China Crisis

China Crisis - Flaunt the Imperfection - 1985 - Virgin

A bit fiery for most in the new romantic camp during the early '80s, China Crisis was inspired by similar sources but injected their pop songs with occasional political commentary and bluesy, reggae rhythms. Mostly a duo of vocalist/keyboard player Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon, the group formed in 1979 near Liverpool. The first China Crisis single, "African and White," didn't appear until 1982, but it was quickly picked up by Virgin and made the British charts. Realizing they needed a proper band, Daly and Lundon recruited bassist Gazza Johnson and drummer Kevin Wilkinson, and recorded their debut album Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms. Another single, "Christian," hit number 12, followed by two singles from second album, Working with Fire and Steel Possible Pop Songs, Vol. 2. China Crisis spent 1984-85 making their biggest chart run, beginning with their first Top Ten hit, "Wishful Thinking." Third album Flaunt the Imperfection was produced by the sympathetic Walter Becker (from Steely Dan), and resulted in the hit singles "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style." A critical mistep followed in 1986, What Price Paradise?, though China Crisis worked with Becker once more on 1989's Diary of a Hollow Horse, which earned critical raves though not much commercial movement. © John Bush, All Music Guide

China Crisis underwent a complete change in sound for their third album, completely ditching the heavy dub rhythms and challenging arrangements of 1982's Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain and 1983's Working with Fire and Steel (Possible Pop Songs, Vol. 2) with an altogether smoother and less aggressive sound. That doesn't equal a commercial capitulation, however; if anything, the choice of Walter Becker (of the then-unfashionable Steely Dan) as producer was a more commercially daring maneuver than anything the group had previously attempted. The overall sound is considerably prettier than before -- the placid Eno-like "Black Man Ray? is downright beautiful -- and the arrangements mix synthesizers with traditional instruments in what was for 1985 an unusually graceful way, with neither predominating. Another difference from the earlier albums is that the group's songwriting is much improved, the failed instrumental experiments and tiresome dance workouts that occasionally marred their earlier albums replaced with a newfound melodic sophistication and lyrical acuity. By the time of 1987's What Price Paradise, this sophistication will be unfortunately replaced by callow slickness, but Flaunt the Imperfection is the one album where China Crisis got the balance right. © Stewart Mason © 2012 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/flaunt-the-imperfection-r3902/review

"Flaunt The Imperfection" is a classic sophisticated pop rock album and one of the most underrated albums ever recorded. Every track is a jewel. The beautiful cryptic lyrics are backed by magnificent melodies.The musicianship is stunning. Production by Walter Becker is perfect, and if you haven't heard it, then do yourself a favour and give this album a listen. The following text written by M. Sean Fosmire, and published October 03, 2004 on http://blogcritics.org/music describes "Flaunt The Imperfection" very well - "I hate to even call this simply a pop album from mid 80's from an obscure group; It's anything but. It's a mixture of rich experimental global rhythms that not only bring to mind Steely Dan (like other reviewers noted) but also contains faint doses of General Public and Tears For Fears; you hear the music, try to pinpoint where you've heard something like this before, but just can't. This is the kind of admirable musical artistry that a lot of new groups lack today and that I miss. China Crisis is not calculated or contrived in any of their tracks; They seem to go with their gut instinct which works every time". "FTI" is VHR by A.O.O.F.C. The band had talent to burn, and it would be great to hear a new studio album. China Crisis' "Peel Sessions", "Acoustically Yours", and "Best Songs" albums can be found on this blog [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 98.5 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 The Highest High - Gazza
2 Strength of Character - Gazza
3 You Did Cut Me - Gazza
4 Black Man Ray - Eddie
5 Wall of God - Gazza
6 Gift of Freedom - Gazza, Lundon
7 King in a Catholic Style - Daly, Johnson, Lundon
8 Bigger the Punch I'm Feeling - Gazza, Lundon
9 The World Spins, I'm Part of it - Gazza, Lundon
10 Blue Sea - Gazza, Lundon

MUSICIANS

Eddie Lundon - Guitar, Vocals, Backing Vocals
Tim Renwick - Guitar, Guitar [Solo]
Gary 'Gazza' Johnson - Bass
Garry Daly - Synthesizer, Vocals, Backing Vocals
Nick Magnus - Grand Piano, Synthesizer
Walter Becker - Synthesizer, Percussion, Production
Kevin Wilkinson - Drums, Percussion
Simon Clarke - Alto & Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Tim Sanders - Soprano & Alto Saxophone
Steve Gregory - Saxophone [Solos]
Pete Thoms - Trombone
Roddy Lorrimer - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Colin Campsie, Ginny Clee - Backing Vocals

BIO (WIKI)

China Crisis is an English pop/rock band. They were formed in 1979 in Kirkby, near Liverpool, Merseyside with a core of vocalist/keyboardist Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon. Their output was pop music similar in style to that of New Wave but with strong similarities to the post-punk movement of the early 1980s, namely inclusion of a broader range of musical influences and occasional flirtation with political commentary. Throughout their career, China Crisis has seen moderate success in the United Kingdom with ten hit singles between August 1982 and January 1987 and six albums, as well as commercial success in Western Europe, Australia and the Americas. Sharing an affection for Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, David Bowie, and Brian Eno, Daly and Lundon played with various Knowsley post-punk groups. Daly then spent time tinkering with synthesizers and a drum machine. Along with Lundon, Daly began writing songs. The pair eventually asked drummer and percussionist Dave Reilly to join them, and in 1982 they released their debut single "African and White" as China Crisis on the independent record label, Inevitable. In June 1982, they supported the former Television guitarist, Tom Verlaine, at London's Venue. The band was signed to Virgin Records and recorded their debut album, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain, which was released in December 1982. A re-release of "African & White" became China Crisis' first hit in the United Kingdom, reaching #45 in the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up single, "Christian", made UK #12 in early 1983 and brought them to national prominence. By this time, Reilly had left the band, but was still credited on the record sleeve as a guest on the single, along with new member Steve Levy playing oboe and saxophone. The album peaked at #21 in the UK Albums Chart. During this period the band toured supporting Simple Minds (as discussed in interviews on the DVD Live in Concert at the Paul McCartney Auditorium Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts). Adding Gary "Gazza" Johnson (bass) and Kevin Wilkinson (drums) to the line-up, a second album, Working with Fire and Steel - Possible Pop Songs Volume Two, was released in November 1983. Tracks included the singles "Tragedy and Mystery" (released six months earlier) and "Hanna Hanna" as well as the title track, "Working With Fire & Steel", which became a hit single in Australia. The album was a Top 20 success in the UK, and China Crisis spent 1984 and 1985 making their biggest chart run, beginning with their only UK Top 10 hit single, "Wishful Thinking", which peaked at #9. Their third album, Flaunt the Imperfection, was produced by Walter Becker of Steely Dan fame and reached #9 in the UK Albums Chart in May 1985. China Crisis was so honoured to directly work with Becker that they 'officially' listed him in the group as a quintet consisting of Daly, Lundon, Johnson, Wilkinson, and Becker on the album's credits. Walter Becker was living on Maui, Hawaii, when he was approached by Virgin to work on this project, and he had to leave his expecting partner Eleanor to assist. Walter never formally appeared with the band, and the subsequent tour featured new keyboard player Brian McNeill. Johnson was now credited as co-writer with Daly and Lundon. The album was previewed by the #14 UK hit single "Black Man Ray", which also enjoyed critical acclaim and international success. The follow-up, "King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up)", was a Top 20 UK single at #19, but it would prove to be the band's last substantial hit. A third release from the album, "You Did Cut Me", stalled at UK #54. They simultaneously released a video compilation, Showbiz Absurd. In 1986, the band collaborated with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley (who worked with Madness) on What Price Paradise, which included "Arizona Sky", the album's first single release, and another Australian hit, "June Bride". All the band were now credited as songwriters. A second single from the album, "Best Kept Secret", made UK #36 in early 1987. It was to be the band's final Top 40 hit single. The five-piece band worked with Becker once more on 1989's Diary of a Hollow Horse, which earned critical acclaim though little commercial success. It spawned the singles "St Saviour Square" and "Red Letter Day", both achieving the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart. Becker produced of most of the album's tracks, but this time was not credited as an official band member. The band's last studio album, Warped By Success, was released in 1994, following the band's parting of ways with the Virgin label. The album produced their final studio chart single, "Everyday The Same", which briefly edged into the UK Top 100. Although Johnson and Wilkinson both made small contributions, the band was now listed as comprising Daly, Lundon, producer Terry Adams and sound engineer Mark Phythian. In 1995 they released a live unplugged album and video entitled Acoustically Yours, which proved to be their recording swansong. This featured one last single, a live version of "Black Man Ray", and also saw a return for Johnson, Wilkinson and McNeill. Since 1992, there have been four compilation albums of their work for the UK and US markets and three live DVDs. The first of these, entitled "Collection", made the Top 40 in the UK album charts in 1990. On 17 July 1999, drummer Kevin Wilkinson committed suicide by hanging himself at the age of 41. Wilkinson had played with a wide variety of bands including The Waterboys, Fish, The Proclaimers, Squeeze and with Howard Jones. In 2000 Daly contributed a track to a tribute compilation to Wilkinson, Green Indians. Since the late 1990s, China Crisis has concentrated on live performances with only original founder-members Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly being constant throughout, although a number of other musicians have served long spells, most notably guitarist Colin Hinds (Paul Carrack, Ruby Turner, Steve Gibbons Band etc.) who has notched up more than ten years with the band. In December 2002, China Crisis' Daly and Lundon held a one night unplugged venue in Manila, Philippines, with the support of a local band, Rivermaya. They toured the UK during January and February 2007 as part of their 25th anniversary. In June 2008, it was announced they would be the support act for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's UK October tour. In February 2009, the band performed a fund raising gig for The Friends of Meols Park. Additionally, gigs were played at The Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton on 20 February 2009, and in Stone, Staffordshire on 22 February 2009. Daly's art exhibition 'How To Live & Love Your Life' was held at Kirkby Art Gallery, Kirkby, Knowsley, Merseyside from 23 February to 10 May 2009. China Crisis played at Fort Perch Rock on the Wirral on 8 August 2009, and at the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on 22 August 2009. The same month they played at The Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool. They returned to the Philippines to perform at Eastwood City on January 20, 2011 and played to sell-out crowds at the Rewind Festivals in Perth (Scotland) and Henley-on-Thames in August 2011. Another concert in the Philippines was held on September 9, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, together with Ex-Simple Minds with further shows in the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong that followed. At recent shows China Crisis's two lead musicians have been joined by 23-year old Siân Monaghan on drums.

