Enya is soft, strong and very very long
27/10/88 (Simon Mayo & Anthea Turner)
Milli Vanilli – “Girl You Know It’s True” (10)
The boys are in fine voice tonight ... ahem .... and this song went on to peak at number 3.
The Art Of Noise & Tom Jones – “Kiss” (19)
This somewhat eccentric offering, with a live vocal from Tom of course, became the third and final top ten hit for Art of Noise when it peaked at number 3.
Royal House – “Can You Party?” (17)
Jetting into the studio from America and the tune went up three more places.
Tanita Tikaram – “Twist In My Sobriety” (29) (breaker)
Her second and final top 40 hit and it peakedd at number 22.
Robert Palmer – “She Makes My Day” (18) (breaker)
Became his third of five top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.
Yazz – “Stand Up For Your Love Rights” (11) (breaker)
On her way to number two.
Deacon Blue – “Real Gone Kid” (21)
A belting studio performance of the song that became their biggest hit up that point when it peaked at number 8.
Enya – “Orinoco Flow” (1) (video)
Her first of three top ten hits and her first of three weeks at number one.
The Beatmasters & PP Arnold – “Burn It Up” (14) (video/credits)
At its peak.
November 3rd is next.
Ah, here's a presenter who thanks to tabloid interference and obsession over her unremarkable existence has since become a byword for ghastly TV, but I have to say she never bothered me, in fact I found her quite endearing here in her slightly rubbish way. You're all right by me, Anthea, there are worse things in the world than cheesy TV hostesses.
ReplyDeleteMilli Vanilli, not the notorious TOTP appearance, they were obviously building up to that, but every appearance they made is notorious in retrospect. Basically Frank Farian pulling his "models mime to his music" scam that had been so successful with Boney M, and frankly (heh) done better with them too. Overproduced fare, but impossible to reassess, if that were desired, thanks to the tragedy that followed.
Tom's still got it! Sunglasses indoors, Jones the Song on top of a grand piano, someone playing a PC keyboard, and a steamrollering of a Prince classic with cheeky references to previous Art of Noise singles in the instrumental break. I mean, if you really have to do this, it's fine as far as it goes.
Now, I recognised the Royal House tune, but would never in a million years be able to tell you its name or who it was by. Bog standard house, people miming to samples (that hasn't gone out of fashion yet - nor will it into '89).
Deacon Blue - thanks to my sister loving them, I did hear the Raintown album and have to say it wasn't that bad, but by the time they started to get singles chart success I was less impressed. This is kind of annoying with its police siren "woo-ooh" bits and affected slang. All right if you like oh-so sophisticated 80s pop, but I'm not sure I do.
Then Enya makes it to the top, so we get the video uninterrupted by her carnation fest in the studio, and a repeat of The Beatmasters and PP. I'd rather have seen something new - The Jungle Brothers, for instance.
I did find it quite odd that Tom Jones of all people would cover a Prince song so soon after Prince had a hit with it only two years earlier in 1986, but I would guess it was most likely The Art Of Noise that pulled this one off for him.
DeleteUnedited Opening:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr0yoIqE72A
ReplyDeleteSeems a bit odd that BBC4 cut that out - did they really think people would be stupid enough to ring a helpline advertised on a 31-year-old programme?
DeleteAs PT Barnum almost said, no one ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the British public.
Deletepresumably the same kind of people who offered ken barlow or some other "coronation st" character a job when they were fired or made redundant on the programme?
DeleteAccording to a comment I have seen elsewhere, that helpline number is now used by Macmillan Cancer Support, so I suppose there was some rationale in chopping it.
DeleteOdd edit but we didn't miss anything important so fair enough.
DeleteIt seems even more bizarre now than it did back then that the BBC saw Anthea Turner as a "star." She is at her annoying worst here, over-enthusiastic, shouty and banal, also becoming the first TOTP host since her future husband PP made his debut in 1977 to jump in the air during a link! Despite this, she lasted on the show until 1991 while other, better presenters like Caron Keating were dropped much more quickly. Unlike Caron, of course, Anthea's TOTP career preceded her stint on Blue Peter, but though some may say her style is more suited to kids' TV, even as a kid I found her annoying. At least Mayo is on hand here to balance out her "bubbliness" with his usual professional manner.
ReplyDeleteYou have to feel a bit sorry for Milli Vanilli, not just due to the ultimate fate of Rob Pilatus but because they ended up being pilloried for underhand practices that had been used in the music industry for years - producer Frank Farian had of course pulled the same stunt with Boney M's Bobby. Their commercial success didn't help their cause, naturally, as the higher you climb the further you will ultimately fall. Still, this debut studio appearance shows they could at least work a stage, even if they couldn't sing, and the image was strong. As for the song, the chorus is quite catchy, the half-hearted rap on the verses less so. Next comes the moment Tom Jones, with his son's help, reinvented himself and moved from being a naff, dated ladies' man to a knowing, ironically hip swinger, giving his career a new lease of life in the process. I actually think this may be one of the best things the old bellower has ever done, and I prefer it to the Prince version. He is clearly enjoying himself too, though I hope that piano wasn't damaged - perhaps it had a special protective covering...
