Harry Potter's mum?
18/08/88 (Simon Mayo & Mike Read)
Aztec Camera – “Working In A Goldmine” (31)
Tonight's show gets off to a taking it easy kind of start but this song got no higher in the charts.
Kylie Minogue – “The Loco-Motion” (2) (video)
Ran out of steam at number 2.
Chris Rea – “On The Beach ‘88” (19)
'Cuddly' Chris's original version only made number 57 in 1986, but this re-recording fared much better and peaked at number 12.
Status Quo – “Running All Over The World” (30) (breaker)
This year's Sport Aid single peaked at number 17.
Van Halen – “When It’s Love” (28) (breaker)
Got no higher.
Big Country – “King Of Emotion” (24) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.
Fairground Attraction – “Find My Love” (7)
Back in the studio a second time but the song was now at its peak.
Julio Iglesias & Stevie Wonder – “My Love” (17) (video)
Became Julio's third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.
Yazz & The Plastic Population – “The Only Way Is Up” (1)
A new studio performance for Yazz's third of five weeks at number one.
Robbie Robertson – “Somewhere Down The Crazy River” (22) (video/credits)
This rather eccentric song (that Jimmy Nail must've listened to very closely I think) peaked at number 15.
Next up is August 25th.
Mike and Mayo are definitely one of the better presenter combinations we are getting at the moment, and they do seem to genuinely like each other – they were once again exchanging “banter” on Twitter this evening while the show was on BBC4. Aztec Camera are first this time with a forgotten hit that I certainly don’t remember hearing before. The title is presumably a riff on the old Lee Dorsey hit, with an upgrade in the material being mined, and there are a number of other famous song titles mentioned in the lyrics. Roddy looks quite cool in his leather jacket and ripped jeans, but I think the song, while good, is perhaps a little too understated to really cut through to the listener.
ReplyDeleteI do wish TOTP hosts at this time had been banned from putting on Aussie accents when introducing Kylie, who looks every inch the wholesome girl next door in this video. A podgy Chris Rea has a somewhat less wholesome appearance, and looks here like an office worker playing in a band with his mates in his spare time. Mayo was wrong to say this was a remix – it is actually a re-recording, one of a set that Chris did of his old songs for the New Light Through Old Windows album. The idea came to Chris because he was dissatisfied with the production on many of his earlier records and wanted to cut them again, this time with full creative control in the studio. Having listened to that album, I think the new versions are largely an improvement, and that certainly goes for this sultry, sensuous little number.
The breakers return after an, erm, break, but Van Halen’s anonymous offering is the only one we won’t be hearing again. After Eddi performs one of the most hopeless guitar strumming mimes ever seen, we reach the improbable Julio/Stevie collaboration, which I do remember being in the chart at the time but have never knowingly heard. I will quite happily go another 30 years without doing so, as it is very bland and dull, perhaps not surprisingly. Why wasn’t Stevie in the video?
Yazz does another interview with the hosts, and then bounds excitedly on to the stage for a new performance chiefly notable for her big quilted shoulder pads. Something really classy to finish, as Robbie Robertson returns to the limelight more than a decade after The Band split with this beguiling, incredibly atmospheric and unlikely hit; I don’t normally like records with lots of talking, but this is an exception. Robbie signed up his old mate Martin Scorcese to direct the video too – the backing singer is Maria McKee, who had already written A Good Heart for Feargal Sharkey and would of course go on to enjoy chart success in her own right.
I agree with you John on 'New light through old windows' but much prefer the more earthy original version of 'I can feel your heart beat' from the 'Water Sign' album, which also featured the wonderful 'Love's strange ways' which Chris didn't need to re-record.
DeleteThe attention that we had the return of the 'Breakers' section on the 18/08/1988 episode we was hoping to see Deacon Blue's 'Chocolate Girl' in there (as it was featured on a certain 15/08/1988 Corrie episode at a nightclub in the second part segment when this episode was transmitted), sadly it didn't go top 40 as it peaked no.43 and same did with Steve Winwood's 'Roll with It' currently peaking at no.53 during the summer of '88 as it was nearing its third of four weeks in America at around this time holding off 'Hands to Heaven' by Breathe, who currently appeared on Top of the Pops a previous week.
ReplyDeleteInstead we get breakers from three bands who have had newer hits in 1988 including a charity re-work of a 1977 No. 2, a Van Halen track and Big Country back in the charts for '88!
Thanks - didn't realise that Steve Winwood managed a second US no1 (after 'Higher Love'). Not heard 'Roll with it' before (and its not on the 'Chronicles' compilation) but have just given it a spin on YT.