China Crisis

China Crisis - Peel Sessions (Maida Vale) - 1984 - BBC/UNOFF

A bit fiery for most in the new romantic camp during the early '80s, China Crisis was inspired by similar sources but injected their pop songs with occasional political commentary and bluesy, reggae rhythms. Mostly a duo of vocalist/keyboard player Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon, the group formed in 1979 near Liverpool. The first China Crisis single, "African and White," didn't appear until 1982, but it was quickly picked up by Virgin and made the British charts. Realizing they needed a proper band, Daly and Lundon recruited bassist Gazza Johnson and drummer Kevin Wilkinson, and recorded their debut album Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms. Another single, "Christian," hit number 12, followed by two singles from second album, "Working with Fire" and "Steel Possible Pop Songs, Vol. 2." China Crisis spent 1984 and 1985 making their biggest chart run, beginning with their first Top Ten hit, "Wishful Thinking." Third album Flaunt the Imperfection was produced by the sympathetic Walter Becker (from Steely Dan), and resulted in the hit singles "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style." A critical misstep followed in 1986, What Price Paradise?, though China Crisis worked with Becker once more on 1989's Diary of a Hollow Horse, which earned critical raves though not much commercial movement. © John Bush © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/china-crisis-p3893/biography

Liverpool band, China Crisis had not quite hit the big time when they appeared on the late, great John Peel's BBC radio sessions show in April 1982 and January 1983. Eight tracks were recorded over the two sessions. Instrumentation is sparse, but there is no mistaking Gary Daly's very distinctive voice and Gary Daly's great bass and keyboard work. Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly were a brilliant songwriting duo, and some of these tracks appeared on later albums. Four of the Peel Session tracks were broadcast before the release of the band's debut album, "Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms" in December 1982. SQ is ok, and this short 25 minute album is a good indication of better things to come from the great band. Listen to China Crisis' "What Price Paradise" album, and their "Flaunt The Imperfection" which is one of the greatest and most underrated albums ever recorded. Every track is a jewel. The beautiful cryptic lyrics are backed by magnificent melodies.The musicianship is stunning. Production by Walter Becker is perfect, and if you haven't heard it, then do yourself a favour and give this album a listen. The following text written by M. Sean Fosmire, and published October 03, 2004 on http://blogcritics.org/music describes "Flaunt The Imperfection" very well - "I hate to even call this simply a pop album from mid 80's from an obscure group;It's anything but. It's a mixture of rich experimental global rhythms that not only bring to mind Steely Dan (like other reviewers noted) but also contains faint doses of General Public and Tears For Fears; you hear the music,try to pinpoint where you've heard something like this before, but just can't. This is the kind of admirable musical artistry that a lot of new groups lack today and that I miss. China Crisis is not calculated or contrived in any of their tracks;They seem to go with their gut instinct which works every time". China Crisis' brilliant "Acoustically Yours" album can be found @ CHICRI/ACYO These guys had talent to burn, and it would be great to hear a new studio album. [All tracks @ 192 Kbps: File size = 36 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Seven Sports For All - Lundon
2 This Occupation - Lundon & Daly
3 Be Suspicious - Daly, Lundon, Reilly
4 Some People I Know Lead Fantastic Lives - Lundon
5 A Golden Handshake For Every Daughter - Lundon & Daly
6 Wishful Thinking - Lundon & Daly
7 Here Comes A Raincloud - Lundon & Daly
8 Greenacre Bay - Lundon & Daly

Tracks 1 - 4 recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studios on April 1st, 1982; Tracks 5 - 8 recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studios on January 27th, 1983

MUSICIANS

Eddie Lundon (Guitar, Keyboards)
Gary Daly (Bass, Keyboards, Vocals)
Gary Johnson (Bass) played on 1983 session only
Kevin Wilkinson RIP (Drums) played on 1983 session only
Dave Reilly (Drums, Percussion) played on 1982 session only
Steve Levy (Oboe) played on 1983 session only

BIO (WIKI)

China Crisis is an English pop/rock band. They were formed in 1979 in Kirkby, near Liverpool, Merseyside with a core of vocalist/keyboardist Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon. Their output was pop music similar in style to that of New Wave but with strong similarities to the post-punk movement of the early 1980s, namely inclusion of a broader range of musical influences and occasional flirtation with political commentary. Throughout their career, China Crisis has seen moderate success in the United Kingdom with ten hit singles between August 1982 and January 1987 and six albums, as well as commercial success in Western Europe, Australia and the Americas. Sharing an affection for Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, David Bowie, and Brian Eno, Daly and Lundon played with various Knowsley post-punk groups. Daly then spent time tinkering with synthesizers and a drum machine. Along with Lundon, Daly began writing songs. The pair eventually asked drummer and percussionist Dave Reilly to join them, and in 1982 they released their debut single "African and White" as China Crisis on the independent record label, Inevitable. In June 1982, they supported the former Television guitarist, Tom Verlaine, at London's Venue. The band was signed to Virgin Records and recorded their debut album, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain, which was released in December 1982. A re-release of "African & White" became China Crisis' first hit in the United Kingdom, reaching #45 in the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up single, "Christian", made UK #12 in early 1983 and brought them to national prominence. By this time, Reilly had left the band, but was still credited on the record sleeve as a guest on the single, along with new member Steve Levy playing oboe and saxophone. The album peaked at #21 in the UK Albums Chart. During this period the band toured supporting Simple Minds (as discussed in interviews on the DVD Live in Concert at the Paul McCartney Auditorium Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts). Adding Gary "Gazza" Johnson (bass) and Kevin Wilkinson (drums) to the line-up, a second album, Working with Fire and Steel - Possible Pop Songs Volume Two, was released in November 1983. Tracks included the singles "Tragedy and Mystery" (released six months earlier) and "Hanna Hanna" as well as the title track, "Working With Fire & Steel", which became a hit single in Australia. The album was a Top 20 success in the UK, and China Crisis spent 1984 and 1985 making their biggest chart run, beginning with their only UK Top 10 hit single, "Wishful Thinking", which peaked at #9. Their third album, Flaunt the Imperfection, was produced by Walter Becker of Steely Dan fame and reached #9 in the UK Albums Chart in May 1985. China Crisis was so honoured to directly work with Becker that they 'officially' listed him in the group as a quintet consisting of Daly, Lundon, Johnson, Wilkinson, and Becker on the album's credits. Walter Becker was living on Maui, Hawaii, when he was approached by Virgin to work on this project, and he had to leave his expecting partner Eleanor to assist. Walter never formally appeared with the band, and the subsequent tour featured new keyboard player Brian McNeill. Johnson was now credited as co-writer with Daly and Lundon. The album was previewed by the #14 UK hit single "Black Man Ray", which also enjoyed critical acclaim and international success. The follow-up, "King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up)", was a Top 20 UK single at #19, but it would prove to be the band's last substantial hit. A third release from the album, "You Did Cut Me", stalled at UK #54. They simultaneously released a video compilation, Showbiz Absurd. In 1986, the band collaborated with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley (who worked with Madness) on What Price Paradise, which included "Arizona Sky", the album's first single release, and another Australian hit, "June Bride". All the band were now credited as songwriters. A second single from the album, "Best Kept Secret", made UK #36 in early 1987. It was to be the band's final Top 40 hit single. The five-piece band worked with Becker once more on 1989's Diary of a Hollow Horse, which earned critical acclaim though little commercial success. It spawned the singles "St Saviour Square" and "Red Letter Day", both achieving the lower reaches of the UK Singles Chart. Becker produced of most of the album's tracks, but this time was not credited as an official band member. The band's last studio album, Warped By Success, was released in 1994, following the band's parting of ways with the Virgin label. The album produced their final studio chart single, "Everyday The Same", which briefly edged into the UK Top 100. Although Johnson and Wilkinson both made small contributions, the band was now listed as comprising Daly, Lundon, producer Terry Adams and sound engineer Mark Phythian. In 1995 they released a live unplugged album and video entitled Acoustically Yours, which proved to be their recording swansong. This featured one last single, a live version of "Black Man Ray", and also saw a return for Johnson, Wilkinson and McNeill. Since 1992, there have been four compilation albums of their work for the UK and US markets and three live DVDs. The first of these, entitled "Collection", made the Top 40 in the UK album charts in 1990. On 17 July 1999, drummer Kevin Wilkinson committed suicide by hanging himself at the age of 41. Wilkinson had played with a wide variety of bands including The Waterboys, Fish, The Proclaimers, Squeeze and with Howard Jones. In 2000 Daly contributed a track to a tribute compilation to Wilkinson, Green Indians. Since the late 1990s, China Crisis has concentrated on live performances with only original founder-members Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly being constant throughout, although a number of other musicians have served long spells, most notably guitarist Colin Hinds (Paul Carrack, Ruby Turner, Steve Gibbons Band etc.) who has notched up more than ten years with the band. In December 2002, China Crisis' Daly and Lundon held a one night unplugged venue in Manila, Philippines, with the support of a local band, Rivermaya. They toured the UK during January and February 2007 as part of their 25th anniversary. In June 2008, it was announced they would be the support act for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's UK October tour. In February 2009, the band performed a fund raising gig for The Friends of Meols Park. Additionally, gigs were played at The Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton on 20 February 2009, and in Stone, Staffordshire on 22 February 2009. Daly's art exhibition 'How To Live & Love Your Life' was held at Kirkby Art Gallery, Kirkby, Knowsley, Merseyside from 23 February to 10 May 2009. China Crisis played at Fort Perch Rock on the Wirral on 8 August 2009, and at the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on 22 August 2009. The same month they played at The Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool. They returned to the Philippines to perform at Eastwood City on January 20, 2011 and played to sell-out crowds at the Rewind Festivals in Perth (Scotland) and Henley-on-Thames in August 2011. Another concert in the Philippines was held on September 9, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, together with Ex-Simple Minds with further shows in the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong that followed. At recent shows China Crisis's two lead musicians have been joined by 23-year old Siân Monaghan on drums.

