Cedric Sharpley

Just heard the sad news that Cedric Sharpley, drummer of Tubeway Army and Dramatis has died. I really liked his style. To put it bluntly he made some of Gary Numan's more dirgey efforts listenable.

Love Dance

Sheffield band Vision's only UK chart hit (plus b-side), No 74 in July 1983. It's classic 80s synth music but you get the feeling as it fades out that you've listened to half of a really good 12-inch single. I'll probably be buying the 12-inch in the coming weeks so stay tuned and we'll see if I'm right.

Vision - Love Dance (1983)
Vision - Vision (1983)

Mystery

If I see an interesting looking single from the late 70s/early 80s that I’ve never heard for the right price I take a punt. That’s how I got today’s offering. I’d never heard of Scarlett Von Vollenman and Google didn’t help much. There’s a Scarlett Von Wollenmann who sang backing for Kissing the Pink and had some sort of car accident in the 90s that left her in a wheelchair who may or may not be the same person. Anyone out there know?

As for the record, I think it would have gone down well on alternative night in the clubs back in 1981. If you like Hypnotised try the b-side. It’s pretty much more of the same.

Scarlett Von Vollenman – Hypnotised (1981)
Scarlett Von Vollenman – Warm Love (1981)

Friday treat

Somehow I missed this back in 1979 despite the fact it got to No 28 and the band appeared on Top of the Pops. I stumbled on it whilst messing around on Youtube a few weeks ago and I had to have it. This copy, still in its HMV shrink wrap cost me just 99p from Ebay. It’s a sort of mutant Blondie with nice Mick Glossop production.

The Doll - Desire Me (Extended Version) (1979)

Some classic synthpop to reboot the blog

Did you know that after Sailor George Kajanus went all Buggles on us and made some great synthpop? Listen to this:

Data - Fever of Love (1981)

My comparison doesn't do it justice. It is Buggles-ish but much better.

Intermission

As you have no doubt noticed this blog is in the middle of a summer break. I’ve been finding it hard to find the time or inclination to blog since returning from Scotland way back in June. This lethargy coupled with having to deal with three kids on their summer holiday means thing are not likely to improve in the immediate future.

Normal service will be resumed…one day…probably.

Meanwhile, for your enjoyment here’s Bill Nelson playing ‘For Stuart’ at his recent ‘Legends’ show at Metropolis studios. The Stuart in question is Stuart Adamson of The Skids and Big Country.

To cut a long story short this reminds me of something…

Dave from Planet Mondo declared last Fridays offering “the most eighties sounding record I’ve ever heard.” This is another candidate from 1981. It occupies the same musical territory as the first two Spandau Ballet singles.

That’s considered a good thing around these parts.

To Kalon - Coming To Get You (Dance Mix) (4:49) (1981)
To Kalon - Coming To Get You (3:41) (1981)

I recommend the short version for a quick fix. The longer version is a classic early 80s extended mix with echo-y drums and vocals.