SINGLES

Rip It Up, Issue 17, 1 November 1978, Page 18

SINGLES

Duncan Campbell

Does anyone remember, or for that matter care about, Raymond Douglas Davies? Davies has written more brilliant flops than anyone else who comes to mind, and time hasn’t blunted his vision, his bite or his wit one iota.

The Kinks’ latest single “Rock 'n Roll Fantasy ”, heads this month’s list by a country mile. It’s undoubtedly the strongest song Ray has penned for some considerable time, with an aching melody that never quits. If you’ve ever shaken the walls with your stereo just to forget how rotten things are outside, latch onto this, and fast.

To think this man ends up playing support to Peter Frampton!

CAPTION THIS PHOTO The Phonogram Records Graham Parker Competition is still on! This month we will publish the closing date (Novmeber 20) and where to send your entry Rip It Up, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1. The booty is 3 copies of Parker and the Rumour’s live 2 record set Parkerilla, plus 20 sets of 4 Graham Parker Tour badges.

Runner-up honours this month go to Streettalk, Blondie and British reggae band Steel Pulse. Streettalk’s double-A side, “Leaving The Country/Falling To Pieces” is the fruit of their labours with Chris Hillman, and worthwhile labours they assuredly have been. Hammond Gamble, one of the great R&B singers, turns in his usual exemplary performance, and the band kicks like a mule on speed. New York’s darlings have turned up the best B-side of the month. “Room With A View” is cute, but unexceptional. Flip it over, and you’re hit by a little gem called “Fade Away And Radiate,” a far superior song which gives Debbie much more room to move, and recalls 60’s, acid all things faaar out. Steel Pulse have built up a strong following in the past two years, combining Jamaican roots with Dread In A UK, and producing a streamlined, punchy and very danceable form of reggae. "Prodigal" won’t sell a bundle, but it gives me lotsa fun, and those who crave Jah sounds should investigate soonest. Dion, as avid radio listeners already know, has finally got it right after many false starts on the road to comeback with "Midtown American

Mainstreet Gang”. At last, he has the material that befits his voice, and Cashman and West have succeeded where Phil Spector failed. Springsteen would give his eye teeth for this song. Of the rest, we have very watery outings from Mark Williams and Malcolm McCallum. who have both sought richer trans-Tasman pastures. They deserve better material and McCallum's producer is suffering from a Golden Disc hangover. In addition, there are at least a dozen disco singles around this month, and all I can say is that they and discos deserve each other, the one exception being former Edgar Winter associate Dan Hartman’s “Instant Replay”, which at least has a little jump, and has scored big with the boogie freaks around my house.