RATE IT! Duran Duran Appreciation Day

It's August 10 -- that can only mean ONE thing!


Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day! 

Yes, it's the real deal. 

RATE IT! Somebody to Love Me

Ear worms can be evil little pests! Songs that roll 'round and 'round in your head can drive you to distraction... except when the tune is a little piece of heaven.


The latest track stuck in my head? 'Somebody to Love Me' by Mark Ronson and Business Intl. When Mark's album came out last fall, I was immediately blown away by 'Record Collection,' the song featuring my ultimate pop star, Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon. But now a few months, and two trips to England later, I'm adding 'Somebody to Love Me' to my must-listen playlist in my iPod. I became reacquainted with the tune while shopping in London. You know when you hear a song you've heard before but this time in a different setting? And how it can instantly spark some interest? That's what happened to me. I love this song.


Once again, Mark Ronson turned to an '80s icon to add some vocal oomph. Boy George shares the singing duties in this one with a great artist named Andrew Wyatt, leader of Miike Snow. (and I just discovered that Andrew was once in an outfit with the fella from The Bird and the Bee who I *love*!).


And in this TV clip, I had to laugh when I spotted the drummer's wallet on laid out on his kit!





And if you want to see the official video - a complete '80s flashback - indulge in this clip. An old school Boy George lookalike, bare bums... what more could you want? :)



Mark Ronson - Somebody To  Love (Official Video) by PayeTaChatte

RATE IT! Friends of Mine

Can't help myself! Time for another trip down Duran Duran memory lane!


Here's a clip of 'Friends of Mine,' a track from the very first self-titled album. 


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Careless Memories

It's my birthday week, so Friday's music video choice is my all-time favourite. Okay, it's cheesy - I'm the first to admit that fact - but I ADORE this song... yep, it's my #1 Duran Duran tune. 


The video is one of the first Duran Duran ever shot. Way before the slick gloss of 'Rio', and 'Hungry Like the Wolf,' there was 'Careless Memories.' At this time, Duran were still firmly entrenched in the whole new romantic music scene that was going down a storm in the UK... the clothes, make-up - all so mad! What's not to love? And Simon Le Bon looks so fetching with the black eyeliner. 


This video from YouTube was originally taken from the VHS video release put out around 1983. 'Careless Memories' is inner-cut with clips from the 'Lonely in Your Nightmare' video that came out with the 'Rio' album... hence Simon's more modern look popping in and out during the first :20 or so of 'Careless Memories.' Enjoy. 

RATE IT! Smash Hits ~ Saved Online

Duran Duran once professed to loving this magazine, so it's not surprising that as an '80s era Durannie that I would follow suit. 


It took me some time before I found my very own imported copy of 'Smash Hits' on a magazine stand here in Toronto. Being a suburban kid in 1984, I'd travel down every Saturday to search out any UK imports that I could get my greedy hands on. Imported 12" singles, magazines, buttons, posters... they were all fair game if we could track them down. That was the hard part. Finding said items. Usually record shops would get one, maybe two in at a time so the key was to get downtown early, and make your decisions quickly otherwise someone else's score was your heartbreak. 


My first issue of 'Smash Hits' as fate would have it, featured Simon Le Bon on the cover. I still own that very special issue, so it was with great excitement that I came across this terrific website that aims at capturing every issue of 'Smash Hits' available. Like Punk Never Happened - Brian McCloskey's Smash Hits Archive is my new home away from home. I love it. The coolest thing? If you click on the Smash Hits cover images on his site, it opens up scans of the ENTIRE issue. Brilliant. I'm so hyped that we can explore all the issues that we never found - like the one depicted here with Duran's Roger & Nick as cover stars. 


Brian's hardwork in saving and scanning these fabulous music mags should be applauded. So many of us grew up with Smash Hits, and the bands it so lovingly featured (or, made fun of!) - it would be a shame for them to vanish without a trace. Thanks to Brian, we can relive their magic again and again - without all the clutter at home! Well, maybe for some.. I still have many Smash Hits and No. 1 magazines in my midst. Once a Durannie, always a Durannie...

RATE IT! New Duran Duran TODAY!

Christmas comes early! Duran Duran's latest album is out NOW on iTunes.


Boasting the same name as the recently released free single, 'All You Need is Now' has already climbed atop of the iTunes charts around the globe. Never under estimate the power of Durannies - even us grown up ones!


The album is really catchy despite the somewhat unattractive album art. What's up with that? Duran typically score major points on their excellent album covers. Anyway...


John Taylor has mentioned that tour dates are forthcoming so best to watch the press for the latest news on that score!

RATE IT! New Duran Duran Single

Three years after the release of 'Red Carpet Massacre', Duran Duran are back with an early Christmas gift that won't damage your holiday shopping budget - a new single -- FOR FREE!


