The Thought - The Thought (1985)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...

The Thought - The Thought (1985)

1. Every Single Day
2. Stranded With A Stranger
3. The Rise And The Fall
4. Lonewolf
5. Secrets Of The Heart
6. Out Of Oblivion
7. Eight Miles High
8. Maggie McColl
9. Tonight Again
10. Rapture

http://www.zshare.net/download/4790090e403664/

Password: mineforlife

Personnel:
Kok De Jong
Jan De Jong
Wieb Zigtema
Rob Marienus

Sophie and Peter Johnston

If you've never heard of the pop duo Sophie and Peter Johnston then you are in for a treat. Kind of like Everything But The Girl but with more emphasis on synths, the band produced a peel session or two in the early 80's, released two or three singles, and then a full length self-titled album in 1987. They then tried out some new material under a different moniker, and then promptly disappeared.

In the last couple of years a website appeared, maintained by Peter Johnston, who had gone on to produce some solo work. This month has seen some exciting developments, as there is a brand new Sophie and Peter Johnston album out, as well as a retrospective compilation of the period 1983-1987.

Several downloads are available from the website, including new and rare tracks. All of their music is highly recommended. Here's a discography, including some rarities I've collected.

Single - "Losing You" b/w "60 Second Blow" (1985)

Single - "Happy Together" b/w "Sold On You" (1986)

Single - "Television Satellite" b/w "Take That Jerkin Off!" (1987)

Single - "Torn Open" b/w "Getting On" (1987)
Extra track on 12" - "Chasing A Dream"

Album - Sophie and Peter Johnston (1987)

Television Satellite
Open Up
A Bigger Temptation
Take That Jerkin Off!
Some Sunny Day
Happy Together
Torn Open
Run Away
I Want You To Know
No Time
Sold On You
Brain Def
Dreams (bonus track on Japanese CD release)

[UPDATE 2014 - the website appears to be defunct now, which is a shame. Sophie & Peter, I hope you guys are doing well!]

Random 80's Wednesday

Press play on tape to hear all this week's selections!

[mp3] Shakespeare's Sister - You're History (from Sacred Heart, 1989) Video
[mp3] The Messengers - Frontiers (7" Single, 1984)
[mp3] English Evenings - Those Brilliant Teens (7" Single, 1986)
[mp3] Paul King - Follow My Heart (from Joy, 1987)
[mp3] Troy Tate - Sorrow (from Liberty, 1985)

His Latest Flame - In The Neighbourhood (1989)

Documenting rare finds in thrift stores and bargain bins all across America...


His Latest Flame - In The Neighbourhood (1989)

1. Londonderry Road
2. Heart of the Country
3. Finest Hour
4. Big World
5. Cold, Cold, Cold
6. Love's In The Neighbourhood
7. America Blue
8. Crack Me Down
9. Sporting Life
10. Take It In Your Stride
11. Old Flame

DOWNLOAD
[UPDATED LINK AUGUST 2014]

From the inimitable Q Magazine:

"This is His Latest Flame's debut album in a chequered career spanning the best part of a decade. As agit-popsters Sophisticated Boom Boom they recorded a John Peel session, but never graduated to vinyl. A name change and a contract with Go! Discs failed to rouse the record buying public, despite some fine pop tunes, leaving them in the unenviable position of being patronized as an "all-girl group" by some and pilloried by others for growing out of their monkey-booted adolescence.In The Neighbourhood presents a new set of songs which betray the band's growing maturity. Relying on a solid pop/rock formula, Moira Rankin's mannered vocals benefit greatly from some imaginative four-part harmonies, particularly on "America Blue" and "Take It In Your Stride". Fame and fortune may elude them yet again, but these factors do not disguise the quality of His Latest Flame's songs." (Lestyn George, July 1990)

Very little more information out there. Let me know if you have any!

Endgames - Building Beauty

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...
 

Endgames - Building Beauty (1984)

1. Love Cares
2. The Universe Won't Mind
3. Waiting For Another Chance
4. Miracle In My Heart
5. Love Building Beauty
6. Desire
7. Ecstacy
8. Searching For Love
9. Both of Us

This is my rip of the US version with a slightly different running order.
Download

Endgames - More Beauty (B-Sides and Rarities)

1. We Feel Good (Future's Looking Fine)
2. Darkness
3. Ready Or Not
4. Look Now
5. Love Cares (Extended Mix)
6. Waiting For Another Chance (Extended Mix)
7. Desire (Vocal Mix)
8. Desire (Extended Mix)

Download

Wikipedia Entry

Random 80's Wednesday

Press play on tape to hear all this week's selections!

[mp3] Stepping Razor - Latin Tears (CD Single, 1989)
[mp3] Climie Fisher - Love Like A River (CD Single, 1989)
[mp3] Big Bam Boo - Shooting From My Heart (CD Single, 1989) Video
[mp3] Ben Liebrand - The Eve of the War (CD Single, 1989) Video
[mp3] Indian Givers - Hatcheck Girl (CD Single, 1989)

Not entirely random this week - I saw a thread developing and went along with it.

The Jeremy Days - The Jeremy Days (1988)

Watch out for hard-to-find, deleted, out of print or critically ignored compact discs released in the last thirty years...

The Jeremy Days - The Jeremy Days (1988)

1. Fantastic Friend
2. Julie Through The Blinds
3. Are You Inventive
4. Raintree Country
5. This World
6. That's What I Call Love
7. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
8. End, The
9. Starting To Pretend
10. Food And Coffee
11. Brand New Toy

Download Now available legally through Amazon!

I recently discovered the band The Jeremy Days through the usual mixture of happenstance and internet rambling. While I was looking for info on Sven Schumacher I found a reference to a band fronted by Dirk Darmstaedter. Dirk caught my eye because I noted that he founded Tapete Records in Germany which I also remembered was the label that talented American expat Tess Wiley is associated with. I had previously heard of Tess through a Paste magazine music sampler. A bit more digging and I discovered that Dirk had previously fronted a band called The Jeremy Days. I managed to find a couple of tracks on some German 80's music boards and then saw the debut CD at a local used CD store for $2.99. That's the way it goes sometimes.

I'm not sure how the band slipped through the net in the late 80's but there's some great music on the debut CD. All the videos have been uploaded to YouTube by Dirk himself.
Dirk Darmstaedter - Official Website
The Jeremy Days Official Website (in German)

**UPDATE** Got a nice link back from Dirk's blog. Gesundheit!