Happy Hull-idays
11/12/86 (Janice Long & Steve Wright)
Jaki Graham – “Step Right Up” (21)
Getting the show underway tonight with her final top 40 hit, and it peaked at number 15.
The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (3)
In the studio to perform this a-cappella cover of the Chris Jasper song that will be number one next week.
Alison Moyet – “Is This Love?” (24)
In the studio with her first hit for a year and a half, and it peaked at number 3.
Cameo – “Candy” (27) (breaker)
Got no higher.
Dexys Midnight Runners – “Because Of You” (25) (breaker)
The theme tune of 'Brush Strokes', it peaked at number 13 and was the band's final hit.
A-ha – “Cry Wolf” (16) (breaker)
Peaked at number 5.
Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (14) (breaker)
Originally peaking at number 6 in 1957, this re-issue will be this year's Christmas number one.
George Benson – “Shiver” (19)
Performing a live vocal in the studio but the song was at its peak.
Europe – “The Final Countdown” (1) (rpt from 20/11/86)
Second and final week at number one.
Madonna – “Open Your Heart” (8) (video/credits)
And who should pop into the studio to help introduce the playout song, but Paul McCartney! And this fourth top ten hit of 1986 for Madonna peaked at number 4.
December 18th is next, but it is another Mike Smith edition.
An odd couple presenting team this week, but they actually seem to gel quite well, and Wrighty is a bit more engaged in proceedings than normal. Janice was also in better form than she has been for a while, perhaps because the line-up was more to her liking this time, The Housemartins especially. Perhaps also she was excited to meet Macca?
ReplyDeleteThese reruns have certainly acted as a reminder of Jaki Graham's hit-making prowess in the mid-80s, something that passed me by completely at the time. Her run was now coming to an end, but here she is again with a very catchy, upbeat tune which ranks as one of her better efforts. The tight skirt is once again present and correct, and in some shots she looks to be all hair and teeth! The Housemartins evidently wanted to emulate The Flying Pickets and have an a-cappella festive chart-topper. They wouldn't quite succeed in doing so thanks to Jackie Wilson, but this is still a memorable rendition of the song, and a striking performance too, with Fatboy and Stan seemingly competing to see who could pull off the most extravagant arm movements - Paul, meanwhile, looked to be suffering quite badly from acne.
Alf is back with a new, decidedly messy hairstyle and a song that, while pleasant enough and destined to be one of her biggest solo hits, feels a little insubstantial. I suspect she might have been relieved that Erasure weren't on this week, as that could have made for an awkward reunion with Vince. Cameo's breaker is the only one we won't see again, and it is pretty forgettable stodge that doesn't come close to Word Up. We get to see quite a bit of the video, and the group all look really ugly in it. We'll see Dexys again, but interesting that the video seems to be looking back over the band' previous incarnations as well as featuring a brief cameo from Karl "Jacko" Howman.
George Benson makes a rare studio appearance, and this is slick, decent enough fare marred by George's enduring penchant for horrible scat singing; the blonde backing singer with the very long hair was a pleasing visual distraction. The Smitty situation means that Macca's appearance in the final link gets butchered, but we do get to see him introducing Madge, who is parading around in some conical "support" for what I think is the first, but by no means last, time. Great song anyway, with Madge at her poppy, uplifting best.
Here's a little ray of sunshine to start us off, an exuberant Jaki Graham a positive dynamo as she turns carnival barker in this somewhat strident pop. She really sells it, and makes a case that this song should have been top ten, it's at least as good as her other, bigger hits.
ReplyDeleteNo video in the second slot, so we get the Housemartins almost but not quite making chart history; at least they had a number one. Stan described this as "the flares of the band", and it was pretty uncool, but they were never exactly the coolest bunch of lads around anyway. Their attempts to cover up any embarrassment by arseing about are quite endearing.
Alison Moyet with a hit you never hear anymore, and that's a shame because it's a simple, direct and thoroughly winning tune, very well delivered (though she should have sacked her hair stylist). Definitely one of her best solo hits.
Now we find out why we didn't get a video second up, as we're gifted extended extracts from the Breakers. Cameo showed off their sense of humour as ever in the Candy clip, it wasn't as strong as their previous hit but I like it anyway. Top Gun is advertised on the cinema behind them, I notice, and something Beyond - From Beyond, the Lovecraftian horror perhaps? Oh, and the Dexy's clip will have the nation's men of a certain age going, "What the hell was the name of the actress who played Jacko's girlfriend in Brush Strokes?"
George Benson shows off his pipes in a live vocal, pretty impressive though this tune could do with a more memorable melody, a fact that is almost masked by its very 80s production. Bit disappointed he wasn't playing the guitar too.
Do you think Joey Tempest is his real name? Anyway, a repeat of the guitarist-lifting championships. Bon Jovi didn't reach the top, but this lot did!