'All You Need is Now' is available as of today on iTunes worldwide.


The only problem, iTunes hasn't made it easy to find. A simple search by title doesn't pull up the song. Have no fear! I have the solution! Duran posted a link on their Facebook page and if you click here, you will be transported to that link directly. Once there, select the 'view in iTunes' button underneath the logo for the single and you should be magically re-directed to the iTunes download page. You can thank me later!


Duran's new album will be released on December 21 exclusively on iTunes. For purists who prefer a CD or vinyl, such releases will be available in February.


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Record Collection

If you're a music fan  -- especially a connoisseur of current British releases (Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams) -- you will be very familiar with Mark Ronson. Producer, DJ, jaunty man about town... Ronson wears many hats and it's his multitasking work ethic that comes into play with his latest album, 'Record Collection.' His new release features a treasure trove of artists from across the globe and the end result is ear candy to suit many tastes!


While the album as a whole is very unique and cleverly assembled, I find that one tune in particular is hogging airtime on my iPod. The title track, 'Record Collection' won't leave me alone. I'm addicted - badly. 


A song with many a pop culture reference: Charlie Sheen, the movie Trading Places, and Bono - 'Record Collection' is one of only a handful of songs on his album where Ronson actually sings. To me, Mark's voice sounds eerie similar to Stephen Duffy - yep, the original lead singer of Duran Duran - a funny coincidence as this track is accompanied by Nick Rhodes-inspired keyboards and a chorus sung by Simon Le Bon. Obviously, Mark was a bit of a Durannie growing up - just like the rest of us. It's all making sense now... as he's currently slaving away producing Duran's next album, natch!


'Record Collection' is infectiously refreshing and urges you to get up and have a boogie. I dare you not to be swayed by its invitation to let loose. This track is awesome and I hope it gets the single treatment. Yes, it's that good! Do yourself a favour and buy it so I'm not the only one addicted to this gem!

RATE IT! Reliving the '80s

As a kid who grew up in the '80s, I'm a sucker for pretty much anything that resembles that decade. 


Well, scratch that comment...sorta... you can keep most of the cringeworthy '80s fashion but I'll always have time for the music, magazines, movies and all the pop culture gems from that era -- but especially, the music. Baby boomers may have their memory music entrenched in the '60s but I'm '80s British new wave/pop all the way.

You don't have to tell me that I'm being completely predictable when it comes to my keen curiosity surrounding the latest book from author, Rob Sheffield. Titled "Talking to Girls About Duran Duran," -- Hooked already? I am -- the novel is a memoir of Rob's wonder years deep in the '80s when everyday life seemed to mirror a John Hughes' flick & all the girls held mad crushes on John Taylor of Duran Duran. It's true... most girls did lust after JT. Me, I was a Simon girl all the way - but you already knew that!


Good times! 


I can't wait to get my mitts on this book! Rob's previous novel, "Love is a Mixed Tape" is a fun read and he'll always get top props in my mind for including Saint Etienne on one of its playlists. 


"Talking to Girls About Duran Duran" is published in North America by Dutton Adult, a subsidiary of Penguin Books. 

RATE IT! Re-issue Mania

It seems that every band and their brother are re-releasing their back catalogues as re-mastered extravaganzas with bonus never ever released tracks, old videos and TV appearances...the mind boggles.


In my own little musical corner of the universe I've picked up such re-releases by Saint Etienne and Duran Duran...and am currently eyeing up the first album of The Charlatans which is also being re-jigged for mass consumption. 


Often such releases are a waste of hard earned cash. If you love a band like I do, chances are you pretty much own everything that they've ever put out. Sometimes in more than one format but it has to be said at least in the cases of my aforementioned faves - Saint Etienne and Duran, the re-releases *are* worth shelling out for. 


The re-dos for Duran Duran's first album (pictured above), and their third, 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger' just arrived in my mailbox yesterday --and the 'Tiger Bay' set for Saint Etienne followed this morning. I haven't had much time to play around with 'Tiger Bay' as of yet, but the St. Etienne previously issued deluxe editions for 'Continental', 'Foxbase Alpha,' and 'Sound of Water' were all stellar and valuable additions to my music library. Now with the Duran sets, both clad in boxes with all sorts of goodies inside -- pictures, mini posters and the like..ooh, I feel like a Smash Hits reader all over again -- are really something special.

