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Post by More Play Time on Nov 30, 2016 13:14:10 GMT -5
Ok so I listened to this last night. A very good interview, and some new things I didnt know. How many songs have been written after undergoing treatment?
Please move this post to the video thread if I missed where to respond to this video. Thanks.
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blaahh
PAPER GOD
Still breathing
Posts: 2,592
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Post by blaahh on Dec 3, 2016 13:47:04 GMT -5
Good times. Always loved MEP but the remix was rubbish, they should have gone with Matter of Feeling imho.
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Post by Dr Of The Revolution on Dec 3, 2016 13:56:29 GMT -5
I'm not really a fan of the MEP remix either. In the documentary Three To Get Ready the section where they meet the remixer comes across like a Spinal Tap moment.
And what were they thinking ? "Let's go for a latino sound for a song that sits on a funk album because a part of the title is Spanish". That is pure Spinal Tap if you ask me.
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Post by aftertherain on Jan 7, 2017 6:53:16 GMT -5
Here's the way in which DDs Notorious LP/era presented itself & had its effect on me and my world at the time. Now I'll try to keep this short, but you all know what that means so go and prep a coffee / tea.
It was Spring and the 86 Aussie summer was impending. I was in high school Year 12 or what they referred to as 'matriculation' in those days, just having turned 17.
Before I get into it, In another thread I'll soon describe my sympathetic heart and listening mind with certain DD LPs, especially when taking into account that the recording process has been somewhat of a trying time for DD while understanding the bigger picture (which I know of) when listening/assessing my album thoughts. It's an interesting thing that personally I can't separate this sympathy which is felt independently of what I'm hearing. If you get the chance/time to read it please do and I hope there is something in it for you. I'll create the thread and post it in the next day or two.
It's just how I love something/someone I guess, in this case our band DD their Notorious LP.
Personally 86 was a difficult year up to that point and not because of the undergoing study pressure and exams, that was the easy bit. But more so because of the rumours being that my favourite band had split were becoming a true reality. So before hearing the 1st released track and without having heard a single note of the new DD album, (like we do these days, way before its official release) I had no idea what my band would or could deliver under their 'trying' circumstances. I mean like how would they emerge and sound without the original 5 which I had grown to love? Like as trio or was that DD's 'stage 2' ?
Back to the Notorious album 'god bless it' it was released during exam review time and man was this boy distracted indeed. As for the LPs music n sound, well, I wasn't disappointed and appreciated it even more so coz after all the disarray Andy in particular caused me, I was relieved to an even far greater extent than I ever thought. Thankfully it was funky and I heard the blend of AVTAK, SRTR and Power Station (after not knowing what to expect). IMPORTANTLY my favourite band like a wounded animal was driven and had delivered something great which I could relate to even in the form of a three piece.
Infact I found myself proudly justifying and advocating the album to those who were like "it's not DD anymore" etc let's face it there were a few.
I loved SRTR and on the LP Notorious, I could hear elements of ARCADIA in particular on American Science, Winter Marches On and Skin Trade in fact ST especially in its surreal New York underground disco type sound which has similarities to Election Day I must say. IMO AS, ST & WMO were a modernised Arcadia in a way. Personally I believe SLBs voice came of age with the Arcadia era and all future DD albums. Notorious was a 'more glamorous' Arcadia in my book, those 3 mentioned tracks in particular.
I mean Notorious LP was always gonna sound different to DD considering DD had to adapt didn't they, JT with a new drummer for one, so then the rhythm section was never gonna sound like the first three LPs was it. Upon listening to Notorious I saw they had plenty of fight in them and that's still evident to this day when I listen to it
Having spoken of the similarities to Arcadia, I feel JT brought part of the Power Station's success also to this album. As for the track Notorious in my belief it's all about AT, it's a swipe at him Umm 'who gives a damn for a flakey bandit' (seen AT's Mexican inspired cover of his Take It Easy single?) google it, well that's a flakey bandit if I ever saw one. Lol (sorry to offend if I have, it's just my opinion). To an extent the songs also about the media circus at the time too. In 86 it seems the press were more interested in the legal court preceding between the 3 currently in DD and AT more so than the music. Then there's me other favourite line 'I need this blood to survive' boy have I used that one again and again over the years. Am I allowed to do that guys? like quote DD lines as I live my life? Or do I need copyright permission?
