Tag Archives: Best Albums of the 1980s

Joy Division: Closer

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Joy Division - Closer

On July 18, 1980, “Factory” label released “Closer”, the second and final Joy Division studio album.It was released following the May 1980 suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis. “Closer” was recorded in March 1980, at “Britannia Row Studios” in London, and was produced by Martin Hannett. “NME” ranked the album at number 72 on its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”; “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Closer” at number 157 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2006, “Q” magazine ranked the album at number 8 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980s”, and “Slant” magazine ranked it at number 7 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Ian Curtis– lead vocals, guitar, melodica
  • Bernard Sumner – guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers
  • Peter Hook– bass guitar, guitar, six-string bass guitar
  • Stephen Morris– drums, electronic drums, percussion
  • Martin Hannett– engineer
  • John Caffery – engineer
  • Michael Johnson – engineer assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner.

  1. Atrocity Exhibition
  2. Isolation
  3. Passover
  4. Colony
  5. A Means to an End
  6. Heart and Soul
  7. Twenty Four Hours
  8. The Eternal
  9. Decades

Soul II Soul: Club Classics Vol. One

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Club_classics_vol._one

On April 10, 1989, “Virgin” label released “Club Classics Vol. One”, the debut Soul II Soul album. It was recorded 1988 – 1989, and was produced by Jazzie B. and Nellee Hooper. The album was certified 3 x Platinum by the “British Phonographic Industry”, and 2 x Platinum by the “RIAA” for sales in US. In 2004,  “Q”  magazine  ranked Club Classics Vol. One at number 28 in its list of the “50 Greatest British Albums Ever”. In 2012, “Slant Magazine”, ranked the album at number 100 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Jazzie B – vocals, arrangements, mixing
  • Simon Law – vocal harmonies, piano, keyboards
  • Marco (Carlos Eduardo Rodríguez Montoya) – keyboards
  • Andrew Levy – bass
  • Graham Silbiger – bass
  • Crispin – percussion
  • Zak Ovre – percussion
  • Shikisha – Zulu vocals
  • Caron Wheeker – vocals
  • Rose Windross – vocals
  • Do’Reen – vocals
  • Massive Attack – backing vocals
  • Aitch B – backing vocals
  • Caron Wheeler – backing vocals
  • Kushite – flute
  • Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra – strings
  • Nellee Hooper – programming, mixing
  • Mel Wesson – programming
  • Gota Yashiki – additional programming
  • Dolby – turntables
  • Mykaell S. Riley – string arrangements
  • Dubfire Smith – engineer
  • Arabella Rodriguez – engineer
  • Howie Bernstein – engineer
  • David James – design
  • Jamie Morgan – photography

Track listing:

  1. Keep on Movin’ – Trevor Baresford Romes
  2. Fairplay – Trevor Baresford Romeo, Nellee Hooper, Rose Windrows
  3. Holdin’ On – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  4. Feeling Free (Live Rap) – Trevor Baresford Romes
  5. African Dance – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  6. Dance – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  7. Feel Free – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper
  8. Happiness (Dub) – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper
  9. Back to Life (Accapella) – Trevor Baresford Romes
  10. Jazzie’s Groove – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper

Madonna: Like A Prayer

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Like_a_Prayer

On March 21, 1989, “Sire” label released “Like a Prayer”, the fourth Madonna studio album. It was recorded September 1988 – January 1989, at “D&D Recording” in New York City, “Ocean Way Recording” in Hollywood, and was produced by Madonna, Patrick Leonard, Stephen Bray and Prince. In 2003, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked the album at number 239 of its list of “500 greatest album of all time”. In 2006, magazine “Q” ranked the album at number 14 in its list of “40 Best Albums of the ’80s”. In 2012, “Slant Magazine” ranked the album at number 20 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s”. “Like a Prayer” was certified quadruple platinum by “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Madonna – madona, synthesizer
  • Niki Haris, Marilyn Martin, Donna DeLory, Ali Nadirah, Lynne Fiddmont, Rose Banks, Marcos Loya, The Andrae Crouch Choir – vocals
  • Chester Kamen, David Williams, Dann Huff, Bruce Gaitsch – guitar
  • Sandra Crouch – tambourine
  • Jai Winding, Stephen Bray – synthesizer
  • Patrick Leonard – acoustic piano, B3 organ, clavinet, synthesizer
  • Guy Pratt, Randy Jackson – bass
  • Chuck Findley, David Boruff, Steven Madaio, Dick Hyde – brass section
  • Jonathan Moffett, Jeff Porcaro, John Robinson – drums
  • Luis Conte, Paulinho da Costa – percussion
  • Joseph Mayer, Richard Todd – French horns
  • Marcos Loya – requinto
  • Joe Porcaro – marimba
  • Larry Corbett – solo cello
  • Chuck Findley – horn arrangements
  • Bill Meyers – strings arranged and conducted
  • Suzie Katayama – concertmaster
  • Bill Bottrell, Eddie Miller, Stephen Shelton, Heidi Hanschu – engineer
  • Michael Vail Blum, Robert Salcedo, Stacy Baird, Joe Schiff – additional engineering
  • Bill Bottrell – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Herb Ritts – photography
  • Jeri Heiden – art design

Track listing:

All tracks by Madonna, except where noted.

