Song#: 1302
Date: 01/15/1983
Debut: 91
Peak: 59
Weeks: 13
Genre: Soft Rock
Pop Bits: After their 1980 album "Clouds Across the Sun," Firefall fell apart. Members were leaving for solo careers (or rehab) and diminishing returns combined with mounting debt caused their label, Atlantic, to drop the band. That could have been the end of Firefall, but original member Jock Bartley decided to keep going and created a new version of the band. They resigned with Atlantic and issued the album "Break of Dawn." This first single got off to a slow start and was able to notch some noticeable weeks on the chart, but in the end it failed to make any real impact. It would be the band's final pop chart single. They would continue to tour and record a few more albums over the years with Bartley remaining at the helm.
ReduxReview: The band sounds like they are going for broke on this power ballad. It's got soaring vocals, a wailing sax, and a chorus that practically whacks you over the head. With a few changes, this might have been a good song for a hair metal band. I can hear that the band was trying to change it up and move forward with the times (sounding slightly like the revamped Chicago), but it just wasn't connecting with listeners. It's a good effort, but by this time the band was past its prime and the future was not looking so bright.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Before forming Firefall, Jock Bartley was the guitarist for the Colorado hard rock band Zephyr. That band is known for one of its original members, renown guitarist Tommy Bolin. Zephyr was Bolin's first signed band and he stayed with them for two albums. Bolin would leave the band and go on to join the James Gang and Deep Purple while doing his own solo projects. When Bolin left Zephyr, Bartley was hired as his replacement and played on the band's third album. Bolin would later die from an overdose in 1976.
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Tuesday, June 23, 2015
"Got to Be There" by Chaka Khan
Song#: 1301
Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 82
Peak: 67
Weeks: 7
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Khan's self-titled fourth solo album wasn't a major hit, but it got lots of praise from critics and it won two Grammy awards including one for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. It was helped along by this first single that reached #5 at R&B. Pop radio wasn't as interested and that lead to the song only spending a few weeks in the bottom third of the chart.
ReduxReview: For about half of this song, Khan gives a lovely, understated performance that is beautiful. The arrangement is nice and I was really enjoying the song until about halfway through when Ms. Screech showed up. As I've mentioned before, Khan is an excellent vocalist but when she revs up into her upper register, her tone just becomes piercing. It just hits my ears wrong. Especially on a ballad like this that didn't need to be zoomed into high gear. Her final big note about split my head apart. Totally unnecessary and a bad choice in my opinion. It's a disappointment. Half of this song is lush and gorgeous, but sadly the second half turns around and stomps the shit out of it.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This is a remake of Michael Jackson's first solo single. His original version peaked at #4 on both the pop and R&B charts in 1971. 2) In 1982, Khan took a break from solo work to record a jazz project. The resulting album called "Echos of an Era" featured Khan and five prominent jazz musicians: Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, Freddie Hubbard, and Lenny White. With Khan singing standards, the project was well-received and would reach #11 on the jazz chart (#105 pop, #38 R&B). Khan would receive a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female.
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Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 82
Peak: 67
Weeks: 7
Genre: R&B
Pop Bits: Khan's self-titled fourth solo album wasn't a major hit, but it got lots of praise from critics and it won two Grammy awards including one for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. It was helped along by this first single that reached #5 at R&B. Pop radio wasn't as interested and that lead to the song only spending a few weeks in the bottom third of the chart.
ReduxReview: For about half of this song, Khan gives a lovely, understated performance that is beautiful. The arrangement is nice and I was really enjoying the song until about halfway through when Ms. Screech showed up. As I've mentioned before, Khan is an excellent vocalist but when she revs up into her upper register, her tone just becomes piercing. It just hits my ears wrong. Especially on a ballad like this that didn't need to be zoomed into high gear. Her final big note about split my head apart. Totally unnecessary and a bad choice in my opinion. It's a disappointment. Half of this song is lush and gorgeous, but sadly the second half turns around and stomps the shit out of it.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) This is a remake of Michael Jackson's first solo single. His original version peaked at #4 on both the pop and R&B charts in 1971. 2) In 1982, Khan took a break from solo work to record a jazz project. The resulting album called "Echos of an Era" featured Khan and five prominent jazz musicians: Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, Freddie Hubbard, and Lenny White. With Khan singing standards, the project was well-received and would reach #11 on the jazz chart (#105 pop, #38 R&B). Khan would receive a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female.
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Monday, June 22, 2015
"Burning Heart" by Vandenberg
Song#: 1300
Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 83
Peak: 39
Weeks: 14
Genre: Rock, Hair Metal
Pop Bits: This Dutch hard rock band was formed and named after guitarist Adrianus van den Berg (updated to Adrian Vandenberg). Their demos got the attention of Atlantic Records in the US and soon the band was recording their self-titled debut album for the ATCO label. This power ballad from the LP did well reaching #5 at Mainstream Rock and peaking just inside the Top 40 at pop. Unfortunately, it would end up being their only pop chart entry. Their follow-up album featured the #29 rock chart entry "Friday Night," but it failed to chart at pop. The band would record one more album before fizzling out.
