Colin Vearncombe, who on his own made up the band Black, was inspired to write 'Feel like change' by the events taking place in South Africa: the freeing of Nelson Mandela and the impending dismantling of the Apartheid regime.
The track was released as the first single from Black's third album, 'Black' (1991). Produced by Robin Millar, both the single and the album featured an altogether smoother sound. Coupled with Vearncombe's excellent vocals, this was a very enjoyable listening experience. 'Feel like change' reached number 56 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1439 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 18, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'
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)'
'Can't get enough (of your love)' was released as the second single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in Europe. It was promoted with a slightly hyperactive music video in which Kim and her band were placed on rotating platforms. Musically, the song resembled the 1988 hit 'Never trust a stranger'. Kim commented: ''Can't get enough' is about pure energy really. There is a reality to 'Can't get enough' but it's not very seriously.'
The single only reached number 58 in the German singles chart, in other territories it failed to reach the chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1255 Found: Melody Maker, July 5, 1990 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Can't get enough (of your love)' / 'Someday'
Released in July 1992, 'Ben je daar vannacht' ('Are you there tonight') was the third single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. Just like the two previous singles, it features a slightly harder rock sound than most people had become accustomed to from the band.
The single did not chart in the Netherlands - the first one in a long time not to do so - but did reach number 16 in the Belgian singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 2067 Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994 Cost: 5 guilders Tracks: 'Ben je daar vannacht' / 'Mysterie alom'
I bought the 7" single of Bucks Fizz's 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra)' pretty soon after its release. The 12" single followed years later, after a period in which I'd grown tired of the song and eventually started to like it again. The fact that Puck was quite interested in this track also helped, of course.
I finally bought this 12" single in 1996. It features an extended version of the track as well as two bonus tracks. The extended version is loud and full of echoes - very Eighties indeed.
My collection: 12" single no. 297 Found: Record fair, 1996 Cost: 2,5 guilders Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba Seyra) (extended version)' / 'In your eyes', 'I need your love'
The third and last single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy' was the upbeat 'Now you're gone'. At least, the music sounded quite upbeat, the lyric was less optimistic. Still, it was a change from the mostly minor key tracks Black had released up until then. Not that it met with a lot of enthusiasm: the single only reached number 66 in the UK singles chart.
The B-side, a so-called 'Mardi Gras version' of 'Now you're gone', is a nice extra, and quite a surprising version of the song.
My collection: 7" single no. 724 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 28, 1989 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Now you're gone' / 'Now you're gone (Mardi Gras version)'
'Ik zie een ster' is the original Dutch version of the 1974 Eurovision entry by Mouth and MacNeal, 'I see a star'. Although they performed the song in English during the Contest - as a result of relaxed language rules - this single contains a version entirely in Dutch.
The song was released as a single in the Netherlands in March 1974 and reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. That's quite remarkable, as 'I see a star' finished third during the Contest as well.
My collection: 7" single no. 3694 Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Ik zie een ster' / 'Liefste'
Colin Vearncombe, who on his own made up the band Black, was inspired to write 'Feel like change' by the events taking place in South Africa: the freeing of Nelson Mandela and the impending dismantling of the Apartheid regime.
