Showing posts with label Jaki Graham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jaki Graham. Show all posts

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Let it be - Ferry Aid

I don't really know why - well it probably was a lack of funds - but I never bought the 12" single of Ferry Aid's 'Let it be' despite being a fan of several artists on this record. 23 years later, I finally managed it and what a pleasant surprise this disc holds...

The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.

My collection: 12" single no. 545
Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'

Monday 19 April 2010

Let it be - Ferry Aid

On March 6, 1987, the Herald of Free Enterprise - a ferry between Zeebrugge in Belgium and Dover in England - capsized, which killed 193 passengers and crew. The Sun newspaper, which had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, quickly organized a recording of a charity recording. The song 'Let it be' was performed by an impressive array of artists, recorded on March 14, 15 and 16 at PWL studios. The recording was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.

The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 575
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'

Saturday 6 February 2010

Round and around - Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham had her first chart hit when she recorded the duet 'Could it be I'm falling in love' with David Grant in 1985. She followed up that single with 'Round and around', a track from her debut album 'Heaven knows'.

It became her first solo top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9. While it was also released in Europe, the single failed to chart there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4556
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Round and around' / 'Victim of emotion'

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Breaking away - Jaki Graham

'Breaking away' is the title track from Jaki Graham's second album, released in 1986. The album reached number 25 in the UK albums chart.

When the song was released as the second single from the album, it performed rather well in the charts. In the UK, 'Breaking away' peaked at number 16, and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 4175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Breaking away' / 'Love me tonight'

Saturday 24 October 2009

Set me free - Jaki Graham

'Set me free' was the first single taken from Jaki Graham's second album 'Breaking away'. It is one of her better known songs, having reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

As per usual, the tracks on this single were written by her partner Derek Bramble.

My collection: 7" single no. 4124
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, October 24, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Set me free' / 'Stop the world'

Saturday 5 September 2009

Could it be I'm falling in love - David Grant and Jaki Graham

'Could it be I'm falling in love' was originally recorded in 1972 by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners (known as 'Detroit Spinners' in the UK).

David Grant & Jaki Graham recorded the song in 1985 and reached number 5 on the UK singles chart. This was such a big success for the two, that they decided to record another duet later that year, entitled 'Mated'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2875
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Could it be I'm falling in love' / 'Turn around'

Thursday 6 August 2009

Step right up - Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham had her biggest chart successes when she duetted with David Grant, but she also released plenty of solo singles. 'Step right up' was a slightly formulaic Eighties pop song, released in November 1986 and her last big hit in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 15.

The real treat here is the sexually charged 'The closest one', which is on the B-side of this single. A duet with Derek Bramble, who also co-wrote the song, it shows off Jaki's amazing vocal range.

My collection: 7" single no. 3925
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Step right up' / 'The closest one'

Saturday 18 July 2009

Mated - David Grant and Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham (born September 15, 1956 in Birmingham, UK) and David Grant (born August 8, 1956, Hackney, London, UK) recorded a duet called 'Could it be I'm falling in love' in Early 1985. The success of this duet led to a further recording together, 'Mated', released in autumn of that same year.

Written by Todd Rundgren, this duet was less successful, peaking at number 20 in the UK and number 15 in the Netherlands. But it's a glossy Eighties production and worth a spin or two.

My collection: 7" single no. 3865
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mated' / 'The facts of love'

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Advertising