tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post4015684529310080562..comments2024-03-13T14:53:58.150-04:00Comments on MUSINGS OF A SCI-FI FANATIC: Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Welcome To The PleasuredomeSFFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-28890567821792393922023-03-31T18:21:31.746-04:002023-03-31T18:21:31.746-04:00What are you talking about? Holly Johnson always s...What are you talking about? Holly Johnson always seemed a bit odd, but he always came across as an intelligent person, the only one who said sensible things, whatever the subject. As for Rutherford, I think both his looks and his dancing skills are very overrated. Not to mention the fact that this supposed right hand man, who I think Holly was forced to take everywhere with him usually laughed, mocked him in the background with the band. I think if envy had hurt he would have been constantly shouting. Maruschanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-38655523495347121622012-02-04T20:55:09.993-05:002012-02-04T20:55:09.993-05:00Your thoughtful remarks on Thatcher had me reading...Your thoughtful remarks on Thatcher had me reading extensively on her today. What a woman. I wish we had leadership half as bold as her right now. <br /><br />Though many of the typical music and liberal types in her own country have derided her over the years she always prevailed and she never stood down. I think her legacy and how she is regarded today has somehow managed to overcome much of it. Both Reagan and Thatcher remain two of the greatest leaders of the last 50 years.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-17316550383760448062012-02-04T14:49:47.149-05:002012-02-04T14:49:47.149-05:00Jeremy,
Some well articulated additional commenta...Jeremy, <br />Some well articulated additional commentary here. I concur.<br /><br />I actually really look forward to seeing The Iron Lady as both a fan of Meryl Streep and Margaret Thatcher.<br /><br />I remember the period very well and I think you really wrote a particularly sharp snapshot of Thatcher's time in office. I remember very well how difficult it was for her as a leader of the Tory party in a country that tends to lean more toward Labor in general. <br /><br />She had a tough road to hoe when it came to making efforts to roll back social welfare policies and encourage business and enterprise. It is a fascinating period and I do look forward to seeing the film. I have heard both political sides on it and I have heard some positives from those that knew her or worked with her while others really don't want to see the film for whatever personal reasons with regard to their relationship with the political leader. <br /><br />Funny bit, I remember giving my wife, who we affectionately refer to here as The One To Be Pitied, a book on Margaret Thatcher one year for Christmas. Needless to say it was not one of my finer gift giving moments. : ) By the way, I have not done well in that department over the years [waste baskets, space heater, maggie thatcher book, etc...not good at all].<br /><br />Anyway, I too recall the power of that music video and the stir it had here in America because of the concern of the tensions between the US and Russia. As you so accurately reflected history has judged many of those policies quite well. Whatever anyone might have over the leadership by those two strong leaders, one can't deny the loyalty and sheer strength of union the two had in presiding over the dissolution of the Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics. I personally, especially now and today, based on the leadership we've seen since, also appreciate and respect what they did while in office. I couldn't agree more.<br /><br />It's funny Jeremy, but when you think about it, it's almost like Thatcher/ Reagan and Frankie Goes To Hollywood oddly go together. It was that powerful a moment. It was the ultimate snapshot in pop culture and politics intersecting in history at just the right moment.<br /><br />So many artists play it safe [or just can't play at all]. There was nothing safe about Welcome To The Pleasuredome. Cheers.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-2691801135018637642012-02-04T11:41:47.764-05:002012-02-04T11:41:47.764-05:00Sci Fi,
Reviewing the comments, I see where I mis...Sci Fi, <br />Reviewing the comments, I see where I mistakenly left out a very important reference when I wrote "However, the 7'' British single is different than the US version (it excludes the Russian flute melody in the instrumental break) and it saddens me to think what Americans are 'missing' without the Russian flute addition because it brings the video, concept and fear of a nuclear arms disaster a little bit closer to home...." I had failed to mention that the single in reference is "Two Tribes", not "Relax" as one might perceive. I got carried away thinking of the brilliant UK single version and how much joy it brings in comparison to the rather modest, American-friendly version, and forgot to mention the title! My apologies. Although I was 12 or so when the video made its run on MTV, I do recall a little backlash to Frankie's "Two Tribes" video. A few editorial media types were worried that the ring battle between Reagan & Gorbachev was an instigative capsule to war. History, as you know, proved otherwise. <br /><br />"Two Tribes" is a great segway for me to mention "The Iron Lady", a new documentary-film illustrating the political period of Margaret Thatcher. As an '80s buff,I can't recommend this film enough. Both the political left and the political right are passionate about the film's 'wrongs' which I'm not going to debate here. However, it captures the tense, timid vibe of the UK where most of the music you write about here came from. With inevitable nuclear fears and extreme social policy changes,it's fascinating to look beneath the surface of the new wave era to see what the political & social environments were that drove the creative artistry that became the new wave Eighties. I wonder if executives at ZTT Records tinkered with the idea of a Thatcher / Gorbachev match before casting Reagan? Reagan didn't face the battles against his own people as Thatcher did with the Brits and the Irish Republican Army. She was tough as railroad nails! One can only imagine the possibilities of a Frankie-themed Thatcher / Gorbachev fight.. As I age, I look back on the Thatcher / Reagan era and give thanks to God for their leadership. It brought about major changes to both UK and the US, emanicipating so many from dependency to self-actualization while giving birth to the greatest music of my lifetime. Perhaps I suffer from too much overindulgence as a result of history, I shall never forget that from within the bowels of turmoil and oppositions within our countries, so was born the spirit of new wave. And with that, I shall take Frankie's advice and relax.Jeremy Kennedy (Atlanta, GA)http://www.pmassistant.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-90696489708883165352012-02-04T08:45:00.171-05:002012-02-04T08:45:00.171-05:00Jeremy
