Do you really want to hurt me? I'm thinking you do, Limahl. I'm thinking you do...
March 23, 2009 11:15 AM Subscribe
1980s pop music hasbeen + swing big band = OMIGOD NO MAKE IT STOP.
Man, Richard Cheese is gonna be pissed.
posted by boo_radley at 11:23 AM on March 23, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 11:23 AM on March 23, 2009 [5 favorites]
I instantly distrust any promo video that opens with "Ever wondered what would happened if ..." narration and I, uh, ... this thing, it confuses me.
posted by joe lisboa at 11:24 AM on March 23, 2009
posted by joe lisboa at 11:24 AM on March 23, 2009
Funny thing is, Limahl doesn't LOOK as though he's been doing tons & tons of drugs for the past 20 years & has just got cured & hence this... does he?
posted by Jody Tresidder at 11:25 AM on March 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Jody Tresidder at 11:25 AM on March 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
....and, stupid stupid humans continue to mistakenly use the word flamboyant as a positive adjective for the 80's.
On the bright side, this post helped me discover the 'ouch' tag, which is like having a nice and handy list of Internet trainwrecks.
posted by mannequito at 11:25 AM on March 23, 2009
On the bright side, this post helped me discover the 'ouch' tag, which is like having a nice and handy list of Internet trainwrecks.
posted by mannequito at 11:25 AM on March 23, 2009
I was surprised to learn that this post wasn't about the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
posted by box at 11:26 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by box at 11:26 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
The Nineties! They do nothing!
posted by Jofus at 11:26 AM on March 23, 2009 [20 favorites]
posted by Jofus at 11:26 AM on March 23, 2009 [20 favorites]
After a long decline, the singer eventually rejoined his original group in early 2008. Along with the original four instrumental members, he toured Europe...
Say what you like about ABBA... at least when they broke up, they stayed broken up.
If The Smiths can hang on to their broken-up-ness, I'd vote them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for that achievement alone.
posted by Joe Beese at 11:29 AM on March 23, 2009
Say what you like about ABBA... at least when they broke up, they stayed broken up.
If The Smiths can hang on to their broken-up-ness, I'd vote them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for that achievement alone.
posted by Joe Beese at 11:29 AM on March 23, 2009
I think Limahl would have been exiled from Special X by Generalissimo Stacio Ortega.
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 11:29 AM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 11:29 AM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
You haven't heard the songs of the 80's until you've heard them Frank's way.
posted by PlusDistance at 11:31 AM on March 23, 2009
posted by PlusDistance at 11:31 AM on March 23, 2009
Hey, even Paul Anka has already covered this ground. Think about it Limahl... even PAUL ANKA is more cutting edge and relevant than you. Paul. Anka.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:33 AM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by miss lynnster at 11:33 AM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
I'm with you box, I almost gave this a pass as being Brian Setzerfilter, screw that.
posted by Keith Talent at 11:34 AM on March 23, 2009
posted by Keith Talent at 11:34 AM on March 23, 2009
A little like Max Raabe and Palast Orchester
Oops I Did it Again, for example
posted by jfrancis at 11:53 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
Oops I Did it Again, for example
posted by jfrancis at 11:53 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
A little known fact of the 80s was that Limahl and Michael Jackson had an unreleased duet. It was called "Too Shy to Beat It".
posted by netbros at 11:57 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by netbros at 11:57 AM on March 23, 2009 [4 favorites]
"Limahl And His Swing Orchestra" -- never have five words made me shudder and laugh so hard at the same time.
posted by scody at 11:58 AM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by scody at 11:58 AM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
Hey, even Paul Anka has already covered this ground. Think about it Limahl... even PAUL ANKA is more cutting edge and relevant than you. Paul. Anka.
I was just about to say this. I also have to say that the arrangements of Paul Anka's album are stunningly good, in some ways they're recompositions of the original songs, and I take my hat off to the arrangers. From what I can tell from this ad these just don't seem quite as good, more like straight ahead swing arrangements. I know it's Lamahl and his swing orchestra but if you are going to arrange pop songs for big band then you might as well go for it in the way that they did for Rock Swings.
posted by ob at 12:01 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I was just about to say this. I also have to say that the arrangements of Paul Anka's album are stunningly good, in some ways they're recompositions of the original songs, and I take my hat off to the arrangers. From what I can tell from this ad these just don't seem quite as good, more like straight ahead swing arrangements. I know it's Lamahl and his swing orchestra but if you are going to arrange pop songs for big band then you might as well go for it in the way that they did for Rock Swings.