  1. Like a Prayer – Madonna and Patrick Leonard
  2. Express Yourself – Madonna and Stephen Bray
  3. Love Song – Madonna, Prince and Roger Nelson
  4. Till Death Do Us part
  5. Promise to Try
  6. Cherish
  7. Dear Jessie
  8. Oh Father
  9. Keep It Together – Madonna and Stephen Bray
  10. Spanish Eyes
  11. Art of Contrition

Elvis Costello: Get Happy!!

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Elvis_Costello_-_Get_Happy!!

On February 15, 1980, “F-Beat” label released “Get Happy!!”, the fourth Elvis Costello album, third one with the Attractions. It was recorded in October 1979, and was produced by Nick Lowe. Album sleeve was designed by “F-Beat” art director Barney Bubbles. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Get Happy” at number 11 of its list of the “100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s”. In 2012, “Slant”  magazine ranked the album at number 68 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello– vocals, guitar, organ, all instruments on “New Amsterdam”
  • Steve Nieve– piano, organ
  • Bruce Thomas– bass, harmonica
  • Pete Thomas– drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello except where noted.

  1. Love for Tender
  2. Opportunity
  3. The Imposter
  4. Secondary Modern
  5. King Horse
  6. Possession
  7. Man Called Uncle
  8. Clowntime Is Over
  9. New Amsterdam
  10. High Fidelity
  11. I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down – Homer Banks, Allen Jones
  12. Black & White World
  13. 5ive Gears in Reverse
  14. B Movie
  15. Motel Matches
  16. Human Touch
  17. Beaten to the Punch
  18. Temptation
  19. I Stand Accused – Tony Colton, Ray Smith
  20. Riot Act

Pretenders: Same

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Pretenders first album

On January 19, 1980, “Real Records” label released the self titled, debut Pretenders album.  It was recorded in 1979 at “Wessex Studios” and “Air Studios” and was produced by Chris Thomas, except “Stop Your Sobbing” produced by Nick Lowe. In 1982 the album was certified Platinum in US by “RIAA”. In 1989 magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked the album at number 20 on its list at “Best Albums of the 1980s” and in 2003 at number 155 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”. In 2012, magazine “Slant” ranked the album at number 64 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Chrissie Hynde– lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • James Honeyman-Scott– lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Pete Farndon– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Martin Chambers– drums, backing vocals
  • Chris Thomas– keyboards, sound effects
  • Chris Mercer –saxophone
  • Geoff Bryant– horn
  • Henry Lowther– trumpet
  • Jim Wilson – trumpet

Track listing:

All tracks by Chrissie Hynde, except where noted.

  1. Precious
  2. The Phone Call
  3. Up the Neck
  4. Tattooed Love Boys
  5. Space Invader – Pete Farndon, James Honeyman-Scott
  6. The Wait – Chrissie Hynde, Pete Farndon
  7. Stop Your Sobbing – Ray Davies
  8. Kid
  9. Private Life
  10. Brass in Pocket – James Honeyman-Scott, Chrissie Hynde
  11. Lovers of Today
  12. Mystery Achievement

The Clash: Sandinista

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The_Clash_-_Sandinista!

On December 12, 1980, “CBS” label released “Sandinista!”, the fourth Clash studio album. The triple album 36 songs were recorded February – August 1980, at “Pluto Studios” in Manchester; “The Power Station” in New York, “Electric Lady Studios” in New York City, “Channel One Studios” in Kingston, and  at “Wessex Studios” in London, and was produced by Mikey Dread, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Sandinista” on number 404, on it’s list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; Sandinista! was voted best album of the year in the Pazz & Jop critics poll in “The Village Voice” and in 2012, “Slant” magazine ranked the album at number 85 on its “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Joe Strummer– lead vocals, guitars
  • Mick Jones– vocals, guitars
  • Paul Simonon– vocals, bass
  • Topper Headon– vocals, drums
  • Tymon Dogg – vocals, violin, keyboard
  • Mickey Gallagher – keyboards
  • Ivan Julian – guitar
  • Noel ‘Tempo’ Bailey – guitar
  • Lew Lewis – harmonica
  • Davey Payne – saxophone
  • Gary Barnacle– saxophone
  • Arthur Edward “Bill” Barnacle – trumpet
  • Norman Watt-Roy – bass
  • Jody Linscott– percussion
  • Ellen Foley- co-lead vocal
  • Den Hegarty(Darts) – vocals
  • Luke & Ben Gallagher – vocals
  • Maria Gallagher – coda vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by the

Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon, except where noted.

  1. The Magnificent Seven
  2. Hitsville K.
  3. Junco Partner
  4. Ivan Meets G.I.Joe
  5. The Leader
  6. Something About England
  7. Rebel Waltz
  8. Look Here – Mose Allison
  9. The Crooked Beat
  10. Somebody Got Murdered
  11. One More Time –Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Mikey Dread
  12. One More Dub – Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon,  Mikey Dread
  13. Lightning Strikes
  14. Up in Heaven
  15. Corner Soul
  16. Let’s Go Crazy
  17. If Music Could Talk – Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Mikey Dread
  18. The Sound of Sinners
  19. Police on My Back – Eddy Grant
  20. Midnight Log
  21. The Equaliser
  22. The Call Up
  23. Washington Bullets
  24. Broadway
  25. Lose This Skin – Tymon Dogg
  26. Charlie Don’t Surf
  27. Mensforth Hill
  28. Junkie Slip
  29. Kingston Advice
  30. The Street Parade
  31. Version City
  32. Living in Fame – Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Mikey Dread
  33. Sillicone on Sapphire
  34. Version Pardner
  35. Career Opportunities
  36. Shepherds Delight