Sorry about being not being on for the last couple of days. All I can say is that I've had problems, and they're now resolved. I managed to order a decent second hand copy of Through the Barricades from an independent Spandau seller on eBay and it arrived today. Surprisingly it's alright and loaded straight away when I wanted to import the songs onto my iTunes library. Here it is!
Who likes this album? If you do, comment or like this exact photo on the J 2 G page.
Have you noticed on most photos that Spandau Ballet's drummer John Keeble hardly smiles? Most people's theory for this is because he's a grumpy person. Well the other day, I found a couple of photographs to prove this isn't true. Observe. The photos might be rubbish quality I have to warn you.
Avete notato sulla maggior parte delle foto che di Spandau Ballet batterista John Keeble difficilmente sorride ? Teoria della maggior parte della gente di questo è perché lui è una persona scontrosa .Beh , l'altro giorno , ho trovato un paio di fotografie per dimostrare che non è vero . Osservare . Le foto potrebbero essere di qualità spazzatura devo avvertirti.
¿Ha notado en la mayoría de las fotos que de Spandau Ballet baterista John Keeble apenas sonríe ? Teoría de la mayoría de la gente de esto es porque él es una persona de mal humor .Well the other day, I found a couple of photographs to prove this isn't true. Observe. The photos might be rubbish quality I have to warn you.
Photo credits:
Getty Images
We want Spandau Ballet together back on stage (facebook group)
Today I thought I would do something different rather than to review an album and take forever. Most people are quite familiar with this song, and it is used frequently for weddings, have you guessed it yet? TRUE! (If you need a brain kickstarter, press play on the video below) And let's press on with the review!
Firstly, I would like to get the obvious out of the way and comment on their choice of clothing for filming the video. As far as I am aware, the designer of the suits is none other than the famous wedding designer Antony Price. I wonder if he is still alive! I loved Tony's choice, as the all black suit is tailored to flatter his then thin figure (and yes ladies, he was and still is sexy!). Gary really out did himself in the cream affair, but in my opinion, it was totally matched to his wonderful at the time complexion. For Martin, I could say the same. Now, for Steve, the whole grey suit and black tie job, this could have won him, if there was an award 'Prettiest Pretty Boy of the Year'. The white socks and black slacks just add to it! Finally, the moment you've been waiting for, John. His suit makes him look very dapper indeed, with the choice of white bow tie (he changes it for photos) to compliment the white shirt. But above all, all looked so very innocent, young and very handsome! Sorry JK lovers, he's taken, by me!
Secondly, let's get into the actual video. What I really enjoy when I play it is the opening first twenty to thirty seconds is that all the band members are concealed to a silhouette, the first obvious two being Gary and Martin, easily guessed by their classic hairlines. Soon after, the young (and sexy) Tony comes on, ready to blurt his heart out with song. At all times, he's looking right at you into the cameras, and that self sense of mind floods through your body, down the motorway of nerves into your heart and you feel loved. Through the second piece of uh huh huh huh huh huh's, we get a quick focus on the beautiful face of Gary. Do you feel loved again? John crashes the cymbal and we're on to the second verse. What I like about the second verse is that there is a brief reference to the late great soul singer, Marvin Gaye. Would you listen to him all night long? Soon after, the sax solo, a split focus between Steve and John. Steve is letting it rip with his dynamic solo, while John doesn't seem to be having much fun drumming. His face screws up in to a help position! Do you detect a note of jealousy. Then, the chorus repeats for two, and Gary ends the song with his beautiful fingers touching those delicate piano keys.
Finally, I would definitely give this song a smack bang 10 out of 10. It's one of the most romantic, seductive love songs of the 1980s, still enjoyed by a much younger cohort of Spandettes (like me). Would you play it at your wedding?
Hello Spandau lovers! Sorry this post is late, I wasn't feeling well yesterday and I had issues with the family. So here are some pictures of Tony I think you'll enjoy.
Here is Tony with a fan's baby, in 1996. Don't they both look so precious? I believe the fan is Sonia Fernandez Deniz, a liker of this page. All photo credits to to her
Journeys to Glory promotional picture, 1980 or early 1981. He looks so young, and innocent. Photo credits; Marty Norman Mercury
To Cut a Long Story Short, 1980. Again, so beautiful, handsome, innocent and utter perfection. Photo credit; Antonio Addeo
A friendly embrace of friendship with eternal best friend and Spandau's saxophonist Steve Norman, 1985, with the presence of Le Mullé. Photo credit; Antonio Addeo
And that's it for today, folks. I'm still feeling rubbish. The Steve Norman appreciation post will be posted at another time when I feel better.
