Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts

Friday 16 April 2010

I can laugh about it now - Black

Spain has always been friendly towards Black, ever since he had his biggest hit 'Wonderful life'. By the time Black's second album 'Comedy' was released in 1988, Spain even had an exclusive single release: the album track 'I can laugh about it now' was released as a single in Spain only. The B-side was a live version of 'All we need is the money', recorded - and released - in Japan in 1987.

I have no chart information about this single, all I know is that another exclusive Black single was released in 1993, the elusive 'Swingtime'. If you can sell that one to me, please contact me...

My collection: 7" single no. 3313
Found: Spanish website, received March 14, 2001
Cost: ?
Tracks: 'I can laugh about it now' / 'All we need is the money (live)'

Wednesday 14 April 2010

You're a big girl now - Black

'You're a big girl now' was released as the second single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy'. This limited edition version features a gatefold sleeve and a booklet with photographs and the song lyric in innovative typography.

The single did not reach the chart in any territory, a first sign that the commercial success of Black might not last forever - although the album was still a millionseller.

My collection: 7" single no. 689
Found: Record Exchange, October 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You're a big girl now' / 'Enough is enough'

Sunday 4 April 2010

The big one - Black

Black faced the 'difficult second album' syndrome in 1988. After a very successful 1987, it was time to come up with a second album that would match the success of his debut 'Wonderful life'. 'Comedy' certainly met all the artistic demands, but commercially it was less fortunate.

The first single from the album was 'The big one', in comparison the weakest track from the album. As such it may not have been the best choice. The single was released in a limited edition poster sleeve in the UK, but this didn't help much: it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 678
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The big one' / 'You are the one'

Thursday 11 February 2010

Paradise - Black

The last single from Black's debut album 'Wonderful life' was an edited version of 'Paradise'. To boost the sales of the single, a limited edition box set including postcards and a large poster was released. For some time, this was a holy grail I was searching for frantically in the Dutch record shops that simply refused to import something like this. In the end, I found a copy in London during a holiday there, a year after its release.

The single, meanwhile, reached number 38 in the UK singles chart during a three week chart run. It was to be Black's final top 40 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 599
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1989
Cost: 1,5 pound
Tracks: 'Paradise (edit)' / 'Dagger reel'

Wednesday 20 January 2010

I'm not afraid - Black

Through the years I have heard some horrendous single edits, but none have been as monstrous as the 7" edit of Black's 'I'm not afraid'. Someone took a blunt knife and started hacking into this track, particularly during the last few minutes. You can hear the voice being cut during singing, each and every cut is audible. And all this to bring down the length of this track with one minute. Perhaps they should just have released the five minute version.

Consequently, this single, the follow-up to Black's biggest hit 'Wonderful life', did not chart. What's interesting about the sleeve is that the German version, pictured here, features the entire lyric of the song on the front, whereas on the UK single (which I don't own, unfortunately) only the refrain, printed in blue, is shown.

My collection: 7" single no. 589
Found: Gé Hofenk, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid' / 'Have it your own way'

Wednesday 23 December 2009

More than the sun - Black

After Black signed to WEA Records in 1984, they released only two singles for the label until they were dropped. The second single was a re-recording of their 1982 single, 'More than the sun'. Although the previous single 'Hey presto' gave the band some exposure, this single didn't fare as well.

'More than the sun' is a beautifully orchestrated ballad in this re-recorded version. The B-side is the peculiar and very interesting 'Butterfly man'. Both tracks would be included in a mini-album released by WEA after they had their Europe-wide success with that one classic song, 'Wonderful life'. Cashing in!

My collection: 7" single no. 2271
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'More than the sun' / 'Butterfly man'

Wednesday 18 November 2009

Everything's coming up roses - Black

After years of struggling, Black finally signed with a major label in 1987. A&M records took on the task of lifting the band from its indie status and towards the higher regions of the charts. The first single on A&M was 'Everything's coming up roses', a rather rough track when compared to the rest of their later repertoire.

It has to be said: A&M did their best, even releasing the single as a limited edition pressed on white vinyl and with a four page booklet included in the gatefold sleeve. Nevertheless, the single did not chart. But fortunately, good things were just around the corner for Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 1770
Found: London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Everything's coming up roses' / 'Ravel in the rain'

Thursday 15 October 2009

Wonderful life - Black

'Wonderful life' is the song they can play at my funeral. It's the perfect combination of beautiful music and a raher cynical lyric - although it can also be perceived as being a rather upbeat lyric as well. Add to this the perfect voice of Colin Vearncombe, and you have one of the best pop songs of all time.

When it was originally released in 1985 on the independent Ugly Man label, a limited edition double single was made, featuring not two, but four great tracks. Re-recordings of all of these traks would appear on Black's debut album in 1987 on A&M records, except 'Birthday night', a song that never resurfaced. And for that, this double single is a true collectors item for Black fans. This original version reached number 72 in the UK singles chart. It was the first single by Black to reach the chart, if only for one week.

