One Part Vinegar, One Part Chic, Two Parts Duran - One The Power Station

May 9, 2020 5:48 AM

1985 was a ridiculously strong year for music releases. One minor anniversary we missed was March 25, 1985 which saw the release of The Power Station. A supergroup with Robert Palmer, Chic drummer Tony Thompson, and Andy Taylor and John Taylor from Duran Duran, the conceived one-off project yielded several hit singles (one now considered a classic), some strong covers, and helped leapfrog Palmer's solo career into high gear. Side A: Some Like It Hot [video], Muderess, Lonely Tonight, Communication [video via DailyMotion]

Side B: Get It On (Bang A Gong) [video], Go To Zero, Harvest For The World, Still In Your Heart

Bonus b-sides:
Some Like It Hot And The Heat Is On
Communication (Special Club Mix)
We Fight For Love (AKA Someday, Somehow, Somebody's Got To Pay) [with Michael Des Barres on vocals]

Second Bonus:
The Power Station Video E.P. Part 1, Part 2. [15m total]

posted by hippybear (17 comments total)

Honestly I guess I always just thought Some Like it Hot was just a Robert Palmer song.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:14 AM on May 9, 2020 [3 favorites]

Another one that was everywhere during my college years!
Also: I love Robert Palmer with every inch of my being. He is definitely missed.
posted by sundrop at 6:44 AM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Power Station was one of my all-time fave cassettes, and I even got the "Get It On" EP record in late '85. Always regretted that it was just a "one off" project. Equally astounding was the other 3/5ths of Duran Duran forming Arcadia, with "Election Day."
posted by Quaversalis at 7:13 AM on May 9, 2020 [8 favorites]

I saw them on their tour that summer. Front row right in front of John Taylor, but sweaty Michael des Barres kept shaking his hair our way- ugh! At least that's the way I felt at 17! I think this album is where Andy Taylor shines. John does, too, but the rhythm section is the bomb!
posted by cherryflute at 7:56 AM on May 9, 2020

“Communication” is such an underrated song.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:03 AM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Bernard Edwards produced the album so you really had two parts Chic in the mix.

I really wish Duran Duran had found a way to just do a joint project with Thompson, Edwards, and Nile Rodgers but we got close with The Power Station and Notorious. Always sooo close.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:37 AM on May 9, 2020 [4 favorites]

I had tickets to see them that summer and then I caught mono and couldn't go. Still disappointed about that.
posted by JanetLand at 8:37 AM on May 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Excellent mix on the LP - it does thump and smack with the dynamics, that I can say.

Didn't know Palmer had passed on. :/
posted by buzzman at 8:54 AM on May 9, 2020

Palmer's Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley is a little-known but super good album.
posted by neuron at 12:08 PM on May 9, 2020

Had forgotten how much I loved this.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:21 PM on May 9, 2020

Had forgotten how much I loved this.

Me, too. I own The Power Station but hadn't listened to it for WEEKS until today.
posted by neuron at 2:46 PM on May 9, 2020 [3 favorites]

I have a contrary opinion and I'll just leave it at that. In the interests of fairness I will, however, take time this weekend to listen to the songs I don't already know!
posted by rhizome at 3:09 PM on May 9, 2020

I still kind of like their cover of Bang A Gong better than the original.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:32 PM on May 9, 2020 [7 favorites]

I always wondered what happened behind the scenes to make Robert Palmer go "Nope, I'm out" just before the tour.
posted by rednikki at 2:05 AM on May 10, 2020 [2 favorites]

Drummer Tony Thompson (originally of Chic) was amazing as part of Power Station. It was new to have such big sound in a musical landscape dominated by hair metal and drum synths.
posted by Otter_Handler at 4:58 AM on May 10, 2020

Palmer's Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley is a little-known but super good album.

Love that LP. Still know all the lyrics to the SaIlin’ Shoes (miss Lowell George too) > Hey Julia > SSTTA

Hmm, looks like the soundtrack to my chore filled Sunday is sorted.
posted by terrapin at 6:30 AM on May 10, 2020

I was hardcore into Duran Duran when this came out, and loved Power Station and Arcadia as well. I don't think The Power Station has held up as well as So Red the Rose, but I still give it a spin several times a year. This is an excellent trip down memory lane, thanks so much for the post.
posted by jzb at 1:36 PM on May 10, 2020 [1 favorite]