Thanks for all the kind words. Glad you en...Jeremy<br /><br />Thanks for all the kind words. Glad you enjoy them. I enjoy putting them together.<br /><br />I've got another close to completion.<br /><br />I'm completely with you about the lyrics. They just leap out of the songs. They are so colorful and vibrant and Frankie really captured Holly at the height of his vocal prowess.<br /><br />I thought your input here was sensational so I'm going to add it to the comments. It's too good of a complement to the piece to pass up.<br /><br />I couldn't agree more with you on Hague and his attempt in coordination with Holly to make something big happen there. In fact, it's funny, I was in Scotland that summer and I remember the album being a relative success there. But, of course, non-existent here. I think there are some solid selections particularly Love Train as you note. I mean - what a great pop song.<br /><br />I also loved your input about Relax. I wanted to memorialize it here for visitors.<br /><br />Finally, people can say what they want about Reagan/ Thatcher but they presided over one of the most fertile periods in pop music. So much of today's music pales in comparison to the imagination of the music of that era.<br /><br />Cheers and thanks again Jeremy. By the way, good luck with the interviews and be sure to ask Thomas Dolby about his work with Prefab Sprout and his take on Paddy McAloon. He did a few albums with them as you know. Both Dolby and McAloon are big talents.<br /><br />Much thanks to Jeremy for sharing his own thoughts on the era.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-34353388944344825362012-02-04T08:42:53.291-05:002012-02-04T08:42:53.291-05:00Some terrific input from Jeremy who is a writer an...Some terrific input from Jeremy who is a writer and journalist in music in Atlanta:<br />****************************<br /><br />Nice to finally see 'you' outside of your Sci-Fi shell : )<br /> <br />Great article mate. I'm tickled at your analysis as you wrote "To be blunt, like an orgasm, these guys made things exciting even if but for a few minutes within the respective music timeline"...... What a brilliantly British line!<br /> <br />Ironically, I was just listening to the 13 minute rain-forest introduction two days ago, entering the Pleasure Dome to take a train ride to a worldly adventure more sinful than the Thunder Dome... "We're a long way from home", "On Our Way Home"... gosh I love to hear Holly assertively speak those lyrics from deep within. <br /> <br />"Relax", Frankie's only US-Top 40 single, has lost its luster over the years in the States. However, many FM radio stations and internet streams have picked up the album's secondary singles and re-introduced them to an audience thirsty for classic alternative as the genre earns its respect with the passing of time. However, the 7'' British single is different than the US version (it excludes the Russian flute melody in the instrumental break) and it saddens me to think what Americans are 'missing' without the Russian flute addition because it brings the video, concept and fear of a nuclear arms disaster a little bit closer to home....<br /> <br />"Blast" is a 'cute' experiment but I felt it was a 'sell-out' attempt. Trevor Horn never made a pop record; his albums are monumental masterpieces that inevitably spawns singles for the world to taste before hitting the 5-star buffet. "Blast" is a typical Hague production, full of life, catchy bass rhythms and complex synths. Following the lead of New Order, Siouxsie & the Banshees, and Jane Weidlin, Hague attempted to make Johnson a house-hold name without the Frankie shirt and it logistically failed. "Love Train" unfortunately didn't crack the Top 40 (stalling in the mid-50s if memory serves me correct) and "Blast" disappeared a few weeks thereafter. As a self proclaimed new wave enthusiast, I endorse "Love Train" as one of the best unknown tracks ever to be released in the Eighties. Every time I have an opportunity to play it, I proudly let it roll.... <br /> <br />Fantastic look at another pinnacle album from the Reagan / Thatcher years. Love your work!<br /> <br />I haven't scheduled the interview with Tom Bailey yet as I'll time it with Bailey's next IO release. I do however, have an interview coming with synth-vet Thomas Dolby, who coincidentally worked with Tom Bailey on the 1981 dance hit "In the Name of Love". Original Twin Matthew Seligman (bass) is a buddy of Dolby's so I'm going to drive a few questions toward the Thompson Twins that might surprise him in our journey into the past, present and future. I'll let you know once the interview is complete and uploaded on my page.<br /> <br />I'm storing your articles as references should any of the albums or artists you've covered bring to my attention. <br /> <br />Cheers and blessings,<br />Jeremy<br />*************************<br /><br />Again, much thanks for your thoughts on this classic Jeremy and all the best in yur endeavors. Keep the flame burning!SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-3571654063418535582012-02-04T08:23:26.926-05:002012-02-04T08:23:26.926-05:00J.D.
Thanks for the remarks. Yes, the Earth blow...J.D. <br />Thanks for the remarks. Yes, the Earth blowing up was quite a symbol of the moment in politics and Frankie realy captured it with tha video. Just brutal.<br /><br />Anyway, the music and lyrcism is infinitely singable and just drives and drives at you. It's a lot of fun. Still love this one today. Thanks again.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-59866730547899294032012-02-02T13:05:59.725-05:002012-02-02T13:05:59.725-05:00Wow, what a fascinating, indepth look at this albu...Wow, what a fascinating, indepth look at this album and how it all came to be. I love reading about behind the scenes stuff and enjoyed the amount of detail you included. I remember when this album broke big and the controversy surrounding the "Two Tribes" video. Wasn't banned for a bit or in danger of being banned because of its overt political message and depiction of violence? I forget. I do remember the video making a very strong impression on me, esp. the last shot of the Earth blowing up.<br /><br />This is a pretty fantastic album that has stood the test of time, I'd say. Too bad that the band kinda fizzled out after it and lost their genius producer but that's the way it goes sometimes. I also remember seeing that Vh1 special where they tried to get the band back together. Shame that Johnson is against it as I'm sure there would be a lot of interest if they reformed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.com