Going up in smoke
10/03/88 (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)
Vanessa Paradis – “Joe Le Taxi” (4)
A second studio performance and la chanson went up one more place.
Johnny Hates Jazz – “Heart Of Gold” (23)The fourth and final single from their number one album Turn Back the Clock, and it became their final top 40 hit when it peaked at number 19.
Eric B & Rakim – “I Know You Got Soul” (21) (breaker)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 13.
Heart – “These Dreams” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 8.
Eighth Wonder – “I’m Not Scared” (26) (breaker)
Peaked at number 7.
Afrika Bambaataa & UB40 – “Reckless” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 17.
Belinda Carlisle – “I Get Weak” (13) (video)
Peaked at number 10.
Primitives – “Crash” (9)
A second studio performance and the song went up four more places.
Taja Sevelle – “Love Is Contagious” (17)
Making her studio debut and the song went up ten more places.
Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (video)
Fourth and five weeks at number one.
Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” (22) (video/credits)
Will be number one in two weeks time.
Next up is 17th March.
It’s Smitty’s penultimate show, and thankfully the last joint outing for the Gruesome Twosome, who very much bring the worst out of each other here. Smitty has still got his stupid beard, attempts what appears to be an appalling impersonation of Harry Enfield’s Stavros, and does a very silly two-fingered wave at the end that even his co-host refuses to join in with – I know what I would have been tempted to do with my two fingers if I had been there! Wrighty is just as bad, however, still sporting that annoying yuppie look and spending more time whooping than actually presenting – however, he was certainly correct that Smitty needed a shave…
ReplyDeleteAs last week, we start with a return performance, this time from Vanessa Paradis. She looks unnervingly grown up in her smart black dress, but it’s an innocent enough turn with her saxophonists going through their paces again – inevitably, Smitty has to show off by introducing her in French. JHJ then make what must have been their final appearance on the show, with the one hit of theirs that I don’t remember at all. It’s pretty good though, poppy and upbeat, and a respectable way to bow out. Clark is also looking decidedly stubbly – I blame George Michael for this unseemly outbreak of face fungus.
Another good tune next from Belinda Carlisle – indeed, this is one of my favourite songs of hers, and a step up musically from her previous hit. I suppose some might criticise the video these days for objectifying the man whom Belinda is salivating over, but while I am not the best judge in such matters I really don’t know what she sees in him, as he looks supercilious and very much in love with himself. The UB40/Afrika Bambaataa collaboration is the only one of this week’s breakers that won’t be on again. It is definitely livelier than your average UB40 record, but fails to leave much of an impression.
Another outing for The Primitives back in the studio, practically a facsimile of the first, and we then move on to Taja Seville, who appears to have been spending lots of time with her curling tongs. Wrighty informs us, in his one piece of useful information all show, that she was a discovery of Prince’s. I would rather he had left her undiscovered, as her whiny, babyish vocals really get on my nerves – if Miranda Richardson had tackled this song in her Elizabeth I guise from Blackadder, I would expect her to sound quite similar. It’s a shame really, as the song is pretty good, and would have benefited from a more delicate vocal treatment. Kylie remains glued to the top, but we close with the song that would eventually knock her off. I’m not sure why really, as this tedious slice of pop-reggae has never done anything for me, despite coming from the pens of such seasoned songwriters as Diane Warren and Albert Hammond. The video isn’t too exciting either, though it does contain an early example of fist bumping – doubtless Aswad indulged in some more of that as they finally celebrated having a hit…
It's a pity that the UB40/Afrika Bambaata video was not shown in full, but only got a small Breakers slot. I was curious enough to watch the whole video to see more of the lead blonde girl on the dance floor with the red leather dress, and not surprisingly everyone was hitting on her on the dancefloor. There's also a brief cameo appearance by Mikey from Only Fools & Horses at the beginning of the video. Highly recommended viewing:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow_eX8SpA0c
Tend to disagree with you John regarding Taja Seville, as I quite liked her striking presence and great figure, not to mention her cutish vocals, and I would say that Prince had very good taste in finding her.
Lots of nice looking girls on the show this week, led by a distance by Patsy Kensit of Eighth Wonder. The song sounds like a Pet Shop Boys number, so I wouldn't be surprised if they had a major involvement in the record. Patsy Kensit and Kylie Minogue were both born in the same year as me, so they would be in my babes list of course, and good to see them on the same show.
ReplyDeleteAlso liked Taja Sevelle and Heart on this mainly girl performers show, including the excellent lead vocalist on The Primitives, just making it into the Top 10 this week with a second appearance in the TOTP studio.