IMO Notorious the LP was DDs search for musical maturity (mine too by the way, after all I was 17 and going like 21.
Back to 'Skin Trade' I see it as timeless piece, IMO it's the albums zenith. Err that bass line was the sexiest thing I'd heard DD play at that point. Lol, It's sultry, seductive and rhythmically complex too. I mean especially if you listen to the stretch mix from 4.26 onwards, personally it does things to me, like a good fragrance (when you get that reaction concededly in your spine & then your eyes) Umm, THAT'S pure 'bass line eroticism' in my book. And I don't know if it's the involvement of that sexy bass or is it the songs topic psychological effect which does it mostly? Might be an idea to speak to my psychopharmacologist about that next visit. Not many on this board have seen how songs can effect me in a chemical responsive way, but I assure you they can and do. Besides if DD aren't a drug, for this boy in particular, they've sure been an addictive substance (taken thru the ears & processed via the brain in some reactive manner) for what some 36 years now. Back to topic, however I must say, that does make for a great thread "Are DD a drug? or perhaps, Can a rock band become addictive and create an on going addiction and therefore result in associated addicts?
That ST bass-line, when I close my eyes and deeply think it thru it kinda mimics the fingers of a lover running/walking their fingers along ya body, whether it's during an intimate horizontal moment or simply during a flirtatious moment in a packed bar, you know like when you ignore or forget the crowd and as far as you're concerned the world has only two people in it. Hmm ahh memories. How do I go back there?
The beginning of the Skin Trade's Parisian mix ain't too bad either, Doo Doo (too sexy) ohh yes indeed. I totally get SLBs vocal and how/why for ages it was SLBs personal favourite, I mean the frivolity in his voice, in all its 'appropriately pronounced glory' is as immaculate as the track itself. Let's face it, Si's voice in Skin Trade is pretty phenomenal if I must say. If one listens to every sung phrase and gives focus to how he pronounces each n every word within the verse/chorus you will both hear & see it. He still believes it's his best vocal to date, yet he's been sick of justifying it to this day. How do I know this, coz no shite, I asked him about it in a hotel lobby once.
American Science is also another real gem, in all its slinky sophisticated sensuality. I very much love every track on Notorious and what was released of that era (except for the Meet el Presidente 7 & 12 inch mix). In the case of Winter Marches On, it's cold now, like icy like when ya freezing, I can imagine is about the winter following the summer of madness really. Let's face it, it's truly emotive and appears as if it's expressed thru sadness while all the while there's simplicity evident too in all its ethereal atmosphere, as mentioned by many of us before, it easily could have worked on the SRTR LP.
Nevertheless what the new DD LPs sound gave me was a certain ear for classy recordings or is that glossy recordings or is that an eye for the need to attain a classy lifestyle with appropriate soundtrack intact. It most certainly appealed to me and it was a certain sophistication I was after which DD had shown me.
I mean I already had Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls and later his Bête Noire LP plus SADEs first two and now Notorious all following Arcadia's SRTR. These were all expensive LPs to create and so I would aspire to discover well made/recorded music with various musicians otherwise I wasn't interested really.
It's something I was speaking to Coolbarn with not long ago face to face over a few beers while sitting by the pool, which was that if it wasn't an expensive/costly recording? I kinda didn't want to hear it. Like it had to be expensive created music otherwise it wasn't classy or mature enough for me. I was totally into sophisticated adult sounding music. I was becoming a literately a DD connoisseur at the time and this influence was pretty much all DDs doing, including part Sade's & Bryan's too I have to say. I remember being somewhat proud of the fact that DD would take with them on stage the exact same musicians from their recording studio. Eg the SBS show which I had witnessed in 83 had everyone from the studio on stage with DD. There were the backup singers, percussionist Raphael DeJesus and Andy Hamilton on sax too. I became accustomed to that certain quality, DD created a benchmark. In fact just like my music's evoked a certain sophistication, I too wanted to grow up sooner than I actually was or is that date older more confident type creatures and this was way before the cougar/cub referencing as we know it these days. Lol Err Best I leave that one right there.
