It looks like there is a show on Thursday 21st July (should be 4/3/82 with David Jensen, which is listed as being a live show), but it's The Proms on Friday 22nd.

Ha ha yes! Much like this one >

Oops! Just had an attack of the smilies...

I was falling asleep by this point, I must admit. but I'm sure that Elkie was wearing the same outfit as she did the last time.

Loved hearing Landslide again - much better than Physical.

Didn't remember the video but did recognise, though no idea how, her ex husband, mother of Chloe, as the love interest. Matt Latanzi. My fella called me a geek for recognising him

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/111...R%2BGsOA%3D%3D

I think i definitely prefer Chris Rea's original version of ''Fool If You Think Its Over'', above Elkie Brooks. I enjoyed her hits, ''Pearl's A Singer'' and ''Sunshine After The Rain'' more.

I like Ticket To The Moon. Some of their lesser hits are just as good as their top 10ers.

Well spotted. I thought he looked Italian. 10 years younger than Olivia as well.

The BBC's Wimbledon coverage seems to be using Blue Monday by New Order as one of their soundtracks this year. They keep playing it in between matches. Although it was released in 1983 it was recorded in 1982 which just about qualifies it to be mentioned on this thread.

......................

Being a New Order bore ( amongst other things ) I remember Blue Monday wasnt released until March 83 and I think at their rate of work it was very likely to have been written in 82. Originally it was meant as an automatic ending song to their set which didnt need playing so they could walk off and leave the crowd dancing/ baying / rioting.

On YouTube there's a clip of them playing it live in Australia or perhaps New Zealand in December 1982. Hang on a minute — here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFnbxTsGScQ

Isn't it Blue Monday '88 that they're actually using though?

New Zealand sneaky of New Order to debut it down there and no one would know. Thanks for that you've solved the mystery yourself. They never did play Blue Monday live too well I've seen it half a dozen times and something usually went wrong.

Agree on first two. Landslide is a great, overlooked single. Chris Rea's version of Fool is far better than Elkie's, though towards the end of Elkie's performance I was appreciating the jazzy arrangement. But Ticket to the Moon, whilst OK, is nowhere near as good as ELO tracks from their 1975-77 heyday.

Yes, "Ticket To The Moon" seems to have grander intentions than ELO's more recent work of the time, which is possibly more reminiscent of their earlier sound. However, and despite it being very well produced, the song, for me, isn't quite interesting enough, especially as a single release, to quite reach where it is intending to go. It strikes me as a little overwrought, and slightly lacking that magic sparkle. As an album track, though, i think the song works well enough. Yes, their great melodic/orchestral pop sound did strike me too, as being at a peak in the years you mention.

Just caught up with these two latest shows.

Have to say I found them a bit dull, with lots of repeats, I think that's why the ONJ track stands out, as it's new and not over played, it's a bit of a hidden gem.

Also January tends to have that "left-over" Xmas feeling, with some of the songs reminding you of December and the build up (e.g. Land of Make Believe, Mirror Mirror).

I think I'm just biding my time until Feb and Town Called Malice/Precious though

Not long to wait, it'll be on the next two Fridays

I really love Lilac Wine by Elkie Brooks - my other half played me the Jeff Buckley version recently which is completely different but I enjoyed it as well.

I have to go along with the view that OlivIa's "Landslide" is a great track, although it still doesn't strike me as single material. It is far more likeable than "Physical", but it possibly lacks the instant appeal of her bigger hits.

The more i watch that last Simon Bates presented episode, the more i believe my original score of 5.5/10 was rather too low. Tight Fit and Stiff Little Fingers still do little for me, but the some of the others have grown on me massively. I still don't think "Oh Julie" is amongst Shaky's best, mind.

After a week away just caught up with last weeks two (for me anyway) somewhat contrasting episodes.

The 'Kid's'' one first.

Gillan!! Great singer, great song (his best solo effort for me), great headbanger and what a great hair tosser he is too! What's not too like? Although (and without having read back through the last weeks comments), I suspect I'm in my customary minority here where some of the TOTP featured hard rock/metal acts are concerned. I wonder if anyone else noticed, was aware, or in fact even cares to know(!) but that that's Janick Gers (in the red trousers) playing guitar on that one. He later joined and still remains part of Iron Maiden to this day. Joining them around 1989/90 (I think) after initially playing on what was originally intended to be a Bruce Dickinson solo track ('Bring Your Daughter...To The Slaughter'), but that of course ended up being recorded by Maiden and became their, to date, sole UK number 1 single.
Lyrically (and I've never googled or whatever and checked) but I always assumed Gillan's Restless was written about Jimmy Page. I might be totally wrong though and I may indeed now check that out to see.