Hi Dory, the Pet Shop Boys wrote and produced I'm Not Scared and a good song it is too.
DeleteI've not watched this one yet but if comments elsewhere are any indication when I do I'll be fast forwarding the gruesome hosts. Talking of which, Bates is on one of the BBC4 shows this week.
Bonjour et au revoir Vanessa, we'll hear you again in a few years' time when you get mixed up with Lenny Kravitz. Giving the LBD an early workout, guaranteed to make you uneasy unless you were her age. But why mention Yma Sumac (who never had a hit in this country, I believe)?
ReplyDeleteJohnny Hates Jazz with a radically different take on the old Neil Young number - ah, my mistake, it's their tribute to the also-ran Esther Rantzen people show. They're never going to be my favourites, but this moves along at a decent clip, though hearing it again after 31 years doesn't make me too nostalgic.
Just as well Afrika Bambaataa isn't on BBC 4 given the sex abuse revelations about him. One of the godfathers of hip-hop, it's depressing he's let everyone down. As for this tune, not a bad collaboration, but sounds more UB40 than Afrika.
The highlighting colour technique used in this Belinda Carlisle video was presumably the one used for the dreaded Colorization process, where black and white movies were vandalised to make them look sort of in colour, but in effect made everyone look orange. Anyway, that aside, a sensuous turn from Belinda, and the song matches that, bit histrionic if she really is weak, but a worthy follow-up to her no. 1.
Tracy Tracy commanding that mic like a pro once again, and making eye contact with the viewers at home as much as possible for maximum impact (handy, those little red "camera on" lights, aren't they?).
What I most recall about Taja Sevelle was her corrugated iron hair, once seen never forgotten. Her wailing vocals sounded very fresh at the time, but maybe the years have not been too kind to a tune that would be very laidback if she hadn't applied the vocal gymnastics.
Kylie is followed by her usurper, Aswad and I never saw the end of the video before, so didn't realise the lady in question did finally turn around, which is nice. Anyway, a bit of a change from their Ranking Miss P-friendly earlier stuff, but it doesn't bother me, it's middle of the road material.
for those unaware, yma sumac was a singer of supposedly pacific islander or similar ethnic origin that was part of the exotica/tiki bar scene that was big in the states in the 1950's. however there was a rumour that she was actually plain old amy camus from brooklyn!
DeleteAccording to Yma's official website (of course she has one!) she was born in a small village in the mountains of Peru. And she had a unique 5 octave voice. Whether you really need to sing in 5 octaves is not discussed, but, well, that's what she did.
Deletei remember mariah carey being hailed on her arrival as having a 5-octave vocal range (over 3 times that of frank sinatra's!). i didn't watch the above show so i don't if the sumac reference was made as a result, but i would think if "love is contagious" is anything to go by then taja seville was no slouch in that department either?
Deletetaja seville: i had a dim memory that she had some kind of prince connection, but that although this sounded like he could have been behind it that it was actually the work of others. i really loved it back then, and it still gives a good vibe listening again, even though it sounds very much of its time now. not only as a would-be singer would i try to match taja's vocal gymnastics (mainly without success) whenever i listened, but i had also just acquired some basic home recording technology at the time and copying the rhythm track for this was one of the first things i did on it
ReplyDeleteTa, Robert!
ReplyDeleteOh God, these two again. Still, at least it’s for the last time, and points awarded to Yuppie Boy for slapping Shitty down twice in the show.
Vanessa Paradis teetering on the edge of “Minipops” there, with a dress plunging maybe a tad too far for a 15-year-old and (you might not have known this) the lyrics could be interpreted at one stage as Joe driving his taxi after his shift to the red light district (l’amazons apparently being French slang for ladies of the night). Scarves there, though. That touch of class. As for the song? Magnifique.
If I was Johnny Hates Jazz I’d have clattered Shitty for that stupid intro. Another darkly lit stage and actin black. A bouncy enough song which did well to be the fourth hit off their album.
A dreadfully stumbled intro by Yuppie into Belinda’s pining for what looked like a Poundland Sly Stallone, Belinda wearing the second low plunge outfit of the evening.
Derek B last week, Eric B this week. I’m getting confused. Next week the religious rapper Cleric B. As for the tune, not B but F minus.
Oo, Heart with a Flying V! The side-on facial shots were apparently to make the gal’s face less plump.
Our first glimpse of the Birds Eye Pea Pop Girl, and what a powerful set of pipes. Laura Branigan would have wiped the floor with a version of this.
