BUCKS FIZZ
The Writing On The Wall
Issued on CD for the first time since 1986, this release rounds off a tumultuous year for Bucks Fizz fans. Not only have all the groups RCA albums been given an overhaul on CD, but the line up responsible for this CD – Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Shelley Preston (who replaced Jay Aston in 1985) and Mike Nolan, are reuniting this December for the “Here And Now” Christmas tour.
Originally, this Polydor album was a bit of a mess. Promoted at the time as featuring six singles, three of those being minor hits that had been licensed from their former record label RCA, that didn’t even feature Shelley Preston vocally. These songs took up valuable space that could have been given to new recordings, and affected the cohesion of the album. The newer Polydor material had a uniformed sound that jarred with the RCA tracks, which left the listener feeling they had purchased a compilation, rather than a complete new record.
“The Writing On The Wall” only made it to number 89 in the charts and was quickly forgotten. Thanks though to the efforts of two Fizz fans, Dean Murphy and Ian Stocker, the album that should have been is now available.
Kicking off with a slightly extended version of the classic top ten hit “New Beginning” this new edition flows better than ever. Heavy hitters “Soul Motion”, the single “Love The One You’re With” (remixed with more emphasis on the drums, a la “New Beginning”) and the stunning ballad “Keep Each Other Warm” keep the momentum going. By the time you reach the previously unreleased version of “Love In A World Gone Mad”, you’re hooked! This new version of the track was originally scheduled to become a single in early 1987, but ended up on the shelf instead. A pity, as it featured some beautiful lead vocals from Cheryl and Shelley. Almost without exception, all of the group’s singles from the previous two years had featured Bobby on lead vocals. Undoubtedly Bobby had the most commercial voice in the group, but it was nice occasionally to hear one of the other members get a look in.
Cheryl sings lead again on “Give A Little Love”, which is the standout track from what was side two of the original album. Recorded before the Aswad hit version, one wonders today how this song got passed over for a single release at the time.
Rounding out the album is a whole host of extras, including all the B-sides from the Polydor era, which sit much better on the album than the lost RCA singles. “In Your Eyes” and “Too Hard” are both particularly good songs, somewhat wasted as B-sides at the time. There are also two excellent Ian Levine remixes of “New Beginning”, neither of which have appeared on CD before, a remix of the hit “I Hear Talk” and a previously unreleased 12” mix of “Love In A World Gone Mad”.
Some nice artwork and sleeve notes complete the package, as does its rather attractive budget price tag. So go on, treat yourself and see why “The Writing On The Wall” simply sparkles in 2004.
Originally, this Polydor album was a bit of a mess. Promoted at the time as featuring six singles, three of those being minor hits that had been licensed from their former record label RCA, that didn’t even feature Shelley Preston vocally. These songs took up valuable space that could have been given to new recordings, and affected the cohesion of the album. The newer Polydor material had a uniformed sound that jarred with the RCA tracks, which left the listener feeling they had purchased a compilation, rather than a complete new record.
“The Writing On The Wall” only made it to number 89 in the charts and was quickly forgotten. Thanks though to the efforts of two Fizz fans, Dean Murphy and Ian Stocker, the album that should have been is now available.
Kicking off with a slightly extended version of the classic top ten hit “New Beginning” this new edition flows better than ever. Heavy hitters “Soul Motion”, the single “Love The One You’re With” (remixed with more emphasis on the drums, a la “New Beginning”) and the stunning ballad “Keep Each Other Warm” keep the momentum going. By the time you reach the previously unreleased version of “Love In A World Gone Mad”, you’re hooked! This new version of the track was originally scheduled to become a single in early 1987, but ended up on the shelf instead. A pity, as it featured some beautiful lead vocals from Cheryl and Shelley. Almost without exception, all of the group’s singles from the previous two years had featured Bobby on lead vocals. Undoubtedly Bobby had the most commercial voice in the group, but it was nice occasionally to hear one of the other members get a look in.
Cheryl sings lead again on “Give A Little Love”, which is the standout track from what was side two of the original album. Recorded before the Aswad hit version, one wonders today how this song got passed over for a single release at the time.
Rounding out the album is a whole host of extras, including all the B-sides from the Polydor era, which sit much better on the album than the lost RCA singles. “In Your Eyes” and “Too Hard” are both particularly good songs, somewhat wasted as B-sides at the time. There are also two excellent Ian Levine remixes of “New Beginning”, neither of which have appeared on CD before, a remix of the hit “I Hear Talk” and a previously unreleased 12” mix of “Love In A World Gone Mad”.
Some nice artwork and sleeve notes complete the package, as does its rather attractive budget price tag. So go on, treat yourself and see why “The Writing On The Wall” simply sparkles in 2004.
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