posted by ob at 12:01 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
This is weird and sort of heartbreaking. I can't imagine having that kind of (limited) adulation for a couple of songs, and not being able to reinvent oneself successfully afterwards. It reminds me of Tom Keifer.
posted by HopperFan at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by HopperFan at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009
A new record! The youtube video only played for five seconds before I pushed the go-away button.
posted by digsrus at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by digsrus at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Also, it's quite interesting, historically, to hear Soft Cell's Tainted Love arranged for Big Band when the original Gloria Jones version was closer to the medium. Sort of like musical Chinese Whispers (Telephone).
posted by ob at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by ob at 12:03 PM on March 23, 2009
Wait a minute, two comments and I haven't said: "Lamal and His Swing Orchestra = hahahahaha!!!" Sorry, I really did mean to!
posted by ob at 12:05 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by ob at 12:05 PM on March 23, 2009
I've heard Abba's getting back together.
I prefer Richard Cheese, but I was really looking forward to seeing Trent Reznor mellow out & do lounge versions.
I only found out a couple of years ago that Limahl was a guy, then a friend emphasized the past tense of that, just to mess with me, maybe.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:29 PM on March 23, 2009
I prefer Richard Cheese, but I was really looking forward to seeing Trent Reznor mellow out & do lounge versions.
I only found out a couple of years ago that Limahl was a guy, then a friend emphasized the past tense of that, just to mess with me, maybe.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:29 PM on March 23, 2009
I was just about to say this. I also have to say that the arrangements of Paul Anka's album are stunningly good, in some ways they're recompositions of the original songs, and I take my hat off to the arrangers.
See, here's the thing... Paul Anka hired many of the best career jazz guys in Los Angeles for that cd. Seriously great talents. They could reinvent any arrangement and swing it, and many of them *are* the people who played with Sinatra and Basie and such... they're the real deal. Full time serious jazz guys in search of a paycheck.
But from what I see on their website, the orchestra here simply offers a "classy" experience to people who will hire them... just promising to mirror the styles of famous musicians who "lent their talents to a style of music that evokes a world of elegance and sophistication." There's no biography on any of the musicians, so they aren't offering up their own musical accomplishments/identities or claiming to offer originality. They're just copying what they think the style is.
And stayin' classy.
posted by miss lynnster at 12:38 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
See, here's the thing... Paul Anka hired many of the best career jazz guys in Los Angeles for that cd. Seriously great talents. They could reinvent any arrangement and swing it, and many of them *are* the people who played with Sinatra and Basie and such... they're the real deal. Full time serious jazz guys in search of a paycheck.
But from what I see on their website, the orchestra here simply offers a "classy" experience to people who will hire them... just promising to mirror the styles of famous musicians who "lent their talents to a style of music that evokes a world of elegance and sophistication." There's no biography on any of the musicians, so they aren't offering up their own musical accomplishments/identities or claiming to offer originality. They're just copying what they think the style is.
And stayin' classy.
posted by miss lynnster at 12:38 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Someone delete this FPP before it gets to the children! Won't someone think of the children?!
posted by JeffK at 12:39 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by JeffK at 12:39 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
monospace: "Doesn't sound all that bad, actually."
Is it real? Looks like a satire on the same type of things sold to aged "Greatest Generation" types on late night TV in the 70s and 80s.. making the new sounds of their kids and grand-kids rock and roll palatable to the ear.
posted by stbalbach at 12:40 PM on March 23, 2009
Is it real? Looks like a satire on the same type of things sold to aged "Greatest Generation" types on late night TV in the 70s and 80s.. making the new sounds of their kids and grand-kids rock and roll palatable to the ear.
posted by stbalbach at 12:40 PM on March 23, 2009
jfrancis has it.
Max Raabe & der Palast Orkester: Let's talk About Sex. Tainted Love (really). Sex Bomb.
posted by mwhybark at 12:43 PM on March 23, 2009 [6 favorites]
Max Raabe & der Palast Orkester: Let's talk About Sex. Tainted Love (really). Sex Bomb.
posted by mwhybark at 12:43 PM on March 23, 2009 [6 favorites]
Haven't given His Never Ending Story-ness a thought for years. And out of the blue I used him to flavor a joke earlier today at work. Only to get home and see this; Limahl, in my life, twice in a day. I need a drink.
posted by Glee at 12:47 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by Glee at 12:47 PM on March 23, 2009
I'm going to file this in the (gigantic) "stuff that isn't for me, but I don't begrudge for existing" section. I'd rather have this guy doing this than, I don't know, eating raccoon brains with other 80's has-beens some reality show.