My collection: 7" single no. 2627
Found: March 9, 1996
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Wonderful life' / 'Birthday night' // 'Sometimes for the asking' / 'Everything's coming up roses'

Saturday 4 July 2009

More than the sun - Black

'More than the sun' was the second single by Black. Unlike the debut single 'Human features', this single was released on the independent 'Wonderful world of...' label. It is an early version of a track that Black would re-record in 1984, when they were signed to WEA Records. The B-side 'Jump' is an even bigger rarity, since that track never appeared again.

I ordered this single, together with another early Black release, in the UK, although I can't remember from which company. I received it some time after I ordered it. It was a very special moment: I was filling in some much-lamented gaps in my Black collection.

By the way: if you go to Black's official website, you can download the new album 'The Given' for free! (Donations welcome.)

My collection: 7" single no. 2626
Found: received March 9, 1996
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'More than the sun' / 'Jump'

Saturday 30 May 2009

Human features - Black

Originally a three-piece pop outfit from Roby, near Liverpool, England, Black featured Colin Vearncombe (born June 25, 1962, West Derby, Liverpool), Dave Dickie and Jimmy Sangster. Vearncombe was previously in the Epileptic Tits at the age of 16, playing punk cover versions. He then moved on to producing his own tapes until Dickie (ex-Last Chant) and Sangster formed a unit together.

Black's first single was 'Human features', released in 1981 on the independent Rox label. The single did not chart and was probably released in a very small quantity. Finding this single is next to impossible. I searched for it for years on end, and finally only got it because an old Black fan was selling off his items. I spent a small fortune, but was extremely happy to get my hands on this rare recording.

My collection: 7" single no. 2983
Found: Private seller, received April 9, 1998
Cost: 20 pounds (or more)
Tracks: 'Human features' / 'Electric church'

Monday 2 February 2009

Feel like change - Black

I wonder how much this single is worth. It's obviously not a commercially sold item, and not quite a white label. However it does list the release date of this single (April 22, 1991) and it is a custom A&M label.

Well anyway, 'Feel like change' was the first single from Black's self-titled album from 1991. It would be the last album for A&M, as after this main member Colin Vearncombe went independent and never dealt with big corporate record companies again. Oh, I wish I had Colin Vearncombe's voice, I would love hearing myself all day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3461
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'

Sunday 16 November 2008

Sweetest smile - Black

In 1987, I went on holiday to London. Having not been there for many years, I really longed for that holiday. I knew that the city would offer some record shops, and if I was to believe my sister, they were huge. I saved up a lot of money for that holiday, hoping to have enough to buy everything I saw - at least the things I liked.

The day before we went, I saw 'Top of the pops' on the BBC. Much to my surprise, I saw a performance by the band Black. I hadn't heard from that band since Hey Presto, so this was a great surprise. Apparently their single 'Sweetest smile' was just released, and the holiday to London presented an opportunity to pick up the single. Of course, it wasn't released in the Netherlands until it became a hit in the UK. I couldn't know that Black was about to become a household name during that year.

'Sweetest smile' was very different from 'Hey Presto', but I really liked it. Singer Colin Vearncombe has one of the most beautiful voices in the business, and the sophistication and style that oozed from 'Sweetest smile' was irresistible for me. I do wonder why the public dropped him so easily after 'Wonderful life'. Maybe it was just too good. Fortunately, I never lost contact with Black again.

My collection: 7" single no. 544
Found: Tower Records, Kensington London, 1987
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sweetest smile [7" edit]' / 'Sixteens'
Download: here

Friday 14 November 2008

Hey Presto - Black

One of the great mysteries of the 1980's is the video for Black's 'Hey Presto'. I saw it, I know I saw it, I saw it many times on the satellite TV channels of that time: Sky Channel, Music Box and the like. When my parents finally bought a VCR, in December of 1984, the video disappeared, and it never resurfaced again. Even in this age of YouTube and all, the video is nowhere to be found.
It was because of this video that I discovered the band Black. It was a love story that still hasn't ended to this day. This song, so dynamic and lively, wasn't available in Dutch shops in 1984, so I had to wait until 1987 to find my copy. By that time, Black had resurfaced in the Dutch and UK charts with 'Sweetest smile' and 'Wonderful life' - also great tracks. But more about those singles later...
'Hey presto' was released on WEA's Eternal label, but despite some promotion didn't make the charts in the UK, despite critical acclaim. It was at the beginning of their professional career. Although Black built a relatively successful career a few years later, they would never perform this song live again. Strange, because despite it being worlds apart from their later type of music, this track is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
My collection: 7" single no. 565
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey Presto' / 'Stephen'
Download: here
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