30 Years of Bananarama - CD & (at last!) DVD

[anfunny2003]

'Respectable' is one (of very few) highlights of Kim Appleby's entire career, so of course she is going to "up" her (and her sister's role) in behind the scenes events. Believing her linear notes, is about as credible as believing Sophie Ellis Bextor or Myleene Class, when they say "No, we were never offered Can't Get You Out Of My Head"

I'll take Mel's liner notes over your fantasy ramblings (insert youtube link) anyday. Dissing Mel doesn't illustrate or prove any of your claims, and seeing as Mel hasn't proclaimed incorrectly that SAW were the first producers to record Bananarama's vocals seperately, that Siobhan Fahey conspired to stop the license of the Fun Boy 3 single on the recent best of with Terry Hall, or that Respectable was written for Bananarama and they rejected it, I'm inclined to find her own account of events regarding her own records more agreeable.

[letuinmybackdoor]

Once Kylie's debut started selling she became Number One priority, same with Jason.

If that's the case, why is so much of 'Enjoy yourself' really bland and lame? 1989 saw Sonia and Donna Summer release much better music. Kylie was in Aus filming 'The delinquents' for much of 89 and other than 'Hand on your heart' and 'Wouldn't change a thing', the album was very poor. 'Never too late' was a piss poor single. She definitely took her eye off the ball for 'Enjoy yourself' and released if she wanted to stick around, she'd need to get them to up their game.

[idratherjack]

I have a vague recollection from Smash Hits that Sinitta was annoyed that Pete started giving all the best stuff to Kylie and lost interest in her.

I agree that Sonia's Everybody Knows is sooo much better than Enjoy Yourself.

[Electrofreaks]

or that Respectable was written for Bananarama and they rejected it, I'm inclined to find her own account of events regarding her own records more agreeable.

I never meant by my post that Respectable was written for Bananarama. All I remember is an old interview where one of them (probably Siobhan) heard the track and wanted it for Bananarama but was refused as SAW said it wasn't 'Bananarama enough.'

But the thing with Sara and Keren is that they get the facts wrong constantly themselves (especially release dates) and can't even remember recording certain songs (covers of Bowie's Changes and a studio version of You Give Love A Bad Name, etc.)

[Electrofreaks]

I have a vague recollection from Smash Hits that Sinitta was annoyed that Pete started giving all the best stuff to Kylie and lost interest in her.

I agree that Sonia's Everybody Knows is sooo much better than Enjoy Yourself.

Enjoy Yourself is a pretty bad SAW album.

Mostly the earlier stuff was best, although my top 3 would be:

1 FLM - Mel and Kim
2 WOW - Bananarama
3 Mandy - Mandy Smith

I don't actually rate much of Kylie's SAW material to be their best apart from a few singles like Better The Devil and What Do I Have To Do?

[passionoia]

Mel & Kim and some other acts were, let's face it, in the right place at the right time. Mel & Kim were smart enough to make something good out of their chance, good on them.

Well obviously they were at the right place at the right time. However their success dictated they were also obviously near the top of the PWL pecking order.

Up until Mel & Kim, PWL produced the odd hit for flagging acts, Bananarama included. Mel & Kim came along and scored a big worldwide hit with "Showing Out" and then followed it with another bigger hit and then followed it with a platinum selling album, then even when Mel took ill and they stopped performing on Top of the Pops in the days when not performing on Top of The Pops could kill a single they managed to make the top 10.

They were one of the few SAW produced acts who enjoyed all round pop success, on the singles front, on the albums front and internationally and they did it without the juggernaut that was "Neighbours".

[Eric Generic]

I never found SAW-era 'Rams wholly convicing, if truth be told. I suppose it's because I was used to their earlier stuff, but I still prefer the Jolly & Swain records/tracks, even on True Confessions. That's not to say some of the SAW material wasn't good (Love Truth & Honesty is a gem), but I was sort of glad when they hooked up with Youth for Only Your Love; it was like getting a bit of the old Nanas back.

[Electrofreaks]

They were one of the few SAW produced acts who enjoyed all round pop success, on the singles front, on the albums front and internationally and they did it without the juggernaut that was "Neighbours".

To be fair Mel & Kim only had one studio album so it is not balanced to compare them.

[Electrofreaks]

I never found SAW-era 'Rams wholly convicing, if truth be told. I suppose it's because I was used to their earlier stuff, but I still prefer the Jolly & Swain records/tracks, even on True Confessions. That's not to say some of the SAW material wasn't good (Love Truth & Honesty is a gem), but I was sort of glad when they hooked up with Youth for Only Your Love; it was like getting a bit of the old Nanas back.

Jolly and Swain were they best producers for them.

Youth did a pretty amazing job (as he did on Yazz's Wanted album and Urban Hymns by The Verve!)

[Lady Agnes Holland]

I'll take Mel's liner notes over your fantasy ramblings (insert youtube link) anyday. Dissing Mel doesn't illustrate or prove any of your claims, and seeing as Mel hasn't proclaimed incorrectly that SAW were the first producers to record Bananarama's vocals seperately, that Siobhan Fahey conspired to stop the license of the Fun Boy 3 single on the recent best of with Terry Hall, or that Respectable was written for Bananarama and they rejected it, I'm inclined to find her own account of events regarding her own records more agreeable.