Madonna, with a video that is not quite offputting enough to conceal this is one of her best singles of the 80s. Sweet lyrics, plaintive melody, motors along at a steady, insistent pace, just great. The video, though - wasn't the useless Felix from The Tube supposed to be in this? Or am I getting mixed up with another Madonna video?
Joey Tempest's real name was the decidedly less Rock 'n' Roll Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson.
DeleteFinally a Rolf we can get behind!
DeleteCan't remember Jacko's girlifriend's name in Brush Strokes, but I do remember that my former English teacher in Grammar school was a regular extra on this show in the background in the pub scenes.
DeleteDid he get Elmo's autograph? Elmo was in the Eurythmics' There Must Be an Angel video, too.
Deletejaki graham: i've certainly got a new-found respect for her as a result of these re-runs, and this is quite good as well - although like the other consequent singles, it can't match the majesty of "round and around". i remember someone commenting on how big cherrelle's gob was when she recently appeared on the show - well surely jaki is giving her some competition?
ReplyDeletehousemartins: the "band" contingent of the isley brothers had splintered into their own group isley-jasper-isley by the mid-80's, and although it wasn't a chart hit i remember hearing it a lot on the capital radio weekdays soul show at the time (usually presented by none-other than tony blackburn, who had re-invented himself as the guru of the uk dance music scene). so presumably that was where the housemartins (or more likely, quentin "norman" cook when he was back visiting the leafy home counties) heard it? whilst i first quite liked the original, this acapella cover got overplayed to the point where i didn't even want to hear that again
alison moyet: back to the synth-pop after a stab at the standards - presumably she didn't feel confident (or rich) enough to stick to what she really wanted to do at that point? either that or her record company stopped her. if you're thinking this sounds not unlike the eurythmics, then that's because her collaborator was dave stewart (using the alias jean guoit - he'd also used another one as raymond doom for the recent bob geldof effort). but why did they have to title it that, when everyone was already familar with the bob marley record of the same name?
cameo: rather amusingly, almost the first thing seen in the video is the infamous red codpiece shown from the waist down. but even that wasn't enough to stop this similar-but-superior follow-up to "word up" completely bombing
george benson: i haven't heard this for eons now, having lumped it in with the rest of his awful 80's soul crooner sellout hits after being a musical hero in my formative years with his superlative jazz-funk albums "breezin" and "in flight". but this is actually pretty good if one can get over that and simply listen to it for what it is i.e. slinky dance music in the vein of the sos band. funnily enough the ubiquitous tessa niles appears with george among his pick-up backing musicians, but not with her actual employer jaki graham
madonna: like alf it's back to business as usual after a bit of retro-style experimentation. and also like alf nicking someone else's song title!
I’m a little late in watching and reviewing this one, but looking at the blog, only 6 comments so far. In fact the comments have been petering off or the past few weeks now. Could it be a reflection of the musical quality? With the likes of ‘Jack your Body’ coming up in 1987 we really could be on the final countdown….
ReplyDeleteJanice and Steve thrown together this week with a totally unexpected appearance by Paul McCartney at the end.
Jaki Graham – Step right up- Just what was the appeal of Jaki Graham to notch up all these hits in 85 and 86? FF
Housemartins – Caravan of love – Damn! Every time I see a Housemartin I think of this song! There must be something about unaccompanied singing that appeals around Christmas (hi there Flying Pickets!). Having said that, this is OK but no1 material? The best unaccompanied song for me is ‘Now those days have gone’ by Bucks Fizz (even though instruments appear half way through).
Alison Moyet – Is this love – Probably the best single she released for me, although whenever I see the title I think of Whitesnake (not Marley!). The camera repeatedly shows the same shot of the keyboard player.
Breakers – Cameo – ugh! They showed far too much of this! Dexys – Never heard this before, sounds OK I guess. A-Ha – Looks precarious perched on that wall, but the song is better known than (for me) it’s superior predecessor. Jackie Wilson – I recall just how popular this was at the time, but in retrospect why?? Reached no6 in 1957 btw. Ironic to get both Dexys and Jackie Wilson in the breakers at the same time!
George Benson – Shiver – Can’t believe they featured this. FF
Europe – The Final Countdown – Shame we get the ToTP appearance again. They could have treated us and showed the complete official video which features the superb extended intro. The way they’ve dubbed some stuff onto this as the band make their stage entrance is fabulous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
Madonna – Open your heart – Another song title to conjure up another song (this time by the Human League). This is great stuff from Madonna however and deservedly went to no1 in the States early in 1987. The video image was used on the cover of the ‘True Blue’ album I believe.
No feature for Ray Moore’s chart entry, although I don’t recall this one at all, the next minor hit ‘The Bog-eyed Jog’ got played to death on his radio show.
There has definitely been a falling off in the number of people commenting in the past year, though I think the slow trickle of comments at the moment probably owes something to the recent avalanche of shows and the approach of Christmas. If it's any consolation, Jack Your Body only spent two weeks at number 1, and there is still quite a bit of good stuff to look forward to in 1987.
