Recent content by Servalan

BIB – I think Marti was addicted to smack …? And he met Chris Difford from Squeeze, who was trying to beat the same habit? Some details in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/may/20/life1.lifemagazine12 It's both weird and scary when you think of the kind of artists who...

BIB: I don't know if Joe and London Records were at odds over this, but why on earth the David Morales (yes, him again!) remix wasn't widely used to promote 'Back In My Life' I will never know … it's got greater urgency and energy – what were they thinking?!?

I would say that is the downside of the Ric Blaxhill era: I totally get why he wanted to prioritise the studio performances but it meant that there were singles which performed well that got completely overlooked. I seem to recall that Degrees Of Motion single being a re-issue (and/or maybe...

There's a link between 'Deep Inside' and 'Beautiful People' – both Masters At Work productions.

Agreed – but this is nothing compared to the ridiculous rules TOTP laboured under in the 70s, where the Musicians' Union demanded that all vocals be re-recorded to be mined to (there aren't enough emojis …) and there was a dreadful TOTP orchestra with sub-standard backing vocalists, who ruined...

There are countless instances in pop of the person who sings the lead vocal on a track not being the person who seems to be performing it on TOTP – 'Sugar Baby Love' and 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' immediately spring to mind – but what Black Box did with Loleatta Holloway took what M|A|R|R|S, Bomb...

I don't disagree but I get what @Vasilios is circling: from the rise of synth pop and hip hop as commercial forces in the early 80s and even more so with house in the mid 80s, there was always a snobbery from the old school music establishment – which would also have manifested itself at the BBC...

I love that performance of 'Without You' – much more of a gospel vibe than the single/album track and MC totally on point with her vocal. One TOTP commentator on Twitter (who rather seems to like the sound of their own voice …) has been slagging off Mariah's cover – for me, it's the definitive...

Thank you!

What was the podcast? I am rather fond of Gethin … I have heard stories of Gethin not having had a particularly happy time on Blue Peter, courtesy of one of his co-presenters … show business can bring out the worst in some people.

Me, too – who has those stunning silver outfits?!? I HAVE TO KNOW!!! (And why isn't it me?!?)

I would say the UK not being shamed into a miserable placing and also getting votes from countries would normally snub us – and it was completely surreal and bizarrely emotional TV – has generated a delirium at the BBC especially (which has been leading Sam Ryder-mania), and that has guaranteed...

I think part of the problem is that the UK's sudden Eurovision renaissance this year has meant that Ryder's being spotlighted and feted at every possible opportunity, not least by the BBC, who will want some credit for reviving our fortunes after decades in the wilderness. So someone who is...

Just as technology has transformed music within the lifetimes of many FMs – I still remember when electronic music was sneered at by establishment figures – it has also had a transformative effect on how we consume music. The problem with this period of evolution is the music industry itself...

Belatedly caught with Friday's episodes – my favourite (beating Janet – shock, horror!) was K Klass … what a CHOOOON!!!! I can't believe they had so few hits in their own right, but they must have made a mint as remixers – New Order, Carleen Anderson, Lisa Stansfield, Janet & Luther and of...