Most people who were around then, will appreciate that Bananarama peaked during an analogue age (a very long time before people randomly digitised VHS cassette's for 'youtube' viewing), that does not mean people and fans who were around at that time (insert Discogs link) and directly experienced another time first hand, should be disregarded.

You cannot disguise the fact that you claimed Peter Care was Pete Waterman.

Also, the term "conspired" was never mine . .

I don't know why you would assume I no longer suspect what I previously suggested relating to "It ain't what you do", the conversation moved on (that is all).

For the purpose of a healthy adult discussion, you are free to believe whatever opinion you want (as am I).

[Lady Agnes Holland]

I was sort of glad when they hooked up with Youth for Only Your Love; it was like getting a bit of the old Nanas back.

I totally agree with you.

Supplementary to this, I found the return to a more organic based instrumentation (for much of that studio set), to be a very pleasent reminder of the Jolly/ Swain production style.

Prior to physically hearing that forthcoming single in May '90, I don't think many people realised they had the balls (in the main) to walk away from S/A/W and try a completely fresh avenue.

If only "Pop Life" had taken off, perhaps Polygram would not have got cold feet and played it safe by insisting they went back to what was left of post peak PWL for the (by comparison, underwhelming) "Please Yourself".

[Plooey]

To this day, "Please Yourself" still has not clicked with me. As a big PWL fan I've really tried to like it. I've forced myself to listen to it repeatedly in the hopes that it will grow on me but to no avail. Aside from "Is She Good to You", which I actually do like, the album falls flat for me. Their vocals sound completely bored, especially on "Last Thing On My Mind". Hands down my least favorite PWL and Nanas album.

[Lady Agnes Holland]

Their vocals sound completely bored, especially on "Last Thing On My Mind". Hands down my least favorite PWL and Nanas album.

I felt the same at first, but this version (from the CD single) won me back round. I have listened to it (over the years) a lot more, than any other (final 20 secs are cut off).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK3fm8JQR3I

I think that mix was that song's saving grace (at the time), and still do (remix wise).

In terms of "Radio Edits", (like most people), I preferred the superior production on the Steps mix, with the addition of the "wo-oah" back up vox and the beefier bass, but once all 7" and 12" mixes are combined, I will (ultimately) always prefer the 'Rams 'Hi-NRG Mix', over any other.

Ultimately I prefer the production on the 'Hi-NRG Mix' over any Steps version, I subsequently heard. Perhaps because I spent five years with it being my "go to" Mix and getting 'goose bumps' from it, before the Steps version eventually came along.

But hey, (as only some will know) it's all royalties to Sara and Keren, in the same way that this adaptation was, for Siobhan later on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ5TRylrR6U

[CatastropheBoy]

I also found Please Yourself rather tepid and disappointing.

I see Exotica is available on Amazon as an mp3. Do I need it?

[Lady Agnes Holland]

I also found Please Yourself rather tepid and disappointing.

I see Exotica is available on Amazon as an mp3. Do I need it?

Unless you are a hardcore Bananarama fan, you would be better off skipping 'Exotica' (and 'Ultra Violet'/ 'I Found Love') and instead head directly from 'Please Yourself' into 'Drama', then 'Viva'.

The 'Drama' Physical CD is available on Amazon from £4.82 (including UK delivery)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-lis...condition=used

[tommie2]

Exotica is truly awful.

While I've always accepted that Duorama will always sound slightly cheaper due to lack of funds going into the whole Bananarama thing, that album is really the definition of bargain basement production. I really can't think of any redeeming features.

[ManilaSilk]

I'm always mystified as to how 'Drama' charted so badly.

[Electrofreaks]

I'm always mystified as to how 'Drama' charted so badly.

New label - first major release.

Still odd after coming off two top 30 singles.

Exotica is awful, the production amatuer, but I do like What You Gonna Do and Crazy.

[phoenix123]

Their hideous cover version of "Careless Whisper" is the single from "Exotica" isn't it?

[letuinmybackdoor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFROwwzmnR8

Here is said 'Careless whisper'. It's a bit like two yummy mummies on a karaoke night. Bad times.

[phoenix123]

MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[moorje]

Exotica is awful, the production amatuer, but I do like What You Gonna Do and Crazy.

What You Gonna Do is indeed quite good. I also love If. The production is poor but it's still a strong song. I prefer it to Every Shade of Blue from Ultraviolet/I Found Love and thought it was a shame it didn't make it onto this new compilation. I think they should rescue If and re-record it. They could do the exact same arrangement but with better production and it will still sound fresh.

[letuinmybackdoor]

Just listened to clips of 'exotica' and those 'remixes' are beyond hideous. The version of 'Robert De Niro's waiting' really is an insult to the intelligence. Scraping the bottom of the barrel stuff.

[tommie2]

Exotica is like the creative black hole where pop songs go to die.

How they managed to pull together Drama after that is beyond me.

[anfunny2003]

That's the sound of Keren and Sarah without a decent British label.