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Product Description
Review
Spandau Ballet always did benefit from being a bit late. Far from being a pioneering work, their debut single To Cut a Long Story Short was released in November 1980, long after Gary Numan, John Foxx, The Human League and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark had blazed a synth-pop trail – six months was a lifetime in those fast-moving post-punk days. To be fair, Chant No. 1 was a revolutionary white-funk record – although even there they were beaten to the punch by Heaven 17 – and their switch to lush blue-eyed soul with 1983’s True came one full year after ABC’s groundbreaking The Lexicon Of Love.
And yet each time Spandau cleaned up by offering a version of their peers’ more radical experiments, one that would prove palatable for mainstream consumption. They’ve capitalised on being tardy again with their decision to reform this year, long after all the other 80s bands have attempted their comebacks. And it’s been the most successful one to date, with sell-out shows at the prestigious 02 when even Duran Duran, far bigger in their pomp, only managed academies and indoor arenas when they returned a few years back.
Timing, then, has always been Spandau’s forte. They’ve also tended to have a keen sense of what the British public likes at any given moment, and on Once More they tap into the current national penchant for overblown adult balladry. And so, with producer Danton Supple, responsible for Coldplay’s X&Y, they decamped to Hook End studios in Oxfordshire to rework their back catalogue and give it the full X Factor treatment. There are two new songs here – the title track and Love Is All – and they are, in this context, and given the consistently bland treatment, virtually indistinguishable from their 80s hits.
To Cut… is redone, to near comical effect, as a semi-acoustic rock song, and Chant No. 1 has been reduced to supper club vamp. True isn’t so dramatically different, but it’s far less lavish than the original, and thus less compelling – Swain and Jolley’s production was a key part of its journey to glory. That production would also provide balance for Tony Hadley’s foghorn croon – now, on Gold, the voice overpowers the song. In 1982, She Loved Like Diamond was a radical gesture, a bold foray into John Barry territory; it is now a generic MOR ballad.
Still, just in time for Christmas. --Paul Lester
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Product Description
titolo-once moreartista-spandau ballet etichetta-mercuryn. dischi1data23 ottobre 2009supportocd audiogenerepop e rock internazionale-brani----1.once moreascolta2.cut a long story shortascolta3.goldascolta4.trueascolta5.chant no 1ascolta6.i'll fly for youa
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ideally, new material would have been preferred from this eagerly anticipated and long awaited album, not another Greatest Hits twist. Nevertheless, the re-workings are predictably top class, Tony's magnificent voice just blows you away and the two new songs `Once More' (Gary Barlow like) and `Love Is All' (a little gem that just grows on you) are very welcome additions. Gary, please put some more pen to paper ... fingers crossed ... for next time.
When drawing comparisons between the old and new, except for the stand-out re-makes of `To Cut A Long Story Short' (fantastic operatic ending), `She Loved Like Diamond' (so smooth) and 'Only When You Leave' the new versions are not necessarily better. That would be a tall order, which is especially evident with regards to `True' and 'Through The Barricades'. Instead, Tony sings the songs from a very different (at times more elaborate) perspective. The orchestral contribution is always subtle yet hard to overlook and definitely adds something positive.
Regarding song selection, this was a missed opportunity to have included either of Spandau's best, yet lesser known songs - `Swept' (1986) and `A Handful of Dust' (1989) at the expense of `Communication' which unlike the similar genre 'Lifeline' (now more chilled out) is a little out of place on this more mature offering. Incredibly, neither made it as singles, yet both had Top 10 potential and would have been a much better fit. After all, the classy ballad `With the Pride' (1984) is included, yet was not a single.
In essence, a quality offering and `must buy' for any fan, but may well leave an un-sated appetite for the more demanding.
When drawing comparisons between the old and new, except for the stand-out re-makes of `To Cut A Long Story Short' (fantastic operatic ending), `She Loved Like Diamond' (so smooth) and 'Only When You Leave' the new versions are not necessarily better. That would be a tall order, which is especially evident with regards to `True' and 'Through The Barricades'. Instead, Tony sings the songs from a very different (at times more elaborate) perspective. The orchestral contribution is always subtle yet hard to overlook and definitely adds something positive.
Regarding song selection, this was a missed opportunity to have included either of Spandau's best, yet lesser known songs - `Swept' (1986) and `A Handful of Dust' (1989) at the expense of `Communication' which unlike the similar genre 'Lifeline' (now more chilled out) is a little out of place on this more mature offering. Incredibly, neither made it as singles, yet both had Top 10 potential and would have been a much better fit. After all, the classy ballad `With the Pride' (1984) is included, yet was not a single.
In essence, a quality offering and `must buy' for any fan, but may well leave an un-sated appetite for the more demanding.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Being used to the originals for so long I wasn't sure how I was going to enjoy this new album. After listening, I can honestly say that it's taken the classical Spandau sound to another level, no disappointment at all. Yeah people can say it's different - that's because it IS different, it's more modern, enhanced, updated but it sounds more 'relaxed' Spandau, if that's the right word. Like a fine wine maturing with age this is an exceptional bottle. Steve Norman is now a Master of Sax, Gary, Martin & John still have it all and Tony - his voice never falters. The new songs on the album just show how good this band still are, love them all!
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Received this this morning...2 days before official release...and it's BRILLIANT! Great reworkings of classic songs, aided incredibly by Tony Hadley's more mature voice. The new version of To Cut A Long Story Short should be released as a single...orchestral genius!
The Spands are back...and with a vengeance!
Long may they reign!
The Spands are back...and with a vengeance!
Long may they reign!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
OK but......
Bought this having just seen Spandau in concert in Dubai - WOW they were amazing! I really am not sure about these versions of old classics, alot of them remind me of an intro to... Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by A. Lacon
Best avoided. Buy the original "Gold" Greatest Hits instead.
I was unsure whether to buy this album, with the exception of 2 new songs it is just the old hits re-recorded by the reformed band. And that is the problem. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by AllYouNeedIsNow
Can't help playing it "once more"
I was a little nervous about this album, as being an original 1980's Spandau fan, I thought it might be awful...but it isn't. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by Karen Tiley
My opinion of this CD
Having seen Martin Kemp as an actor, and the Kemps Brother playing the Krays, then having heard Spandau Ballet in the past, my Wife and I have always wanted to have some of Spandau... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Mr. R. W. Thorogood
BRILLIANT!!!! We couldn't expect more ...
Spandau are back!!!! ... and for good!!!!
The 13 songs of this cd are fantastic, two of them are brand new, "Once More" written by Gary Kemp and "... Read more
The 13 songs of this cd are fantastic, two of them are brand new, "Once More" written by Gary Kemp and "... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Chio
Sublime
I was invited by Amazon to 'review your recent purchase' - fair enough, done it before; nice telly; crap mp3 player etc, etc. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2009 by A. Lowe
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING!
now reformed after too many years, many disputes but the boys have not lost their magic.
although not strictly a new album, their are only two new songs - it is a... Read more
although not strictly a new album, their are only two new songs - it is a... Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2009 by Mr. Nathan Armstrong
Spandau Ballet 2009
Really love Spandau but did not have any records, so decided to buy this one. Glad I did, really loved it and great collection of songs. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by Mrs M O Martin
Once more Spandau Ballet
This album takes me back in time i got true and Parade albums but this was a must to add to my collection.
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by Mr. Terence Barnard
SPANDAL BALLET
All the golden oldies on one CD + 1 new song. All good for those that remember the originals out in the 80's
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Ms. D. Hasan
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