Another episode, another audio commentary for a great album and another great guest in singer/songwriter and 50% of Go West, Peter Cox. Peter goes through the debut Go West album, called, er, Go West (listen to hear peter's nixed alternate title) and what a massively underrated joy of an album it is too. After a brief background to the formation of Go West we get into the album track by track so sync up and listen or be sync-less and enjoy the chat. Peter was great value and it was a wonderful c...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Hello again. What better way to start a new season of 80sography than with a Random Questions with a man who defined the 80s more than anybody, the great producer Trevor Horn. It was a great pleasure to speak with Trevor and is definitely a big tick off the bucket list. Frankie, Buggles, ABC, Yes, McCartney, Dollar and much more covered within. Enjoy! Check out his great autobiography, Adventures In Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT, on book or audiobook (recorded by the man himself) Thanks agai...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Part 2 of the interview with the great musician/producer/arranger/songwriter, Rob Mounsey and so much to discuss; A couple of Simon's, a couple of hugely iconic No 1 power ballads, Billy, Brian, Aretha and so much more. Let me tell you all about it... 1984 Chaka Khan - Eye To Eye Joe Cool - Party Animals Phil Collins - Against All Odds 1985 Madonna - Crazy For You 1986 Steve Winwood - Back In The High Life Billy Joel - The Bridge Paul Simon - Graceland 1987 Steve Khan/Rob Mounsey - Local Color A...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 12
We end season 5 (cripes, we nearly up to season 6??) with a two-parter with massively talented musician/producer/songwriter/horn & string arranger, Rob Mounsey. With the iconic likes of Diana Ross, Steely Dan and Karen Carpenter in his 80s CV as well as classic albums from the likes of Donald Fagen, Paul Simon and Billy Joel and his role as part of the band in the Simon & Garfunkel reunion at Central Park, Rob has many a tale to tell. pre-1980 Animal House soundtrack 1980 Karen Carpenter...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Season 5Ep. 11
It's only taken 23 years but 80sography has finally reached the 50th episode milestone! Hurrah to all and sundry! (sorry, don't know why I typed that...) Why not celebrate with another Anatomy of a Song episode and it's a real toe-tapper pop-pickers - the 1984 smash from Shakatak, Down on the Street. We speak to main Shakataker, musician/songwriter Bill Sharpe about the hit and his time with the Shaks and much more besides. Dedicated to my parents; without whom, etc, etc. www.shakatak.com 80sogr...
Nov 20, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 10
This feels like a very special episode. Engineer Toby Scott takes us track-by-track through the 80s behemoth that is Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA. Toby goes through the working process on one of the most iconic albums of the (best) decade. Enjoy a bit of background to the making and then listen and/or sync up for the audio commentary of the LP. Some fascinating stuff for all BruceHeads and lovers of 80s music. With primal scrubs a-plenty! Toby website: tobyscottaudio.com @80sography on Tw...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Hello shoes, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to stand on you again... Unique episode as we enter the world of comedic pop with the wonderful neil (always lower case) and his epic 80s cover of the Traffic classic, Hole In My Shoe. neil's alter ego, the great Nigel Planer explains all things neil from initial character through to making of the Young Ones and the spin off single/LP (Lentil Nightmare has to be heard to be believed). And of course, reference to neil's masterpiece. It's a 2-for-1 in t...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 5Ep. 8
A Brucie bonus! For background, I was lucky to chat to legendary engineer, Toby Scott on his time in the 80s with Mr Bruce Springsteen - the majority of which will be in a future episode. These are the extra bits not relevant to that chat which I could not bear to lose. Hear Toby talk about the process of recording, mixing and mastering Nebraska (40 years young!) as well as other odds and sods such as the later albums, writing the credits and deciphering Bruce's lyrics. Also, what is the one tra...
Oct 06, 2022•45 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Next up on the 80sography odyssey is Carol Decker, lead singer and co-writer of T’Pau and an Anatomy of a Song episode on their worldwide smasheroonie, Heart and Soul. We do side-track venture into China In Your Hand-land also (why not) but the main focus is on the effervescent brilliance of their first hit. Enjoy! Carol can be reached on Twitter @caroldecker If you would like to donate to the pod via PayPal using 80sography@gmail.com then for a shout out in future ep please email your name/loca...
Sep 18, 2022•58 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Aaaaaaand we are back with part 2 of the interview with the infectious energy and enthusiasm of songwriter/musician Martin Page. So many songs and artists to cover (and enjoy) so delve on in... 1985 (2:23) Starship - We Built This City * Maurice White - Maurice White 1986 (13:33) Heart - These Dreams 1987 (29:17) Bernie Taupin - Tribe Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson 1988 (51:23) Paul Young - Right About Now Tom Jones - Who's Gonna Take You Home Tonight 1989 (68:40) Go West - The King of Wish...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 5Ep. 5
The wonderful renaissance man, Martin Page, returns for the full My 80sography experience. Because I had extracted two parts of our interview from last year for Anatomy of a Song episodes this was pushed back to make way for other interviews but now has its time to shine. Martin was extremely good value in the single longest interview I have done yet (4 hrs plus) and was especially fascinating in describing the plight of an aspiring songwriter/musician for hire in the early-mid 80s (which this e...