DeleteAztec Camera's Gold Mine tune is a slow starter, but once the chorus kicks in it perks up, though it remains subdued. This seemed to be Roddy's preferred style of song from there on. But the jeans on this lot. State of them.
ReplyDeletePerkiness overload on the Kylie video as the future superstar mugs for the camera to an irksome degree. Patiently waiting for her superior hits - you'd be better off with those, UK record-buying public.
Chris Rea apparently just out of school to appear in the studio for a reboot of one of his earlier songs. Always surprising he never had much Top Ten success given he was all over the radio with just about everything he released, but he was never the most dynamic of tunesmiths, and this sounds a little too exhausted for its own good.
Quiz question: who was the new Van Halen singer? Answer: erm, good question. Lots of straining to not much effect.
Fairground Attraction back with the massive guitar, but I'm over this for now. It is preferable to Julio and Stevie's blander than bland duet - what happened to the funk, Stevie? Video seems to have been taken at Julio's Chinese holiday, with no connection to the lyrics I could hear. Mr Wonder not invited, then.
Yazz halfway through her run at the top, though all that miming doesn't work for an interview - you had a microphone for a reason, madam. Then to end on, about a third of the Robbie Robertson solo hit that Roger Scott loved so much. "Hang the rich!" Good listening for hot summer nights, not so much on a chilly and rainy October evening, but it is strangely satisfying to hear Robbie's gravel-voiced guide to New Orleans (I think).
david lee roth's replacement in van halen was sammy hagar. he had initially been in another hard rock band named montrose before starting a solo career in the late 70's/early 80's. i remember in frequent interviews in "sounds" magazine that he would demonstrate his obsession with keeping fit by doing things like one-armed push-ups!
DeleteSammy Hagar! Of course it was. Thanks for the info. I wonder if he could do one-fingered push-ups like you'd see on Record Breakers?
DeleteSammy Hagar's 'I'll fall in love again' was on the B Side of Madonna's 'Crazy for you'.
Deletechris rea: having been singularly unimpressed with anything i'd heard of his before, i remember being surprised at liking this smooth almost easy-listening effort right away - thinking it was far more in the mould of bryan ferry than his usual mark knopfler vibe (cue "dire rea" joke). and many years later i came across the full-length 7 minute version where the second half consists of a keyboard solo over a samba-style rhythm, which is well worth a listen if you like the single edit
ReplyDeleterobbie robertson: although i never actually heard any music by the band until about 20 years ago, whenever i saw pics of this guy in the music press i always thought he was the personification of cool. and along with norman whitfield he was one of the few producers whose name got featured on the front sleeve of an album (in his case one of neil diamond's, where i think unlike whitfield demonstrating his monstrous ego it was used as a sales tactic to say "neil's hip now, you know"). so i listened to this with some interest, although sadly it wasn't quite as good as i'd hoped it would be (i seem to remember he talked through a lot of it, which i'm not a fan of)
When UK Gold aired Top Of The Pops they bought this show (18/8/88) but not either Of The All About Eve episodes. (4/8/88 and 11/8/88).
ReplyDeleteSecond enjoyable show in a row and the humorous double act hosts are enjoying themselves.
ReplyDeleteAztec Camera – Working in a Goldmine – More like an album track this, lacks the immediate appeal of ‘Somewhere in my heart’. Just meanders along despite Camera’s backing singers.
Kylie Minogue – The Loco-motion – Cheeky, innocent and catchy. Marooned at no2 due to a very strong song in pole position. Great video. Typical 80s Kylie.
Chris Rea – On the Beach 88 – We’ll soon be hearing ‘Driving home for Christmas’ in every shopping mall, so it’s nice to revisit this pleasant summery track. Chris even sports a tiny pony tail here!
Breakers – Quo – doing a TFF and another ideal song for the lyrical overdub treatment. Nice film of, um, runners. Van Halen – All high notes and screams and not much tune. Big Country – Insipid return.
Fairground Attraction – Find my love – Wearing a bit thin now after hearing three times in the past couple of weeks and a very unappealing outfit.
Julio and Stevie – My Love – No1? Definitely not. It’s Ok but I prefer Paul McCartney and Wing’s song of the same name. “And when the cupboard’s, bare, I’ll still find something there with my love”. Sheer poetry Paul.
Yazz and the Plastic Population – The only way is up – Gosh this is infectious. I roared with laughter at the plastic instruments especially Mike larking about with that guitar. Superb performance with the dance routine.
Robbie Robertson – Somewhere down the River – Unusual sound to play out with. Not really heard this before and chopped too early…but sounded better than BVSMP at no3! – sheesh.
Robbie Robertson, best followed with "Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John while sipping a Bourbon to get the full-on vibe!