Royal House turn up to the studio, but this boring blast of house might have been better served by a video, as this performance, despite its energy, shows the visual drawbacks of anonymous dance acts appearing in person. They'd been bubbling around the lower reaches of the charts for a while, but those perennial Radio 2 favourites Deacon Blue finally make it on to the show with what is for me their best hit by miles, and certainly the most energetic. Quite a lively performance as well, but despite his best efforts Ricky Ross doesn't really convince as a charismatic frontman, and most of their output would prove to be as dull as ditchwater. Enya makes it to the top, and we can enjoy the technical wizardry of the video without the studio bits interrupting this time.
I thought that Royal House were trying to dance like Yazz. If not, then they were all certainly as tall as her, like three giants on stage, and probably the tallest ever people to appear in the TOTP studio. I would not put Kylie Minogue beside them on the same stage, as we probably would not be able to see her among the trio.
DeleteThis performance also demonstrates where the show was heading, not just in music style, but also as I have mentioned before, in the TOTP studio audience being reduced to silhouettes instead of people with faces, and you could only be seen if you were next to the presenters presenting each song, otherwise forget telling your friends you were on the show. Stark contrast to the 60s, 70s and early 80s where the camera would focus just as much on the studio audience's fashion and dancing as the performers on stage.
Angelo's heading to this show made me laugh as it reminded me of "An Audience With Billy Connolly" where, at one point, he berated songwriters writing about places they'd never visited, exhibit A being a song called "The Blue Misty Hills of Tyree", said place being apparently as flat as a pancake!
ReplyDeleteHi xrayfour! Have you got the following 70's shows that I've asked Anonymous for and he hasn't got. They are 20/09/73, 4/10/73, 14/02/74 and (a long shot this) 6/06/74. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteNo 06/06/74. I've reconstructed 14/02/74 using some of GJB's clips. The watermark is not too bad on them apart from Paper Lace where he used a very large GJB for some reason:
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-vNpL4bsGtO
Brilliant, xrayfour! Many thanks. I didn't think you'd have 6/06/74, but it was worth asking.
DeletePoor Simon, lumbered with the very definition of dreadful. Why announce when you can screech?
ReplyDeleteMilli Vanilli with “Girl You Know It’s Mimed”, complete with that annoying “aye” in the backing loop.
The breakers, so soon and before the early mugshots? Makes a change, I suppose.
Anthearse makes a complete balls-up of the first breakers link, announcing someone called Tatita Tanita Tikaram. Why not go the whole hog and call her Chicken Tikaram, you loser? Then we get an oh so arty and pretentious video for a sub-Leonard Cohen navel study.
My mum’s always liked this Robert Palmer song, but why wasn’t Robert standing up like his backing vocalists? Lazy sod.
A long slice of a breaker for a change – a breaker, the highest new entry at number 11??? – as we get a Kylie-style massive budget video for Yazz’s lesser follow-up.
It’s the Talking Cock! On top of old Joanna, and not for the first time in his life, I’ll wager. At last I can understand the lyrics! I was most taken with the gurning guitarist who I know as Keith Beauvais, last on the show accompanying Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle’s “Diamond Lights”.
Royal House with “Can You Start The Tune?”. It’s no “We Call It Acieed”, is it? Now that was a classic.
Mid-mugshots, and no mention by Simon of the title of Jolly Roger’s hit, “Acid Man”.
Simon was happy to see Deacon Blue, and I’d have been happier to be Lorraine as lead singer instead of Plug... er, Ricky Ross. “I’ll do what I should have did” indeed. Much preferred “Dignity” myself.
Late mugshots and, again, Simon’s averse to mentioning acid / acieed in the rundown. Pathetic, really.
Then we get arguably the first ambient number one. Wombling free! Was her follow-up the Christmas knees-up “Enya Old Iron”?
We finish with yet another studio turn repeat outro. We’re on a roll here. Reminds me of the halcyon days of the late 70’s when the show started eight shows out of nine with a plugged single which failed to chart (Sunfighter, anyone?).
Hi Anonymous! Have you got the following original archive shows from the 70's? They are 22/11/73, 25/12/74, 23/12/75 and 21/10/76. Cheers!
ReplyDeletehi brie, here are three eps, don't have 22.11.73 although checking files i have a copy it's got a timecode bar blurred out i think,35mins long you may already have that, if not let me know.
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-IIsvqJjaEt
Thanks also from me for the shows Anonymous. My copy of 22/11/73 has the timecode. Could you share your copy with the blurred timecode please?
DeleteGreat stuff, Anonymous! Many thanks. Like xrayfour, I haven't got the blurred timecode either, so could you upload it for us please?
Deletehere is 221173
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-5iHCTThSYe
Thank you!
DeleteThanks from me too!
DeleteI can confirm 'Burn It Up' wasn't a video as the play-out track, the only time that the "promo video" made its appearance was as a breaker, it is a repeat performance from the 13/10/1988 episode, it follows 'Wee Rule' and 'Love, Truth & Honestly' as play-out tracks in previous TOTP episodes into October '88.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a uninterrupted episode run from August, September, October, and then forthcoming we'll reach the November '88 episodes in the coming two weeks. The following TOTP episodes will get the unedited feel in 1989 which is Roachford (19/01/89), The Bangles (22/06/89) and lastly Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt (23/11/89) with their 'Don't Know Much'.
