What does it sound like?:
After finishing the “Young Americans” review I mentioned how I needed something new to listen to. I needed snapping from my melancholy. The very next day my pre ordered copy of this 4 CD collection dropped through my letterbox. It’s an absolute joy. A summery, cool, 80’s mix put together by DJ Gary Crowley.
I “rediscovered” Crowley a couple of years through his Saturday evening show on Radio London and his Tweeted request for songs for his show. He’s an engaging, entertaining host who plays a fabulous mix of old and new. His appearance on “Word In Your Attic” recently was excellent. He’s a genuine music fan and has retained a passion for the music he loves.
He’s put together his second collection of less familiar 80’s tunes. Carefully selected and beautifully packaged these songs took me back and put me in mind of people and places I knew. I tweeted these little vignettes for each disc which have been well recieved. I’ve transcribed them here in the form of a review. Not necessarily reviewing the music but the memories the sounds from each disc brings.
Disc 1 “A Beat Confection”
Had my first listen of Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2 Disc 1 “A Beat Confection” today. If you remember a time in the 80s when being grown up, sophisticated if you like, was cool. Talking about your favourite books, poetry, music of course (and probably The Young Ones)…
If you remember dressing in a plain white t shirt or maybe dark blue and white stripes with the sleeves rolled up just so. If you did the same with the turn ups on your jeans to reveal your deck shoes (no socks). If you wore a hair band or a handful of grease in your hair…
If suddenly your parents record collection became cool. Rock ‘n’ Roll, Northern Soul or if you were lucky enough to find some Gilberto Gil, Astrud Gilberto or Lou Rawls in there. If you wanted to be drinking coffee outside a cafe in London, Paris or Rome…
Then my friends this is the disc for you. 19 lost 80s songs with real stand out performances from Tracie Young, Clare Grogan, DC Lee and many others. Dive in and enjoy. Perfect for that lazy, sunny afternoon barbecue with friends, old friends…
Disc 2 “A Rock and A Dance Place”
On to disc 2 “A Rock and a Dance Place” from Gary Crowley’s Lost 80’s vol 2. If you based your entire styling on Edwyn Collins and carried it off with effortless ease. If you arrived at college every day with the latest release in a fresh record shop bag….
If you had a band (of course you had a band) and played rhythm guitar while the coolest girl at college sung the theme from “White Horses”. If you knew all the right things to wear and say. ALL THE TIME!!! If you were more informed than John Peel…
If you were reading NME before everyone else. If you laughed at me when I mentioned my brothers Elton John album collection and mentioned it every day for a whole term. If you stole my girlfriend when I was 16 and laughed endlessly with her in the common room while I sat alone….
Then Austin, yes YOU Austin this disc is for you. Fabulous tracks from Bananarama, Heaven 17, The Kane Gang and loads more. Perfect for a night in with some tunes wondering what might have been but not bearing a 40 year grudge…
Disc 3 “Ear and Foot Refreshment”
So on to Disc 3 of Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2 “Ear and Foot Refreshment” If you liked to dance the night away at a club, a disco, a bar, a live DJ night. If you knew who “Sketch” was. If you were part of the British Jazz Funk movement and still go to Caister weekenders..
If you had a wedge haircut, wore a sweater round your neck, a fabric belt and would even wear your espadrilles in the rain. If you drank Fosters on a Friday night and worked in a supermarket on the Saturday. If you booked two weeks in Spain every summer…
If you drove Cortina or an Escort or a souped up Fiesta or even a purple Morris Marina. If your mum worried about you every weekend, thought your mates were a bad influence but still made enough Sunday roast to feed them all. If you just loved life…..
Then you crazy people this disc is the disc for you. Great tracks from Kid Creole and The Coconuts, Linx and The World Famous Supreme team. Perfect for that long drive up to Caister to relive those memories….
Disc 4 “The Vinyl Curtain”
Finally we reach Disc 4 of Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2. “The Vinyl Curtain” If you loved music in all forms. If you wore what you felt comfortable in. If you listened to more than one DJ, more than one radio station and read more than one music magazine….
If you were as excited by the first time you heard rap as you were by the latest synth sound or reggae. If Grand Master Flash was as important to you as Kraftwerk or Bob Marley If you went out on a Friday or down to Brighton hoping to hear something new and meet someone new….
If you thrived on diversity, inclusivity and acceptance without even realising. Just because that was you. If you’ve carried that through your life and used it positively to encourage others to do the same. If you just love music and people and life despite the doom and gloom…
Then, then, you wonderful human being. This disc along with the others is the disc for you. Stunning tunes from Thompson Twins, Kurtis Blow and Big Audio Dynamite among many others. Perfect for that street party coming soon at which everyone and I mean everyone is invited…
What does it all *mean*?
It means that music, the right music, the right music for you can lift your spirits like nothing else.
Goes well with…
Smiling
Release Date:
Out now
Might suit people who like…
Going out, meeting friends, dancing, living and just loving life. Even this shit show…..
Dave Ross says
deramdaze says
My ambition in the dire was to not know anything about the dire, and I can honesty say I didn’t, and will never know, any of those 65 songs.
It’s a day of celebration… what a day. I’ve been to the mountain top!
I’ve dreamed of this day.
Dave Ross says
It was written with you specifically in mind @deramdaze This collection is oozing with influence from the 50’s and 60s. Go on dip your toe in…. This could have been Sandy or Dusty or Cilla…
Tracie Young “I Love You When You Sleep”
Leffe Gin says
Nice of you to drop by and piss on Dave’s chips. Feel better now?
Black Type says
Did you expect anything else?
dai says
You don’t really need to post any more. We all know how you feel, you have told us 1000 times, and it is completely irrelevant to this release and review.
Hawkfall says
This looks interesting Dave, would you recommend this one or Vol 1?
Dave Ross says
Confession time here. I’ve yet to listen to Vol 1 but I’m definitely going to. I suspect it’s more of the same…
The Undertones “Save Me”
Nick L says
Gary Crowley’s great isn’t he? I really like his perpentual enthusiasm because it seems so genuine, unlike, say, Jo Whiley. Looking forward to getting this.
Dave Ross says
He really is. This collection just matches that vibe at every turn…
Weekend ” Summerdays”
Kaisfatdad says
That was a very enjoyable review, even if I didn’t have any of those haircuts or rock any of those clothes.
It sounds like an extremely varied compilation which is a good thing.
Kid Creole? Yes please!!
Thomson Twins? Hmmmm….
Dave Ross says
I have you down as a disc 4 kind of chap KFD…
Clint Eadtwood and General Saint “Anothet One Bites The Dust” 12″
yorkio says
Heaven help me, that’s made me want to listen to the Thompson Twins.
Dave Ross says
Ha! Good for you @Yorkio let me help you with that…
Thompson Twins “In The Name Of Love” 12″
Colin H says
Step away from the cliff edge, Yorki – don’t do it!
yorkio says
Am I walking into the the light or away from it?
dai says
Great review. Think I know about 20 tracks so not all lost to me.
Dave Ross says
Thanks Dai. 🙏