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Wow, this is a biggie...and part 14 of the TFF saga.... I have been trying to set this up for the longest time, an audio commentary for simply one of THE best albums of the 80s with two of the key guys behind it's creation; Songs From The Big Chair - Tears for Fears with engineer, Dave Bascombe, and co-writer/musician, Ian Stanley and it's a delight - they were brilliant company and there is so much to enjoy. So much in fact that if you listen through to the end you will get more chat that did n...
Aug 07, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 14
The second part of the interview with the very talented, very successful and very Australian producer/engineer Julian Mendelsohn. Nik, Kate, Macca, The Pets, Liza and Dusty - they are all here... 1985 (1:46) Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Nik Kershaw - The Riddle Level 42 - World Machine Endgames - Natural 1986 (20:41) Paul McCartney - It's Not True (12")/Tough on a Tightrope (12") Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia (7"/12") 1987 (36:24) Pet Shop Boys - Actually Pet Shop Boys Always on my Mind INXS - Need You...
Jul 24, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Another My 80sography episode and another 2-parter with another great Producer, Engineer; Julian Mendelsohn. involved in so many hits (as you will hear) he is not sure which he worked on and which he didn't but he was an absolute delight and a great interview so enjoy. [also find out who Julian thinks is a genius above all he worked with - the answer may surprise you...] 1980 (17.29) Yes - Drama 1981 (24.43) Dollar - Hand Held In Black and White 1982 (27.18) Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star...
Jul 13, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 5Ep. 2
And we are back! Back!! BACK!!! with season 5 and another audio commentary with legendary producer Hugh Padgham. This time it is the first solo LP from Phil Collins; the massively successful and wonderful Face Value, Enjoy Hugh's track by track assessment as an interview or queue up your device and enjoy the album as we discuss the classic LP. You know what I mean... Hugh is on Instagram @hughpadghamofficial 80sography on Twitter/Instagram and email is 80sography@gmail.com Music thanks to Tomas ...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Shorter interviews require new formats! Personal one for me this, getting to interview the great Midge Ure, a man whose music I have loved for over 40 years. Effectively an extended Quickfire Round, I grill Midge on random questions relating to his 80s career. Enjoy. [thanks to Erika] midgeure.com 80sography@gmail.com Different Words Said In Different Ways Send us a text...
May 18, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Another Anatomy of a Song and another wonderful guest; the great Dee C Lee. As well as discussing the classic single, See The Day, we also cover her time with Wham! and The Style Council as well as Girls Aloud, Strictly and her life and career in the 80s. Contact Dee at her website: www.deeclee.com 80sography@gmail.com Also on Twitter/Instagram: @80sography Luvverlyx Send us a text...
May 09, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 4Ep. 12
To celebrate the 80th birthday of Sir Fab Macca Whacky Thumbs Aloft we have the collated interviews with past guests discussing their experiences working with McCartney. Starting off with an unheard interview with Chris Hughes, enjoy the return to Pepperland so just press to play... CHRIS HUGHES (02:50)* Motor of Love Figure of Eight (single version) STEPHEN LIPSON (30.44) Rough Ride Figure of Eight (LP version) How Many People Ou Est Le Soleil HUGH PADGHAM (38.43) Spies Like Us Press To Play LP...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Pt 2 of the Gary Langan interview - great music, lawsuits, self-assembly Grammys, rock guitar hero's and punk garlic. All human life is here. 1984 (02:48) Art Of Noise - Close To The Edit Art of Noise - Moments of Love 1985 (18:19) Art Of Noise v ZTT Scritti Politti - Absolute Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Welcome To The Pleasuredome (12" mix) Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy (12" mix) Paul McCartney - My Carnival (12" mix) 1986 (40:16) Art of Noise - In Visible Silence Spandau Ballet - Through The ...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Season 4Ep. 10
It was a pleasure to speak to the renowned engineer/producer and Art of Noiser, GaryLangan. Consider part one the Trevor Horn era of his career where he was involved with some massive hits and some of the most perfect pop of the decade. Much to enjoy here (with even more in pat 2); Pre-1980/1980 (2:52) Meeting Trevor Horn Boogatti - Come Back Marianne Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star Buggles - I Love You (Miss Robot) 1981 (19:03) Dollar - Mirror Mirror/Hand Held In Black and White 1982 (24:...
