“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s LPs” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album or EP from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find for sale on Amazon or in the iTunes store. Death…by stereo!
Pipes Of Peace certainly isn’t Paul McCartney’s proudest moment, but the fact that it is currently out of print boggles the Analog Kid’s brain. How can a Paul McCartney album produced by George Martin be unavailable on CD, especially one that contains a song that spent six weeks at #1?
Of course, that song is “Say Say Say,” the second duet between McCartney and Michael Jackson. A year earlier, Paul had appeared on “The Girl Is Mine,” the first single (really!) off of Michael’s Thriller album. “The Girl Is Mine” went as high as #2, but its impact was miniscule compared to the success of “Say Say Say.”
In retrospect, Paul probably rushed the release of Pipes Of Peace to capitalize on the goodwill he created with 1982’s Tug OfWar. Some of the songs on Pipes Of Peace were actually leftovers from the Tug Of War sessions, and as a result the album simply wasn’t as good as its predecessor. Still, there are some really good tunes on the record– the title track is an underrated gem (it went to #1 in the UK), and I also really like the quirky “Keep Under Cover.” “So Bad” was released as a single in the United States, and it’s a typically catchy McCartney ballad.
I’m sure Pipes Of Peace will eventually be reissued on CD, but in the meantime you can always listen to it here on the Analog Kid blog. You can go ahead and skip “Say Say Say” if you want– I won’t tell anyone.
It’s hard to believe that Scandal only released one EP and one full-length album before disintegrating, but at least they made their brief time in the spotlight count. Both “Goodbye To You” and “The Warrior” were in constant MTV rotation, and Smyth continued on to a successful solo career after Scandal’s demise. She also ended up marrying John McEnroe, which made perfect sense to me as the ’80s were all about music and tennis for the Analog Kid. I miss you, Racquet Club Of Irvine!
Scandal’s debut EP was released in late 1982, and the ridiculously bouncy “Goodbye To You” became an immediate radio hit. “Love’s Got A Line On You” also received a lot of airplay, and I remember hearing their cover of Bryan Adams’ “Win Some, Lose Some” on the radio as well.
The Scandal EP has never been properly released on CD, although all of its songs can be found on various Scandal compilations. Warning: if you don’t bop around your living room like an idiot while listening to “Goodbye To You,” you may need to seek immediate medical attention. Something is severely wrong with you.
Over the weekend, Mick Fleetwood confirmed what he called “the worst-kept secret” in music: Christine McVie has returned to Fleetwood Mac after a 16-year absence. There’s no official word yet on whether or not we’ll get a tour, an album, or (hopefully) both in 2014. Christine supposedly retired in 1998 because she didn’t enjoy the grind of the road, but apparently her appearance with the band at London’s O2 Arena last September changed her mind.
I never thought I’d get the chance see one of my favorite bands fully together again– even late last year, Stevie Nicks had indicated that she expected McVie to remain retired. I guess it’s true: you can never break the chain.
Let’s celebrate Christine’s return to the Mac with ten of my favorite McVie tracks!
Fleetwood Mac: “Why” (McVie)
From the album Mystery To Me
Warner Brothers Records, 1973
Christine joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970, and her songwriting continued to get better and better with each album. “Why” is a great deep cut from Mystery To Me, and I would love to hear the reunited Mac revisit this song. They played a superb version of it on the first tour with Lindsey & Stevie in 1976– see for yourself!
Those three voices together…amazing.
Fleetwood Mac: “Say You Love Me” [Single Version] (McVie)
Original version from the album Fleetwood Mac
Warner Brothers Records, 1976
I love this special version of “Say You Love Me,” mixed (as Mick would say) “to sound great on a car radio.” The vocals have some extra reverb, and there’s also some bonus Buckingham guitar. “Say You Love Me” reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.
Fleetwood Mac: “World Turning” (McVie/Buckingham)
From the album Fleetwood Mac
Warner Brothers Records, 1975
My Dad introduced me to Fleetwood Mac sometime in late 1975/early 1976. I lived in the San Fernando Valley with my Mom, and Dad had an apartment about thirty miles away in Long Beach. I remember him having to hustle me back to the valley after one of my weekend visits because he was going to see Fleetwood Mac that night. I had never heard of the band, so he played me “World Turning” in his 280ZX and turned it up loud. The eight-year-old Analog Kid was hooked for life.
Fleetwood Mac: “You Make Loving Fun” [Alternate Version] (McVie)
From the album Rumours (2004 Deluxe Edition)
Warner Brothers Records, 2004
The 2004 remaster of Rumours contains a second disc of alternate takes and demos, and one of my favorites is this rough version of “You Make Loving Fun.” Stevie’s backups on this version are fantastic, although they eventually decided not to use them on the released version.
“You Make Loving Fun” was the fourth Top 10 hit from the Rumours album.
Fleetwood Mac: “Think About Me” [Single Version] (McVie)
Original version from the album Tusk
Warner Brothers Records, 1979
Another punchier single mix for a great McVie song. “Think About Me” peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it should have been a huge hit. Again, the vocal interplay between McVie and Buckingham is stellar. I would love to hear this one live in 2014.
Fleetwood Mac: “Over And Over” (McVie)
From the album Tusk
Warner Brothers Records, 1979
“Over And Over” was the opening track on Tusk, an album that I consider to be one of the boldest releases in music history. The band was under intense pressure to match the success of Rumours, and instead they issued a double album filled with idiosyncratic pop masterpieces. I remember buying this at the small record counter at my local Skaggs-Albertson’s grocery store in Plano, and it cost me a whopping $15.98. In 1979, you could buy a bicycle for $15.98. It was still worth it.