Judie Tzuke

Judie Tzuke - BBC Live in Concert - 1995 - Windsong (USA)

Recorded live by the BBC at The Paris Theatre in Regent St, London on 10/10/81. "Excellent songs selected from her earliest work, this 1981 live recording gives the listener a good sample of her talent. Judy Tzuke is truly one of the most talented lyricists around. Some of her work will reach right down and give your emotions a wedgie, most noteably "Ladies Night" and "Understanding." Both tunes are exceptionally passionate, but if you're feeling the least bit lonely or dumped upon, these two songs might give you that last bump off the ledge. Yet all her work is not from the bottom of the heart, as many on this CD are recipes for smiles. As for the recording, keep in mind it's almost two decades old, and some of the concert goers were probably listening to 8-tracks to and from, but it is actually good to very good. The drums are front and center on the recording, voice neither overdone nor under. The only complaint I can register, and it's small, is that some of the audience appreciation is the loudest part of the track. Otherwise, anyone familiar with Judy will proudly add this to the collection. Just wish the record label would make more of her stuff available." (5 out of 5 stars) - from CD Review "Wish I was at the show" 04/08/1999 © 2006 - 2011 SwapaDVD.com. All Rights Reserved http://www.swapacd.com/Judie-Tzuke-BBC-Radio-1/cd/224170/

In 1979 Judie's beautiful "Stay with Me till Dawn" stayed in the UK charts for 16 weeks and is still played regularly on worldwide radio. In June 2002, the song was voted in at No. 39 in a BBC Radio 2 poll to decide the top fifty British songs of the past fifty years. The song has appeared on dozens of compilation albums and regularly appears in all time most popular song lists. Like so many other artists, it seems that the lady is remembered for one big hit. "BBC Live in Concert" contains plenty of other well structured, melodic songs, mostly composed by Judie with Mike Paxman. It is well worth checking Judie Tzuke's back catalogue. She is a beautiful vocalist, and a very underrated and great musician. She has covered folk, jazz, blues, and rock, but unfortunately her career has had more "downs" than "ups". Try and listen to her "Road Noise: The Official Bootleg" album, and check out her "Welcome To The Cruise" album @ JTZUK/W2TC [All tracks @ Vbr: File size = 104 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1. You Are The Phoenix - Paul Muggleton / Bob Noble
2. Sukarita - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
3. Higher & Higher - Bob Noble / Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
4. Stay With Me Till Dawn - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
5. The Flesh Is Weak - Bob Noble / Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
6. Southern Smiles - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
7. Katiera Island - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
8. Ladies Night - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
9. City Of Swimming Pools - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
10. China Town - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
11. Black Furs - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
12. Sports Car - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke
13. Understanding - Mike Paxman / Judie Tzuke

BAND

Judie Tzuke - Vocals
Mike Paxman - Guitar
Paul Muggleton - Guitar & Percussion
Rhino Edwards - Bass
Bob Noble - Keyboards
Charlie Morgan - Drums

BIO (WIKI)

