It's Fry Day, I'm In Love

It might not be Martin Fry's birthday until March but what the heck, let's celebrate with ABC anyway!

 

I last (and first) posted an ABC selection here back in November 2022, but I had the privilege of having a follow-up Imaginary Compilation Album hosted by JC at The Vinyl Villain in April 2023. So, adhering to the (made up right now) mandatory requirement to observe Fry Day randomly once per year, here's a brand new 12-song selection, split into two slightly overlong vinyl sides. Heck, if Ronco and K-Tel could do it in the 1970s and 1980s, so can I.

 

I've intentionally included one song from each of ABC's nine studio albums to date, from 1982's The Lexicon Of Love to it's eventual - and inevitable - sequel in 2016. I've included a couple of late 80s 12" A-sides too, plus a collaboration with David Arnold covering a James Bond theme tune, all of which choices were more by feel than design. 

 

Overall, I think it's a fairly representative overview of how much - and little - has changed in over four decades: the line-up, the lame suit, the lush orchestration, the lyrics. Things may come and go, but Martin Fry's vision (and incredibly, his voice) remain undimmed. 

Side One

1) Love Is It's Own Reward (1997)

2) The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor (2016)

3) Validation (2008)

4) The Night You Murdered Love (Sheer Chic Mix By The Funky Sisters ft. Contessa Lady V) (1987)

5) Poison Arrow (Album Version By Trevor Horn & Gary Langan) (1982)

6) This Must Be Magic (1991)

Side Two

1) Thunderball (Cover of Tom Jones): David Arnold ft. Martin Fry (1997)

2) Unzip (1983)

3) Love Conquers All (Extended Version By Dave Bascombe) (1991)

4) Never More Than Now (Album Version By Graeme Park & Mike Pickering) (1989)

5) Fear Of The World (Album Version By ABC & Julian Mendelsohn) (1985)

6) Jealous Lover (1987)

1982: The Lexicon Of Love: A5

1983: Beauty Stab: B2

1985: How To Be A... Zillionaire!: B5

1987: Alphabet City: B6

1987: The Night You Murdered Love EP: A4

1989: Up: B4

1991: Abracadabra: A6

1991: Love Conquers All EP: B3

1997: Shaken And Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project: B1

1997: Skyscraping: A1

2008: Traffic: A3

2016: The Lexicon Of Love II: A2

 

Side One (26:30) (KF) (Mega)

Side Two (25:47) (KF) (Mega)  

 

You can find my previous ABC selection from 2022 here

 

Health warning: Side 1, track 4 features The Funky Sisters who are neither sisters nor women, but rather Hit Factory head honcho Pete Waterman and PWL remix artists Phil Harding and Pete Hammond.