UK Gold did show the 10/08/1989 episode, in which I haven't got in my collection, i'll be pleased that it will be shown on BBC4 this time next year.
After Caron Keating’s debut last week we get Anthea ‘Flake; Turner this week. Have to say I prefer Caron’s less frantic approach.
ReplyDeleteMilli Vanilli – Girl you know its true – Skipped this.
Art of Noise and Tom Jones – Kiss – I probably prefer this version to Prince’s falsetto effort and that piano was great for performing on – who needs a stage?
Royal House – Can you party – They flew over for this?
Breakers – Tanika Tikaram – Anthea had a bit of trouble pronouncing this. Don’t recall it. Robert Palmer – Bob’s swapped the glam girl band for an orchestra! Nice song though. Yazz – Energetic follow up.
Deacon Blue – Real Gone Kid – Lorraine McIntosh looking nice in her Kim Wilde style outfit and the song is an upbeat treat too.
Enya – Orinoco Flow – Well deserved no1 and
a big relief after the last two. The album ‘Water Sign’ would herald a trio of sublime releases.
Beatmasters / PP Arnold – Burn it up – I thought we’d seen the last of this but no. Bye.
It's interesting that people were still flying in from the States to appear on TOTP, such as Royal House. I guess we were not far off from the point where this practice came to an end, but TOTP was somehow still attracting performers to fly in for performing on it.
Deletesct - Enya's album was actually called Watermark, but I agree that it's a good 'un!
ReplyDeleteHere it is - the dreaded appearance of one of the worst TOTP presenters of all time, messing up links and shrieking all the way.
ReplyDeleteMilli Vanilli - I genuinely loved their album that this came from, it's such a shame that they became scapegoats for something not exactly unusual in the music biz, and with tragic consequences too. This to me is still a great single, though the shrieking crowd meant that you can't always hear it.
Breakers - All good for once, blimey!
AON / Tom Jones - A great cover version which I prefer to the original. When I went to see him record an edition of his ITV show in 1992 he also sang it brilliantly.
Royal House - Todd Terry's TOTP debut, and he'd return in various guises in the future. I love my house music so was pleased to see this one, even though there wasn't much they could do with the performance.
Deacon Blue - One of their most overplayed songs so although I still don't mind it, I prefer some of their lesser hits now.
Was it just me, but Anthea Turner’s voice really grated...
ReplyDeleteMilli vanilli - bad miming... oops.
Early breakers... twist ok, palmer dull, then yazz follow up - number 2 - wow, don’t remember it at all.
Art of noise - this has certainly stayed in the public domain considering how minimal it is.
Royal House - let it play in the hope something would happen... it didn’t. Hardly worth blowing in for.
Deacon blue - another tune that has stood the test of time. Tapped my toe to it.
No, Charlie, it wasn't just you. Potentially another 20 episides of the sound of nails down a blackboard to endure.
DeleteAnd here comes Little Miss Try Hard to the roster of presenters that should have never have been allowed near a TOTP studio.
ReplyDeleteWOW that was one hell of an edit into Miming Vanilli. What is going on?
The crowd seem to be enjoying this rather more than I am. Decent enough song. Not as good at dancing as I remember, it's quiet a lame routine.
They won a Grammy for this?? Was it a light year?
Breakers: already?
CALM THE FUCK DOWN ANTHEA...
Tanita Tikakatikaram back with a slow number. Its OK. I don't mind it at all and a different video.
I like this Robert Palmer song. Suits his singing style. Classy video as well.
Yazz back (STOP SHOUTING ANTHEA) and in a smiley acid house video. Not a patch on TOWIU but pleasant radio fodder.
Art of Noise recruit Tom Jones for an amazing cover of the Prince song Kiss.
Whoever came up with this idea deserves a medal! Absolute genius and is this a live vocal from Sir Tom? Certainly been rerecorded if not. Superb.
Can someone please take away Antheas smarties! BREATHE WOMAN!
Royal House up next. Great in a dance floor, rubbish is the studio and on the radio. FF. Antheas already left for the party.
Deacon Blue. Hooray. Finally they get a shot at the Pops. Well deserved it is too. So many great songs. A copy of their greatest hits is a must have record.
Enya at the top. Quite right too and the video this week which is beautifully made. I didn't mention it last week but thought I should as its a great piece of work. You almost need both the song and video together as they match so well.
Another edit after the number one?
And a chance to see the Beatmasters performance I missed. I must admit this sounds rather good blasting out the TV. Gonna change my opinion of this from OK to LIKE!
What did Boy Mayo do to deserve ANTHEA this week. Poor lad.
Anthea does admittedly throw herself into eveything she does but she's just not very good at any of them and hugely annoying to watch.
I did see her on an episode of Never Mind The Buzzcocks a few years ago (during her Cadbury wedding/ House cleaning years) and she was as equally OTT as herself as she was presenting but she did stick up for herself so fair play to her.