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Post by Dirty Epic on Feb 25, 2017 18:49:21 GMT
The live performance of Blue Monday by New Order was the standout for me for this week's double header. Hope we see Sid Snot getting an appearance Loved it too Steve but being a fan of theirs I'm biased. :lol: Shambolic yet beautiful at the same time and 'nothing' like any of the other acts on TOTP in 83! Here's a performance of BM from their 1985 live video Pumped Full of Drugs. WARNING contains strong language.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 3, 2017 12:56:25 GMT
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Post by Frank Spencer on Mar 4, 2017 0:53:27 GMT
Just managed to watch last week's two episodes before my Sky Planner recorded this week's two ! No change there then ... and a thoroughly enjoyable hour or so it was too ... starting off with New Order finding out the hard way why most bands mimed on TOTP, a brave effort, but some seriously bum notes for those of us so used to hearing the perfection of the studio recording ! ... Next it was terrific to see Young Tracie, our now local radio mid-morning Disc Jockette, in full flow with Messrs Weller & Talbot, brought back memories of how I had a passing crush on her at the time once I learnt she was from Chelmsford, a feeling that was revived several years ago when I met her briefly on outside broadcast duty in the Capital City of Essex, about 20 years after her TOTP heyday ... It was also lovely to see Mari Wilson performing "Cry Me A River" with such class and talent, probably why she never had another hit, just too good for the charts, though the beehive never did it for me ... Next U2 with a fantastically energetic performance, presumably sung live as Bono ends up on the 'balcony' trying to sing "Let's Twist Again" to a surprised girlie !! Personally, I thought they were at their best (for my shallow tastes!) around this time and I lost interest after Pride In The Name Of Love a year later ... Kajagoogoo were ... er ... Kajagoogoo, but the song was not a patch on "Too Shy" ... and Tracey Ullman (who I saw on TV just last week ageing gracefullyand still as funny) clearly was making no attempt to fool us she was live, looking hot in leather miniskirts with her Ullmanettes, but all singing into hairbrushes ! lol ... Duran Duran were No:1 with a top tune, but even more iconic video, that just screamed 1983 at you and was as typical a vid as you could get from that time, the sort they were masters at creating ... and finally, there was dear old Cuddly Ken aka Sid Snot, wonderful to see him back in the TOTP studio, being his brilliant irreverent self, though the record was totally pants, with his various catchphrases crowbarred in at every opportunity ! RIP Maurice Cole ...
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Post by Frank Spencer on Mar 4, 2017 1:12:13 GMT
The only thing that spoilt the last episode was Steve Wright , who apart from looking like a scruffy tramp, behaved like a total pillock throughout, maybe it was his "radio image" at the time (I never used to listen to his Radio 1 show) or maybe he was just nervous at being live ! Peter Powell coped with the pressure by surrounding himself with PYTs at every link and placing a subtle hand or arm here and there to "steady himself" whilst Simon Bates made sure we got a couple of timechecks "just to prove its live folks!" Hmmm .... amongst the treats on this show were Dexy's in good form, Twisted Sister hamming it up (hopefully with tongues in cheeks - thought you can't always be sure with their kind of rock!) and going OTT then right down the other side up again and classic videos from Culture Club, Michael Jackson & Bowie. Jo Boxers got the cliched "big red gloves" treatment again but with unnecessary intrusive dancers in front - China Crisis sure, New Order maybe but the Boxers were eye catching enough and Big Country at the end also suffered with an interlude of Irish / Welsh / Morris Dancing from Zoo, or whatever that was supposed to be ! ... The sexist side of me absolutely loved the two dog's dinners sent along to keep our eyes of FR David's dullness and then there was Young Tracie again, in solo mode this time ... but for me the highlight of this episode was undoubtedly Nick Heyward. As Bates reminds us looking at his watch "it's eight minutes to eight!" , you can imgaine what is going through his head "OMG, last time I was on "live" I completely cocked this song up ! I must not miss my cue, I must NOT miss my cue... " and as the camera pans in and the tricky quiet intro concludes, you can almost see every tiny muscle in his face metaphorically punching the air as he totally nails it. "GET IN THERE!!!" Those are the moments I watch for each week (and Tracie's "I wanna be loved" eyes of course...)
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Post by Frank Spencer on Mar 10, 2017 18:15:37 GMT
There seem to be less comments posted this year than before on here, which is a shame, but I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying watching TOTP83 for what it is, especially catching up again on some classic early 80s videos amongts the usual studio shenanigans ! Annie Lennox was in imperious form in the vid for "Love Is A Stranger" whilst a sudden surprise in the Kajagoogoo one was an appearance by Kenny Everett, fresh from his recent studio "pop in" - his star must have been shining very brightly in 1983 ! In the studio, Kissing The Pink put in a strong, energetic performance to enjoy - along with Jo Boxers, possibly the only people we've seen dancing more enthusiastically than the manic Zoo crew ! - whilst my soul boy side enjoyed seeing Sunfire singing live, although the inevitable associated cliches about the song title I could live without ... However, the star of this episode was ......... Andy Peebles's moustache !! What IS that on your top lip, son ?! The Friday edition was truly representative of some big pop acts and songs of 1983 - Spandau Ballet "True", Heaven 17 "Temptation" and Culture Club "Church Of The Poisoned Mind" all featuring in the flesh, with Thompson Twins, Bowie and Human League all showing up well on video. Shame FR David didn't bring his pooches with him this time and even second time around Twisted Sister were an eye opener !! Plenty to look forward and we should get a decent uninterrupted run of episodes now to as Saville & DLT aren't scheduled to appear till June '83, though whether we get to see the 1,000 episode from 5/5/83 depends on who pops their head round the door to mark the occasion - I notice from Popscene their is Gary Glitter interview in it !!! Time to get the razor and splicing tape out ... we shall see. Either way I persoanlly look forward to reliving a memorable time in my life as I celebrated my 21st in May of this year !
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Post by Steve Austin on Mar 10, 2017 18:30:23 GMT
Great review there Mr Spencer, my memories from these episodes is centred really on Kissing The Pink who seemed like a cross between Joy Division & Talking Heads visually.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 10, 2017 19:08:43 GMT
Good review Frank S. I like bits & pieces of this era but I'm more of the 90s scene I'm afraid so some of it doesn't really grip me. Of the recent repeats I've liked China Crisis, Hevaen 17 and The Creatures.
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Post by Gene Hunt on Mar 10, 2017 23:30:27 GMT
Never heard of 'em Gene Genie
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 16, 2017 11:38:21 GMT
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Mar 16, 2017 11:58:26 GMT
Bob Marley and Big Country are the only two in there grabbing me I'm afraid.
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