Two groups from the 80s from across the pond that only had one hit here in the states but to me never got a fair shake. Prefab Sprout and Danny Wilson to me was not just a "pop band" in the mid 80s, the gifted song writers/composers of Prefab Sprout[Paddy McAloon] and Danny Wilson[Gary Clark]. They wrote very smart lyrics, Paddy to me wrote some very good love songs while Gary wrote songs not only about love songs but songs about close friendships, aliens, and a found love for "Aberdeen".
To me "Two Wheels Good" and "Meet Danny Wilson"(taken from a 1952 Frank Sintra film) are timeless LPs...even though they were released over 20 years ago they were ahead of their time. One thing I realized is that many artists from other countries sometimes appreciate artists stateside more than we and in essence they teach us to realize what gifted musicians/singers we have in our own backyard.
"Two Wheels Good"(released in America as Two Wheels Good after McQueen's estate expressed their displeasure with the title)* to me is filled with songs of present loves, past loves and lover's mistakes that sticks with me today. Prefab Sprout were quite successful in the UK but did not really make a mark here in the US but they made a mark with me with their music. I love the composition arrangements are precise and tight and Iove the vocal harmony of Paddy and Wendy(Smith). It has always had that mystic/haunting yet angelic sound and this the reason why I love every track on this LP.
"Meet Danny Wilson" by Danny Wilson (which is made up of the brothers Gary & Kit Clark along with friend Ged Grimes)is a classic and I hope years to come it will be recognized as such. A person years ago compared them to Steely Dan. At first I agreed with that but now years later I think they stood their own ground. They are known for the track "Mary's Prayer" but to me when I heard that tune it made me run out and get their LP because I knew it was more to this group than just song and right I was. From the first track "Davy" these gifted musician not only love music but love the art of songwriting and writing music. I guess what sticks out to me with this LP is where most groups in the 80s were "sythesizers" up the wazoo Danny Wilson chose to go the other way with instruments from using the harmonica, the upright bass and even using a tuba on a track and to me that is what makes this LP stand out. It was as if they knew music would swing back the other way before the 80s would come to and end.
I hope you take the time to kick back, relax and take in the tunes I have selected and yes, there will be a part II podcast from the "Meet Danny Wilson" and "Two Wheels Good" LPs
Be Blessed, Be Safe, Have a Wonderful Weekend/Work Week
~DarrenKeith
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(Track/Artist/Album)
o1. Faron - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
o2. Davy - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
o3. Bonny - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
o4. Aberdeen - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
o5. Appetite - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
o6. **Mary's Prayer - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
o7. **When Love Breaks Down - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
o8. Lorraine Parade - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
o9. Goodbye Lucille #1 - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
1o. Nothing Ever Goes To Plan - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
11. Hallelujah - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
12. Broken China - Danny Wilson{from the "Meet Danny Wilson"LP}
13. Moving The River - Prefab Sprout{from the "Two Wheels Good LP"}
**Songs that made them known here in the US
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