Mar 27, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Another gem of a AOOS with songwriter/musician Martin Page and is there anything more iconic and anthemic than the equally loved and (wrongly) derided 80s classic, We Built This City. Loads to enjoy here - Martin's enthusiasm is infectious. And does Marconi play the Mamba? Check out Martin here; twitter: @martinpagemusic facebook: martin page website: martinpage.com podcast: radio owl's nest Versions referenced; piano version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aXjroHzoe4 bardcore https://www.youtu...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 8
It was an absolute thrill to be able to chat to the female Thompson Twin, the iconic Alannah Currie under the pretence of an Anatomy of a Song episode. Although we discussed the fantastic Sister of Mercy it was an excuse to discuss much more about her time with Tom & Joe in the 80s; the highs and lows, the music, the fame, the pressures, the writing & recording and just what role exactly the mum of Grace Jones played. Many thanks to Alannah and catch her at the following soc meds; Twitte...
Feb 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Another day, another dollar, another cracking episode of 80sography (and another lame intro to an episode description..) Luckily the guest is the brilliantly talented director, Daniel Kleinman, a hugely successful ad maker of the past 30 years, the creator of all James Bond sequences since Goldeneye (bar one) and who made his start in the 80s directing some of the most innovative music videos of the decade. So many great icons - Madonna! Rod Stewart! Stevie Wonder! Fleetwood Mac! And works with ...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 44 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Enjoy this interview with the hugely successful photographer Lynn Goldmsith on her 80s music side project, Will Powers and the hit single, Kissing With Confidence. And what a cast list; vocals by Carly Simon, co-written and played by Steve Winwood, Nile Rodgers and Todd Rundgren. Further co-writes on the LP with Sting and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins. We explore the creation of this fabulous track with many other famous names along the way; Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithfull, Bob Dylan, Eric ...
Jan 16, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Very excited about this one - I've been looking to do another audio commentary for a while and what better place to continue with than one of the best-selling LPs of the decade. We join Producer, the great Hugh Padgham, and go through each song track-by-track, with additional chat further on, and, of course, a quickfire round on the album at the end. So sync up (should that be your desire) or just listen to a great interview on The Police's greatest album. And no skipping Mother... email: 80sogr...
Jan 05, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Welcome back to part 2 of the chat with 80s music video director, Jim Yukich, and it's a biggie - in fact, the longest episode yet. Much enjoyment to be had and FOUR audio commentaries for music videos so get syncing peeps. And checkout Jim's Michael Jackson impression - top notch! 1986 (08:51) Genesis - Invisible Touch/In Too Deep/Tonight Tonight Tonight/Anything She Does Mike & The Mechanics - All I Need Is A Miracle GTR - When The Heart Rules The Mind Genesis - Land of Confusion (audio co...
Dec 21, 2021•2 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 3
* DEFINITELY ONE FOR PHIL COLLINS/GENESIS FANS * Heading into the visual stratosphere this week with the 80s music video career of director Jim Yukich, who now has a hugely successful career producing comedy specials for the like of Bill Maher and Chelsea Handler, etc. In the 80s though he was responsible for some of the best music videos around including all the best Phil Collins & Genesis videos of the period (and beyond). In this first part we cover his early career and his first videos w...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 43 min•Season 4Ep. 2
And we go again for the 4th round of 80sography with brand new guests and new exciting features. One of which is Anatomy of a Song, where we explore a hit of the 80s with a special guest. Our first guest is songwriter Martin Page, here in his role as keyboard player on only fricking Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jnr. Martin is normally known for his writing hits such as These Dreams and We Built This City (more of in future episodes) for now we discuss how he got involved in the song, his working r...
Nov 23, 2021•52 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Wow, we've reached the end of the road with Mr Hague with yet more continued success and fantastic pop records. 1987 (2:39) New Order - True Faith New Order/England World Cup Squad - World In Motion (I know it's 1990 but, come on, had to ask...) 1988 (20:18) Climie Fisher - Love Changes Everything Jane Wiedlin - Rush Hour Erasure - The Innocents 1989 (37:06) P.ublic Image Limited - 9 Post 80's (41:20) Blur - To The End Dubstar - Stars Peter Gabriel - I Grieve 80sography Quickfire Round (53:20) 8...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Part 2 of the interview with the 'godlike' producer, Stephen Hague, with some great LP work in '86 followed by talk on 75% of the massive hits he produced in '87. Which one didn't he like? Couldn't cram it all into one second part so part 3 to come to conclude the decade. Don't tell me that you think it's green - me? I know it's red (YNWA) 1986 (4:06) Pet Shop Boys - Please OMD - The Pacific Age Hollywood Beyond - What's The Colour Of Money? 1987 (25:28) The Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye Pe...
Sep 01, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 10