"Too Shy" was the bomb. Limahl has earned a little slack.
posted by dirtdirt at 12:48 PM on March 23, 2009
"Too Shy" was the bomb. Limahl has earned a little slack.
posted by dirtdirt at 12:48 PM on March 23, 2009
Limahl just vomited on my adolescence....
Coming up - a fantastic new collaboration between Tears for Fears and Kanye West!
posted by conifer at 12:49 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Coming up - a fantastic new collaboration between Tears for Fears and Kanye West!
posted by conifer at 12:49 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Yep, it takes a really full-throated, hearty-voiced belter like Limahl to stand up to a big band.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:51 PM on March 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:51 PM on March 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
Uh...never heard of him - so I guess that's that.
posted by mygoditsbob at 12:54 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by mygoditsbob at 12:54 PM on March 23, 2009
See, here's the thing... Paul Anka hired many of the best career jazz guys in Los Angeles for that cd. Seriously great talents.
Yeah, and I guess Paul Anka being Paul Anka could do this, but that's the thing. It shows. On the first listening. If you're going to do this, then hire the best arrangers in town and the best band in town. And that's not what this is. It's, like you say, an evening of being 'classy'. Actually I see from the website that they even cover Paul Anka's cover of Jump! Wow.
posted by ob at 1:00 PM on March 23, 2009
Yeah, and I guess Paul Anka being Paul Anka could do this, but that's the thing. It shows. On the first listening. If you're going to do this, then hire the best arrangers in town and the best band in town. And that's not what this is. It's, like you say, an evening of being 'classy'. Actually I see from the website that they even cover Paul Anka's cover of Jump! Wow.
posted by ob at 1:00 PM on March 23, 2009
monospace: "Doesn't sound all that bad, actually."
You need to get out more often.
posted by DaddyNewt at 1:02 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
You need to get out more often.
posted by DaddyNewt at 1:02 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
On preview it sort of sounds like I'm arguing with you miss lynnster, which I'm not. I'm just sad that this exists.
posted by ob at 1:02 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by ob at 1:02 PM on March 23, 2009
See, this could have worked so much better. Especially "The Power Of Love" - that would make for a GREAT big band arrangement, with the horn section punching out those famous chords. But no, instead, it sounds more like they took stock swing music beds and laid the lyrics over them. For an example of how cool this kind of thing can be, check out Paul Anka's arrangement of "Jump" on "Rock Swings". It's both tongue-in-cheek and a reverent homage.
posted by scrowdid at 1:04 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by scrowdid at 1:04 PM on March 23, 2009
Ooops, Anka's been covered and I missed it. Well, carry on then.
posted by scrowdid at 1:05 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by scrowdid at 1:05 PM on March 23, 2009
You know, I'm tired of ironic covers. It's one of the cheapest shots available, aimed at the part of the audience whose interest in music extends to Having Heard This Before. If you're going to do it, at least make like Senor Coconut and play something worth listening to in its own right: if your contribution to music is based on the idea that woodwinds are amusing, you need to work on it some more.
I'm looking at you, Max Raabe.
posted by ghost of a past number at 1:07 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm looking at you, Max Raabe.
posted by ghost of a past number at 1:07 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
You know, I'm tired of ironic covers.
Normally, I'd agree with you there, but I suspect that Limahl isn't trying to be ironic.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:17 PM on March 23, 2009
Normally, I'd agree with you there, but I suspect that Limahl isn't trying to be ironic.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:17 PM on March 23, 2009
and I must admit having a penchant for Nouvelle Vague.
must be those whispery, Frenchy girly vocals.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:19 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
must be those whispery, Frenchy girly vocals.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:19 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
No tribute paid to the greatest Christmas Album of all time? You see, Billy Idol is the man in charge of holiday music at his family gatherings, and thought that after his comeback album of the prior year, he should show some good cheer and record classics in a classy way. His gift to you, the fan of .. something. At least, that's what the liner notes imply.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:24 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by filthy light thief at 1:24 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
must be those whispery, Frenchy girly vocals.
I was a bit surprised when I learned that the French girly vocals are not actually "nouvelle vague". They are hired singers who are swapped out every so often for others.
It's a bit of a disappointment when you see them live and they are not the ones you wanted to hear.
I'm impressed by the Neverchanging Haircut. The music not so much.
posted by srboisvert at 1:36 PM on March 23, 2009
I was a bit surprised when I learned that the French girly vocals are not actually "nouvelle vague". They are hired singers who are swapped out every so often for others.
It's a bit of a disappointment when you see them live and they are not the ones you wanted to hear.
I'm impressed by the Neverchanging Haircut. The music not so much.
posted by srboisvert at 1:36 PM on March 23, 2009
OMIGOD NO MAKE IT STOP.
