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Business As Usual Indeed - Men at Work Plagiarism Lawsuit Decision Further Sours Tarnished Music Industry

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:55:54 +0000

After last week's court decision regarding an odd music publishing plagiarism case, the short-lived but potent Australian new wave band Men at Work now faces the very real prospect of financial sanctions stemming from the now-successful copyright infringement case against them. I've written about this issue before and hoped - like many other '80s music fans, I'm sure - that I wouldn't have to revisit the matter. Alas, here we are, seemingly right back where we started.

Publisher Larrikin Music has accused the band of lifting the melody of "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree" - an old girls' campfire tune - for its distinctive flute riff in the worldwide early-'80s top hit "Down Under." And now a judge has agreed with this notion and set a dangerous precedent for future attitudes about compositions influenced by existing tunes that also (most likely subconsciously) draw from their musical structure. Observers in disbelief that this is a can of worms capable of poisoning further an already rotten music industry certainly call into question their knowledge of pop music history. I'm already hearing from plenty of readers - most of them quite disheartened by the decision - but I certainly welcome additional input. Maybe I'm missing something here, but shouldn't this have been an instance of case quickly dismissed?

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Columbia

Business As Usual Indeed - Men at Work Plagiarism Lawsuit Decision Further Sours Tarnished Music Industry originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 22:55:54.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Ambrosia's "Ready"

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:51:13 +0000

While certainly soft rock/progressive rock band Ambrosia could never be accused of producing one of pop's most heterosexually themed album covers in 1980's One Eighty (umm... just look at it for a moment), the group can stake a legitimate claim as one of music's most interesting hybrids of guitar-based hard rock and the two aforementioned styles. Fans of the band's earliest mid-'70s offerings - built often on symphonic complexity and a bit of a renegade spirit - have probably always balked at Ambrosia's smooth yacht rock that ruled the charts beginning with 1978's "How Much I Feel." Still, it's difficult to argue with frontman David Pack's vibrant sense of melody and the keen production eye that always fueled the group's sweeping sound. In the case of "Ready," Pack presents some of his most compelling and genuine rock vocals, all on top of a driving rock attack more reminiscent of vintage April Wine than the early-'80s soundtrack for wine spritzer consumption. Ambrosia will probably never be able to boast substantial arena rock credibility (if there even is really such a thing), but the band's versatility will come as a pleasant surprise for the patient listener.

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Ambrosia's "Ready" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 19:51:13.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Linda Ronstadt's "How Do I Make You"

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:28:18 +0000

I was too young to appreciate Linda Ronstadt as the bona fide, girl-next-door sex symbol she was throughout the '70s, but that fact didn't prevent me from experiencing a surprisingly strong level of mesmerism last night while exploring some old photos of the artist online. Of course, not only was Ronstadt one of the most beautiful female celebrities on the planet during the prime years of her career; she was and remains one of pop/rock's finest interpretive singers as well. Still, forgive me if I'm still temporarily stuck on her special brand of gorgeous. OK, I think I'm done now; let's focus on some music.

1980's Mad Love found Ronstadt embracing a driving rock sound more than she'd ever done or would ever do again in her storied career. She wore this blend of new wave freshness and Pat Benatar sass remarkably well, even if some audiences expressed suspicion of crass commercial motives or at least puzzled at the new direction. "How Do I Make You" happens to be a composition from famed commercial pop songwriter Billy Steinberg, but it certainly doesn't sound like it came from the co-writer of "Like a Virgin." Recorded initially with his rock band Billy Thermal, the song certainly reached more ears coming from the lips of Ronstadt than Steinberg himself, but I'm still surprised to learn it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard pop charts. Maybe I'm just too young to remember massive airplay for this one, but I'm definitely not too young anymore to gawk at mid-'70s Ronstadt pictures online. Not that I've been doing that for hours on end or anything.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Warner

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Linda Ronstadt's "How Do I Make You" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 23:28:18.

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Late INXS Frontman Michael Hutchence Would Have Been 50 Today... Heavy Sigh

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:27:44 +0000

Don't let this make you feel too much older than you probably already feel, but today would have been original INXS frontman Michael Hutchence's 50th birthday. The photogenic performer probably would have greeted the milestone gracefully based on his stylish ability both to define and buck '80s trends. Still, Hutchence's 1997 death remains one of the most stinging '80s music losses of all time, as a 15-years-plus career as a rock star seemed like only the beginning for the talented singer.

Despite the still-hovering cloud of his early death, Hutchence's surviving bandmates have released heartfelt statements to coincide with the bittersweet occasion of January 22, 2010. It may be depressing to recall just how early Hutchence's voice was silenced, but it's also an opportunity to acknowledge yet again the band's importance as well as the continuing impact of the classic frontman it so generously provided to the entertainment world.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rhino Atlantic

Late INXS Frontman Michael Hutchence Would Have Been 50 Today... Heavy Sigh originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 20:27:44.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Moody Blues' "The Voice"

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:23:42 +0000

Purists undoubtedly point to late-'60s and early-'70s classics like "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Question" as the finest tunes ever recorded by sophisticated classic rock outfit the Moody Blues. And with very good reason. But when it comes to the Moodies' more outwardly commercial pop of the '80s, there simply is no greater specimen than 1981's exhilarating, irresistibly melodic "The Voice."