I mean I had the music to set the mood, American Science just to name one track from Notorious lol. Now I ain't a snob by no means and besides wright or wrong (if I am a little) its all DDs fault to an extent as they have been involved in creating this young man's personality including certain characteristics which have made him the man he is today, what an influence? I'd be lying if I denied it. What if I put it this way, what DD enthusiasts (such as us/we) doesn't want to look good? and with that, Does that then make us all a snob/s? I mean we do appreciate a certain quality in music don't we and let's face it DD were highly glamorous in 86 and still are accordingly to this day too.
In 86 the "DD corporation" introduced me to a) an appreciation of black and white photography, (just when colour had taken over from the 70s), b) super models, Christy Turlington in particular. How proportionally perfect is that nose and those lips on that face OMG. I mean I already knew of Linda E, who was in the Election Day film clip, then later we're introduced to Tatjana P in the Skin Trade clip (perhaps the inspiration for NRs daughters name? discuss). Also can I add that George Michael (bless him/may he RIP) thinks that he had these supermodels in clips first??? I don't think so, maybe he did have them all in the same clip but certainly GM was not the first to feature supermodels in clips, it was DD who let these particular girls individually do their film clip thing c) the LP sound itself was capable of creating an 'atmosphere, mood or habitat?' Which it most certainly was for me and some time after and d) for an English bands LP this was the funkiest ever recorded for its time and perhaps that stands to this day?
As it is, Notorious enhanced my life really of all things which incorporated a high level of quality, artiness including helping me/assisting me somewhat to remain popular OR is that to an extent remain some what 'interesting' to the opposite sex. Who I might add some would often be surprised I was aware of such art & current modern popular culture. So did I kinda use DD then? In hindsight I would have to admit that's a big yes. Just as described in Rob Sheffield's book titled "talking to girls about DD" (one man's quest for true love).
Speaking of black and white photography, a friend & I (who I was readily seeing at the time) had taken an outdoor photo on B&W film, it wasn't a professional shot but something the both of us set out to do. Must find it, I think its at mum and dads place? Just goes to show the influence extent. Now to take the influence a step even further, a few years later I had an artist create/illustrate my 21st birthday invite for no less than you guessed it 200 + invited (perhaps 300 crashed and no they were not all Spartans lol) That's the headspace I was in, DD had created a monster. Lol, My invite payed homage to the Notorious LP album's cover both front & back, with the only difference being the girl in the foreground wasn't standing with a tree in sight, (like Christy) but instead was standing next to a lamp post and I think the moon was present atmospherically on the invite also. Cheesy or cliche but this was the very late 80s, 1989 to be exact. It's amazing how me 21st party wasn't themed black, white, gray or red but rather forest green (the colour of youth), purple (the colour of royalty) and silver (coz gold from an eye appeal aspect is still is out). lol. Why the hell am I sharing all the with you lot?
Nevertheless DD had made me even more 'worldly' at the age of 17, than ever before, I was maturing and their sound had too.
I was totally relieved & was pleasantly surprised with the new DD sound and that included SLBs clever lyrical content whether sexual in theme (as previously he had me accustomed) or not. What SLB, NR, JT created on American Science, Vertigo, Hold Me, Notorious, Proposition, So Misled and Skin Trade 'IS' remarkable really. I remember re falling in love again with 'vertigo' after hearing the live version on the working for the skin trade video and a bootleg I scored.
I regards to SLBs sexual lyrics IMO there was a certain sensitivity rather than his lyrics be explicit and raunchy. Total pop seduction (well I guess DD always have been and always will be). It's funny sometimes I think my fond friend Cherryicecream and I are the only ones who see this? Or is that feel comfortable discussing. What can I say, Umm great minds think alike. (By the way Cherry, I loved your 'head full of chopstick thread/webpage blog, a brilliant and intriguing read thru & thru I must say).
In a nut shell SLB showed is more of his romantic side on Notorious as he mischievously while at times playfully sung in that manner and in doing so revealed his special knowledge of pop music as the language of seduction. Well that's my opinion anyway. Nevertheless both SLBs vocal delivery, sexual content (but not in a rogue way) together with the band's rich, high gloss full sound sound created a certain atmosphere that money can't buy. They just don't make LPs or will they ever record them like that ever again IMO. Notorious was a 3 piece band at the core but way more aristocratic sounding than that, (and yes I get there were more musicians playing) nevertheless DD had created a 'sonic habitat' for me different to what I had been accustomed too.