It won't it's Neverending. If only he was too shy shy. Hush hush, eye to eye.
Another casualty on the road of: Irrelevant? Make a "swing" album!
posted by chococat at 1:40 PM on March 23, 2009
It won't it's Neverending. If only he was too shy shy. Hush hush, eye to eye.
Another casualty on the road of: Irrelevant? Make a "swing" album!
posted by chococat at 1:40 PM on March 23, 2009
If you're going to do it, at least make like Senor Coconut and play something worth listening to in its own right
Senor Coconut is pretty soulless and bland, itself. All ironic music is soulless.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:42 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Senor Coconut is pretty soulless and bland, itself. All ironic music is soulless.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:42 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
They are hired singers who are swapped out every so often for others.
Maybe they're the nouvelle part of the act. The band itself is just vague.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2009
Maybe they're the nouvelle part of the act. The band itself is just vague.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2009
Spandau Ballet's also reuniting. Whether they're going out on tour with a swing band, God only knows.
posted by blucevalo at 1:53 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by blucevalo at 1:53 PM on March 23, 2009
"Doesn't sound all that bad, actually."
It's cringe-worthy.
posted by wsg at 1:54 PM on March 23, 2009
It's cringe-worthy.
posted by wsg at 1:54 PM on March 23, 2009
and I must admit having a penchant for Nouvelle Vague. must be those whispery, Frenchy girly vocals.
For me, it's more than that. The whole production is well done, making it more than pretty vocal versions of songs I know. And if you're a DJ looking for a good re-make of Bela Lugosi's Dead, Air Bureau has a bootleg remix of the Nouvelle Vague cover which was a favorite of mine. Covers don't have to be dreadful.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:00 PM on March 23, 2009
For me, it's more than that. The whole production is well done, making it more than pretty vocal versions of songs I know. And if you're a DJ looking for a good re-make of Bela Lugosi's Dead, Air Bureau has a bootleg remix of the Nouvelle Vague cover which was a favorite of mine. Covers don't have to be dreadful.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:00 PM on March 23, 2009
God, can we please let that horrific decade die already....
posted by jonmc at 2:15 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by jonmc at 2:15 PM on March 23, 2009
Thought it was going to be the Stray Cats guy, but this is worse.
posted by Zambrano at 2:18 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by Zambrano at 2:18 PM on March 23, 2009
Bah. Music from the '90s is muzak at Walgreens now, so this isn't a surprise. I get updated on trendy music by Weird Al anyway.
I didn't see all of the musicians, but they look young enough to have been toddlers while these songs were hot. Of course it's old people music.
What is this thread, the '80's preservation society?
posted by lysdexic at 2:33 PM on March 23, 2009
I didn't see all of the musicians, but they look young enough to have been toddlers while these songs were hot. Of course it's old people music.
What is this thread, the '80's preservation society?
posted by lysdexic at 2:33 PM on March 23, 2009
"All ironic music is soulless."
I disagree. On Zappa's Fillmore East June 1971, Flo and Eddie sing "Happy Together" with a lot of soul in a completely ironic context.
posted by krinklyfig at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2009
I disagree. On Zappa's Fillmore East June 1971, Flo and Eddie sing "Happy Together" with a lot of soul in a completely ironic context.
posted by krinklyfig at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2009
Limahl, along with a-ha and Spandau Ballet, were your chief '80s providers of watered-down Ferry-tinkle. Too bad to see him backed by a lame swing orchestra, a full 11 years too late to cash in alongside the likes of Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Brian Setzer.
Thanks for hipping me to the Billy Idol Xmas LP, which is one cheap-looking product that looks like it could be hawked on QVC. C'mon, Zapf Chancery?
posted by porn in the woods at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2009
Thanks for hipping me to the Billy Idol Xmas LP, which is one cheap-looking product that looks like it could be hawked on QVC. C'mon, Zapf Chancery?
posted by porn in the woods at 2:40 PM on March 23, 2009
I'm going to pretend that I never saw this. I'm going back to the pretty wave pictures now.
You owe me exactly ten minutes of future Awesome on this here channel, Miss Lynnster.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 2:47 PM on March 23, 2009
You owe me exactly ten minutes of future Awesome on this here channel, Miss Lynnster.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 2:47 PM on March 23, 2009
So, we have our own lounge singer now, eh?