Judie Tzuke (born Judie Myers, 3 April 1956 in London) is an English singer/songwriter. Her father, Sefton Myers, was a successful property developer who also managed artists and singers—most notably Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice during the writing of Jesus Christ Superstar. Her family relocated from Poland to England in the 1920s, and changed their surname from Tzuke to Myers. When Tzuke embarked on her singing career, she decided to reclaim the family's Polish name. Her mother, Jean Silverside, was a television actress. Tzuke has two children: Bailey, also a singer-songwriter, and Tallula Muggleton-Tzuke. Her partner Paul Muggleton has three children: Annie Moody Muggleton; Andy Muggleton and Jamie Muggleton. Educated in the visual arts, performing arts, and music, Tzuke performed in folk clubs from the age of 15. Her meeting with Mike Paxman in 1975 was a turning point and they began to collaborate. They eventually secured a recording contract and formed a band with Paul Muggleton. Under the name of "Tzuke and Paxo," the band released singles, beginning with "These are the Laws" (1975). Judie and Paul later had two children together, Bailey and Tallula. Tzuke's career proper began in 1977, when she signed to Elton John's label Rocket Records. Her first single on Rocket, "For You" (1978), was released under the name of Tzuke and Paxo. However, her first major success - the classic single "Stay with Me till Dawn", released in 1979 - was released simply under "Judie Tzuke". Judie's first album, Welcome to the Cruise, which featured "Stay with Me till Dawn" and some of the Tzuke and Paxo singles, achieved great critical and commercial success. In 2002, "Stay With Me till Dawn" was chosen by the British public as one of the fifty best British songs 1952-2002 (ranking number 39). The song was also sampled by Mylo in the song "Need You Tonite", which is taken from his 2004 album Destroy Rock & Roll. The singer's second album, Sportscar (1980), did not fare so well; possibly because Elton John decided to change his label's distribution company part-way through his American tour (on which Judie was support act), meaning that all support for the tour, and for Tzuke's records in the USA, was pulled. Tzuke released one more record on Rocket, I Am the Phoenix (1982), but then decided to leave for Chrysalis Records. In 1982 Tzuke joined a new label, Chrysalis Records, which promoted well in the UK music press her first album for them, Shoot The Moon. The album gained good reviews and spawned three singles, including a picture disc 7", with the album faring well in the UK charts. Tzuke completed a 57 date tour of the UK, culminating as the headline act at that year's Glastonbury Festival. The performance was recorded for a TV special on UK commercial broadcaster ITV. Several performances from the tour were recorded and released at the end of 1982 as a double album, Road Noise: The Official Bootleg. In summer 1983 Rocket Records issued The Best, an odd compilation album which left out two of her single releases. "Black Furs" was issued as a single using a different recording than that which featured on the album or previous issue I Am The Phoenix. September 1983 saw the release of the much anticipated Ritmo album (Italian for rhythm). The album was somewhat a departure from previous work with a much more electronic feel. The single "Jeanie No" preceded the album and was played heavily on radio, yet did not chart. An edit and extended remix of the track were issued on 7" and 12" (Tzuke's first). The subsequent single "How Do I Feel?" did not fare any better. Chrysalis did not release the album or singles outside of the UK. During autumn 1983 Tzuke toured, taking in larger (but fewer) venues. Tzuke believed that Chrysalis was not interested in promoting her material and decided to take control of her releases, opting for an independent company release of material over the next two years. "You" was released in October 1984; a cover of a lesser-known Marvin Gaye track, turning a rather sedate piece into a grinding electro production. Several different versions of the track were released on the 7" and 12" issues. In early 1985 "I'll Be The One" was issued as the second single, released with an impressive video to promote the track. The Cat Is Out album was released in spring 1985 charting at number 35. June 1985 saw the third single "Love Like Fire" released, again with several remixes on the 7" and 12" issues. September 1985 saw the final single "This Side of Heaven" issued at the same time as the tour. The Cat Is Out Tour proved to be Tzuke's most successful to date with capacity crowds at some of the UK's largest venues. The Fairfield Halls, Croydon date was recorded for a TV special, which many years later was issued as a CD/DVD release. "This Side of Heaven" began to be played by BBC Radio 1 DJ Gary Davis, who made it his record of the week in January 1985, helping Tzuke to reach number 100 in the UK charts. According to Record Mirror in their 1985 end of year review of artists and sales, by the end of 1985 Tzuke was the 5th best selling British female singer for the first half of the 1980s. After a quiet period following the birth of her daughter Bailey, in 1989 the Turning Stones album was released and "We'll Go Dreaming" became Tzuke's first top 75 hit for ten years. Turning Stones charted reasonably, but was quickly deleted by Polydor following a dispute over the 1989 tour, which was subsequently cancelled, enraging fans who turned up to venues. Tzuke later apologised to fans telling them that the cancellation of the tour was out of her control and not her fault, but at the time was gagged by her record company from saying anything publicly on the matter as mentioned by her when she appeared as a guest on Radio 1's Friday evening show "Round Table" reviewing that weeks releases. August 1990 saw another record company, Columbia Records (CBS), issuing a new single "God Only Knows" a cover version of the Beach Boys classic. Despite the single issued in myriad versions (7", 7" poster wrap, limited edition numbered 10", 12" and CD single) plus a video, the song failed to gain chart success, but the video did get viewings on ITV's Breakfast Show. A limited promo 12" was issued of a remix made by DJ Judge Jewels. The song also featured in an ITV documentary series about recording techniques, where Judie and producers Mike Paxman and Paul Muggleton showed hoe the song had been constructed using sound bytes of her voice which were transposed into a synthesizer range. The next album Left Hand Talking was released in May 1991. March 1991 saw a 3 track promo issued widely in independent record stores, and April 1991 two performances at London's Shaw Theatre.These performances were the first time neither Muggleton, Paxman or Noble were part of her live band. "Outlaws" was released in June 1991, on the Columbia label and readily available in independent retailers, but made no impact upon the charts.Radio 1 DJ Richard Skinner made the song his record of the week on his Saturday afternoon show. Taking control of the copyright of her material, Tzuke and Paul set up a studio in their home and the 1992 album Wonderland was released on the Essential Label in September 1992, with two single releases, "Wonderland" and "Fly", which were performed on the BBC1 lunchtime programme "Pebble Mill At One" opening and closing the show in November 1992. Neither album nor singles charted, but the album gained good reviews and featured the talents of Brian May from Queen and Nigel Kennedy on violin. Tzuke stated in a later interview used in the inner booklet of the reissue of the album in 2002 that Wonderland was the album she felt most proud of as a songwriter. Most of the album was co-written with Bob Noble. Autumn 1992 saw a small tour, this time playing at much smaller venues spread out between early October and late November 1992 using the musicians who played upon the album. August 1995 saw the release of two albums. The BBC issued its recording of the September 1981 concert and Polygram issued a compilation album called Stay With Me Till Dawn which drew on Tzuke's first three albums released on Rocket with tracks from the Turning Stones Polydor release. The album included four single remixes which had not previously been available on CD. Under the Angels was issued on Big Moon Records in October 1996, Tzuke and Paul's own record label. With Big Moon Records, Tzuke's audience has grown steadily; Tzuke toured Under the Angels and released a live CD, Over the Moon (1997), and went on to record a second studio album, Secret Agent (1999). Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 included one of her songs, "Tonight" (from Secret Agent), on his compilation CD. In 2000 Elton John was persuaded to give back to Tzuke the rights to her first three albums recorded under Rocket Records; Tzuke named her tour later that year the "Phoenix Tour," a reference to her last Rocket Records album, "I Am the Phoenix." Following this came a new live album (Six Days Before the Flood, 2000), a new studio album (Queen Secret Keeper, 2001) and a third live album (Drive Live, 2002). In 2004 musician Mylo sampled "Stay With Me Till Dawn" on "Need You Tonite" from his debut album Destroy Rock & Roll. The level of Tzuke's success under Big Moon has been such that she has been approached by a number of well-known artists to work as a songwriter. Over the last few years, Tzuke has contributed vocals and co-written with a varied selection of artists, including 4 top 40 hits for Lucie Silvas and the majority of songs on her "Breath In" and "The Same Side" albums from 2005 and 2007. In 2006, Tzuke provided vocals for the song "Falling Down" for the group Hybrid and their album "I Choose Noise." January 2006 saw a Judie co-write "Strange Love" hit the UK top twenty for the group Phixx. Two Judie co-writes featured on Canadian identical twins Ryandan self-named release for Universal in 2007. "Like The Sun" and "High" were both released as singles. Their album reached number 7 in the UK album charts. In 2007, Tzuke released the album Songs 1, during her biggest tour in almost a decade, with her daughter Bailey Tzuke on backing vocals, and collaborations with other musicians, such as Gareth Gates on piano. June 2008 saw the release of Tzuke's sixteenth studio album, Songs 2. Judie co-wrote 4 tracks from releases by Morcheeba during 2008, and featured vocally on 2 tracks from the "Dive Deep" album, including the lead single "Enjoy The Ride". October/November 2008 saw Judie reach number 37 in the USA adult contemporary chart with a cover of "Captain Of The Heart" guesting on vocals for American Jazz combo Project Grand Slam on their self-titled album . The track was not officially released as a single, but through popularity with air play and downloading became a chart success. Hot on the heels of this there was an official USA release (via CD Baby only) and international download release of the single "Christmas And I'm Home". Judie recorded versions of the song with Haim Cotton, pianist with Project Grand Slam. Proceeds from sales went to the New York Ronald McDonald's charity. On 18 July 2009 Judie took part in a Teenage Cancer benefit concert at Kilworth House, Leicestershire alongside Lucie Silvas, performing 3 tracks solo (Love me No More, Stay With Me Till Dawn and If [When You're Gone]) accompanied by a string quartet. Judie returned to the stage for an encore performance alongside Lucie singing their co-written "Place To Hide" as a duet, receiving a standing ovation from th entire audience. Judie Tzuke is due to release a thirty year celebratory double-album titled "Moon On a Mirrorball" which will feature over thirty songs from her back catalogue, re-recorded songs and some new songs, one of which, "If (When You Go)", was performed on Michael Ball's Radio 2 show in August 2009. "Moon On A Mirror Ball" will be released on 19 April 2010 by WRASSE Records (WRASS259). The 33 tracks include four new songs. On March 16, 2010 Wrasse records re-released all the Big Moon back catalogue as downloads. 12 April 2010 sees the release of the single "If (When You Go)" by Wrasse. 19 April also sees the physical re-issue of Judie's first album "Welcome To The Cruise". Wrasse also have plans to re-issue Judie's 1989 album "Turning Stones". A planned tour for June 2010 to promote "Moon On A Mirrorball" has been delayed until October 2010, with a special concert planned at Islington's Union Chapel for Thursday 7 October.

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Born Judie Myers in London on April 3, 1956, British pop/rock singer Judie Tzuke enjoyed some commercial success in her homeland for a spell during the 1980s, but was not able to translate it stateside. Judie's Polish immigrant parents had changed their last names from Tzuke to Myers shortly after relocating to England (it was a common last name in their new home of Yorkshire), but by the time Judie began establishing her singing career, she had decided to use original family surname. Both of Tzuke's parents were involved in music: her father, Sefton Myers, managed artists and singers (and supported both Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as the duo penned Jesus Christ Superstar), while her mother, Jean Silverside, acted in several popular films and TV shows. By her teenage years, Judie began penning poems and setting them to a guitar accompaniment, showcasing her original compositions at local folk clubs. Soon after, Tzuke met a songwriting collaborator in Mike Paxman, and the duo (known as Tzuke & Paxo) caught the attention of renowned producer Tony Visconti, who signed them to his Good Earth record label. The duo only managed to issue an obscure, lone 1977 single, "These are the Laws" b/w "It's Only Fantasies," before Tzuke was signed as a solo artist to Elton John's Rocket label (Paxman would remain on board, however, as a singer/guitarist/songwriter for several years). Tzuke first issued a single for her new label, "For You," which was a moderate success on U.K. radio (scraping the Top 40), but around the time of the release of her full-length debut in 1979, Welcome to the Cruise, Tzuke scored a more substantial hit with "Stay with Me 'Till Dawn," which resulted in the song staying on the British charts for 16 weeks and several appearances on the popular Tops of the Pops TV program. Despite landing a prime touring spots opening for her pal Elton John (and playing to an estimated 450,000 people at New York's Central Park), John's label switched distribution in the U.S. around this time, which made it increasingly hard to find Tzuke's music in record stores. Despite it all, Tzuke's career continued to prosper in England, resulting in such further popular releases as 1980's Sportscar, 1981's I Am the Phoenix, and 1982's Shoot the Moon (in addition to appearances at British festivals and a pair of sold-out shows at the Hammersmith Odeon). Tzuke hoped that signing with a new label (Chrysalis) would bring her recording career to the next level. This, unfortunately, proved not to be the case, as Tzuke appeared to be lost in the shuffle when she issued her next studio release, Ritmo, in 1983. Undeterred, Tzuke continued to issue further albums, including 1985's The Cat Is Out (recorded entirely at her home studio), 1989's Turning Stones, 1991's Left Hand Talking, and 1996's Wonderland (which featured a cameo by Queen guitarist Brian May). Tzuke formed her own record label, Big Moon Records, shortly thereafter, which issued Under the Angels and the in-concert Over the Moon in 1997; Secret Agent followed in 1998, as well as another live set, Six Days Before the Flood, in 2000. Around the same time, Elton John decided to return the copyrights of Tzuke's first three (and most popular) albums back to her, which resulted in all being remastered and reissued on Big Moon. Tzuke's next studio effort, Queen Secret Keeper, was released in 2001, with an all-covers album, The Beauty of Hindsight, following in 2003. The 2004 album After the End of the Beginning preceded her two-volume Songs series, with the first volume (2007) focusing on her softer material while the second (2008) favored rock. Two years later, her career-spanning Moon on a Mirrorball was supported by a tour of the U.K. © Greg Prato © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/judie-tzuke-p133442/biography

