Post by bass_echo on Jun 5, 2006 16:53:31 GMT -5
www.musictap.net/Reviews/PowerStationTPSCD.htm
06/03/05
Reviewed by - Marco Passarelli
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The Power Station
The Power Station
Here’s a reissue that I’ve been looking forward to for the past year; the debut album from The Power Station. I can not believe that it has been 20 YEARS since this album was released! At the time, I remember being baffled at the concept of ‘the super group’ in ’85 - “two guys from Duran Duran got together with two other guys to make a rock album?” I had no clue then; but I sure do now.
Named after the famed New York City recording studio, The Power Station was noted for its incredible acoustics, and these acoustics were seized heavily by producer and ex-Chic bassist, Bernard Edwards. Using the studio to it fullest, Edwards created a cutting edge rock sound that was as danceable as it was raucous. The first single, “Some Like It Hot” still sounds as fresh as it did in 1985 without sounding dated. Straight away, this song established a ‘sound’ that was unique to this group; a sound that was sophisticated, slightly naughty and downright funky. And if you think of it, how many pop records open up with a drum solo?
While I’m on the subject of drums, I must say that this is one of the most powerful drum sounds ever recorded, but that was bound to happen with ex-Chic drummer, Tony Thompson behind the kit. Appropriately, Modern Drummer Magazine awarded Mr. Thompson “Best Funk Performance” in 1985 fro his work on The Power Station album.
Listening to “The Power Station” in 2005 reveals how well made this ‘one-off side project’ really was. The ensuing years have been kind to the album and all of its 8 tracks have held up remarkably well; check out the neo-soul of “Lonely Tonight”, this song could easily be covered by any Top 40 artist today and it would be a smash.
The most surprising thing about The Power Station was the fact that it was started by the two guys in Duran Duran! While John Taylor’s funky and propulsive bass lines fueled every Duran hit that ever was, guitarist Andy Taylor was often buried under layer upon layer of synthesizers, sequencers and percussion. To his credit, he tastefully played what was appropriate for those songs but he was capable of much more as this album easily attests. Like a volcano that has not erupted for many years, he explodes on every track and wails like a man possessed when it comes time to solo. He is literally unleashed on the group’s classic cover of T Rex’s “Get It On”, the swaggering “Murderess” and the soulful, “Got To Zero”. He even turned in co-lead vocals on the driving remake of The Isley Brothers, “Harvest For The World”. But for all the bombast, the album pulls an about face to close with the beautiful ballad, “Still In Your Heart”. It is the perfect way to end the album and Robert Palmer’s vocal performance is simply incredible.
This reissue could almost have been subtitled “The Complete Power Station”, since it contains everything that they have released in 1985, including radio and extended edits of their singles as well as a rare track from the Commando soundtrack. “Someday, Somehow, Someone’s Gotta Pay”, renamed from its original title of “We Fight For Love”, is an incredibly heavy tune that was recorded after the original album sessions and features touring vocalist Michael Des Barres. To make the package even more complete, there is an included DVD of the 1985 MTV documentary on the making of the album. While this was released on VHS back in the day, it makes me giddy as a school girl in the springtime to have this on DVD. As an extra special added bonus, EMI has even included the only live performance that the band did with Robert Palmer; their appearance on Saturday Night Live from February, 1985.
This set perfectly captures a special moment in pop music history and yet, it becomes a bittersweet retrospective on this unique group as Bernard Edwards, Tony Thompson and Robert Palmer have all passed on. This album is dedicated to their memories and their talents so turn it up for them!
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Release Date: April 26, 2005
Tracks: 15 - Time: 64:52
Produced by: Bernard Edwards
Format: CD with Bonus DVD
Website: N/A
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Track Listing:
Some Like It Hot / Murderess / Lonely Tonight / Communication / Get It On (Bang a Gong) / Go To Zero / Harvest For the World / Still in Your Heart / Someday, Somehow, Someone's Gotta Pay (Bonus Track) / The Heat is On (Bonus Track) / Communication (Bonus Track - Long Remix) / Get It On (Bang a Gong) (Bonus Track - 7" Mix) / Some Like It Hot and The Heat Is On (Bonus Track) / Communication (Bonus Track - Remix) / Some Like It Hot (Bonus Track - 7" Mix).