For such a visual band that paved the way for music videos, it's a big relief that they're all here included on an extra disc. Yep, this album's hits  'Girls on Film', 'Planet Earth' & 'Careless Memories', songs that we all know & love are included, but they have company! A whole section of never released clips from UK TV appearances -  from the early days of Duran - are along for the ride too. They. Are. Priceless.  Worth the purchase price alone!! Best of the lot, the extended video version for 'Planet Earth' - shot very low budget in the Rum Runner nightclub in Birmingham, England with their new romantic fan base posing & dancing about in amazing get-ups. So so cool! And the eye makeup on Simon Le Bon is a thing of beauty! 


Ah, it's such a shame that you can't tele-port yourself back into a by-gone time period and participate. Looks like so much fun with all that makeup and foppery!

RATE IT! I Can Go For That

Cover versions can either be a wonderful new take on an old fave, or an aural disaster.

Okay, okay, I'm probably one of the few that can actually listen to Duran Duran's much panned 1995 attempt at a cover celebration, the album 'Thank You' (People, it *did* have its great moments...'White Lines' kicks butt, and Lou Reed himself raved about Duran's version of his 'Perfect Day') but I think that I've come across one of the best cover tributes EVER.

The Bird & the Bee do Hall & Oates. Yep, seriously. "Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates." It would be quite easy to make a mess of songs that we all know and can sing by heart but in the talented care of Greg and Inara, there's no cause to worry. It's GOOD...really GOOD!

Take H&O's FM playlist fave, "I Can't Go For That" .... It sounds updated and fresh with Inara's poppy, breathy vocals swirling through Greg's playful synth charms. It's catchy and irresistible. Most of Hall & Oates faves are here but I must say that I do miss the inclusion of 'Out of Touch' -- but that's my only grumble.

The perfect album to truly put Spring into your step. And...if you do like this latest offering from the Bird & the Bee, be sure to check out their other releases - fab-ness all around.

RATE IT! Ballet Reunion

As promised back in March, London's fave 1980s new romantic scenesters, Spandau Ballet are back!

Their much awaited reunion tour kicked off this week in Dublin to much fanfare. Sure, the guys are a little larger around the middle and more crinkley around the temples but apparently, if you closed your eyes the songs were just as poppy, catchy and memorable as they were back in 1983.

Surprisingly though, sax player Steve Norman *still* has hair! After all that bleach, tinting his hair to a dangerous shade of white...the man must have hair follicles of steel!

Back in the day I was a Durannie first and foremost so admitting to liking Spandau was akin to being disloyal to Simon, John and co., but I'm a little more mature now (*ahem!*) and I can admit that yes, I did own a few of their albums and they weren't half bad. And if they did tour Canada on their current reunion celebration, I would be there most definitely.

With age comes wisdom and the strength to accept that there's more to life than Duran Duran (kinda!).

Spandau Ballet's first new album in a kajillion years, "Once More" is out on October 19.

(photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

RATE IT! Icing on the Cake

Hard to believe that Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy was the *original* lead singer of the pre-record deal Duran Duran. He may not be Simon Le Bon, but Stephen was an 80s star in his own right. Here's the sweet and instantly stuck on the brain 'Icing on the Cake'. Enjoy the lovely retro images! Gorgeous!

RATE IT! Spandau Ballet to Reform

Looks like the credit crunch is hitting not only regular folk like us! The pop world is seeing yet *another* reunion. Step into the spotlight London's favourite New Romantic sons, Spandau Ballet! Ah, bless! What better way to feel more comfy than to hark back to the '80s when things were better, safer... albeit cloaked in shoulder pads, neon and aerodynamic hairstyles for women *and* men!

Like many '80s heroes, the band dissolved due to infighting over royalties & bruised egos. What drove them apart -- money -- looks to be bringing them back together, back out of the woodwork! Sure, the Kemp brothers did their fair share of acting ('The Krays' -- bloody gross, but brilliant) and lead singer, Tony Hadley did the rounds playing old hits & making appearances on reality shows, so SB didn't really disappear for good. Their hairstyles... well, yes they were casualties of the break-up.

The band are formally announcing their intentions this coming Wednesday in London, but it's a sure thing that a new album & a tour are on the cards. I always preferred Duran Duran -- who *ahem* never did go away permanently like some others but I'm still pretty stoked to see what Spandau come up with.  (photo: Google image)

RATE IT! Amber Le Bon

Surname sound familiar? Yes, this gorgeous gal is the eldest daughter of Duran Duran lead singer, Simon Le Bon and his supermodel wife, Yasmin. 

At 18 years old, Amber is following in her Mum's stiletto'd footsteps as a model having just recently nabbed UK retailer River Island's Spring/Summer campaign. Not bad for a rookie!

With parents such as her's was there any doubt about Amber's stunning good looks? It's all in the genes.

(photo: the Daily Mail.co.uk)

RATE IT! Do They Know It's Christmas

Seriously...how could I not?