Rita Coolidge

Rita Coolidge - Heartbreak Radio - 1981 - A&M

Born in Lafayette, near Nashville in 1945, the daughter of a Baptist minister, Rita Coolidge originally established herself as a backup vocalist. With her smoky sweet voice, intelligence, and her funky Dusty Springfield/Memphis like soul vocals, she soon became a session vocalist for artists like Delaney & Bonnie and Leon Russell. Her first important public appearance was in 1970 when she was invited to tour with Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs And Englishmen entourage, where she became the vocal anchor of Cocker's space choir. Rita even got a showcase spot on these Joe Cocker concerts, singing the great Leon Russell/Bonnie Bramlett song, "Superstar." She was eventually signed by the great A&M label. She eventually achieved worldwide acclaim in 1977, with her "Anytime-Anywhere album", which produced three Top 20 hits. Later albums became more commercial and she drifted away from her great roots music background. However, in 1971 all the elements were firmly in place. Her early '80's album, "Heartbreak Radio" posted here is often regarded as a West Coast "country" album, but it also contains some jazzy soul blues and folk rock songs. Judy covers two Allen Toussaint songs, Carole King's "Walk On In", and Bacharach & David's "Wishin' and Hopin'" and others. Some of the artists on the album include Andrew Gold, Dean Parks, Bill Payne, Lenny Castro, and the late great Jeff Porcaro. A classy album from a classy Delta Lady. Listen to her "Out of the Blues" album, and check out her 1971 S/T album @ RITACOOL/OOTB

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Walk on In - Carole King
2 One More Heartache - Robert Rogers, William Robinson, Marvin Tarplin, Ronald White, Lauren Moore
3 Closer You Get - Mark Gray, James P. Pennington
4 Wishin' and Hopin' - Burt Bacharach, Hal David
5 Heartbreak Radio - Troy Seals, Frankie Miller
6 Man and Woman - Jerry Riopelle, John Harris
7 I Did My Part - Naomi Neville aka Allen Toussaint
8 Hold On (I Feel Our Love Is Changing) - Will Jennings, Joe Sample
9 Basic Lady - Allen Toussaint
10 Stranger to Me Now - Donna Weiss, Mary Unobsky
11 Take It Home - Wilton Felder, Will Jennings

MUSICIANS

Rita Coolidge - Vocals
Andrew Gold - Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
Dean Parks, Fred Tackett, Richard Wachtel - Guitar
Bob Glaub - Bass
Bill Payne, Mike Utley - Keyboards
Jeff Porcaro, Russ Kunkel, Michael Botts - Drums
Tom Saviano - Saxophone
Nick DeCaro - Accordion
David Campbell - Strings
Kenny Edwards, Lenny Castro, Brock Walsh, J.D. Souther, William D. "Smitty" Smith, Maureen McDonald, Nicolette Larson - Vocals

BIO

A versatile singer blessed with a clear, pure voice, Rita Coolidge was a capable stylist in rock, pop, R&B, country, and folk, and was a hugely in-demand session vocalist outside of her own solo recording career. Born near Nashville, TN, in the town of Lafayette in 1945, Coolidge was part Cherokee and first sang in the church where her father was a minister. She studied art at Florida State University, but also sang and wrote songs on the side, and decided to give music a shot before settling into teaching. She moved to Memphis after graduation and worked singing commercial jingles, sometimes with her sister, Priscilla, and soon landed a job touring with Delaney & Bonnie as a backup vocalist. She subsequently relocated to Los Angeles, where she sang on recording sessions by the likes of Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, and Joe Cocker, among others. After returning from the supporting tour for Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Coolidge landed her own solo contract with A&M. Coolidge's self-titled debut album was released in 1971, but despite critical acclaim for it and the follow-up, Nice Feelin', she failed to break through commercially. Over the course of the next few years, she moved into country-rock and Southern California soft rock, working territory not too dissimilar from Linda Ronstadt. She also married progressive country singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson in 1973, the same year she recorded a duet album with him titled Full Moon. Full Moon topped the country charts, and "From the Bottle to the Bottom" won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group. The following year, the couple released a follow-up, Breakaway, whose "Lover Please" won them another Grammy in the same category. Coolidge finally broke through in her own right with 1977's Anytime, Anywhere, a collection of well-chosen covers with a strong R&B bent. Paced by the hit singles "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" (a Jackie Wilson cover that went to number two pop), "We're All Alone" (Top Ten), and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (a Top 20 Temptations cover), Anytime, Anywhere climbed into the Top Ten and sold over a million copies. Coolidge and Kristofferson released one final duet album, Natural Act, in 1979, but their marriage was on the rocks, and they separated by the end of the year. Coolidge never repeated the pop success of Anytime, Anywhere, but she did continue to land hits on the adult contemporary charts through the early '80s, including "You," "I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love," and "All Time High" (the theme for the James Bond flick Octopussy). She parted ways with A&M after 1984's Inside the Fire, and spent some time away from the music business to devote herself to various social causes. She returned to recording with 1992's Love Lessons, on Critique, and went on to cut several albums for other small labels during the latter half of the '90s. 1995's Cherokee, in particular, signaled a renewed interest in her Native American musical heritage, and she teamed up with her sister, Priscilla, and her niece, Laura Satterfield, to form Walela, which explored those roots in greater detail over two albums in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Several anthology collections were released in the early 2000s; And So Is Love, an album of traditional jazz standards, marked Coolidge's first release for Concord in 2005. © Steve Huey © 2010 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difyxqw5ldte~T1

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge - Brave And Crazy - 1989 - Island Records

Not a trace of the dreaded sophomore curse was to be found on Melissa Etheridge's second album. On Brave and Crazy, the throaty singer/guitarist/composer is slightly more reflective than on her first release, but no less confident. Nor is she is any less rootsy. Etheridge's earthiness is a large part of her appeal, and she uses it most advantageously on the gutsy rockers "Skin Deep" and "Let Me Go," as well as more reflective pieces such as "Testify," "You Used to Love to Dance" and "You Can Sleep While I Drive" (which, like a lot of Bruce Springsteen's songs, equates long drives with freedom and liberation). As introspective as things get on this CD, Etheridge never becomes wimpy or self-pitying. For all its vulnerability, Brave and Crazy is the work of someone who comes across as a survivor. © Alex Henderson, All Music Guide © 2010 Answers Corporation http://www.answers.com/topic/brave-and-crazy

Melissa's gravelly voice, like a cross between Maggie Bell and Bonnie Tyler, is wonderful, and "Brave And Crazy" is an intensely sincere album from one of rock's most intelligent and talented artists. Her lyrics are personal, and emotional with a universal empathy. For many years now she has combined some of today's important social and political topics with great melodies and superior musicianship. Melissa's "Lucky" album is another of her great albums. Try and listen to it sometime

TRACKS

A1 No Souvernirs 4:33
A2 Brave And Crazy 4:37
A3 You Used To Love To Dance 4:33
A4 The Angels 4:38
A5 You Can Sleep While I Drive 3:14

B1 Testify 4:28
B2 Let Me Go 3:56
B3 My Back Door 4:24
B4 Skin Deep 3:10
B5 Royal Station 4 / 16 6:40

All songs composed by Melissa Etheridge, except B1 "Testify", by Melissa Etheridge, and Kevin McCormick

MUSICIANS

Guitar [12 String], Vocals - Melissa Etheridge
Electric Guitar - Bernie Larsen
Guitar - Richard Wachtel, Waddy Wachtel
Bass - Kevin McCormick
Keyboards - Scott Thurston
Drums - Mauricio Fritz Lewak
Harmonica - Bono

BIO

Melissa Etheridge became one of the most popular recording artists of the '90s due to her mixture of confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, Janis Joplin/Rod Stewart-esque vocals. But the road to stardom was not all smooth sailing for Etheridge as she debated behind the scenes whether or not to disclose to the public that she was gay early on in her career. Born May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, KS, Etheridge first picked up the guitar at the age of eight and began penning her own songs shortly thereafter. Playing in local bands throughout her teens, Etheridge then attended the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. The up-and-coming singer/songwriter and guitarist dropped out after a year before making her way to Los Angeles in the early '80s to give a shot at a career in music. Etheridge's music at this point was slightly more bluesy than her subsequently renowned folk-pop style, as a demo of original compositions caught the attention of Bill Leopold, who signed on as Etheridge's manager. Soon after, steady gigs began coming her way, including a five-night-a-week residency at the Executive Suite in Long Beach, which led to a bidding war between such major record labels as A&M, Capitol, EMI, and Warner Bros., but it was Island Records that Etheridge decided to go with. Etheridge's first recorded work appeared on the forgotten soundtrack to the Nick Nolte prison movie Weeds before her self-titled debut was issued in 1988. The album quickly drew comparisons to such heavyweights as Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, as it spawned the hit single "Bring Me Some Water" and earned gold certification. In the wake of the album's success, Etheridge performed at the Grammy Awards the following year and contributed vocals to Don Henley's The End of the Innocence. Etheridge managed to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump with 1989's Brave and Crazy, which followed the same musical formula as its predecessor and proved to be another gold-certified success. It would be nearly three years before Etheridge's next studio album appeared, however, and 1992 signaled the arrival of Never Enough, an album that proved to be more musically varied. But it was Etheridge's fourth release that would prove to be her massive commercial breakthrough. Tired of rumors and questions regarding her sexuality, Etheridge decided to put the speculation to rest once and for all, titling the album Yes I Am. Ex-Police producer Hugh Padgham guided the album, which spawned two major MTV/radio hits with "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window" (the latter of which featured a video with movie actress Juliette Lewis); the album would sell a staggering six million copies in the U.S. during a single-year period and earned a 1995 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocalist. But subsequent releases failed to match the success of Yes I Am, including 1995's Your Little Secret, 1999's Breakdown, and 2001's Skin, the latter of which dealt with her separation from Julie Cypher. (Cypher had birthed the couple's two children via artificial insemination; CSN&Y's David Crosby was the father.) 2002 saw the release of Etheridge's autobiography, The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music, and 2004's Lucky was her celebration of a new romance. Later that same year Etheridge revealed that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer. But early detection allowed for recovery, and she gave strength to many of those stricken by the disease with a powerful performance of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" at the 47th Annual Grammys, held in February 2005. That September Etheridge released Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled, a compilation of career highlights and new material. It featured a cover of Tom Petty's "Refugee" as well as "Piece of My Heart" and a new song dedicated to breast cancer survivors. In 2007 Etheridge released her first studio album of new material in three years, The Awakening, on Island, following it a year later in 2008 with a holiday album, A New Thought for Christmas, also on Island. © Greg Prato, allmusic.com

