You can't sleep, you can't eat There's no doubt, you're in deep Your throat is tight, you can't breathe Another kiss is all you need

Double Hit: Robo-chicks

“Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer (1986)

“Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer (1988)

I remember in 2003 when Robert Palmer passed away and Bill at work said, “He was in Emerson, Lake and Palmer too right?” I cringed inside and tried not to be a total music nerd. I simply said, “No that is Carl Palmer and he was the drummer. I don’t think he is dead. Carl was also in the group ‘Asia’, remember them?”

Robert Palmer, (also not to be confused with the music historian Robert Palmer) was an English singer-songwriter who combined many styles of music. He could take jazz, blues, rock and even reggae and create unforgettable rhythms.

You may recognize his voice from when he covered ‘Get It On (Bang A Gong’, the old T-Rex song when he was in PowerStation or maybe you remember when he did the Moon Martin penned ‘Bad Case of Loving’ You’. His voice was distinctive. His style was polished. He dressed well. He was always trying to find a new and interesting sound or lyric or idea.

Just like the white winged dove, sings a song sounds like she’s singing Oooh...Baby...Ooh...Baby...Oooh

Pick of the Week

“The Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks (1981)

Her voice is one of the most instantly recognizable female voices in pop music. With her platform boots, her top hat, and shawls, she developed a ‘mystic’ persona. She could have easily been the inspiration for ‘the Witches of Eastwich’. She sang lead on “Dreams” from the phenomenal Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumors’ album;
the only single to go to number one on that album. Other classic songs ‘Mac’ with the Nick’s stamp on them are “Landslide”, and “Silver Springs”.

The phone rings in the middle of the night My father yells what you gonna do with your life. Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one but girls they wanna have fun

‘80’s Pick of the Week

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (1983)

There ain’t no stoppin’ the whirling New York dervish called Cyndi Lauper. In 2010 at age 57 she had the number one selling blues album on Billboard called “Memphis Blues”. 

Seems like she came out of nowhere. Her contribution to ‘80’s styles is unquestionable. Was it her inextinguishable New York charm? Was it her little high pitched squeals interjected into songs? Was it her hair? Or does it really go deeper; like she really is an amazing singer with a innate feeling and understanding for the material, whether her own or the interpretation of others?

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you...

Quick HIt

“Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League (1982)

The human sea of people at the malls this time of year drives me crazy. I have been checked out of the way a couple of times already this year - once by an old lady, who did to her credit say “Sorry, dear” after she hip checked me into the metal tubular poles at the check-out line.

The United Nations now estimates the population of the earth at over 8 billion people. I believe it with the day I had at the grocery store!

So the story goes two very lucky girls were dancing at the Crazy Daisy Nightclub in Sheffield on a Wednesday night when a desperate Phil Oakey, in search of a backup singer found them.

We're talking away. I don't know what I'm to say. I'll say it anyway. Today's another day to find you.

Quick Hit

“Take on Me” by A-ha (1985)

O.K. so I draw my inspiration this week from a chat a work where the question was raised: “What was that really cool video that transitions between cartoon and real life in the early ‘80’s?”  The answer of course is A-ha’s period piece called “Take on Me”. The reason I call it a ‘period piece’ is because it sounds so typically ‘80’s. The weird thing with this one is that when I went to look it up, I discovered I don’t have a digital copy of it; I only have it on good ‘ol fashioned vinyl. Go figure? I remember I got it one Saturday down at Hot Wax records in Kensington. Huh. Just as well; sounds great still.

 A-ha is I think the most successful band to come out of Norway. It formed in Oslo in 1982, with vocalist Morten Harkel, Magne Furuhulem (keyboard) and guitarist Pal Waaktaar. My experience with Norwegians is very limited, and based mostly on my maternal grandmother – they live forever and they are tough, no-nonsense kind of people. I digress.......

Do I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met. It's a big enough umbrella but it's always me that ends up getting wet.

Songs Everybody Should Know

“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic”, by the Police (1981)

The first time I heard the Police was at the student union offices at university. One of the guys had a turntable set up in his office in Mac Hall. He said “You have to hear this amazing new album by the Police”. I said “By what? Who? The Police, what the hell are you talking about”. “The ‘Police’ man this kind of reggae sounding punkish band”.

It seems like punk, with its irreverence and value in substance over form, eventually left one looking for musicianship again – I mean really, most of the punk band couldn’t play and many prided themselves on this. It had its place and time but there was a void in the fabric of pop music tearing wide open.

From nine to five I have to spend my time at work. My job is very boring, I’m an office clerk. The only thing that helps me pass the time away is knowing I’ll be back at Echo Beach some day.

Quick HIt

“Echo Beach” by Martha and the Muffins (1980)

“Echo Beach” was blaring on a jukebox at a Friday night get-together in the ‘lounge’ what seems like an eternity ago. A guy I was talking to knew I collected music and was asking me if he should buy the new Martha and Muffins album. “Was this the way to develop a good record collection?” he asked.

In 1977, inspired by the punk & new wave movement and bored with safe seventies music, friends David Millar and Mark Game (both guitarists) decided starting a band. Practicing in ’77, musicians came and went but eventually Martha Johnson (keyboards) and Ken Finkle (bass) joined. Tim Game (drums) joined soon after.

Making your move you come down as fast as lightnin' Crossing the stage and now you can feel the excitement

Double Hit – Canadian Rock

“Your Daddy Don’t Know” by Toronto (1982)

“Don’t it Make You Feel” by the Headpins (1982)

I saw Holly Woods, former leader singer of the Canadian Band ‘Toronto’ perform in this rural bar a few years ago. It is sometimes sad to see an act once they are past their prime. Although Holly was pretty good still and had most of the range of her voice, she expressed bitterness that Ann Wilson of Heart recorded “What About Love”, saying it was her song. I looked into this and the song was actually dropped from ‘Toronto’s third album “Get it on Credit” when it came out in the fall of ’82. Too bad Holly. Who knew Ann would make it a hit.

You're motoring What's your price for flight In finding mister right You'll be alright tonight

Quick Hit

Sister Christian, Night Ranger (1984)

I had this 45 (rpm record)  in 1978 with the song “I'm Gonna Take Care of Everything”. It was by a band called “Rubicon” and I thought it was very cool. A bit old school sexist, but none-the-less, cool.

The band Rubicon was lead by Jerry Martini, who had cut his teeth in ‘Sly and the Family Stone”. After Rubicon called it quits in 1979, Jack Blades, bassist, and former band mates Kelly Keagy and Brad Gillis, talked off-stage keyboard player for Van Halen, Alan Fitzgerald to join them in a new heavier band.