ReduxReview: This single was one of the earlier hair metal successes of the 80s. While bands were revving up at clubs on Sunset Strip, Vandenberg notched this one before Def Leppard, Night Ranger, and Quiet Riot would break the genre wide open later in '83. This is a solid power ballad and a good example of what was soon to come. Had this song come out a year or two later, it might have done a lot better. But for the time period, having this get into the Top 40 was a real win.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In 1986, Adrian Vandenberg was invited to play on Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again," which was being re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled LP. Vandenberg supplied the guitar solo. The song would end up getting issued as a single and would reach #1 on the pop chart. Soon after, Vandenberg was invited to be a member of the band. He accepted and stayed with them until the band's initial split in 1991. Vandenberg would later join up with the band again for a couple of reunion ventures.
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Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 83
Peak: 39
Weeks: 14
Genre: Rock, Hair Metal
Pop Bits: This Dutch hard rock band was formed and named after guitarist Adrianus van den Berg (updated to Adrian Vandenberg). Their demos got the attention of Atlantic Records in the US and soon the band was recording their self-titled debut album for the ATCO label. This power ballad from the LP did well reaching #5 at Mainstream Rock and peaking just inside the Top 40 at pop. Unfortunately, it would end up being their only pop chart entry. Their follow-up album featured the #29 rock chart entry "Friday Night," but it failed to chart at pop. The band would record one more album before fizzling out.
ReduxReview: This single was one of the earlier hair metal successes of the 80s. While bands were revving up at clubs on Sunset Strip, Vandenberg notched this one before Def Leppard, Night Ranger, and Quiet Riot would break the genre wide open later in '83. This is a solid power ballad and a good example of what was soon to come. Had this song come out a year or two later, it might have done a lot better. But for the time period, having this get into the Top 40 was a real win.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: In 1986, Adrian Vandenberg was invited to play on Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again," which was being re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled LP. Vandenberg supplied the guitar solo. The song would end up getting issued as a single and would reach #1 on the pop chart. Soon after, Vandenberg was invited to be a member of the band. He accepted and stayed with them until the band's initial split in 1991. Vandenberg would later join up with the band again for a couple of reunion ventures.
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"Industrial Disease" by Dire Straits
Song#: 1299
Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 86
Peak: 75
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Dire Straits' 1980 album "Making Movies" ended up being a platinum seller despite the lack of a real radio-supported song. The track "Skateaway" did the best reaching #58 pop and #31 at Mainstream Rock. The strength of their music, live shows, and fan base proved you didn't need a hit single to be a major rock artist, however, it doesn't hurt. Their next album "Love Over Gold" was a major hit in Europe hitting #1 in several countries thanks in part to the album's first single "Private Investigations." The song reached #2 in the UK and Top 10 elsewhere, but the single did not get issued in the US. Instead, this song was pushed to rock radio where it reached #9. Eventually the single was released and it was able to get onto the pop chart for a short month. Although "Love Over Gold" would become one of the band's best-selling albums worldwide, in the US it would only manage gold certification - a drop from their previous LP.
ReduxReview: Nope. Can't get into it. Same goes for the band. Yes, I know Dire Straits are great musicians, terrific live, etc., but I've just never been a fan of their music. This one sounds like Bob Dylan had a baby with Eric Clapton and they dressed it up in swaddling new wave clothes. The lyrical commentary is interesting, but that's about all I can say for this one. However, I can now understand why this was chosen for US release over "Private Investigations." Have you heard that one? It's basically spoken word verses over a noodling classical guitar. I will say it is one of their more interesting tracks, but as a single? What was Europe smoking? At least this song chugged along in an attempt to sound like single. Oh Dire Straits...maybe someday I'll get you.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The lyrics of the song reference a "disease" called Brewer's Droop. There is no disease with that name. It is a slang term for a man's inability to get an erection brought on by heavy drinking. It also happens to be the name of a band that Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler was in during his early career. 2) The band recorded a few songs during the session for the "Love Over Gold" album that didn't make it onto the LP. One of those songs was "Private Dancer." Apparently, the music was all recorded, but Knopfler thought a female voice would be better for the track. He gave the track over to Tina Turner to use for her comeback album. It would be a #3 hit for her in 1984.
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Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 86
Peak: 75
Weeks: 4
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Dire Straits' 1980 album "Making Movies" ended up being a platinum seller despite the lack of a real radio-supported song. The track "Skateaway" did the best reaching #58 pop and #31 at Mainstream Rock. The strength of their music, live shows, and fan base proved you didn't need a hit single to be a major rock artist, however, it doesn't hurt. Their next album "Love Over Gold" was a major hit in Europe hitting #1 in several countries thanks in part to the album's first single "Private Investigations." The song reached #2 in the UK and Top 10 elsewhere, but the single did not get issued in the US. Instead, this song was pushed to rock radio where it reached #9. Eventually the single was released and it was able to get onto the pop chart for a short month. Although "Love Over Gold" would become one of the band's best-selling albums worldwide, in the US it would only manage gold certification - a drop from their previous LP.