Love the way his hair refers back to his youthfully magnificent 'do without admitting anything about the years in between.
truthfully, when I heard the opening pitch, I really hoped this was a joke. nope. Limahl's really a lounge singer now. imagine that.
posted by batmonkey at 3:07 PM on March 23, 2009
Love the way his hair refers back to his youthfully magnificent 'do without admitting anything about the years in between.
truthfully, when I heard the opening pitch, I really hoped this was a joke. nope. Limahl's really a lounge singer now. imagine that.
posted by batmonkey at 3:07 PM on March 23, 2009
Spandau Ballet's also reuniting.
They were my first concert. Masonic Temple (Concert Hall, now MTV) circa 1983.
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game.
posted by chococat at 3:26 PM on March 23, 2009
They were my first concert. Masonic Temple (Concert Hall, now MTV) circa 1983.
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game.
posted by chococat at 3:26 PM on March 23, 2009
God, can we please let that horrific decade die already....
Hey, there was plenty of good music in the 80s - Sonic Youth, the Birthday Party, Pere Ubu, Joy Division, Bauhaus, the Fall, REM, the Jam, Magazine, Wall of Voodoo, X, Oingo Boingo, Laurie Anderson, Dead Kennedys, the Cramps, Dinosaur Jr, Ministry, Killing Joke, Violent Femmes, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Gang of Four, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, They Might be Giants, the Church, the Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Suicidal Tendencies, Butthole Surfers, Kate Bush, the Gun Club, Cocteau Twins, the Pogues, Billy Bragg, Echo & the Bunnymen... hell, even the Stone Roses & Faith No More were OK.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:36 PM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
Hey, there was plenty of good music in the 80s - Sonic Youth, the Birthday Party, Pere Ubu, Joy Division, Bauhaus, the Fall, REM, the Jam, Magazine, Wall of Voodoo, X, Oingo Boingo, Laurie Anderson, Dead Kennedys, the Cramps, Dinosaur Jr, Ministry, Killing Joke, Violent Femmes, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Gang of Four, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, They Might be Giants, the Church, the Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Suicidal Tendencies, Butthole Surfers, Kate Bush, the Gun Club, Cocteau Twins, the Pogues, Billy Bragg, Echo & the Bunnymen... hell, even the Stone Roses & Faith No More were OK.
posted by UbuRoivas at 3:36 PM on March 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
"You asked me once, what was in Room 101. I told you that you knew the answer already. Everyone knows it. The thing that is in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world."
Do it to Julia.... DO IT TO JULIAAAAA!!!/
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 3:45 PM on March 23, 2009
Do it to Julia.... DO IT TO JULIAAAAA!!!/
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 3:45 PM on March 23, 2009
truthfully, when I heard the opening pitch, I really hoped this was a joke. nope. Limahl's really a lounge singer now. imagine that.
To tell the truth, I hope he's sincere. The last thing thing the world needs is another ironic lounge singer.
posted by jonmc at 3:46 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
To tell the truth, I hope he's sincere. The last thing thing the world needs is another ironic lounge singer.
posted by jonmc at 3:46 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
No tribute paid to the greatest Christmas Album of all time?
With a rebel yell, dude!
posted by Halloween Jack at 3:49 PM on March 23, 2009
With a rebel yell, dude!
posted by Halloween Jack at 3:49 PM on March 23, 2009
Hey, there was plenty of good music in the 80s - Sonic Youth, the Birthday Party, Pere Ubu, Joy Division, Bauhaus, the Fall, REM, the Jam, Magazine, Wall of Voodoo, X, Oingo Boingo, Laurie Anderson, Dead Kennedys, the Cramps, Dinosaur Jr, Ministry, Killing Joke, Violent Femmes, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Gang of Four, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, They Might be Giants, the Church, the Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Suicidal Tendencies, Butthole Surfers, Kate Bush, the Gun Club, Cocteau Twins, the Pogues, Billy Bragg, Echo & the Bunnymen... hell, even the Stone Roses & Faith No More were OK, but best of all was Jefferson Starship.
We fixed that for ya! We fixed that for ya on rooock and roooooll!
posted by stavrogin at 3:52 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
We fixed that for ya! We fixed that for ya on rooock and roooooll!
posted by stavrogin at 3:52 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I want to forget the 80's, but there's always something there to remind me.
posted by homunculus at 4:04 PM on March 23, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by homunculus at 4:04 PM on March 23, 2009 [7 favorites]
I see your Richard Cheese and raise you Gilbert and Sullivan.
posted by erniepan at 4:16 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by erniepan at 4:16 PM on March 23, 2009
but best of all was Jefferson Starship.
