But why wait until tomorrow when you can have 45 minutes of The Communards today?
It's been just over a month since retired Reverend Richard Coles came third in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! so what better time to celebrate his former former life as a purveyor of perfect pop with partner Jimmy Somerville?
The Communards' huge success with their cover versions of Don't Leave Me This Way and Never Can Say Goodbye - UK #1 and #4 in 1986 and 1987 respectively - arguably overshadowed their power of their own songs.
Jimmy had sharpened his songwriting skills with Bronski Beat, perfectly combining personal, political and pop lyrics, and these were honed in The Communards. Combined with Richard's multi-instrumental talents, they were a formidable duo. You need look no further than Disenchanted, one of the finest songs of the 1980s, full stop.
Just a fistful of twelve inch versions, all but one by the legendary Mike Thorne, the other by ZTT uber producer Stephen Lipson, but every single one is a corker.
1) Don't Leave Me This Way (Son Of Gotham City Mix By Mike Thorne) (Cover of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes): The Communards ft. Sarah Jane Morris (1986)
2) Tomorrow (Extended Version By Stephen Lipson): The Communards (1987)
3) So Cold The Night (12" Version By Mike Thorne) (1986)
4) Disenchanted (12" Mix By Mike Thorne) (1986)
5) You Are My World (12" Version By Mike Thorne) (1985)
I thought the first Bronski Beat LP age of consent was brilliant. Especially the non-chart tracks
ReplyDeleteI found Screaming, no more war, love & Money, Need a Man Blues incredibly powerful.
It's a shame that things didn't continue with this team.
I looked at the Communards skeptically at first...but then I found them
Surprisingly good and had enough good moments to not not dislike it.
Have a nice weekend , greetings Alex
I stayed with my aunty and uncle around 85/86 and was surprised to see The Age Of Consent among their vinyl collection. They were into Dylan, The Stones & Miles Davis, so Bronski Beat was an unexpected, contemporary addition.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Communards debut in the bargain bin, as I had the rest of a music token to use. I was a firm convert after listening to the album.
surprises that you love 🤗
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