Deletefor what it's worth: i've now decided to carry on contributing at least for the time being to see how it goes, as i think john is right that there is enough decent material amongst the dross to make it worthwhile. i am also thinking that unless my circumstances change that make things impossible for me to do so, then i might even endeavour hanging on all the way up to 1996 (assuming the re-runs get that far), as that was pretty much the last time i still followed what was going on in the charts (in fact that summer i spent 3 months working in a kitchen in a holiday camp where the top 30 was relentlessly played on the radio - maybe a reason i lost interest after that ha ha!)
DeleteThere were never exactly millions of us commenting on these blogs anyway. Quality over quantity!
DeleteA better show here with Janice Long seemingly bringing out...well I hesitate to say the best...maybe the 'adequate' in Steve Wright.
ReplyDeleteJaki Graham - Perfectly fine if not particularly exciting pop/soul here.
The Housemartins - This song does work surprisingly well at this time of year even though it's not a Christmas song. On the rare occasions I hear it at other times of the year it doesn't quite sound right.
Alison Moyet - Some great lyrics in one of her very finest solo singles.
Breakers - Given that we'll see the rest again, let me just comment on Cameo. Rubbish. That was easy.
George Benson - Yes, he's singing live but I'm afraid I cannot stand any of his tedious music.
Madonna - A very good pop tune that rather got lost in the pre Christmas charts I think, released a month later and it would have been a certain No.1.
Janice’s hair’s growing out, thankfully, and it now becomes obvious Nodding Dog just needed a woman’s influence to become a half-decent host – though she did almost smack his mush with that backwards mic thrust early doors.
ReplyDeleteJaki Graham straight in with the chorus, short leather and ‘ooer’ camera shot followed up with a comfy midtable tune. Was this Jaki’s last TOTP? If so, thanks for an enjoyable few months, Jacqueline.
Sorry, Janice, the weather forecast doesn’t look good for you. The Housemartins were quite probably the best nerdy hit band ever, with another ‘not taking ourselves seriously’ stint, and deep voice Firestarter Hugh was quite understated here.
I quite liked Alf’s new hairdo but wasn’t keen on the tape loop of the keyboard player. I can imagine Morrissey giving a fine rendition of this track.
Cameo there with “Single Life” mark 2 which wasn’t as punchy or memorable, though I liked the multiple group shots.
The return of the young Alan Sugar there. Jackie Lye played Karl Howman’s love interest, by the way.
You couldn’t pay me enough to stand on that high ledge like Morten. Lucky the cameraman wasn’t too low! A different type of animation there to “Take on Me”.
That’s a really flattering plasticine version of Jackie Wilson.
Oh dear, George ‘doop de doop de doop’ Benson. He can sure sing but I much preferred his first hit “Supership”.
A micro micro shot of Macca, due no doubt to a mention of Shitty for the next edition.
Madge there with the last of the three singles of hers I bought and a “Cabaret” peep show vibe for the video.
It's nearly Xmas (he types on 3rd January)
ReplyDeleteJanice gets teamed with Wrighty - what has she done to deserve that!
Jaki kicking off with a great little pop song. Remember the song now but don't recall Jaki being on TOTP at all so obviously blotted her out of my 1986 memories. Enjoyed this though.
Housemartins - As someone else has mentioned a bit Flying Pickets and a dead cert for Xmas Number 1.
Unfortunately it is nowhere near as good as the Pickets AND Jackie Wilson will speak.
Hated this at the time. Not a huge fan now either,
Cheesy as Stilton. They should have done this live. Missed opportunity.
Who the hell is Ray Moore???
Alison "The Voice" Moyet with another quality record. Such a fan in this house. Shame she missed Vince by a week.
Breakers (and a decent amount of them too):
Cameo - Back with Candy - this does not sound great. Aged very badly.
Dexys - Brush Strokes - never watched this show, don't recall the song. It sounds rather rubbish to be honest.
Cry Wolf - 2nd purchase with my Xmas money. My second favourite A-ha song (after TV). Absolutely brilliant.
Jackie Wilson - Plasticine Reet Petite. Where the hell did this come from? Fantastic song though.
George Benson - Shiver me, this is a by the numbers, unremarkable song. Good voice though. Next...
Europe get a repeat showing. Still loving this song. Whatever happened to them???
A snippet of Macca to avoid mentioning Smithy,
Madonna with yet another hit, my word she was a busy lady in the mid 80s. This is rather good as well, bit of a saucy video.
not a bad little show tonight.
to my recollection ray moore was a radio 2 deejay, and a sort-of terry wogan-lite. as if wigon wasn't lite enough!
DeleteRay Moore used to do the early morning show on Radio 2, straight before Wogan. He was very popular with listeners, but sadly died of cancer aged only 47.
DeleteThanks for the info. Had never heard of him
DeleteWas on a diet of Radio 1 and 210 back then.