Monday, 30 September 2013

Album Review: Through the Barricades (1986)


Through the Barricades was Spandau Ballet's fifth successful studio album (released July 15th by Epic Records) with most of it's success in the UK. It showed the exit from the New Romantics and into the pop era very well. Most of the songs on the album, I have not heard of before, as I have just become accustomed to the album, but they come into their own very nicely. 'Fight for Ourselves' however, is one of the band's best music videos so far (apart from True) as each and every member is screen kissed by two invisible ladies dressed in white whilst performing on stage. It encourages us to stick up for ourselves, fight for ourselves. So far, this hasn't happened for me yet.

The title track, is inspired by love prevailing over the troubles in Northern Ireland at the time, and the death of a crew member in the Troubles, hence "and we made our love on wasteland, and through the barricades". It is the longest track on the album, with a duration of 5'58. It really makes a change from the early days of pounding bass bangs and synthesizers, to the sweet serene background of a simple acoustic guitar, smooth jazz inspired saxophone solo at various parts in the track, with the parade style drums to fade at the end. Every time I have heard this song, I have had mixed feelings. Sometimes I feel a bit depressed listening to this song, but most of the time, it leaves me with delight.

To be honest, I would give this album a 9/10, as it is not as what I expected for a mid 1980's pop album, but it comes into it's own very well.

I would have concluded with a picture of SB backstage at Birmingham NEC ( if my tablet wasn't playing up) album review of that coming soon). It was to be one of the best concerts Spandau Ballet was to have ever performed at since Sadler's Wells in 1983, Club Blitz in 1980 and Live Aid in 1985.


Finally!


Take care,
Love, Flea

Martin Kemp Monday!!

Hi guys! Do you know what time it is? Well, I think you would have if you've read the title. It's Martin Kemp Monday! I started this idea up a bit ago when people where commonly voting for him on the polls. He's even won the monthly title twice now. The whole point of today is to share a couple of photos and see what your opinions are! Lets go!

 
With his brother Gary outside club Blitz in 1980. Nipple alert! Lol 

 
Wearing the most loved red satin jacket for a photo off in Super Pop magazine, summer 1985. 

I hope you enjoyed looking at these photos as much as I enjoyed posting them. I'll post soon!

Love,
Flea

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Updates: 29/09/13

Hi friends,

Over the last few and coming weeks we have seen a dramatic change in how you, the liking public, see our page (Journeys to Glory).  We have had a massive amount of page views and page likes this last week, and we are confident that we are going to be reaching the 150+ like milestone by the end of this year. Me and my admins strive to make sure that Spandau Ballet fans all over the world are able to access the page, enjoy seeing the posts that are on it, and most importantly of all, have a good time mixing with other fans on it as well. Through a recent study of my page, I'm most surprised to see that most of you guys vote for the front-man (Tony Hadley) on the monthly, weekly and yearly polls more than any other members (Martin comes second, Steve, third, John, fourth and Gary fifth). I don't know what Tony has that the other members hasn't, but whatever it is, he's good at it.

I'm proud to announce that the guitarist loves our page. He was flattered when we tweeted him saying that we had once chosen him as the week's favourite band member. He said that he was thankful, but there would be no Spandau Ballet without all five of them. It equals in music. I live by the end sentence to this day as I m setting up my own tribute band, Motivator. Apparently I can't sing, but I'll show those loonies who's boss in the end.

And finally, I am very pleased that one of the members who doesn't ever get chosen in the polls has come first in our 'Member of the Year'. And that member is no other than John Keeble, our devoted drummer and to some people 'rock king'. Actually, I'll let you into a secret. I made him win, because I am sick and tired of the other four members being voted for really well and he gets minuscule votes about once or twice. I daren't tweet him with this news though. We haven't been on the same page in ages.

Just to conclude, I would like to thank my brilliant gang at Journeys to Glory for what a wonderful team they have been. I could see myself now struggling for page likers every single day without them. And I would like to thank you, the liking audience for your continuing support, and your time for reading this.




See you soon,
Flea

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Journeys to Glory Spandau Ballet Awards 2013 Results

Hi guys! I thought I would give you the result from our sort of award ceremony, dedicated to the Spands. 

So, let's cut straight to the chase and see who won what!

Best suit: Steve
Best hair: Martin
Best talent: Tony
Best casual wear: Martin
Best swim wear: John 
Best guitar playing: Steve
Best percussion: Steve

People weren't bothered about voting for the Spand of the Year on our page, so we decided to talk it through, and because it's only fair, John won. Look how happy he is! 



Gary won overall best Spand to be chosen over six months, and Tony is this weeks best Spand. 

So from us at Journeys to Glory: SB Appreciation, have a slammin Spandau Sunday on us!

Love, Flea and the gang. 




Sunday, 15 September 2013

Page updates: September 2013

Hello people!!

Thought I would let you know about the recent changes we have put into place on our Facebook page recently. This includes:


  1. Admins are allowed to ban anybody who is being abusive to other page likes or to the admin although we cannot accept responsibility for what someone has said make it be an admin or a non.
  2. We have gone over the 100th liker mark so I more than satisfied at this result. It comes to show that some people actually do care.
  3. The admission of two brand new admins, who passed the application with flying colours. I hope their stay here at J2G is quite comfortable and they have a great time posting things and getting on with other fans.


Friday, 6 September 2013

To make up for last time...

Hello Spandau lovers!

Here is the belated Martin Kemp monday post that I meant to post at the start of the week. So sorry, I forgot! Here it is now! And by the way, how many of you are watching him when he goes on Piers Morgan's Life Stories?

 Journeys to Glory, 1981.
 With brother Gary, prior to their 'Through the Barricades and Across the Borders tour, in the years 1985 to 7. Love that beautiful mullet that's going on there.
 Born to be a gangster. Now hurry up with the money.
 Two photos of the beautiful 'Le Mulle'





Oh yeah, this move gets all the ladies, and they all line up, ready to get their hands on me, in my skin tight jeans.







I'm the Prince. Bow down to me for a good kissing!


Oh yeah, oh yeah, feel an orgasm coming on there girl...


Post soon,
Megan







Tuesday, 3 September 2013