I am a child of the 80's, and this song features pretty much everyone that mattered (to me, at least) when I was growing up. Still get chills when Simon Le Bon shows up. And Sting's bed head still cracks me up. Some smarty pants should sort out the distribution rights & re-release the making-of doc that goes with this song. I have it on an ancient VHS tape that has seen better days.

Cary from List of the Day posted the vid on his site too -- so I'm in good company in my 80's obsessiveness.

RATE IT! Duran Duran Toronto Success

I've counted the ticket stubs -- I think my math is bang on -- for the 15th time, Duran Duran triumphed in Toronto last night. Wahey!

Ah, once a Duranie, always a Duranie. Just older, somewhat wiser (I refrained from purchasing their blurry, but apparently arty tour program; bet Nick's to blame) but still well-versed on Simon's often obtuse lyrics. I remember going to gigs in the city and having the T.O. crowd acting absolutely bonkers ~ dancing, jumping, singing along. In recent years, Toronto "fans" regardless of the show seem to prefer to sit on their hands and look bored. Well, we did see two female fans beside us in that poe-faced glaze (wha? think you're at a Leafs game?), but generally the audience at the Air Canada Centre was up on their feet, doing a boogie and singing - loudly.

The band are touring last year's release, 'Red Carpet Massacre' -- an album we first met last November during Duran's 10 day Broadway stint in NYC (one of the best concerts I've *ever* witnessed) -- but surprisingly, the boys only performed four tunes from that album, preferring to deliver a hit by hit showcase of their famously catchy library. The fans ate it up, and could have devoured more had the band not pulled the plug after 2 hours of awesomeness. Oh, how 80's I sound!

The show was fantastic - vintage Duran. Simon sounded on note, John, Nick & Roger -- note perfect. They looked great! Once a Duranie, always a Duranie. Yes, Duranies and their beloved band do get older, but we never lose it (ah, a Wild Boys reference - can't help myself).

Here's the playlist: The Valley (*fave* tune from RCM - ideal show opener), Planet Earth, Hungry Like the Wolf, Nite-Runner, Notorious, I Don't Want Your Love, Save a Prayer, Red Carpet Massacre, A View to a Kill, Serious -- which morphed into the giddy Nice, Falling Down, Come Undone, Ordinary World, Is There Something I Should Know, Reflex (Toronto Duranies' fave. Yep, the video was shot here in '84), White Lines (stonkin' funky cover, brill as always), Sunrise, Wild Boys - plus encore of, Girls on Film, and Rio. I missed the usual inclusion of Careless Memories, but honestly, I cannot complain!

(photo: Jam Showbiz)

RATE IT! Happy Birthday, Simon Le Bon

Some crushes never die. Long live the 80s...long live Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon. Today, he turns the big 5-0!

Growing up, I adored many pop star heroes - but Simon was always numero uno. As a teen, I skipped school, waited in the freezing Canadian cold, and spent thousands of dollars all in the pursuit of Duran Duran. Fandom makes you do some crazy things - oh, yes I am *so* guilty and then some!

I didn't get to meet Simon until I was in my mid-20s working in the biz. One meeting grew to two, and then to three. He was always a gentleman, always lovely. Simon Le Bon was one celeb that did not disappoint in person. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMON!!! 

Okay...now that I've gotten that out of my system, it's back to grown-up reporting and deeply intellectual analysis...R-IGHT!!!. You know me better than that!

RATE IT! Rio ~ Best Video of All Time

Geez, where have *I* been? Apparently, MTV held a vote for best music video of ALL TIME back in September. Viewers selected Duran Duran's "Rio" as *THE* premiere clip...the colourful romp triumphed over Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Madonna's "Like a Prayer," and Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." If Madonna or MJ had won, I bet we would have clued in by now! Time for Duran to get new publicists!

RATE IT! Duran Duran Tour Dates

Finally! After a world tour where they played everywhere *but* anywhere near me (!) there are North American tour dates...

December 1 / San Antonio, TX / Majestic Theatre
December 2 / Grand Prairie, TX / Nokia Theatre
December 4 / Tulsa, OK / Brady Theater
December 5 / Houston, TX / Verizon Wireless Theater
December 6 / Biloxi, MS / Beau Rivage Theatre
December 8 / Columbus, OH / Schottenstein Center
December 9 / Toronto, ONT  / Air Canada Centre
December 10 / Montreal, QC / Metropolis
December 12 / Mashantucket, CT / MGM Grand Foxwoods Casino
December 13 / Atlantic City, NJ / House of Blues (@ The Showboat)
December 14 / Montclair, NJ / Wellmont Theatre

FLE-FLE-FLE-FLE-FLEX! I'm so going! Having seen the band during their week-long Broadway theatre stand last November, I wouldn't miss it!  

(photo: Duranduran.com)