Mix)
Test Tape No. 3
Poised On The Edge of Forever
Did you know that Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour produced The Dream Academy’s debut album from which “Life in a Northern Town” originally appeared? I didn’t know that until I scoped the linear notes for this 12″ single.
David Gilmour’s 80s career was…weird. In addition to producing and contributing guitar work on this album, the legendary guitarist also appeared on or produced albums with Wings, Bryan Ferry, Arcadia, Pete Townshend, Dalbelldo(!!!), Kate Bush, Warren Zevon and Atomic Rooster. He also worked with Berlin on their 1986 album Count Three & Pray, contributing an amazing outro guitar solo for their seven-minute ode to junkies in love, “Pink And Velvet.” That song is one of Berlin’s best, and if you haven’t heard it, I recommended you check it out. And I’m not just saying that because of my long-standing unrequited crush for Terri Nunn.
Anyways, back to The Dream Academy. “Life In A Northern Town” is a classic tune, and you probably know it , even if you don’t know that you know it. It’s one of those ubiquitous tunes that have become part of the world’s collective subconscious (no matter how much Sugarland’s shit cover damaged its reputation).
You also probably know the original version of “Edge Of Forever” if you grew up in the 80s and watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This renamed version is a little different than the album cut (which was the version that appeared in the movie). It has some crowd noise at the end, but I suspect that was tacked on to give it the illusion of sounding live. I suspect it may be a demo version or early mix. I’m certain that’s what “Test Tape No. 3” is, if for no other reason than the rampant amount of tape hiss in the original recording.
Godley & Creme
Cry (Extended Version)
Love Bombs
Speaking of songs you don’t know you know, I bought this 12″ single just because I saw Trever Horn’s name on it. I had no idea that it was the song that had that awesome video with the fading/morphing faces from the 1980s. This extended remix is completely awesome, and it may be the mopiest song that I’ve rocking out to all week/month/year. I should hate this song, it’s so “Waaaah! Please don’t leave me!” But I think I’m too busy screaming “You make me wanna cryyyyyyyyy” at the top of my lungs to accumulate any amount of hate for this truly magnificent ode of rejection. Although I suspect my roommate may be getting sick of it.
“Love Bombs” sounds like a Sparks song gone horribly wrong, but kind of in a good way. It definitely has Trevor Horn’s fingerprints all over it, and a shitload of bongos.
Also “Love Bomb” sounds the worst sexual slang ever, but I don’t think it is.
Bryan Ferry
Limbo (Latin Mix)
Limbo (Brooklyn Mix)
Is it just me or does Bryan Ferry sometimes sound like Bob Dylan on Quaaludes?  There is nothing “Latin” nor “Brooklyn” about either of these mixes, unless there’s something about excessive synthesizers being from Latin America/New York that I don’t know about. They’re still cool mixes though.
Howdy, and thank you for all of your excellent work. I’ve found a few things on this website that have made me very happy.
Another thing that has kept the rain from my love parade (heh) is my 45 rpm copy of Godley & Creme’s “Cry/Love Bombs.” I have, however, been listening to “Love Bombs” for years at 33 rpm. Slowed down, the bongos and neanderthal grunting makes me giggle incessantly. I heartily recommend it.
Another good candidate is the Genesis song “Submarine” which you probably already know is the b-side to “Man On The Corner” from Abacab. An already slow and lugubrious bolero, when the 45 is played at 33 is become seriously friggin’ epic. And that’s epic in the Rick Wakeman cape wearin’ Yes era/Hawk the Slayer/any Kubrick film/volcanic lava flow sense, not the emo poser silliness/wish-it-was-still-cool-to-be-a-stoner/Justin Bieber kind.
Anyways, thanks much.
loved this post! thanks!!
Gilmour played with Wings? In the 80s? Really? Wow – he IS talented. Playing in groups that don’t exist is a specialized area indeed.
Also – Horn, not Horne.
I forgive you – though let this be a sober reminder of what all that Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam will do to your brain.
@Schoolmarm: Gilmour played on the last Wings album ‘Back to the egg’ which came out in .. ehr.. well, let’s say the veryveryvery early 80’s. I mean, the year before 1980 🙂
Damn, you’re right.
BTW Godley & Creme’s Cry is awesome, however I consider An Englishman in New York as their best song.
I was off by sixth months! I’m totally counting it.