UB40 sing the word ‘disco’, possibly for the first and only time in their career?
The Primitives, yet another darkly clothed act and not a goth in sight. Tracy giving the epitome of “I’m looking at you” cool.
Some points given back to Shitty for managing to give the entire cast of hit number 27 in the rundown.
Taja Seville, ay, Yuppie Boy? There’s orangey! Reminded me of those old Jaffa Cakes ads with Victor Spinetti. Nice gloves with the outfit, and it isn’t Miranda Richardson bellowing here but Nancy Richardson, Taja’s real name.
We end with the not much heralded return of plastic pop reggae. Not looking forward to Aswad’s chart ascent.
Thanks Robert Thompson for this. Well look who’s in at No28 – Icehouse ! Yes the smooth ‘Hey Little Girl’ hitmakers from 1983 with a disc that had been hanging around the lower regions of the charts for ages but only just broke the top40…and then vanished again! Strange how this could briefly trouble the top40 scorers….
ReplyDeleteVanessa Paradis – Joe Le Taxi – Speaking of little girls, I didn’t realise Vanessa was only 15 at the time of this hit. Repeated listening over the past weeks has made it grow on me despite my original dismissal. Nice sax.
Johnny Hates Jazz – Heart of Gold – Unremarkable is all that I can say about this.
Breakers – A couple of gruesome records amongst these but the highlight has to be the welcome UK chart debut of Heart’s ‘These Dreams’. Co-written by Bernie Taupin no less, this great record topped the US charts in 1986 whilst we ignored it. Backed with another great track ‘Never’ as a double A Side, this is well deserved chart recognition and a Launchpad for the ‘Heart’ album to sell big – incidentally the album cut of ‘These Dreams’ has an extra verse in it…
Belinda Carlisle – I get weak – Nice mid paced rock chugger written by Diane Warren that has a video with lots of swirling breezes and bright lipstick.
Primitives – Crash – Appealing song with a nice performance here.
Taja Sevelle – Love is contagious - …not ‘caught’ this one….
Kylie – I should be so lucky – We’re treated to the costume changing video again. All happy smiles.
Aswad – Don’t turn around – Not sure how this made no1 but its OK I suppose.
….and Eddie Grant is still going up!!!
Icehouse at no38 I meant...
Delete'Crazy' got a lot of airplay at the time as it had made the Top 20 in America. The follow-up 'Electric Blue' did even better but flopped here.
DeleteJohnny Hates Jazz - Prostitutes aren't all bad, m'kay? A perfectly fine pop song, though their least remembered hit.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed that we got every possible breaker except the 2 I wanted - Icehouse's 'Crazy' and the beautiful 'For A Friend' by The Communards. Instead we got UB40's latest drivel and some stuff we'll see again anyway.
Belinda Carlisle - An OK follow-up, she sounds slightly less like a sheep on this one.
Taja Sevelle - Note the spelling, given that many people pronounce and write her name as 'Seville'. Just as long as nobody plumps for 'Savile' we should be fine. Anyhow, the song's quite nice even if the vocal gets a bit piercing at times.
Aswad - This has to be one of the most average chart toppers of all time. Bland, inoffensive, and therefore pretty much the only chart topper from this year that you hear these days (barring Belinda Carlisle I suppose)
BBC4 viewers are spared the double jeopardy of Bearded Smithy and the twat Wrighty so they should feel especially blessed.
ReplyDeleteVanessa Paradis parks her Taxi in the studio and pulls out a little black dress that draws a compliment from Smithy. She's 15 mate. Not sure that was appropriate.
I was mean on the Johnny Hates Jazz song last week but having heard the whole of Heart Of Gold I am changing my opinion. It sounded really good on the show this week.
A really bad cut into and out of the Belinda video that gains nothing from getting a full outing.
Breakers:
Eric B & Rakim. Second week in a row with a Jacksons sample. Not up to much.
Heart. These Dreams probably their best known song and a great power ballad. Probably couldn't pick Never out of a line put though.
Eighth Wonder. One of my favourite songs of 88. A PSB original and Patsy gives a great vocal performance.
Afrika Bambaataa & UB40. Sounds good from what you hear.
Primitives – Nice to hear and see this again.
Taja Sevelle "Playing Live" in the studio. Is Taja Sevelle the name of the band then? – Love Is sounding suspiciously like the record to me.
Kylie back to video number 1
Aswad get almost the full video on playout. We will hear much more of this. Great song as well.
...line up (not out)
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