Hello Spandau lovers! Ever since our page first started in June 2012, we were luckily if we ever had a single page liker every two days. It was called 'Save a Prayer Through the Barricades' and partly dedicated to Duran Duran. I left the page alone for a few days, which turned into months. And then, come April this year, I had an idea. I changed the name to 'Journeys to Glory: SB Appreciation' and dedicated it all to Spandau Ballet. We got another fifty likers and even gained some new admins!
You're probably wondering where I got the idea for the new name, eh? I was listening to a bit of The Doors and Pink Floyd and they mention lost souls and western worlds, so I asked myself; "What were Spandau Ballet in the beginning? Soul boys. Of a western world". And that's when the magic happened. Soon after I changed the page's name, we started to attract more attention than ever before. The insights were over the top and off the charts! And now, we have our 100th page like, we feel like we're something special, and no folks, I'm not bragging. Here's the brand new timeline cover to celebrate. Coming up next, the belated Tony Hadley Tuesday post and Blondie moment pt.2. The URL to our twitter based version of Journeys to Glory is on the picture!
Once again it's time to post a variety of photos of your favourite bass guitarist...Martin! I apologize for not being here over the last couple of days, a mixture of not feeling well and going on trips. But now I'm here and will give my all to the blog. So let's begin!
Isn't he so sexy here, ladies? A man who can rock leather is worth dating, that's what my mother said. If she'd kept to her word I would be legally and properly a Kemp now.
Below: Martin in 1983, a promotional photograph for 'True', the band's best ever selling album. Automatically, you should be hypnotised by his bold and beautiful blue eyes. This may have influenced Tony in creating his 1985 solo album 'For Your Blue Eyes Only'.
Below: Just look at Martin in his red satin glory. I think he's fit to marry you in that, depending what dress you would wear, of course. So it goes as today's Question: If Martin was to marry you, what hairstyle would he have and what would he wear? Most people ask me this, so I'll say, the short hairstyle and the cream suit he wore in the True video. If you have an answer, submit via the comment box.
So, that's all for now, folks! I'll post a link to this particular post on the Facebook page: "Soul Boys of the Western World" so you know where to go. It would really be appreciated if that you are a Spandau Ballet fan and fellow blogger that you either follow this blog or add me on Google+ to get more updates. Likes/Comments on the page are really appreciated, too.
Take care, and enjoy the rest of a happy Monday. Tomorrow, for alliteration fun, it will be Tony Hadley Tuesday. Prepare to feast your eyes on some of the sexiest photographs of Tony you will ever see in your entire life. Eye pregnancy, fainting, love sickness and orgasms guaranteed, or we owe you something better.
Sorry for not being on last night, I had problems. And today is worse. I can't post anything as I'm being kept on a computer ban all week. I'll have to download the Blogger app and post on the go. I have little time, and certainly under a lot of pressure! Will post True review tomorrow. For now. Enjoy the below video:
Spandau Ballet's debut album Journeys to Glory, first released by Reformation Records in 1981 is quite a highly underrated by the press and most modern popular music magazines. But I really do not know why people think this, it crushed Duran Duran's 1981 album of the same name, and changed the way the New Romantic/Alternative Pop period changed forever. I think you are all familiar with the album artwork, so here is a photograph of the boys from that time period. They all look so young and handsome!
The opening song 'To Cut a Long Story Short' is a really dynamic song, with excellent keyboard reliant intro by Gary Kemp and pounding guitar bangs by Steve Norman. This was an era before the saxophone was introduced and it should have, in my opinion, been sustained. Frontman Tony Hadley sings the lyrics deeply and with thought. The costumes however, are a different take on the classic suits of True, and show that tad more style, sophistication and youth on the boys, which ages range from 19-22 at this early period. Reformation suggests that most instrumental songs are not as what they seem, although to my liking I think it is a bit repetitive, but again, dynamic lyrics and this counts for Mandolin as well.
Musclebound is really the best song in my opinion to me on Journeys to Glory. The clanging throughout the whole song gives you that sense of life in the Saxon times and makes you imagine that you were there. If you have actually viewed the video, you will be able to see it was filmed on wasteland in Normandy, France, and that Tony is dressed like a night with chain mail up to his neck, completely transforming him into a medieval knight.
The rest of the album though lacks a little bit with the instrumental piece 'Age of Blows, but when that needle drops on to the second groove, you'll be glad you didn't turn back. 'The Freeze' has a wonderful guitar reliant opening, low dynamics for effect and very fast tempo. 'Confused' and 'Toys' come into their own very well.
In conclusion, I give this album a four. I give it this rating because, although it is only the start of the eighties, it could have been better if bass drums and synthesisers were added, to make it more sound and more disco used. Having been attracted to this album since Day One, it used to be my Twitter name and is the URL for the page on Facebook. I hope you read this review, enjoy it on the whole and submit via the comment box your thoughts. I shall leave you now, but please enjoy this picture of the band from the same time era.