ReduxReview: Nope. Can't get into it. Same goes for the band. Yes, I know Dire Straits are great musicians, terrific live, etc., but I've just never been a fan of their music. This one sounds like Bob Dylan had a baby with Eric Clapton and they dressed it up in swaddling new wave clothes. The lyrical commentary is interesting, but that's about all I can say for this one. However, I can now understand why this was chosen for US release over "Private Investigations." Have you heard that one? It's basically spoken word verses over a noodling classical guitar. I will say it is one of their more interesting tracks, but as a single? What was Europe smoking? At least this song chugged along in an attempt to sound like single. Oh Dire Straits...maybe someday I'll get you.
ReduxRating: 4/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The lyrics of the song reference a "disease" called Brewer's Droop. There is no disease with that name. It is a slang term for a man's inability to get an erection brought on by heavy drinking. It also happens to be the name of a band that Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler was in during his early career. 2) The band recorded a few songs during the session for the "Love Over Gold" album that didn't make it onto the LP. One of those songs was "Private Dancer." Apparently, the music was all recorded, but Knopfler thought a female voice would be better for the track. He gave the track over to Tina Turner to use for her comeback album. It would be a #3 hit for her in 1984.
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Sunday, June 21, 2015
"Still Taking Chances" by Michael Martin Murphey
Song#: 1298
Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 88
Peak: 76
Weeks: 7
Genre: Country Crossover
Pop Bits: With a label change to Liberty, Murphey released a self-titled album that did well thanks to the single "What's Forever For." The song became his first #1 country hit while also reaching #4 AC and #19 pop. This next single wasn't as successful at pop or AC (#28), but it was another Top 10 country hit that peaked at #3. Although this song would be his last pop chart entry, Murphey would continue to place songs on the country chart through to 1991. Overall he would end up with twelve Top 10 country hits that would include two #1's. His switch to more country-oriented music would prove to be popular enough to win him the Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1982 (he beat out a newbie who became a country legend - George Strait).
ReduxReview: I was sure I had not heard this song before, but as soon as the chorus kicked in the song came right back to me. The chorus is quite strong so I'm not surprised that it took up residence in the back of my brain. Its pop showing is disappointing since similar sounding songs by Ronnie Milsap and Alabama were hitting the Top 40 at the time. At least country radio got on board and made it a hit as it certainly deserved to be one.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Growing up in Texas, Murphey became fond of old western Cowboy music. During his country hit making days in the 80s, he got opportunities to perform these songs in themed shows with various symphony orchestras. His love of the western songs grew until eventually he released a full album of them. "Cowboy Songs" was released in 1990 and it featured many western standards like "Home on the Range" and "Red River Valley." It was a hit with critics and fans of the genre and would end up becoming a surprise gold seller - the first western-based album to do so since 1980. Murphey followed up with several sequels to the album and still continues to record western and bluegrass music. In 2009, Murphey was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. He has also won several awards from various organizations for his Cowboy music.
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Date: 01/08/1983
Debut: 88
Peak: 76
Weeks: 7
Genre: Country Crossover
Pop Bits: With a label change to Liberty, Murphey released a self-titled album that did well thanks to the single "What's Forever For." The song became his first #1 country hit while also reaching #4 AC and #19 pop. This next single wasn't as successful at pop or AC (#28), but it was another Top 10 country hit that peaked at #3. Although this song would be his last pop chart entry, Murphey would continue to place songs on the country chart through to 1991. Overall he would end up with twelve Top 10 country hits that would include two #1's. His switch to more country-oriented music would prove to be popular enough to win him the Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1982 (he beat out a newbie who became a country legend - George Strait).
ReduxReview: I was sure I had not heard this song before, but as soon as the chorus kicked in the song came right back to me. The chorus is quite strong so I'm not surprised that it took up residence in the back of my brain. Its pop showing is disappointing since similar sounding songs by Ronnie Milsap and Alabama were hitting the Top 40 at the time. At least country radio got on board and made it a hit as it certainly deserved to be one.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Growing up in Texas, Murphey became fond of old western Cowboy music. During his country hit making days in the 80s, he got opportunities to perform these songs in themed shows with various symphony orchestras. His love of the western songs grew until eventually he released a full album of them. "Cowboy Songs" was released in 1990 and it featured many western standards like "Home on the Range" and "Red River Valley." It was a hit with critics and fans of the genre and would end up becoming a surprise gold seller - the first western-based album to do so since 1980. Murphey followed up with several sequels to the album and still continues to record western and bluegrass music. In 2009, Murphey was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. He has also won several awards from various organizations for his Cowboy music.
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