Speaking of influence since the Arcadia era, I donned SLBs hair cut too, um straight, thick, parted on the side and jet black. Gee's it's only like yesterday I would sit in class, hair all gelled, Le Bon style, trying to seduce one particular high school teacher anyway. Couldn't believe it actually bloody kinda worked, (she must have been a DD/SLB fan? Lol). To the extent of it resulting in some gifts which I received, Umm if my memory serves me correctly I received a bottle of Dior's eau sauvage and believe it or not, a red and black Japanese (a bit on the Err very short side) silk robe. How inappropriate, I know ! (Tell ya, I should write a book). Umm, OK then, it's best I leave all this right here, like right NOW !
Where was I ?, Ahh yes
Notorious gave me the confidence that my band wouldn't be going away either, coz after what they had gone thru (eg AT & RT splitting away) they were still capable of delivering and most importantly delivering something relevant that would still 'move people including me' resulting in an even stronger bonded connection between DD and I. I'm sure if you liked DDs N album well you felt the same. The album also had the power to move those/others in my life at the time coz to be honest they never had a choice really but to experience the Notorious LP with me, I played it and advocated it every chance I got. There were a few friends hanging around me at the time, that warmed to it also.
Anyway after discovering the immense pleasure of listening to and experiencing Notorious it was truly the pay off really, following the disappointment/hurt I felt (like many felt regarding Andy's exit & RTs).
DD WERE STILL MORE THAN CAPABLE via ADAPTATION and CHANGE which is development really, isn't it? Development for DD I'm certain but also development for the fans, we were growing with them, well this particular one anyway who in fact was guided if you like by DD.
Nevertheless like I've said before we had one STRONGLY DRIVEN and SURVIVING band.
Upon reading the LP sleeve notes I discovered DDs hero Nile R was brought back on board and didn't he do a magnificent job thankfully. To some extent I was relieved and excited to discover he was at the helm with DD as I knew of Chic's stuff especially Le Freak and Good Times which were tracks that had also shaped my life or to be specific had introduced me to what Groove/Funk meant in the first instance and this was way back in 78 when I first heard Le Freak as a 9 year old. I was familiar with the fact he produced Bowies Let's Dance and INXS Original Sin which I both loved. As a teenager I would readily borrow Chic's & Nile's solo LPs from the Goodwood Public Library and so I knew both his & Chic's stuff. Back in the day we'd never really find out who was producing really until we had the opportunity to read the albums inner sleeve notes. Rarely would we have heard it in an interview before an album's release as such or read it in a mag. Lots a guess work back then hey re who's producing.
Lastly, At the time upon hearing the Notorious LP, it wasn't long after that I became in love/in awe of what it was I was hearing, my music reached a certain maturity and I felt all grown up. Something which was both comforting while a powerful force really, transcending itself into a certain confidence for this young man as he lived thru the second half of the 80s.
That was until the Big Thing LP penetrated his ears and mind, which infact (unknown to me/us at the time) was actually less than two years away.
The only disappointment I have with the Notorious era was that the Strange Behaviour tour never hit Australian shores. What a F'N bummer that was. Also somewhat disappointed that the WFTS live video never captured/featured on film video/DVD the FULL Strange Behaviour show, that too was disappointing and I gather especially and even more so for those countries that the Strange B tour never reached. Lastly, also disappointed coz for the first time in DDs history the lyrics were not printed anywhere within the album and as a DD connoisseur (in an age without internet) one wanted, needed and desired the exact correct lyrics, like from the horses mouth.
Anyway, I too can't believe it's been 30 years since this great album was released boy does it evoke some fond memories while also as an LP shaped and influenced my life.
Who would have ever thought there's such power in music ?
Happy belated 30th Birthday LP Notorious.
Thanks for reading, hope there was something in it
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2017 10:13:12 GMT -5
You should write a book?!?... lol I think you just have. Similarly when still I wear your crown for detailed extensive and emotive posts, reading that, you should certainly have it back. Wonderful read, your post takes the reader on a personal "coming of age" journey, intricately interwoven with the "coming of age" and personal growth of our favourite band, conveying a definite feeling of living that moment, though at 7 years of age I can assure you it wasn't the case. Words that do justice to their luxuriant, funk laden, sensual soundtrack. And an underlying theme of tenacity and growth through change. In relation to some of your story I could say pictures or it didn't happen, but a thousand words have indeed painted a rather detailed picture, ehh thanks?!? That will do! Great writing!
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