The Song Stylings of Two Lovely Ladies

Yesterday, I reviewed a couple of recordings of two of my musical heroes. Today, I will review recordings by two of my musical "sheroes." I have been a fan of these ladies' tunes since I was a teen back in the day-glo '80s.

BLONDIE -- PARALLEL LINES (1978)
Many performers are attractive, but less than zero in the talent department. But it IS possible for a performer to be both gorgeous and talented. Case in point, a certain Deborah H.
With her hair like gold satin, lips like cherry punch, and eyes like enchanted crystals, Debbie Harry resembles a Disney storybook maiden come to life. And her voice perfectly matches her Disney-princess good looks -- pure, sweet, clear, absolutely golden. It was hard to choose which one of her recordings to review (yes, I've got them all!) but I chose this one because it's so classic. The whole recording is really primo, so it's hard to choose a favorite song from it, but here are some highlights.


HEART OF GLASS -- Obviously. This was it. The hit. The song that Debbie and company will forever be best known for. Catchy, infectious, and danceworthy, this is the Blondie song that rang through disco after disco, both regular and roller, back in the tail end of the 70s. The one just about every Tom, Dick, and Francisco over the age of 25 has heard at some point. I was going to not include it as a highlight, because it's so well-known and I'm a little more interested in discussing songs that not everyone and their sister-in-law has heard -- or heard of -- but I felt if I didn't include it, I would catch some noise from readers of this blog
I KNOW BUT I DON'T KNOW -- Not as big a hit, but it should have been. A hook-laden tune that tends to stick in the brain.
FADE AWAY AND RADIATE -- Proof that the Divine Ms. H. can do slow, plaintive ballads as well as fast rockers. Hauntingly beautiful, this one will also stick in the brain.
PICTURE THIS -- A lighthearted yet heartfelt ode to a former sweetheart, where she even confesses (gasp!) voyeurism! (Oh, Debbie, you naughty little minx!)
PARALLEL LINES is the Frosted Flakes of the music world. It's GRRRRRRRREAT!


THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS -- SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES (1987)
This brilliant recording consists of covers. Covers that chief Banshee Siouxsie does extraordinarily well. Hard to choose a favorite, but here are several standouts.

THIS WHEEL'S ON FIRE -- The perfect wedding between 80s new wave and 60s psychedelia. Outstanding.
HALL OF MIRRORS -- A unique and danceable spin on the Kraftwerk tune.
THE PASSENGER -- A cover version of the Iggy Pop classic that would do the Igster proud.
THIS TOWN AIN'T BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US -- A good solid cover of the Sparks standby that remains faithful to the original while adding Siouxsie's own special "spark" to it (pun coincidental!)

This is a beautiful piece of musical entertainment that I recommend highly



HERE ARE SOME SAMPLES FROM THESE TWO WORKS OF AUDIO ART

A BIT FROM BLONDIE (from PARALLEL LINES)
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/30/2123005/06%20-%20I%20Know%20But%20I%20Dont%20Know.mp3
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/30/2123005/03%20-%20Picture%20This.mp3

SOMETHING FROM SIOUXSIE (from THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS)
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/30/2123005/02%20HALL%20OF%20MIRRORS.mp3
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/30/2123005/04%20THIS%20WHEELS%20ON%20FIRE.mp3