"Stranger" was actually not bad. (Better than anything Limahl and Kajagoogoo came up with) (and in terms of rock lineage and credibilty..Mickey Thomas sang lead on "Fooled Around & Fell In Love" by Elvin Bishop who was in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band who also featured Mike Bloomfield who played lead guitar on "Like A Rolling Stone". and Gracie was well, Gracie...which kinda leaves the fluffhaired synthpoppers in the dust, I'm afraid.)
posted by jonmc at 4:17 PM on March 23, 2009
"Stranger" was actually not bad. (Better than anything Limahl and Kajagoogoo came up with) (and in terms of rock lineage and credibilty..Mickey Thomas sang lead on "Fooled Around & Fell In Love" by Elvin Bishop who was in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band who also featured Mike Bloomfield who played lead guitar on "Like A Rolling Stone". and Gracie was well, Gracie...which kinda leaves the fluffhaired synthpoppers in the dust, I'm afraid.)
posted by jonmc at 4:17 PM on March 23, 2009
I can't necessarily stand in defense of other members of Kajagoogoo (including Limahl), but bass player Nick Beggs is a talented and strange dude.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:25 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:25 PM on March 23, 2009
As in so many other things threads, 'Weird' Al Yankovic DU was there first.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 PM on March 23, 2009
I liked it. Go to hell.
posted by cerulgalactus at 5:09 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by cerulgalactus at 5:09 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I forgot Patti Smith, Blondie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, the Residents, Suicide and the Ramones.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:14 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:14 PM on March 23, 2009
Jazz manouche meets the 80's ... Pump Up The Jam by The Lost Fingers (name honoring guitarist Django Reinhardt and his crippled fingers)
posted by phoque at 5:34 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by phoque at 5:34 PM on March 23, 2009
If The Smiths can hang on to their broken-up-ness, I'd vote them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for that achievement alone.
Morrissey and Marr have been offered ridiculous sums of money many times to reform The Smiths, and have turned it down every time. The most recent offer was only 2 years ago or so. As far as the original four reuniting, I'd sooner expect The Beatles to reunite via re-animation technology. There was a bitter lawsuit over royalties in the mid-late 90s, and as a result Morrissey hates Mike Joyce and to a slightly lesser extent Andy Rourke with the fire of a thousand suns (his song "Sorrow Will Come In The End", which couldn't even be released in the UK due to libel laws, is about Joyce and the lawsuit). Morrissey and Marr plus two random guys on bass and drums is only slightly more likely. Husker Du will reunite before The Smiths do, i.e. the sun will go nova before the heat death of the universe.
posted by DecemberBoy at 6:05 PM on March 23, 2009
Morrissey and Marr have been offered ridiculous sums of money many times to reform The Smiths, and have turned it down every time. The most recent offer was only 2 years ago or so. As far as the original four reuniting, I'd sooner expect The Beatles to reunite via re-animation technology. There was a bitter lawsuit over royalties in the mid-late 90s, and as a result Morrissey hates Mike Joyce and to a slightly lesser extent Andy Rourke with the fire of a thousand suns (his song "Sorrow Will Come In The End", which couldn't even be released in the UK due to libel laws, is about Joyce and the lawsuit). Morrissey and Marr plus two random guys on bass and drums is only slightly more likely. Husker Du will reunite before The Smiths do, i.e. the sun will go nova before the heat death of the universe.
posted by DecemberBoy at 6:05 PM on March 23, 2009
After reading back through, I'm not getting the hate for '80s music (or the decade itself).
Sure, there were messed up things, but that's true for any decade/generation.
Some amazing music came out of those years, and a lot of what wasn't amazing was at least listenable. It was hardly the musical wasteland some make it out to be.
posted by batmonkey at 6:10 PM on March 23, 2009
Sure, there were messed up things, but that's true for any decade/generation.
Some amazing music came out of those years, and a lot of what wasn't amazing was at least listenable. It was hardly the musical wasteland some make it out to be.
posted by batmonkey at 6:10 PM on March 23, 2009
Limahl
You do realize that Limahl is an anagram of his surname (Christopher Hamill), right, right?
posted by ericb at 6:29 PM on March 23, 2009
You do realize that Limahl is an anagram of his surname (Christopher Hamill), right, right?
posted by ericb at 6:29 PM on March 23, 2009
DecemberBoy, so you're saying there's a chance....
posted by TwoWordReview at 6:30 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by TwoWordReview at 6:30 PM on March 23, 2009
I'm going to go ahead and like this thread because it links to Max Raabe and der Palast Orkester. I saw them last year and they're awesome - and incredibly entertaining. Listening to the covers in the middle of all that Weimar era jazz just reminds you how lame music is these days.
posted by smartyboots at 6:37 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by smartyboots at 6:37 PM on March 23, 2009
I'm going to go ahead and like this thread because it links to Max Raabe and der Palast Orkester.