Fleetwood Mac: “Love In Store” (McVie/Recor)
From the album Mirage
Warner Brothers Records, 1982
After the “failure” of Tusk (only four million copies sold? How terrible!), Fleetwood Mac’s next album was a more starightforward rock record. Christine again had the honor of leading off the album with “Love In Store,” and the song was also the third single from Mirage (it peaked at #22). Again, the harmonies!
One of my biggest musical regrets is that I missed the Mirage tour. I was in tenth grade at the time, and I wasn’t old enough to drive yet. I couldn’t convince any of my friends to go with me, so I missed a prime opportunity to see my first Mac concert. I would have to wait fifteen years for another chance to see the classic lineup together.
Fleetwood Mac: “Isn’t It Midnight” (McVie/Buckingham)
From the album Tango In The Night
Warner Brothers Records, 1987
Christine contributed two big hits to 1987’s Tango In The Night (“Everywhere” and “Little Lies”), but “Isn’t it Midnight” isn’t far behind those two classics in my book. I love Lindsey’s eerie backup vocals, and his guitar solos certainly do not suck either.
Fleetwood Mac: “As Long As You Follow” (McVie/Quintela)
From the album Greatest Hits
Warner Brothers Records, 1988
“As Long As You Follow” was one of two new songs on the 1988 Greatest Hits album. Lindsey Buckingham had left the band prior to the tour for Tango In The Night, so this is the first Mac recording to feature new band members Billy Burnette and Rick Vito. “As Long As You Follow” only reached #43 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it has become a fan favorite over the years.
Fleetwood Mac: “Skies The Limit” (McVie)
From the album Behind The Mask
Warner Brothers Records, 1990
“Skies The Limit” is my favorite song from Behind The Mask, Fleetwood Mac’s first full-length album following Buckingham’s departure. It was only a minor hit on the Adult Contemporary chart, but I love the breezy feel of this underrated McVie gem.
Every Tuesday, the Analog Kid blog goes back in time and features some groovy R&B/soul songs from a specific year. Sometimes you’ll hear songs from individual artists, and other times you’ll get an entire full-length classic LP ripped directly from the Analog Kid’s vast vinyl vault. Warning: by R&B/soul, I also mean disco. I could go Donna Summer on your ass at any given moment, so just be ready!
The McCrae family was disco royalty in the mid-’70s. George had one of 1974’s biggest hits with “Rock Your Baby,” and his wife Gwen took “Rockin’ Chair” into the Top 10 in 1975. The two had been recording together since the early ’60s, but success apparently took its toll on the marriage and the McCraes split in late 1976.
“It Only Takes A Minute” was the only Top 10 hit for Tavares, a five-man family group from Massachusetts. Brothers Ralph, Pooch, Chubby, Butch, and Tiny did have a string of successful singles after “It Only Takes A Minute,” and their version of “More Than A Woman” also appears on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
Ralph, Pooch, Chubby, Butch, and Tiny. I wonder what happened to Spanky and Alfalfa?
“Shame, Shame, Shame” is a great disco song, but its awesomeness pales in comparison to the cover of the album it appears on. Tell Dick who’s boss, Shirley! The cover of Shame Shame Shame may well be the ultimate ’70s artifact– it explains so much about the era in such simple fashion. I was seven when Nixon resigned, but I actually remember it quite well. There are a number of other news items from the era that made a lasting impression on my young brain: Patty Hearst. Vietnam. Watergate. SALT. Charles Manson. No wonder I spent most of my time in my room with my 45s!
“Shame, Shame, Shame” was written by Sylvia Robinson (“Pillow Talk”), and she convinced Shirley Goodman to come out of semi-retirement to add lead vocals to the song. In the ’50s, Shirley was one-half of the duo Shirley & Lee and had a huge hit with “Let The Good Times Roll.” Robinson went on to form Sugar Hill Records, and was even credited as a co-writer on Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s “The Message.”
Spinners: “Games People Play” (Jefferson/Hawes/Simmons)
“Games People Play” (also known as “They Just Can’t Stop It The (Games People Play)”) was the fourth Top 5 hit for the Spinners. Bass singer Pervis Jackson earned the nickname “12:45” for his signature vocal moment in this soul classic. C’mon, admit it: you sing that part EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THIS SONG. I know I do…
I usually avoid the comments section on web articles in order to maintain my somewhat misguided belief that the world is actually a decent place. However, I noticed that contributor “John G” had this to say about “Sweet Thing” in the comments section for a video posting on YouTube:
“This was a smooth ass groove.”
Yes it was, John G–yes it was. This may be the smartest comment that I’ve ever seen on the internet.
“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s LPs” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album or EP from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find for sale on Amazon or in the iTunes store. Death…by stereo!
Live Nude Guitars was Brian Setzer’s second solo album after the demise of the Stray Cats. It’s a great rock ‘n roll album that was virtually ignored upon its release in 1988, prompting Setzer to reform the Stray Cats later that year.
Three tracks on Live Nude Guitars were produced by Eurythmics’ David A. Stewart, including the single “When The Sky Comes Tumblin’ Down.” Chris Thomas produced two additional tracks, and Setzer produced the remaining songs with longtime collaborator Larson Paine. The Stewart tracks have a modern electronic sheen, while Thomas’ production on “Every Tear That Falls” recalls the best of John Mellencamp’s mid-’80s output. Of course, Setzer’s vastly underrated guitar skills are also in fine form throughout the album.
Live Nude Guitars has been out of print for years, so the Analog Kid blog is happy to feature this lost ’80s classic for your enjoyment. The Kid also highly recommends The Knife Feels Like Justice, Setzer’s solo debut from 1986.
The Analog Kid 