Tag Archives: Slant

Mario Pavane: Trio Arc

On June 1, 2008, “Playscape” label released “Trio Arc”, an album Mario Pavone, Paul Bley and Matt Wilson. It was recorded in October 2007, and was produced by Mario Pavone.

Personnel:

  • Paul Bley – piano
  • Mario Pavone – bass
  • Matt Wilson – drums 

Track listing:

All tracks by Mario Pavone, Paul Bley and Matt Wilson except where noted.

  1. Slant
  2. Hello Again
  3. Quest
  4. Miro
  5. Lazzi
  6. Sweet
  7. Solo Bley – Paul Bley

Joy Division: Closer

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

Elvis Costello: Get Happy!!

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

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man

I'm_Your_Man_-_Leonard_Cohen (1)

On February 2, 1988, “Columbia” label released “I’m Your Man”, the eighth Leonard Cohen studio album. It was recorded August – November 1987, at the “Studio Tempo” in Montréal and “Rock Steady” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Leonard Cohen, Roscoe Beck, Jean-Michel Reusser and Michel Robidoux.  Pitchfork Media ranked the album at number 51 on its list “100 Best Albums of the 1980s”; “Slant” magazine listed the album at number 29 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Leonard Cohen – vocals, keyboards
  • Jude Johnson – vocals
  • Anjani Thomas – vocals
  • Jennifer Warnes – vocals
  • Bob Stanley – guitar
  • Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar
  • John Bilezikjian – oud
  • Jeff Fisher – keyboards
  • Peter Kisilenko – bass
  • Michel Robidoux – drums, keyboards
  • Tom Brechtlein – drums
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
  • Lenny Castro – percussion
  • Richard Beaudet – saxophone
  • Raffi Hakopian – violin
  • Mayel Assouly – backing vocals
  • Evelyine Hebey – backing vocals
  • Elisabeth Valletti – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Leonard Cohen except where noted.

  1. First We Take Manhattan
  2. Ain’t No Cure for Love
  3. Everybody Knows – Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson
  4. I’m Your Man
  5. Take This Waltz – Leonard Cohen, Federico Garcia Lorca
  6. Jazz Police – Leonard Cohen, Jeff Fisher
  7. I Can’t Forget
  8. Tower of Song

Pretenders: Same

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

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

Michael Jackson: Thriller

Michael_Jackson_-_Thriller

On November 30, 1982, “Epic” label released “Thriller”, the sixth Michael Jackson studio album.  It was recorded April – November 1982, at the “Westlake Recording Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. With more than 65 million copies sold worldwide“Thriller” is the best selling album of all time. In 1984, the album won a record eight “Grammy Awards”, including “Album of the Year” award. In 2003 magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Thriller” on number 20 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “The National Association of Recording Merchandisers” ranked “Thriller” at number three in its “Definitive 200” albums of all time. The album was included in the “Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry” of culturally significant recordings. In 2012, magazine “Slant” ranked “Thriller” at number one on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals, drum case beater, bathroom stomp board, handclaps, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements , horn arrangements , synthesizer arrangements
  • Paul McCartney– vocals
  • Quincy Jones– rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangements, musical arrangements
  • Steve Lukather– guitar, bass guitar, additional guitars  musical arrangements
  • Eddie Van Halen– guitar
  • Paul Jackson, Jr.– guitar
  • Dean Parks – guitar
  • David Williams – guitar
  • Rod Temperton – keyboards, synthesizers, rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangements , synthesizer arrangements
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, synthesizers, synthesizer programming , musical arrangements
  • Bill Wolfer – keyboards , synthesizers, synthesizer programming
  • Brian Banks – keyboards, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
  • Michael Boddicker– keyboards, synthesizers, Emulator, Vocoder
  • N’dugu Chancler– drums
  • Paulinho da Costa– percussion
  • David Foster– synthesizers, synthesizer arrangements
  • Anthony Marinelli– synthesizer programming
  • David Paich – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, rhythm arrangements, musical arrangements
  • Greg Phillinganes – keyboards , synthesizers, electric piano, synthesizer programming
  • Greg Smith – synthesizers
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums
  • Larry Williams – saxophone, flute
  • Jerry Hey– trumpet, flugelhorn, horn arrangements, string arrangements, strings conductor
  • Gary Grant – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Bill Reichenbach – trombone
  • Chris Shepard  – vibraslap
  • Vincent Price – voice-over
  • La Toya Jackson, Janet Jackson – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Wanna Be Startin’ Something – Michael Jackson
  2. Baby Be Mine – Rod Temperton
  3. The Girl Is Mine – Michael Jackson
  4. Thriller – Rod Temperton
  5. Beat It – Michael Jackson
  6. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
  7. Human Nature – Steve Porcaro, John Bettis
  8. Pretty Young Thing – James Ingram, Quincy Jones
  9. The Lady In My Life – Rod Temperton