What smartyboots said; never did I think a thread on Limahl would introduce me to something so freaking sublime as these guys.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:50 PM on March 23, 2009
What smartyboots said; never did I think a thread on Limahl would introduce me to something so freaking sublime as these guys.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:50 PM on March 23, 2009
A little known fact of the 80s was that Limahl and Michael Jackson had an unreleased duet. It was called "Too Shy to Beat It".
even littler known was the record he did with 2 live crew, "me neverending horny"
posted by pyramid termite at 8:30 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
even littler known was the record he did with 2 live crew, "me neverending horny"
posted by pyramid termite at 8:30 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Thirding the vote for Max Raabe. Wow.
posted by Michael Roberts at 9:08 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by Michael Roberts at 9:08 PM on March 23, 2009
I'm going to go ahead and like this thread because it links to Max Raabe and der Palast Orkester. -- smartyboots
What smartyboots said; never did I think a thread on Limahl would introduce me to something so freaking sublime as these guys. -- Felliniblank
Did you see the FPP about instruments involving fire some time ago? Some genius -- I can't find who -- posted a link to a youtube clip with the simple comment, "Here's a video of 'Oops, I Did It Again' being played on flaming tuba."
Go look. Trust me.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:18 PM on March 23, 2009
What smartyboots said; never did I think a thread on Limahl would introduce me to something so freaking sublime as these guys. -- Felliniblank
Did you see the FPP about instruments involving fire some time ago? Some genius -- I can't find who -- posted a link to a youtube clip with the simple comment, "Here's a video of 'Oops, I Did It Again' being played on flaming tuba."
Go look. Trust me.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:18 PM on March 23, 2009
I was a big fan of Limahl, I was even about to trot out the anagram trivia bit before ericb beat me to it.
But. This.
I'm holding out hope that it's the most brilliant thing MadTV has done in 10 years.
posted by mmoncur at 9:59 PM on March 23, 2009
But. This.
I'm holding out hope that it's the most brilliant thing MadTV has done in 10 years.
posted by mmoncur at 9:59 PM on March 23, 2009
... ironic covers ...
I'm looking at you, Max Raabe.
posted by ghost of a past number at 1:07 PM on March 23 [1 favorite +] [!]
Dude, Raabe is neither ironic nor lame. He is, indubitably, resurrectionist, which may or may not be objectionable in that he's interested in the precise re-creation of a past, organically-generated sound. I suppose one's take on it might presumably apply to Don Byron's excavation of Raymond Scott, which I can't imagine being mistaken for ironic.
But what if Byron had decided to make the project (even more) accessible by working up Teen Spirit or Hey Mickey?
I still see no irony.
I'll go further and say even though it really has nothing at all to do with irony, it is also unlike rain on your wedding day.
posted by mwhybark at 11:11 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm looking at you, Max Raabe.
posted by ghost of a past number at 1:07 PM on March 23 [1 favorite +] [!]
Dude, Raabe is neither ironic nor lame. He is, indubitably, resurrectionist, which may or may not be objectionable in that he's interested in the precise re-creation of a past, organically-generated sound. I suppose one's take on it might presumably apply to Don Byron's excavation of Raymond Scott, which I can't imagine being mistaken for ironic.
But what if Byron had decided to make the project (even more) accessible by working up Teen Spirit or Hey Mickey?
I still see no irony.
I'll go further and say even though it really has nothing at all to do with irony, it is also unlike rain on your wedding day.
posted by mwhybark at 11:11 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Dude, Raabe is neither ironic nor lame. He is, indubitably, resurrectionist, which may or may not be objectionable in that he's interested in the precise re-creation of a past, organically-generated sound.,
I don't know, I guess then he hasn't been served well by radio around here. A couple of months ago, they just couldn't stop playing him for the lulz.
posted by ghost of a past number at 11:27 PM on March 23, 2009
I don't know, I guess then he hasn't been served well by radio around here. A couple of months ago, they just couldn't stop playing him for the lulz.
posted by ghost of a past number at 11:27 PM on March 23, 2009
UbuRoivas: "hell, even the Stone Roses & Faith No More were OK."
Faith No More weren't interesting until the 90's.
But Boingo... couldn't have existed outside of the 80's, and were worth every kajagoogoo.
posted by team lowkey at 11:34 PM on March 23, 2009
Faith No More weren't interesting until the 90's.
