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| From | Phil Gill <mu51cal@philgill.co.uk> |
| Subject | Re: Cliff Richard/Tears for Fears |
| Date | Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:21:21 +0100 |
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Gabe
The song is called "Some People" and it's from a CD called "Always
Guaranteed".
Cliff was the UKs answer to Elvis in the late 50s/ early 60s, had a pop
career, made some films, (The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, both kind of
"Hey, let's do the show right here!" teen movies). He then went all
establishment, found Christianity, did TV variety shows and became the
"Mums' Favourite" and released some embarrassing music for about 12
years.
Then in 1979, he hooked up with a writer/ producer/musician named Alan
Tarney and released a song called, "We Don't Talk Anymore", a big hit
here in the UK. First time I heard it, I scented Todd Rundgren all over
it. It's co-produced by Tarney, who became Cliff's producer of choice
from then on in. Very late 70' early 80s but I love Tarney's backing
vocals and production, and it's a very "Something/Anything" period Todd
style record, but with an 80s gloss on it. More of that later.
http://www.btinternet.com/~shadows_archive/shadows/ATarney/default.htm
Basically, his next few CDs in the 80s were Cliff singing over Alan
Tarney's songs and Tarney's backing tracks, and if you like good well
produced pop, those albums are great.
Check out "Wired for Sound", "Stronger" "Rock 'n' Roll Juvenile" and
"Now You See Me, Now You Don't". Tarney's writing and production are
both extremely strong and Cliff's voice is just great for Tarney's pop
sound. It was a good period for Cliff and he regained some well
deserved musical credibility.
Now back to the Todd Rundgren link......I made a record in 1980 with
Denny Laine's wife, Jo-Jo (called "When The Boy's Happy). One of
Cliff's backing singers was on the sessions, a guy called John Perry. I
asked him over a cup of tea during a rehearsal if Cliff was a Todd fan,
because of the nod to Todd's style on "We Don't Talk Anymore"....he
said not that he was aware of, but he knew Tarney was a Todd fan, so
that would explain it. So there it was, from a guy on the inside,
suspicions confirmed. Perry said he also could hear the Todd influence
on the record. Interesting trivia fact No. 2 for Auditeers: John Perry
was in a band called Grapefruit and sang on "Hey Jude" - see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_(band)
Tears For Fears: check out "The Seeds of Love" and "Songs From the Big
Chair", both very accessible, good songs and worth a listen - but the
caveat is the 80s production, big snares, lots of reverb, which is OK
unless you don't like that sound. I'm OK with it, but YMMV.
Phil.
On 19 Oct 2008, at 17:27, <gabrielfuentes@fibertel.com.ar> wrote:
> Two things I would like some advice on from the popster on this list
> (please). There is a soft-pop station in Argentina that plays some
> songs that I am not familiar with and I wanted to see what you think
> of them. By the way, when I soft-pop, I do not mean 60s stuff, more
> like "quiet storm" radio..ok?
>
> 1) Cliff Richard sings a song that has in the chorus " Some
> people.."..what a voice.!..great song as well
> 2) What are good to great Tears for Fears albums to buy..I know their
> hits..and I like them..but i dont have anything by them..
>
> thanks
>
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