The Lost Masters

 

 

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The latest in a remarkable series of fan-oriented releases, "The Lost Masters" is a major treat for Bucks Fizz completists. While I don't quite fall into that category myself, as a pop fan (and sometimes music maker) this 2CD set is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of a successful 80s band who were unfairly derided by music snobs. This slew of unreleased mixes, alternate takes and demos shows how very hard the group worked in their 1981 to 1986 heyday. While this album is not really aimed at the casual shopper, there is plenty here (at a good price too) to satisfy fans of well-produced 80s pop.

Albums like these should be regarded as documentaries rather than regular releases. Early try-outs rub shoulders with excellent 12" mixes that were shelved when the label got cold feet. Some of these mooted singles show that there were commercial opportunities missed right and left ("Breaking Me Up" and "Thief In The Night", for instance, sound like a bona fide smash hits). Those who know the bitter story behind Jay Aston's acrimonious departure will be fascinated to hear her original version of "Oh Suzanne". The group's embittered manager ordered her vocals wiped from the track and assigned the lead vocal to Cheryl Baker. This 'war' broke out mid-career and leaves scope for some juicy speculation on the 83-85 recordings.

All gossip-mongering aside, this set is enjoyable and informative. Those with songwriting, singing and/or studio experience may find interesting vignettes here and there. Some of the solo material shows that there was potential life after Bucks Fizz for at least three group members. Sadly, the snobbery that tainted the group would also affect any such attempts at solo flights.

In short, this album is interesting, fun and informative. It may require some patience when balancing the group material against some of the solo material, however.

Whilst essentially a 'fan orientated' CD, this release fills in some gaps, ties up some loose ends and provides some 'new' material for those fans who have followed the ups and downs of the group since 1981. There cant be many pop bands releasing this type of disk 25 years after their creation and with band members still touring under the Bucks Fizz banner and still receiving standing ovations to packed theatres and nightclubs. OK, so its quite removed from their hayday of the early eighties when the group would be on TV virtually every night, but still 3000 people rammed into GAY in the London Astoria gave Cheryl, Mike & Shelley (Ex Bucks Fizz) a raptuous response to several hits back in May 2006. The same can be said for Nightingales in Birmingham during Gaypride a few months later.

As I stated above this CD finally puts to rest a number of rumours that circulated throughout the groups history. One track in particular (Oh Suzanne) was one of the most talked about in the fan circles. With the launch of fan based internet sites and forums, fans could debate the possibilty of tracks being recorded by other group members, tracks being remixed and rare material only previously available in 'bootleg' form. (For want of a better description!)

The master tapes for all the tracks on this CD were found at Andy Hill's studio. Actually it was in the barn that was attached and used for storage that Dean Murphy found them and persuaded SonyBMG to release them. The working title for this release was 'Comforts Place', which was where the group did most of their studio work and was owned by Andy Hill. Most of you know the story now of how the tapes were restored and digitally transfered,(read the review on the Ultimate Anthology for more info) and our 20 month labour of love to release this CD with all the tracks necessary to complete the circle.

This CD includes all the major tracks that were substantially different, extended versions of album tracks, unreleased tracks from the group and as solo artists, and newly mixed and completed tracks that were never finished for one reason or another. This is a very ecclectic mix of music, some of which you would never believe that the group or individually would record. Shelley Prestons 'These Boots are Made for Walking' & 'I Love Music' really do stand out as well as Cheryl Baker's 'Skin on Skin' and Cheryl's duet with Shelley on 'Move Over Im Driving' which is a great funky number bound to get you singing the chorus in no time. A number of tracks were remixed for this release 'My Camera Never Lies 2006 Good Eyes' and 'Now Those Days Are Gone' to appeal to a more wider market, and the original take of 'You And Your Heart So Blue' with Cheryl on lead vocal and finally we get to hear Jay Aston on the same track, and in my opinion her final say on the matter if she recorded anything after the dreadful coach crash in 1984.

One track was a complete surprise when it was finally transfered from the original multitrack master. Every Dream Has Broken which was from 1984 and features the four original band members and was never finished turned out to be an absolute belter of a track, and many fans have said that the CD is worth buying for that one track alone.

So...sit back....pour yourself a large tipple of whatever you fancy and have a good old wallow in some 80's pure pop nostalgia.

Where do I start? The mastering is brillant and superior to most of the bonus tracks that appeared on the previous Bucks Fizz remasters. Most of the tracks are re-recorded versions from the same era as the originals, remixes of familiar tracks, tracks that were only half finished in the 80s or solo tracks from members of the group. Jay Aston's vocals on 'Oh Suzanne' give the track a completey different feel to the version where Cheryl Baker took the lead and other tracks such as 'Move Over' would have been commercial hits if they had been released at the time. It's a great pity that Bobby Gee's solo efforts were not included. Either version of 'Big Deal' plus their b-sides would have been a great addition to this compilation. The only downside for me was a lack of description of the individual tracks. I would love to know more about when some of them were recorded, the reasons the were not used and if there are any more unheard recordings on those tapes!

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1.0 out of 5 stars LITTLE BUCKS NO FIZZ
Talk about dragging something to its death - here we have a band that were last in top 10 over 20 years ago and lost their fizz when dame jay had enough of cheryl the vixen (sorry... Read more

Published on 30 Sep 2008 by lee kaay

5.0 out of 5 stars Every dream is fulfilled
I did have my doubts before this album came out. A 2 CD collection of unreleased tracks? Why were they unreleased? Read more

Published on 26 Aug 2008 by Mr. M. Leacy

5.0 out of 5 stars the fizz is still there!
well was about dubious about the quality of this cd after the remastered editions of the cds were issued with bonus tracks... Read more

Published on 8 Aug 2006 by Mr. Nathan Armstrong

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait
Having been a fan since time began and the fact that i'd forgotten i'd pre-ordered this- imagine my delight as i returned from work to find this treasure behind the door! Read more

Published on 8 Aug 2006 by G. M. Stocks

5.0 out of 5 stars THE NEW ALBUM
Well-Your gonna love this album!

Its been a long time in the making-20 months, and a lot of time and dedication from my very special team at 'Fat Dog Productions'... Read more

Published on 22 Jun 2006 by Dean Murphy

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