But Boingo... couldn't have existed outside of the 80's, and were worth every kajagoogoo.
posted by team lowkey at 11:34 PM on March 23, 2009
1980s pop music hasbeen + swing big band
I was expecting this one -- which I'm embarrassed to say, I actually quite like.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:38 AM on March 24, 2009
I was expecting this one -- which I'm embarrassed to say, I actually quite like.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:38 AM on March 24, 2009
What, no mention of Morty Okin's take on "Enter Sandman" and White Wedding?
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:08 AM on March 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:08 AM on March 24, 2009 [1 favorite]
"They were my first concert. Masonic Temple (Concert Hall, now MTV) circa 1983.
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game."
Not if I'm playing. Mine was... Air Supply.
(And if you count the time my mom took me to see Pat Boone at a free outdoor promo concert thing when I was four, I still lose!)
posted by litlnemo at 5:49 AM on March 24, 2009
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game."
Not if I'm playing. Mine was... Air Supply.
(And if you count the time my mom took me to see Pat Boone at a free outdoor promo concert thing when I was four, I still lose!)
posted by litlnemo at 5:49 AM on March 24, 2009
I find the Max Raabe really annoying.
Isn't he just Taco all over again?
posted by chococat at 6:29 AM on March 24, 2009
Isn't he just Taco all over again?
posted by chococat at 6:29 AM on March 24, 2009
Also, it's quite interesting, historically, to hear Soft Cell's Tainted Love arranged for Big Band when the original Gloria Jones version was closer to the medium.
For a better reworking of a Soft Cell tune try Marc Almond's own recording of Say Hello, Wave Goodbye with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Not ironic or bombastic, but thoughtful and well executed. Definitely has 'a soul' and stands up next to the original. In fact, Almond's vocal performance is better than on the original in my opinion.
posted by jonnyploy at 9:37 AM on March 24, 2009
For a better reworking of a Soft Cell tune try Marc Almond's own recording of Say Hello, Wave Goodbye with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Not ironic or bombastic, but thoughtful and well executed. Definitely has 'a soul' and stands up next to the original. In fact, Almond's vocal performance is better than on the original in my opinion.
posted by jonnyploy at 9:37 AM on March 24, 2009
"They were my first concert. Masonic Temple (Concert Hall, now MTV) circa 1983.
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game."
Not if I'm playing. Mine was... Air Supply.
Oh yeah? Try Pablo Cruise after a San Diego Soccers game.
My second concert was *actually* cool, though... Wall of Voodoo opening for English Beat. WOO HOO!
posted by miss lynnster at 10:47 AM on March 24, 2009
I always lose at the 'who had the coolest first concert' game."
Not if I'm playing. Mine was... Air Supply.
Oh yeah? Try Pablo Cruise after a San Diego Soccers game.
My second concert was *actually* cool, though... Wall of Voodoo opening for English Beat. WOO HOO!
posted by miss lynnster at 10:47 AM on March 24, 2009
they just couldn't stop playing him for the lulz
Fair enough. I guess I was just stick-poked by 'ironic.' Amusing and arch are not the same thing as irony.
posted by mwhybark at 11:07 AM on March 24, 2009
Fair enough. I guess I was just stick-poked by 'ironic.' Amusing and arch are not the same thing as irony.
posted by mwhybark at 11:07 AM on March 24, 2009
Methinks that some in this thread doth protest too much.
posted by Ynoxas at 12:31 PM on March 24, 2009
posted by Ynoxas at 12:31 PM on March 24, 2009
Sod it - I just idly went a-hunting for any print interviews with Limahl.
They're not worth linking, really, but unless he's a brilliant actor, the guy is sweet, rather a good sport, not insanely ambitious and pretty funny. Feel a bit bad for being snotty about him. A bit, anyway</small.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 3:31 PM on March 24, 2009
They're not worth linking, really, but unless he's a brilliant actor, the guy is sweet, rather a good sport, not insanely ambitious and pretty funny. Feel a bit bad for being snotty about him. A bit, anyway</small.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 3:31 PM on March 24, 2009
Not just a flaming tuba, EmpressCallipygos. A flaming sousaphone.
posted by queensissy at 10:30 PM on March 24, 2009
posted by queensissy at 10:30 PM on March 24, 2009
I was going to say what queensissy said.
A Queen correcting an Empress. How about that?
posted by yiftach at 11:53 AM on March 25, 2009
A Queen correcting an Empress. How about that?
posted by yiftach at 11:53 AM on March 25, 2009
Not just a flaming tuba, EmpressCallipygos. A flaming sousaphone.
Actually, the creator calls it a "tubatron".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:17 PM on March 28, 2009
Actually, the creator calls it a "tubatron".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:17 PM on March 28, 2009
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posted by DU at 11:21 AM on March 23, 2009