DeleteTwo amiable hosts, sadly on poor form here. Mike’s back wearing shades in the studio and Simon gives away the number one right at the beginning. Duh!
ReplyDeleteI listened to Aztec Camera’s soporific effort for 30 seconds then gave up. No gold mine here. Crap chart forecast number one by Mike.
Another 10 Aussie Dollar spend on a Kylie video complete with that cruddy CGI overlay effect, this time accompanying a horrible plastic cover version. Not a good start, this.
Mugshots part 1 – those Womacks look like they’ve had a row over a parking ticket, and Matt Bianco’s unheard side of the single gets mentioned instead of the song we saw for the third week in a row.
Accountants’ night out for Chris and the lads. That drummer! Reminded me of that Sunday night ITV comedy drama from maybe 15 years ago where Martin Clunes played an undertaker who was also bassist in a band. Still, nice effort, this, one of Chris’s more majestic tunes. Love the simple but effective bass solo.
Dreadful breakers. Quo running out of steam, Van Halen discover Whitesnake Lite, and Big Country were more like Andorra complete with awkward speech impediment – “you would see me naked and wee wee”.
Thrash that guitar, Eddi! This doesn’t really add much to their previous studio performance, does it?
Mugshots part 2 – Robbie Robertson appears to be leaning on the edge of the photo frame, and Debbie Gibson’s suddenly forgotten where she put the car keys.
Mike 1 Simon 1 in crap forecasts now, as The Boy Mayo thinks Julio and Stevie’s Tate and Lyle Syrup sponsored bile could be a chart topper. Been at the Woodpecker before the show, lad?
Yazz follows up her second rubbish interview – speak up, woman! – with another athletic Amazonian turn.
Then an overly long camera zoom back to Simon unfortunately playing with his upside down plastic sax, getting the mouthpiece just that bit too close to his trouser region for “Points Of View” writers.
Woah! That’s one way to finish the show. Wacky but disctinctive, and at least Robbie Robertson mimed the spoken part well in the video.
Very lack lustre episode..
ReplyDeleteDon’t remember the Aztec single - sounded like it was playing at the wrong speed...
Chris rea drivin me to the remote...
Big country lacking the enthusiasm of their earlier tracks
Yawn, yawn....
And Yazz saves me from dropping off, but then...
Is this the same Robbie Robertson who was in The Band? Click!
I'm way behind on these shows, as you can tell. Mind you, this one took me less than 15 minutes to get through.
ReplyDeleteAztec Camera - A nice enough song, but hardly the right track to open the show with.
Chris Rea - I recently bought one of his 'Best Of' collections and found a surprising number of great tunes that missed the Top 40 (and sometimes the Top 75) whereas his hits like this one are not necessarily as good. I actually prefer the re-recording of 'I Can Hear Your Heartbeat' - one of his finest songs which flopped in both forms!
The Van Halen song is extremely anonymous, no great shame that we didn't see the whole thing.
Julio / Stevie - Rubbish.
Robbie Robertson - You have to be in the right mood for this one, but if you are then it's great. My favourite line is 'No, I like it. I like it, it's good'.
Mr Read and Boy Mayo tonight. A good combination
ReplyDeleteAztec Camera to kick us off with a moody number. Not sure this is the best way to start the show. It turns into quite a funky number at the first chorus. I like this. Don't remember it at all. Notice the handheld cameraman is now in shorts. Would have been a full suit a few years ago.
Kylie on video. Smiley Kylie, Having fun Kylie, Girl next door Kylie. Naff video. Think this is the Oz version with added UK bits.
Some very dodgy CSO on show.
Summer is here. ..chill out its Chris Rea...One of the UK most overplayed songs. Still a great guitar hook though so fair play.
Still looks like your school teacher at the end of year assembly.
Is that a fat chris deburgh on bass?
Breakers
Status Quo..Running All The World. Not a lot to say really. It's for charidee
Van Halen. About 3 years out of date. Pass
Big Country. Not as catchy as their precious stuff.
Fairground Attraction doing well with this follow up and we can hear it properly this week. She looks like the music teacher, must be school holidays. Oddly the chorus is easily the weakest part of this song.
Julio and Stevie. This is cheese of the highest order. Bloody awful. Where the hell is the Wonder?
Well that was a dodgy introduction to the number one. Yazz looks like a fun girl, forgot her mic was live though.
Robbie Robertson. Who.? Where did he come from? Where did he go? Frankly I couldn't care less. Rubbish
Robbie Robertson may not be a household name, but he is renowned in the rock world as guitarist and songwriter for The Band in the 60s and 70s.
DeleteBit before my time and clearly has his fans from reading above. 😀
ReplyDelete