Elkie Brooks

Elkie Brooks - Screen Gems - 1984 - A&M Records

Regarded by many as the most outstanding British female vocal talent of the past five decades, there is no question that Elkie remains one of the best soul/blues rock singers in the world today. Although her first love is roots blues and rock, she has recorded many albums covering a diverse range of musical genres. "Screen Gems" is a beautifully arranged album of Hollywood film songs and movie themes. Some of the songs on "Screen Gems", like "Me and My Shadow", "Blue Moon", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "You'll Never Know", and "What'll I Do?" go back a long way, and have been covered by countless artists. But Elkie's voice can still draw something new from these old movie standards. Elkie is backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the resulting recording is really special, and HR by A.O.O.F.C. Try and listen to her "Bookbinder's Kid", and "Round Midnight" albums. Check out Elkie's "Electric Lady" album @ ELKIBRKS/ELECLA and her "Nothing But The Blues" album is @ ELKIBRK/NBTB The self titled 1972 "Vinegar Joe" album, featuring Elkie Brooks is a classic early seventies blues rock album, and worth listening to. Search this blog for other Elkie Brooks/Vinegar Joe releases

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1."Once In a While" (Michael Edwards, Bud Green)
2."Am I Blue" (Harry Akst, Grant Clarke)
3."That Old Feeling" (Sammy Fain, Lew Brown)
4."Me and My Shadow" (Al Jolson, Dave Dreyer, Billy Rose)
5."Blue Moon" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart)
6."Some of These Days" (Shelton Brooks)
7."Ain't Misbehavin'" (Fats Waller, Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf)
8."You'll Never Know" (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon)
9."What'll I Do?" (Irving Berlin)
10."My Foolish Heart" (Victor Young, Ned Washington)
11."Love Me or Leave Me" (Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn)
12."Three O'Clock In the Morning" (Julian Robledo, Dorothy Terriss)

MUSICIANS

Elkie Brooks – vocals
London Philharmonic Orchestra – orchestra

BIO

British pop-jazz-blues crooner Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder) dominated U.K. radio in the late '70s with a series of hit singles that established her as "the biggest-selling female album artist in the history of the British pop charts." The Manchester native, who grew up in an extremely musical family, left school at the age of 15 to join a dance band in London. She eventually mad the jump to radio, as well as numerous appearances with legendary jazz bandleader Humphrey Lyttelton, before embarking on a career in pop music. The early '60s saw the budding young singer releasing singles for Decca and EMI, as well as opening for everyone from Carl Perkins to the Beatles, but commercial success remained elusive. She joined the blues-rock band Dada in 1970, which would eventually find success through a name change (Vinegar Joe) and the arrival of a new vocalist, Robert Palmer. The popular group released three beloved records before disbanding in 1974, and after a brief stint with U.S. Southern rock band Wet Willie, Brooks decided to take another crack at a solo career. The resulting Rich Man's Woman, Two Days Away, Shooting Star, Live & Learn, Pearls, and Pearls II, as well as frequent sold-out tours and numerous silver, gold, and platinum recordings, would go on to cement her reputation well into the 21st century. © James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide

BIO (WIKIPEDIA)

Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder, 25 February 1945 in Broughton, Salford) is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. She is known for her husky voice. Brooks was born to Jewish parents in Salford, England and grew up in Prestwich. She attended North Salford Secondary Modern School. A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' debut, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. She spent most of the 1960s on Britain's jazz scene.It was on the jazz scene she met Humphrey Lyttelton the two remained friends till Lyttelton's death in 2008. Impressed by Steve Marriott's vocal and stage performances, she helped the mod band Small Faces with their early career by introducing them at several venues. In the early 1960s Brooks supported The Beatles in their Christmas show in London. She also toured the U.S with The Animals, among other acts and also supported Jimi Hendrix.After she met husband Pete Gage, she joined the short-lived fusioneers Dada before forming Vinegar Joe with Gage and Robert Palmer. After three albums, they split up in 1974, and Brooks and Palmer both went solo. After a time as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M records Rich Man's Woman (1975) came before a run of sixteen UK hit albums in twenty-five years, starting with Two Days Away, produced by the legendary duo Leiber & Stoller, who had also worked with Elvis Presley and many others (1977). Brooks wrote some tracks with Leiber and Stoller. The hits "Pearl's a Singer", "Sunshine After the Rain" came from this album. "Lilac Wine", Don't Cry Out Loud, came later. The albums Shooting Star (1978), Live and Learn (1979), Pearls (at the time, the largest selling album by a British female artist) (1981), "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" was a hit for Brooks taken from this album. Written by Chris Rea. Pearls II (1982), Minutes (1984) and Screen Gems the first album to be produced on CD in the UK (1984) were all UK chart successes. In 1986 No More the Fool gave her biggest hit single to date while the parent album reached the top 5. Following chart success ensued with the albums The Very Best of (1986), Bookbinders Kid On Bookbinders Kid, she covered "What's The Matter Baby" previously recorded by Timi Yuro. Yuro got in touch with Brooks to compliment her. (1988), Inspiration (1981), Round Midnight (1993), Nothin' But the Blues (1994), Amazing (1996) and The Very Best of (1997). In 1980 Brooks performed at the Knebworth festival with The Beach Boys, Santana and Mike Oldfield. Brooks' success has earned her recognition by the Guinness Book of Records as the most charted British female album artist of the last 30 years. Pearls stayed in the charts for 79 weeks and was still there when Pearls II charted a year later. In March 2003 she participated in the ITV music talent show Reborn in the USA, alongside musicians such as Peter Cox (Go West Singer), Tony Hadley and Leee John. The Electric Lady album (2005) saw a return to her blues and rock roots, featuring self-penned tracks alongside re-workings of numbers by The Doors, Bob Dylan, Paul Rodgers and Tony Joe White. The following year saw the release of her first official DVD, titled Elkie Brooks & Friends: Pearls featuring an array of guest musicians. Brooks is currently working on her 20th studio album. A popular live attraction, Brooks has toured almost every year during her solo career. Her 1982 UK concert tour was seen by more than 140,000 people in just three months.She has performed at every major UK theatre including sell out runs at the London Palladium, Dominion Theatre, Hammersmith Apollo, Ronnie Scott's, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.

Sad Café

Sad Café - Sad Café - 1980 - RCA

Sad Café was created when some members of two popular Manchester bands - Mandala (John Stimpson, Vic Emerson and Ashley Mulford) and Gyro (Paul Young and Ian Wilson) decided to form a new band. The band adopted it's name from the book by Carson McCullers, "The Ballad Of The Sad Café". This is really good adult sophisticated, melodic pop rock with a touch of Hall & Oates. Sad Café's songs were carefully written, and well played by great musicians. This 1980 album was produced by 10 cc's Eric Stewart, and his influences can be heard throughout the album. Listen to the band's "The Politics of Existence", with guests, Paul Carrack, and Mike Rutherford. Also, SC's "Misplaced Ideals" is a classy album, with plenty of jazzy blues rock of the "softer" variety. For music in a similar genre, check out 10 cc's "Sheet Music", and Pilot's "Morin Heights".

