Singles Bar

Rip It Up, Issue 107, 1 June 1986, Page 20

Singles Bar

Patti Labelle : and Michael McDonald On My Own (MCA 127) Super fine soul from ex-Doobie Brother McDonald and a very controlled Ms Labelle. Just a nice simple song with an uncluttered production that really works. A huge hitin all enlightened nations — | hope that means here. Wall of Voodoo Far Side of Crazy (Epic) Not much voodoo and far from crazy. This one won't get any new fans but there might be something better on the Seven Days in Sammystown album. Force MDs Tender Love (Warner Bros) Wow, this is great, a real schmaltzy sugar coated tale of undying love. Simply so over the top in its sentimentality that it kills me, a hit for swinging lovers everywhere. Colonel Abrams ] I’'m Not Gonna Let (MCA 12") Nice and bouncy rhythm combined with the Colonel’s deep pleadings make this a winner. Sounds better on this 12"’ than

the album cut, four versions here with the extended mix and the acappella being the better ones. King Kurt Road to Rack and Ruin

(Stiff 12”) Rockabilly thrash from the boastful Big Cock album. The “wild boys of pop” return with a homage to destruction that I'm sure some of you will find attractive. The Art of Noise Peter Gunn (Chrysalis 12”) Bar bands around the world have been grinding this one out ever since Duane “the biggest

twang” Eddy first plucked it out. This is great only because of Duane, and also because it's kept fairly straight. The only Art of Noise record worth owning. Bob Dylan and the

Heartbreakers Band of the Hand (MCA) Hey, a protest song from the rich Mr Dylan. This one’s got the lot: freedom, rights, corrupt systems, flags, blacks, Vietnam, etc, etc ... If people did what he wrote and sung about, rich rock stars — and that includes him — would be the first to go under. Long live the revolution. David Bowie Underground (EMI) An amazing amount of people on this, including Albert Collins, Marcus Miller, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and produced by Arif Mardin. Sort of a gospel feel with blues guitar from Collins. Actually Bowie sounds a little out of his depth, not quite suiting the backing track. Now if Luther had done it ... The Johnnys Showdown (Mushroom) Spencer and the boys do a lively hoedown on this New York Dolls’ classic. Their best vinyl outing so far, and the album is even better. Rock 'n’ roll til' the cows come ‘home. . Kerry Buchanan