Fitting comfortably amidst the synth-heavy new wave sounds characteristic of the time, this track richly deserved hit status no matter what year featured it. Unfortunately, the band's native U.K. completely ignored most of the band's '80s output, and despite an impressive No. 1 showing on Billboard's mainstream rock charts in America, the song failed to crack the pop Top 10. Nonetheless, "The Voice" relies on a nearly flawless chord progression to create one of Justin Hayward's most compelling compositions and vocal performances. If you like to stock your iPod with the true cream of the crop of '80s music, you should deny yourself this tune not a day longer.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Decca

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Moody Blues' "The Voice" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 23:23:42.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Teddy Pendergrass - "I Just Called to Say"

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:06:13 +0000

Though known far more as a late-'70s R&B crooner than as a distinct artist of the '80s, the late, great Teddy Pendergrass released a number of essential Quiet Storm tracks throughout the latter decade. Even after a 1982 car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, Pendergrass continued to bestow his powerful, flawless voice upon discerning R&B listeners of the era. This 1980 album track from that same year's highly regarded TP may not have made a huge impression as a single (as the B-side to "Love TKO"), but it's a perfect crystallization of the smooth, warm joy typically spread by the artistry of Pendergrass. Fans of this legendary singer may not be able to see his January 13 death precisely as a "time to rejoice," but the lasting legacy of Pendergrass as an inspirational artist for the ages will continue to pay major dividends to music fans for years to come. So please, steer clear of Stevie Wonder's vapid and overplayed "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Remove those final three words and let Teddy take care of the rest.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Legacy Recordings

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Teddy Pendergrass - "I Just Called to Say" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 14:06:13.

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'80s Core Trio of the Human League Now Signed to Deliver New Music

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:34:16 +0000

I generally meet announcements from '80s artists that they will be releasing new material a quarter-century removed from mainstream pop success with some skepticism, but it's never because I secretly (or not-so-secretly) wish for their failure. On the contrary, now that the primary contributors to the Human League's success (Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley) have signed a new recording contract with Wall of Sound, I wish them only the best of luck in recapturing even a fraction of the sound that made them stars all those years ago.

As for any retro artist that attempts to press on beyond career nostalgia, it's going to be difficult to produce music that rivals the group's best work from its prime; alas, the window for artistic success rarely stays open long or particularly widely. Still, I'd love to hear a mature effort from the band that even vaguely recalls "Don't You Want Me" or "(Keep Feeling) Fascination." Hell, Joe Jackson released a high-quality record in 2003 that features at least one track ("Still Alive") that's as good as he ever made in his late-'70s rock and roll prime. It could always happen again, just maybe. Here's hoping.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Virgin Int'l

'80s Core Trio of the Human League Now Signed to Deliver New Music originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 02:34:16.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Marti Jones' "Inside These Arms"

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:34:42 +0000

North Carolina's fertile power pop/college rock scene produced a number of influential artists during the '80s, including Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey, Peter Holsapple and Don Dixon. However, one of rock's finest female singers of the era - Dixon's longtime spouse Marti Jones - has somehow managed to remain criminally unheard over the years. I heard "Inside These Arms" today on glorious satellite radio and then promptly made it my morning's mission to find out all I could about this amazing artist. Jones' original '80s recordings - made in collaboration with Dixon - have gone sadly out of print, but I'm just glad I was able to find a viable version of this track for legal download. A standout from her 1986 release, Match Game, "Inside These Arms" showcases Jones' top-notch, genre-defying vocals and also her impeccable taste in song selection and collaborators. The multi-talented Jones has moved on primarily to an artistic career as a painter, but for those willing to do a little digging, her exemplary late-'80s work can still take its rightful place in your music collection.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Sugar Hill

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Marti Jones' "Inside These Arms" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 15:34:42.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - The Sisters of Mercy's "Lucretia My Reflection"

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:50:02 +0000

Influential English post-punk band The Sisters of Mercy laid the foundation on this song for the pulsations that would ultimately become quite popular as industrial music. However, the sound of this 1988 track combines mechanical drum effects and beats with a fierce rock guitar attack often missing from the work of the genre's most well-known practitioners. A bit more melodically inclined than much contemporary experimental music, "Lucretia My Reflection" mostly showcases the breathy growl of lead vocalist Andrew Eldritch, who by this latter portion of the group's career had become the band's only remaining full-time member. Though often given the sometimes misunderstood label of goth rock, The Sisters of Mercy ultimately presents an eclectic fusion that can't be isolated quite so easily. Darkness in fashion notwithstanding.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rhino

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - The Sisters of Mercy's "Lucretia My Reflection" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 22:50:02.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Mike + the Mechanics' "Taken In"

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:10:39 +0000

Genesis mainstay and founding member Mike Rutherford may have intended for Mike + the Mechanics to be a mere side project for him during his primary band's off times, but the latter group eventually became a sturdy and successful pop act. Much of this probably has to do with the strength of the band's twin Pauls as lead vocalists, namely soulful legend Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young, a fine rock singer who just happened to have a namesake active as a solo artist at the same time. While Rutherford provided the group with some gripping personal songwriting, these two singers interpreted his material with an enormous amount of feeling and aplomb.

"Taken In" is a great example of one of those soft rock ballads you know well once you hear it again but that unfortunately slipped through the cracks upon initial release. Sliding only into the lower half of Billboard's Top 40 in 1986 may have kept the tune from becoming a bona fide '80s classic, but its melodies stand the test of time beautifully. This track is a wonderful find for '80s music fans in general and especially listeners fond of tuneful, Foreigner-style ballads.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Atlantic/WEA

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Mike + the Mechanics' "Taken In" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 23:10:39.

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