We start with the hyperactive liquid gold. I can’t help but love a group of chancers for whom a TOTP appearance was so clearly the equivalent of an Olympics gold. Then it’s a repeat of the Genesis in the studio clip from two weeks ago AKA Phil’s Shirt. After their manful attempt on Spirit of Radio last week legs and co are back on more familiar turf – doing a flapper hoofer number to the Brothers Johnson Stomp.
The ‘can I prolong my career by going a bit disco’ movement continues with Doctor Hooks Lamentable sexy eyes. Now, is this a band that anyone on the blog can find a single kind word for? Apart from the fact that he really did have one eye. He had some maracas last time out, this time Rays been upgraded to congas.
Ver Priest are on next, an ace performance of Living After Midnight. Great pop song and they’re live in the studio after a brief stop down the leather and studs emporium. Make that ‘give me every single stud you have in the shop please’.
Great how The programme reflects the tribal face-offs there were at break in the fifth form. From metallers – called nuggets on account of all the silver sand gold threaded patches on those denim jackets – to the punks. So from Priest to Siouxsie and another great performance of Happy House. Secret Affair are back with My World so the mods were happy that week too. a kid got suspended at school for shaving a target onto the back of his head. Happy house, happy days. they’ve turned the lights up full for them this week. Don’t miss the sax player who is swinging his instrument so hard a strap break would see him take out half a dozen cameramen.
there’s a great pan at the end back to peter Powell which shows how the producers were going for a later… Live in the studio multi-stage feel. I’m guessing that the Dooleys don’t have their instruments plugged in however.
Minimal electro from John Foxx next – 4 keyboard players are massed behind him and everyone looks Really Cool for No Ones Driving. Had I seen that clip at the time (no telly growing up) I would have been down boots to buy the single the next Saturday.
From the future to the Detroit Spinners in pink jackets and white flares. sigh. Very clear – others have remarked – how you are seeing the shift from the 70s to the 80s happening before your eyes.They do do a nice digging it out with a spade dance for ‘working my way.’
Then -oh controversy – it’s the jam in the studio with Paul in a Heinz tomato sauce apron, worn inside out. It’s a nod to Who Sell Out via @totpfacts and the Beeb were so terrified of product placement they made him wear it inside out. Can’t fight the system eh. Or The Combine, as Paul would say.
I quite enjoyed the tremulous vocal on Sylvia’s Mother. That’s about as positive as I can go for Dr Hook.
It was a terrible show, redeemed only by Happy House and The Jam. OOAA.
You are unkind to the Hook. Pre- hit singles they were a great fun anarcho country rock band with funny songs, many written by Playboy cartoonist Shel Silverstein. They did a particularly good and shambolic OGWT concert which was much appreciated at the time. I’d rather watch them than any bloke in makeup playing a synthesiser with one extended finger, personally. “I tried putting on makeup but it hurt my Dad and Mom”…
Any this is, by any measure, terrific…
http://youtu.be/bSUA53PrPFw
I’ve given them a listen but still unconvinced! 🙂
Sorry Twang, leaves me cold too…
What is it about Dr Hook?
There’s something inherently creepy about them. It’s like Music for Uncles.
On t’other hand, my Dad has had dealings with that Lecorriere fellow and found him an absolute gent.
The original version of “Lucy Jordan” too. I much prefer this to Marianne Faithfull’s electro take.
“swinging his instrument” hur hur hur.
“multi-stage feel” (see previous comment)
While I’m here – Metamatic is, as I would have said in 1980, A Fine Effort.
Rob Halford’s feet seemed to be rooted to the spot. And the almost total opposites that were the 2 Priest guitarists have never been more obvious. KK Downing, all blonde hair, metal get up, head nodding and Flying V, whereas Glenn Tipton was more the cool Uncle, just back from the pub with my Strat type.
I would rather watch any bloke in make up playing a synthesizer – than watch bloody Dr Hook!
I think I probably had exactly the same conversation with my dad all those years ago.
I love the feeling of exclusivity associated with liking music no one else does. And the inverse. You probably all think ABBA is classic pop!