[A Little Moyet] -- Alison Moyet is an English pop singer whose bluesy contralto voice has graced recordings and stage performances since 1978. She got her start in the music industry when Vince Clarke, formerly of Depeche Mode, selected her as the voice of the second phase of his electronic music career. For more about Moyet's collaboration with Clarke in Yazoo, refer to my 3/11/2011 post, The Clarke Factor. After Yazoo disbanded in 1983, Moyet moved on to a solo career. Her discography includes eight studio albums (including two in the 80s), three compilations, and two live albums. She has 30 singles to her credit, many of which were highly successful in the UK and across Europe. Although she has had little to no chart success in the US, she does maintain a huge fan base. I could be wrong about that; I freely admit some bias due to being a huge fan myself. So, what Moyet recordings have I selected for you this week? Read and hear more after the break!
Flashback #1: "All I needed was the love you gave | All I needed for another day | And all I ever knew | Only you."
Vince Clarke wrote the ballad "Only You" during his time with Depeche Mode. However, he didn't record until 1982, after he formed the duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in North America) with Alison Moyet. It hit the #2 position in the UK and even did well in the states, charting at #67 on the on Billboard Hot 100. Recently, it was featured in a season two episode ("The Price") of the ABC show Once Upon A Time: Henry played it for a girl from Camelot, once on his iPod and then again on the jukebox in Granny's Diner. Thus proving that 80s ballads can woo someone from any time period ... or dimension.
Flashback #2: "There's so much more to see in each new day | They'd never understand I'm not an ordinary girl."
Alison released her second solo album, Raindancing, in 1987. On the strength of her cover of "Weak in the Presence of Beauty," the album sold well, reaching the #2 position on the UK Albums Chart and even squeezing onto the US Billboard Hot 100 albums chart. Her second single, "Ordinary Girl," failed to crack the UK's top 40 and it didn't chart in the US at all. I think it's one of her under-appreciated gems, so it is our second Flashback of the day.
Flashback #3: "Let's be optimistic, let's say that we won't toil in vain | If we pull together we'll never fall apart again."
"Love Resurrection" was the first single off Alison Moyet's debut studio album, Alf (1984). It was a top 10 hit in the UK. It also peaked at #82 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in August of that year. There are two versions of the music video: the UK version shows Moyet singing in some desert encampment; the US version has her performing in a club of some sort. According to Wikipedia, the US version was made to show "a softer side to Moyet following the breakup of Yazoo." I have no idea if that is true, and there is no longer a source link to confirm the story. But if there is one thing I know about this song for absolute certain (at least according to me): When Moyet sang "We all need a love resurrection," it's possible that she sang the greatest truth of her entire career in less than four minutes.
Once again, I remind you that the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the archives. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
And if you are on Twitter, and feel so inclined, please +K my influence in Music on @klout.
I'll see you in seven!
And if you are on Twitter, and feel so inclined, please +K my influence in Music on @klout.
I'll see you in seven!
No comments:
Post a Comment