The next review is what I think you Spandau Ballet lovers will enjoy on a whole, their 1983 album True (shown below)
I hope you all enjoyed the special post of Steve Norman that I posted yesterday. Since then we have gained our first follower! So I'm feeling really happy about that!
I hope you enjoy this photo of Martin Kemp. As his name starts with M and Monday starts with M I thought we could make this day some sort of speciality or alliteration or something like that. This photo also qualifies as the Photo of The Day today.
Please note I do not own this image, and I credit @realmartinkemp for this. I have just added my own special effects. However, big brother Gary decided this wasn't on and I had to change my icon.
I thought it would be nice if you could take one minute of your time to look at some photos of the second sexiest Spandau Ballet member, Steve Norman. Enjoy!
In 1985 (pre Live Aid). I am loving what's going on on the top!
Nearly exact to the old one, but better quality and facing the other direction.
Happy Spandau Ballet Sunday, Spandau lovers! Now, because it's Sunday, and for my religion that means a day of rest, I thought I would, before I rest, leave you with a collection of my favourite Spandau Ballet photographs. So, let us begin.
Here is the guys celebrating getting a gold award for their third studio album, True, in April 1983. The female is one of their agents, but I do not know her name.
From left to right; Martin, John, Tony, Gary and Steve. Don't they look pretty gorgeous in their Anthony Price created suits? Well, as we all know Tony really does know how to rock it sexually.
From left to right: Martin, Gary, Steve, John and Tony, photographed by Lynn Goldsmith for Reformation records in 1982. I believe one of many photos taken by her was used for the sleeve of True itself.
This photo is the fruit of the Facebook page. I believe they are 'soul boys in a western world, hence this name of the blog and page. An upcoming documentary film with the same name being released late next year. From left to right: Tony, Steve, Martin, John and Gary.
And finally, here are the brothers Kemp in the autumn of 1969. Can you tell which one is which? If you can, submit via the comment box! But, for some, it may be a bit too easy and obvious for this I do apologise.
What a great way to start the day but to turn to the middle page of the Sunday Mirror and see that Spandau Ballet's frontman, no other than Tony Hadley himself, to have a double page spread about him and the band! When I finally get me scanner to work, I'll scan the pages in and post them on J to G in two parts. You would be pleasantly surprised as to whom he's speaking about. The Spandettes!
Most of the first column is just soppy talk about his wives and children, which I must admit she is quite beautiful and lucky to have him.
Secondly, there is an inside scoop into the future for Spandau. I will not ruin it, because yet again, it will be astounding to know about! There is a picture of the group from the True period [1983], and, oh, I say, Steve is simply gawjuss, ladies!
Tony is simply delighted that younger generations of Spandettes like me are getting hooked onto the band. Gold is getting popular in clubs and pubs now it has been specially mixed by EMI. Not a single day goes by, tbh, that I cannot resist playing it and belting it out in the bath. My parents think I've gone crazy!
So, as usual, I conclude by leaving you with today's Photo of The Day: A photo of the gorgeous John Keeble (the drummer) having his photo taken as part of the bands promotional photographs for True [Album] (1983)
I've noticed a lot of you fans are really crazy over my Facebook page and the photographs, quizzes and voting polls that me and my fellow admins post daily. So I had this idea and created a blog which will be updated daily, and where most of your questions will be answered. Furthermore, this would be a good idea to get a further insight into how the page is doing. So here it is.
So far, Soul Boys of the Western World (formerly Spandau Ballet and Journeys to Glory: SB Appreciation) is setting a target for it's 100th page liker, with some form of celebration to take hold on the event, which I predict to be before the summer ends. We have welcomed a grand total of 3 new admins, who shone brightly in the application process. They have not let me down and have shared the page's link on multiple social networking sites and groups within Facebook, which surprisingly, has upped the number of likers since the page's debut last year in June. On a recent poll, fans have chosen Spandau's frontman as the most sexiest, which to me there is no surprises there. Fans are delighted to take part in these and therefore I will make this a bi-weekly event.
Gary Kemp has recently praised our page on Twitter for voting him as the best well aged Spandau Ballet member and best one overall earlier in June. He tweeted "Very nice of you guys and thank you,but there's no Spandau without all five if us. Equals in music", and a kiss.
If you would like to visit our page, here is a live link to it: https://www.facebook.com/JourneysToGlory
For any enquiries, the email is: soulboysofthewesternworld@hotmail.com.
I'm going to have to go now, but here is the Photo of The Day as recommended by fans. I believe it is the group live at Sadler's Wells as part of their True tour on May the 1st, 1983.
Will post soon.
Take care guys,
Love,
Megan R (but Kemp on here)