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

La Di Da - Stimpson, Young
Digital Daydream Blues - Young, Mulford, Emerson
What Am I Gonna Do - Wilson
Keeping It From The Troops - Young, Sad Cafe
Love Today - Wilson, Young, Sad Cafe
Losin' You - Mulford
Dreaming - Young, Mulford, Emerson,Stimpson
No Favours No Way - Stimpson, Young
I'm In Love Again - Wilson, Young,Emerson

MUSICIANS

Ian Wilson - vocals, guitar, electric guitar, percussion
Ashley Mulford - vocals, guitar, slide guitar
John Stimpson - vocals, bass guitar
Vic Emerson - piano, synthesizer
Dave Irving - vocals, drums, percussion
Paul Young - vocals, congas, percussion
Lenny Zakatek - saxophone
Lenni Zaksen - vocals, saxophone

BIO

Sad Café was a British soft rock outfit, that enjoyed a recording somewhat successful career from the mid-'70s through the early '80s. The group's leader, singer Paul Young (not the same Paul Young that scored the '80s hit "Every Time You Go Away"), got his start with music in the mid-'60s, when he fronted a forgotten Manchester group called the Toggery Five, which included a few members that would later go on to join prog rockers Jethro Tull — guitarist Mick Abrahams and drummer Clive Bunker. By the early '70s, Young was fronting another forgotten outfit, Gyro, and by 1976, opted to leave the band — taking Gyro guitarist Ian Wilson with him. Young then formed Sad Café, along with members of another Manchester band, Mandalaband (Ashley Mumford [guitar], Vic Emerson [keyboards], John Stimpson [bass], Tony Creswell [drums]), who had issued an obscure self-titled release in 1975. The fledgling group signed a deal with the Chrysalis label, but for reasons unknown, the record company shelved a debut album finished in 1976. Switching to RCA, some of the songs from their proposed 1976 debut were included on Fanx Ta-Ra, issued a year later, which was followed by such further releases as 1977's Hungry Eyes, 1978's Misplaced Ideals, and 1979's Facades (the latter of which spawned the group their biggest hit single, the U.K. Top Five "Every Day Hurts"). It was also around this time that Mandalaband briefly re-formed for an album (which Young supplied vocals to), The Eye of Wendor. Sad Café was never able to follow up their single with another substantial hit, and decided to call it a day in 1981, after a few more underappreciated albums saw the light of day (1980's self-titled release, plus 1981's Live and Olé). Young would later re-submerge as one of the singers of Mike + the Mechanics, a side project of Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford (sharing the vocal duties with Paul Carrack), that scored a big hit with their self-titled debut in 1985. The late '80s saw Young join up once more with Ian Wilson under the Sad Café moniker, issuing 1986's The Politics of Existence (with guest spots by both Rutherford and Carrack). From here on out, Young split his time between Sad Café (1994's Whatever It Takes) and Mike + the Mechanics (1988's The Living Years, 1991's Word of Mouth, 1995's Beggar on a Beach of Gold, and 1999's self-titled release), and in 1993, took part in a benefit concert for a British hospital, that featured an unusual line-up that was a combination of both Mike + the Mechanics and Pink Floyd — David Gilmour (guitar, vocals), Rick Wright (keyboards, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Tim Renwick (guitar, vocals), Mike Rutherford (bass, vocals), Gary Wallis (drums), and Young. On July 15, 2000, Young passed away in Cheshire, England, at the age of 53, effectively ending any hope of further Sad Café offerings. © Greg Prato, allmusic.com, http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hpfqxq95ldke~T1

The Parachute Club

The Parachute Club - At The Feet Of The Moon - 1984 - RCA

"At the Feet of the Moon" won the Juno for Group of the Year along with U-Knows for Album of the Year, Group of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year (for the lead singer, Lorraine Segato). The band split in 1989 after enjoying huge success in the 80's, with many top-10 singles in Canada, as well as critical recognition as one of the most talented and outspoken groups. In 2005, critic Greg Quill wrote in the Toronto Star that "No musical collective bespoke this city during a specific period as powerfully as Parachute Club did in the 1980s. Their infectious, inclusive, soca-soaked dance music carried important messages about the social changes Toronto was experiencing at the time, about sexual and personal politics, about the need for hope and courage in an age of confusing, impersonal rhetoric from local policymakers and world leaders." A very unusual band who were able to compose lyrics with social and political messages, and add an eclectic mix of many different music genres to these lyrics, including strong ethnic dance beats. This is a very good and relevant album. Check out their 'Small Victories' album.

TRACKS

1 At the Feet of the Moon
2 Sexual Intelligence
3 Innuendo
4 Equal Equally
5 Middle Child
6 Act of an Innocent
7 Freedom Song
8 Walls and Laws

MUSICIANS

Lorraine Segato - vocals, guitar
Lauri Conger - keyboards, vocals
Billy Bryans - drums,
Margo Davidson - saxophone, vocals
Julie Masi - percussion, vocals
Keir Brownstone - bass
Dave Gray - guitar

ABOUT "THE PARACHUTE CLUB."

Parachute Club. Toronto pop music collective, active 1982-8. Formed by the singer Lorraine Segato and the percussionist Billy Bryans, it emerged from the Queen Street West neighbourhood of clubs and art galleries that flourished during the 1980s. The band varied in size and personnel: longtime members included Dave Gray (guitar) and Margo Davidson (saxophone, percussion), Lauri Conger (keyboards), Juli Masi (vocals, percussion), and Keir Brownstone (bass). A dozen musicians performed in what proved to be the Club's final concerts, 20 and 21 Jul 1988 at Ontario Place. The Club's first and biggest hit, the stirring 'Rise Up' (1983, from the LP The Parachute Club, Current WAVE-2), was typical of its music: socio-political lyrics riding exuberant, Third-World rhythms. The singles 'At the Feet of the Moon' (1984, from an LP of the same title, RCA KKL1-0553) and 'Love is Fire' (1986, from the LP Small Victories, RCA KKL1-0573) were also popular. Canadian sales of At the Feet of the Moon exceeded 100,000. The group performed throughout Canada, appeared in the USA in1985 and toured West Germany in 1987. It won Juno Awards in 1984 for single of the year ('Rise up') and as most promising group, in 1985 as group of the year, and in 1986 for best video ('Love is Fire,' directed by Ron Berti). Segato (b Hamilton, Ont, 17 Jun 1956) undertook a solo career in 1989, forming the band Big Jump (with Dave Gray and others) and recording the album Phoenix (WEA CD-71202). Bryans (b Toronto 15 Sep 1949), who had previously produced recordings by Lillian Allen, Downchild and Dutch Mason, returned to production (eg The Phantoms, Eyuphuro) and has also accompanied Allen, Buffy Sainte-Marie and others. © The Canadian Encyclopedia, © 2008 Historica Foundation of Canada. All rights reserved

BIO

The earliest roots of The Parachute Club stem from when Lorraine Segato and Laurie Conger formed an all-girl band called Mama Quilla 2. They spent the latter part of the Seventies becoming fixtures of the Toronto club scene, where they gained local notoriety for their weaving political messages into their music. They released one 12" EP, produced by Daniel Lanois which didn't exactly set the world afire. Segato was introduced to drummer Billy Bryans in 1979. Their love for different rhythms and musical influences were a natural meld, which culminated in the formation of V, a group which also consisted of Steve Webster on bass and in part was based around Mojah, the black rastafarian leader of Truth and Rights, Toronto's premier reggae outfit of the day. After Mojah left, the band changed it's name to The Parachute Club in '83 and had percussionist/saxaphonist Margo Davidson join the band. Soon Julie Masi moved from Winnipeg and joined up, followed shortly thereafter by guitarist Dave Gray. They gained the attention of Current Records and began recording their self-titled debut later that same year. Produced by Lanois, the album was an instant hit with both critics and the fans. Backed by the smash single "Rise Up", which won a Juno for Single Of The Year, their penchant for writing politically-conscious tunes would become legendary. "Alienation" and "Boys Club", a song about women's rights, soon followed suit. The eagerly-anticipated follow-up, AT THE FEET OF THE MOON hit the stores in '84. Produced by Michael Beinhorn and with new bassist Keir Brownstone, the band picked up where they'd left off the album before. The first single was the eclectic title track, and was then followed by 2 more top 40 hits, "Act Of An Innocent" and "Sexual Intelligence". Other noteable tracks included "Innuendo" and "Walls and Laws". The group's political and sociological messages scored them their second gold record, and they were rewarded that same year with their second Juno, this time for Group Of The Year. 1986 saw the release of SMALL VICTORIES. The album saw the band's collaberation with John Oates, who served as album co-producer. The first single, "Love Is Fire", also co-featured Oates on vocals. The duet gave the album international credibility and it marked the band's third straight gold record here at home. The beginning of the end for the band started following the end of their Canadian tour that year, when Masi left to pursue outside interests. Conger followed suit in mid '87 when she too left the group. Though the band continued for another 2 years with various musicians filling in as necessary, the rigors of having a 7-piece band touring - plus their collective musical goals having been met, the band called it quits in late '89. WILD ZONE - THE ESSENTIAL PARACHUTE CLUB was released in '92. The expected greatest hits package, it spanned the run of hits the band had over the course of their 3 albums, as well as a remix of "Rise Up". The members each ventured off to do their own thing. Segato began a successful solo career, while Conger has begun work in First Nations music after training in massage therapy in New Mexico. Bryans meanwhile still does extensive work promoting musical genres from abroad here in North America. Regrettably - it's easy to overlook the importance The Parachute Club has made to Canadian music. Renowned for their social conscience, they found a knack to make you think while making your feet want to dance. © www.canadianbands.com

Shona Laing

Shona Laing - South - 1987 - TVT

Shona Laing is a very talented New Zealand singer-writer, who despite having recorded quite a few albums, is barely known outside the Australasian region. This is an album of well crafted songs. The lyrics are very intelligent, and Shona deals with many socio-political issues in her catchy songs. This takes a rare talent. "Soviet Snow" is plea for empathy that relates life in the declining days of the Soviet bloc with the seasonal migration of whales in the Pacific. "The Bishop" is a celebration of the eminent human rights campaigner, Desmond Tutu. Very unusual topics for a songwriter, but "South'" was a successful album, in the late eighties, selling many units worldwide. This is not your average eighties commercial pop album, but it is a n excellent album full of quality. If you can find it, listen to her "New on Earth" album which is also a quality recording. The quote below says a lot about Shona Laing and "South."