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The Power Station:
Robert Palmer - Vocals
John Taylor - Bass
Tony Thompson - Drums
Andy Taylor - Guitar / Vocals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/03/05
Reviewed by - Marco Passarelli
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Power Station
The Power Station
Here’s a reissue that I’ve been looking forward to for the past year; the debut album from The Power Station. I can not believe that it has been 20 YEARS since this album was released! At the time, I remember being baffled at the concept of ‘the super group’ in ’85 - “two guys from Duran Duran got together with two other guys to make a rock album?” I had no clue then; but I sure do now.
Named after the famed New York City recording studio, The Power Station was noted for its incredible acoustics, and these acoustics were seized heavily by producer and ex-Chic bassist, Bernard Edwards. Using the studio to it fullest, Edwards created a cutting edge rock sound that was as danceable as it was raucous. The first single, “Some Like It Hot” still sounds as fresh as it did in 1985 without sounding dated. Straight away, this song established a ‘sound’ that was unique to this group; a sound that was sophisticated, slightly naughty and downright funky. And if you think of it, how many pop records open up with a drum solo?
While I’m on the subject of drums, I must say that this is one of the most powerful drum sounds ever recorded, but that was bound to happen with ex-Chic drummer, Tony Thompson behind the kit. Appropriately, Modern Drummer Magazine awarded Mr. Thompson “Best Funk Performance” in 1985 fro his work on The Power Station album.
Listening to “The Power Station” in 2005 reveals how well made this ‘one-off side project’ really was. The ensuing years have been kind to the album and all of its 8 tracks have held up remarkably well; check out the neo-soul of “Lonely Tonight”, this song could easily be covered by any Top 40 artist today and it would be a smash.
The most surprising thing about The Power Station was the fact that it was started by the two guys in Duran Duran! While John Taylor’s funky and propulsive bass lines fueled every Duran hit that ever was, guitarist Andy Taylor was often buried under layer upon layer of synthesizers, sequencers and percussion. To his credit, he tastefully played what was appropriate for those songs but he was capable of much more as this album easily attests. Like a volcano that has not erupted for many years, he explodes on every track and wails like a man possessed when it comes time to solo. He is literally unleashed on the group’s classic cover of T Rex’s “Get It On”, the swaggering “Murderess” and the soulful, “Got To Zero”. He even turned in co-lead vocals on the driving remake of The Isley Brothers, “Harvest For The World”. But for all the bombast, the album pulls an about face to close with the beautiful ballad, “Still In Your Heart”. It is the perfect way to end the album and Robert Palmer’s vocal performance is simply incredible.
This reissue could almost have been subtitled “The Complete Power Station”, since it contains everything that they have released in 1985, including radio and extended edits of their singles as well as a rare track from the Commando soundtrack. “Someday, Somehow, Someone’s Gotta Pay”, renamed from its original title of “We Fight For Love”, is an incredibly heavy tune that was recorded after the original album sessions and features touring vocalist Michael Des Barres. To make the package even more complete, there is an included DVD of the 1985 MTV documentary on the making of the album. While this was released on VHS back in the day, it makes me giddy as a school girl in the springtime to have this on DVD. As an extra special added bonus, EMI has even included the only live performance that the band did with Robert Palmer; their appearance on Saturday Night Live from February, 1985.
This set perfectly captures a special moment in pop music history and yet, it becomes a bittersweet retrospective on this unique group as Bernard Edwards, Tony Thompson and Robert Palmer have all passed on. This album is dedicated to their memories and their talents so turn it up for them!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release Date: April 26, 2005
Tracks: 15 - Time: 64:52
Produced by: Bernard Edwards
Format: CD with Bonus DVD
Website: N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Track Listing:
Some Like It Hot / Murderess / Lonely Tonight / Communication / Get It On (Bang a Gong) / Go To Zero / Harvest For the World / Still in Your Heart / Someday, Somehow, Someone's Gotta Pay (Bonus Track) / The Heat is On (Bonus Track) / Communication (Bonus Track - Long Remix) / Get It On (Bang a Gong) (Bonus Track - 7" Mix) / Some Like It Hot and The Heat Is On (Bonus Track) / Communication (Bonus Track - Remix) / Some Like It Hot (Bonus Track - 7" Mix).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Power Station:
Robert Palmer - Vocals
John Taylor - Bass
Tony Thompson - Drums
Andy Taylor - Guitar / Vocals.
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