Showing posts with label Sheena Easton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheena Easton. Show all posts

Saturday 8 August 2009

So far so good - Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton recorded 'So far so good' for the soundtrack of the movie 'About last night', released in 1986. It was just after she'd released the album 'Do you', which was produced by Nile Rodgers (the B-side is taken from that album), and this track was produced by Narada Michael Walden. The Scottish girl was working with a lot of 'black' artists, although she was yet to meet the man who would turn her career around: Prince.

This single reached number 43 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. I don't know if it was released in the UK - this is an American pressing.

My collection: 7" single no. 3949
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'So far so good' / 'Magic of love'

Tuesday 28 April 2009

You can swing it - Sheena Easton

The mock-Jam & Lewis production 'You can swing it' was overlooked by the record-buying audience. 'What comes naturally' was Sheena Easton's last significant hit, after which none of Sheena's singles ever charted anymore (with the exception of 'Giving up giving in' (2000), which peaked at number 54 in the UK).

It has to be said that the song sounds very dated when you listen to it now. The scratching noises even sound pre-1991. A pretty picture on the sleeve didn't even help matters anymore...

My collection: 7" single no. 1508
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 10, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'You can swing it (7" version)' / 'You can swing it (Swingstrumental)'

Friday 17 April 2009

What comes naturally - Sheena Easton

After the album 'The lover in me', Sheena Easton seemed to want to pursue her career as a sex symbol in America even further. Her clothing became even flimsier and her music became less attractive as well. 'What comes naturally', the first single from the album of the same name, hovers dangerously towards the hiphop genre, but stays decent - but only just.

The UK audience had lost their interest in Easton, but the single did chart in the Netherlands, and even peaked at number 12 in the Dutch Top 40. In America it was her last hit single, peaking at number 19.

My collection: 7" single no. 1445
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'What comes naturally (7" single edit with rap)' / 'What comes naturally (7" single edit without rap)'


Wednesday 15 April 2009

Days like this - Sheena Easton

You might assume from seeing the picture of this sleeve that I bought this single for the package alone. And you would be almost right. See, the free poster was also a good incentive. But of course, Sheena Easton is an interesting artist anyway so I would be lying if I said I didn't like the song.

'Days like this' is another single from Sheena's 1988 album 'The lover in me'. The single peaked at number 43 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2180
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Days like this' / 'Days like this (instrumental)'

Thursday 26 March 2009

Follow my rainbow - Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton made her acting debut in November 1987 in the television series 'Miami Vice', playing a singer named Caitlin Davies. She was to be protected by Sonny Crockett (played by Don Johnson) until her court appearance to render crucial testimony against certain corrupt music industry mavens. After five episodes, the character ended up being killed just moments after singing 'Follow my rainbow'.

The song was featured on the soundtrack album for 'Miami Vice', which was released in 1988, and subsequently also appeared on Easton's own album 'The lover in me', that same year. The single was released in late 1989, but did not chart. Personally I think the sleeve is better than the record, actually.

My collection: 7" single no. 2320
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Follow my rainbow' / 'Days like this'

Thursday 19 March 2009

The lover in me - Sheena Easton

'The lover in me' was the first single from Sheena Easton's 1988 album of the same title. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 12 in the Netherlands and number 15 in the UK. The track was produced by L.A. and Babyface and the sleeve of the single confirmed Sheena Easton's image as a seductive vamp.

The 12" single contains three versions of the track, which all sound alike but have different lengths. The extended version is not a big surprise: it is indeed extended, but really nothing exciting happens. Oh well, the bigger version of the sleeve is enough of a convincing reason to buy it.

My collection: 12" single no. 493
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The lover in me (extended version)' / 'The lover in me (radio edit)', 'The lover in me (instrumental)'

Saturday 14 March 2009

Strut - Sheena Easton

In 1984, sweet Scottish singing sensation Sheena Easton made a transition towards a sexy dance-pop siren. She collaborated with Prince on her new album 'A private heaven', which was a big success.

While the single 'Strut' was ignored in Europe, it became her fifth top 10 single in America. It was a sassy and suggestive song, with a great hook and interesting vocals. Compare, if you like, the A-side with the B-side track. Where Sheena sounds great on the former, her voice sounds shrill and uninspired on the latter. Well, at least, that's what I think. Great sleeve, by the way...

My collection: 12" single no. 494
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Strut (Dance mix)' / 'Letters from the road'

Tuesday 20 January 2009

For your eyes only - Sheena Easton

'For your eyes only' was the theme tune of the twelfth James Bond movie, released in 1981. Easton, who had only had one previous hit with 'Morning Train' (or '9 to 5' as it was alternatively known), had a big hit with this track, peaking at number 8 in the UK and number 1 in the Netherlands. Easton was also the only artist to be seen singing the theme song of a Bond movie during its opening titles.

Originally, the producers wanted Blondie to perform this song, but she declined. Blondie's version of the song 'For your eyes only', which is actually a different composition, appears on their 1982 album, 'The Hunter'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3402
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'For your eyes only' / 'For your eyes only (instrumental)'
Download: here

Tuesday 25 November 2008

101 - Sheena Easton

In the 1980's, Sheena Easton metamorphosed from an innocent little Scottish starlet into an American vamp. The change happened in 1983, after she'd recorded a rather bizarre duet with country star Kenny Rogers. She collaborated with Prince, recorded the suggestive track 'Strut' and revived her slumping career. She continued to work with Prince, as evidenced in his 1987 track 'U got the look' and this track, '101', which was written by the musical wizard from Minneapolis.

Originally, '101' is a steamy ballad. On the 12" single, it is remixed by David Morales and Prince respectively. It adds some extra energy to the track.

My collection: 12" single no. 430
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2003
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '101 (Def house mix)' / '101 (Uptown mix)'
Download: here (password: DjPaulT)
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