"even the most adept of record companies would have had a hard time selling Shona Laing to the masses. Treading an iffy tightrope strung from politically conscious college rock to Magic Lite FM adult contemporary, with a voice too husky and plain to be merely pop, and too jazzily melodic to win over the Melissa Etheridge crowd, with lyrics too smart for VH-1, but not poetic or angsty enough to win the undying devotion of sensitive English majors, Shona Laing is both readily accessible as an artist, and utterly uncategorizable. South is only the fullest, most concise manifestation of these qualities. " plorentz, epinions.com, Written: Dec 11 '06, www.epinions.com/content_287134092932
There is a very interesting interview with Shona Laing from the "Times Online" @
SHONALAING/IVIEW

TRACKS

1.Drive Baby Drive (4:35)
2.Caught (4:51)
3.Neat And Tidy (4:00)
4.The Migrant And The Refugee (3:55)
5.Soviet Snow (6:00)
6.(Glad I'm) Not A Kennedy (3:26)
7.Your Reputation (3:52)
8.The Bishop (4:27)
9.Dockyard On A River (4:57)
10.Highway Warriors (4:32)
11.South (3:22)

All songs by Shona Laing.

CREDITS

Shona Laing (Keyboards, Vocals)
Peter Wilson (Mixing)
Graeme Myhre, Stephen McCurdy, Bruce Lynch , Shona Laing (Producers)
Richard Allan (Art Direction)
Richard Allan (Cover Design)
Kerry Brown (Photography)

REVIEWS

New Zealand singer/songwriter Shona Laing had spent some time touring as a backup singer for various acts including Manfred Mann's Earth Band by the time she released her solo record South. In addition to playing keyboards and handling a share of the programming, Laing also wrote all eleven tracks. As a lyricist, she is more than adequate as she often writes about big-ticket issues like environmental and social ills without being too heavy-handed. Unfortunately, most everything gets lost in a wash of programmed drums and techno-pop keyboards that give South a dated feel. There are some worthy tracks here like "Drive Baby Drive," whose melody is too catchy to be sandbagged by the processed bounce, "The Migrant And Refugee," which features a truly powerful vocal performance from Laing, and "Soviet Snow." Although it's Cold War theme is an anachronism, lush layers of keyboards, strings, and backing vocals, and the overall sonic rush of the song make it memorable. Also included is "(Glad I'm) Not A Kennedy," which managed to snare some college radio airplay. © Tom Demalon, All Music Guide

In six years, America's perception of pop from down under has evolved from the ale-swilling friendliness of Men at Work to the belligerent social activism of Midnight Oil. South, the slickly produced and often mesmerizing American debut album by New Zealander Shona Laing, fits in neatly with the region's new-found militancy and emergent pop culture. Ironically, singer-songwriter-guitarist Laing may be best known on these shores for the hooky "(Glad I'm) Not a Kennedy," a tasty slice of American hero worship that includes snippets of John Kennedy's speeches. Never mind that JFK would have mocked New Zealand's recent rejection of America's nuclear protection – the song is a sublimely attractive piece of propaganda. Laing's huskily emotional vocals, melodic arrangements and good intentions are put to better use on the bracing antinuclear song "Soviet Snow," the soaring anti-drunk-driving plea "Highway Warriors" and the jazz-flavored song "The Migrant and Refugee," a detached comment on the West's treatment of third-world immigrants. Appropriately, the album ends with the title track, a homey ode to New Zealand's remoteness, which has spared the country many of the modem age's ravages. For all its earnestness, South is at heart a shimmering celebration of pop. Unlike such socially minded newcomers as Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega, Laing paints with a broad, multicolored brush, often using horns, synths and backup vocals with Spectorian abandon. Like Bruce Hornsby, she rescues liberalism from the clutches of the solemn and puts it in the service of remarkable and accessible pop. May her heart bleed forever. (RS 540), © Cary Darling, Posted: Dec 1, 1988, © 2008 Rolling Stone



ABOUT THE ARTIST

Singer/songwriter Shona Laing was a star in her native New Zealand before the age of 20 and has remained a notable artist known for her insightful lyrics since the early '70s. Born in 1955, Laing's musical career was given a boost by her successful appearances on television talent contests, which led to her signing a record deal with Phonogram in 1972. Her first single, "1905," was a Top Ten hit in New Zealand and, over the next three years, she released a series of songs that duplicated that feat, earning numerous regional recording awards. Relocating to London in 1975, she continued to perform at folk clubs and at the beginning of the '80s, she released several singles through EMI, which culled them together as the full-length Tied to the Tracks in 1982. Enlisted by Manfred Mann, who had heard one of her songs, Laing joined his Earth Band, singing backup on their Somewhere in Afrika release. Returning to New Zealand in 1985, she released Genre, which received little notice until the track "(Glad I'm) Not a Kennedy" became a hit. The song was picked up by college radio stations in the U.S. when it was included on her South set in 1987, along with the driving "Soviet Snow," which enjoyed some play from MTV. The attention earned her a deal with Epic, the label on which her 1992 release New on Earth was issued. Well-received critically, the album was lost in the shuffle and Laing was dropped. She remained a respected artist in New Zealand and continued to record through the end of the '90s. © Tom Demalon, All Music Guide

BIO

Shona Laing was born in New Zealand in 1955 and spent much of her early teens writing and practicising songs at home. As early as 1972 Shona shot to overnight stardom by singing her way into the New Faces finals with a song called '1905'. Even as a 17 year old schoolgirl, Shona composed all her own material. After her success on New Faces, Phonogram signed her up to a recording deal. They released her first single '1905'/'There Are No Words (To Describe)' on the Vertigo label. '1905' peaked at #4 on the National Charts in February 1973. A second single, 'Show Your Love'/'Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend' also peaked at #4 in September 1973. Later that year, Shona entered the Studio One television competition with a song called 'If Only', but this time failed to place. However, any disappointment was soon forgotten when she picked up two RATA Awards, namely 'Best New Artist' and 'Recording Artist Of The Year'. Shona also took top prize at the Tokyo Song Festival with a song called 'Masquerade', and was awarded two gold discs for '1905' and 'Show Your Love'. 'Masquerade'/'If You Could Read My Mind' was released as a single in 1973 and reached #11 in November on the National Charts. Her forth single 'Someone To Be With'/'Lady Dipton' failed to chart. Late in 1973 Shona released her first album 'Whispering Afraid', which sold very well. A third RATA Award for Top Female Vocal Performer came her way in 1974 and she also released a second album, the Australian produced 'Shooting Stars Are Only Seen At Night'. At a second visit to the Tokyo Song Festival, she met Roberto Danova, an Italian producer based in London. He urged her to go to London to further her career. So in 1975, Shona flew to London, and was to stay in that part of the world for the next seven years. While in England, Shona performed regularly at folk clubs and restaurants. EMI were interested in her and through them, she recorded some songs. During 1980 and 1981 she released a total of four singles on EMI and most of these songs found their way on to an album released in 1982 called 'Tied To The Tracks'. Shona's last two years in Europe were spent as a member of Manfred Mann's Earth Band, working on the album, 'Somewhere In Afrika'. Shona had recorded a song called 'Don't Tell Me' which had received a lot of airplay in Britain on Radio 1. Manfred heard it and got in touch with her because he wanted to record the song. As a result she ended up singing for him and during that time learned a lot about synthesizers, sequencers and similar equipment. Shona featured prominently on the tracks, 'Eyes of Nostradamus', 'Third World Service and Demolition Man' on the Afrika album and on the single 'I Who Have Nothing'. Shona left the band before the corresponding tour. In an interview with Manfred a few years ago, he described Shona as a great singer with a great voice. Shona returned to New Zealand and in 1985 signed to the independent Pagan label, with whom she released the album 'Genre'. The first single it was "One In A Million" backed with an instrumental version. Unfortunately the New Zealand public had forgotten who Shona was and the single and album were ignored. The second single from the album was 'Not A Kennedy'/'Haunted' and was also ignored by every major radio station, even when 'Kennedy' won a 1986 Pater Award in Sydney for 'New Zealand Song Of The Year' and was released in Germany by RCA Records. The real breakthrough came when Australian music publisher Chris Gilbey heard the song and brought it to the attention of Virgin Records. He arranged for the song to be remixed by English producer Peter Wilson and this gave the song a new edge. It was included on Shona's next album 'South' released in 1987 and the song suddenly took off to international success, reaching #2 on the National New Zealand charts. 'South' was a very successful album, selling well all over the world. Further singles were released from it. 'Drive Baby Drive'/'Somebody Found You', and also with 'The Bishop' on the reverse, 'Soviet Snow'/'South' and 'Caught'/'Highway Warriors'. In 1991 a new album of greatest hits was released, called '1905-1990 Retrospective'. Shona still continues to release new material and has released the following albums, 'New On Earth' in 1992 and 'Shona' in 1994. Since recording 'Shona', she has spent her musical energies doing shows, playing live acoustic versions of many of the songs she recorded over the years. These songs have now been recorded and released on a new album called 'Roadworks'. In 2001, APRA celebrated its 75th Anniversary and invited guests to vote for the Top Ten New Zealand Songs of all time. 'Glad I'm Not A Kennedy' was voted into 24th place. Finally, in late 2002, a new compilation 'The Essential Shona Laing' was released, and is a recommended purchase for anybody who wants a thorough cross-section of this artist's superb body of work. © www.muzic.net.nz/artists/456.html