Phil Lynott - I just love this song and think it would have been interesting to hear the results had Phil recorded more music of this ilk. I guess YP was a one off though and at heart he was and always would be a 'rocker'.

Mobiles - I wondered what happened to them after 'Berlin'. Apologies if its already been posted, but here's their follow up 'Amour Amour' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgyZgFzhvbo which isn't that bad and probably deserved a bit better than it's No. 45 peak. They seemingly disappeared without trace after this though.

XTC - 'Senses...' Love, love, love it. For me probably their best song, but it seems their last 'hit' so after this I suspect their Pops day were soon over after this. Which is a shame. Looking at their chart positions for me they released plenty of singles which deserved better chart positions than they actually achieved. Sgt Rock certainly deserved to be top 10 and wasn't, Generals & Majors should have done better, ditto Towers Of London and so on.

OMD - They've done better. Not bad. I'm finding Andy McClusky increasingly irritating to watch though. I don't mind hearing their music but watching him, no thanks. He just irks me.

Christopher Cross & Foreigner - How interesting to see some American AOR take off during or more so perhaps at the tail end or our own totally contrasting 'New Romantic' scene. I wonder in retrospect just what 'selling power' JK's US TOTP slot had on turning some big US hits into UK one's.

And the Fizz still at No. 1. It's obviously a bit of top quality pop but currently one of my least favourite of theirs. They made so many better singles.

Ignoring the obviously naff, yes Flick Colby's Zoo that means you!! what a great episode that was! Get's a solid 9/10 from me.

The Bates episode

Tight Fit - Yuck! That's all. FF'd it and am already dreading their next inevitable performance of this vile dirge.

ONJ - Livvy looking very good here. And a great song to boot. Deserved better than it's No. 18 peak. I believe she was huge in the States at the time though and sold bucket loads of everything she released around this period there, so I doubt she was much bothered. I believe she dated, (possibly married I'm not sure) the male 'lead' in the video. Cher of course done the same later with one of hers. 'Rob' someone or other who was in (I think) the 'I Found Someone' video.

Haircut 100 - Had the subtitles on for this - minor pointless fact... I've always thought the lyric was "ring Anna, ring Anna..." but evidently it's "ring an I ring and I ring...". Oh, ok. But anyway, that aside, what a right bit of dodgy looking dancing from Mr H at the end. I've never quite understood his then teen 'pin up' appeal. He looks spotty and has dodgy looking teeth. H100 certainly released 4 brilliant singles (not sure about the album, I've never heard it) and then 'puff' it was all over. I suspect Nick H was 'encouraged' by management types to go solo from day one though but initially wanted the security of a group around him possibly as he always seemed the shy type to me.

Stranglers - Have never much cared for Golden Brown personally, but can see the appeal.

Stiff Little Fingers - Didn't know this one at all. Was alright.

Elkie - Looking and sounding totally out of place and performing a pretty average cover version. Bit boring, I'd rather have seen Gillan again.

Alton Edwards - Fast forwarded.

Shaky at No. 1 - (as above). One of his weaker one's IMO.

Pretty average edition for me compared to the previous one. Hence an average score - 5/10.

That'll do for now, Wentworth catch up for me next!

Countdown Capers

Top of the Pops 21st January 1982

In a change to our advertised presenter, David 'Don't call me Kid' Jensen is thwarted immediately by the evil caption crew, who insist on calling him Kid despite being 30 Years of age.

On an extended gap Year from Radio 1, David's been presenting shows on CNN in Canada but in his spare time he's wrestled grizzly bear, moose & squirrel and achieved partial success tracking the Sasquatch, coincidentally also there on a gap Year.

Although these revelations remain unconfirmed, the experiences will no doubt come in handy on future episodes, rounding up assorted members of the animal kingdom who seemingly run amok amongst the studio audience.

Taking no chances and with David's irritation suppressed, the floor manager allows David some space and a veto on dancing, as there's a risk if he walks off now the 2nd substitute waiting in the wings is B.A. Robertson. If this scenario came to pass most people will walk off the set in protest and the pilot of "The Craig Fairbrass Show" would be made instead, and no one wants to see that.

Not much David dancin' evident but we cut to the first item on the agenda which is...

(36) GILLAN – Restless

It's a risky business being a member of a rock band on TOTP as there's constant friendly fire courtesy of the Pyrotechnics Department. Gillan unwisely trusted them to get the cordite right and the audience are treated to a 3-minute recreation of the Battle of Waterloo. Thankfully the shrapnel never reaches the audience & a PTSD claim from the Gillan drummer proved unsuccessful.

Hang on, I knew I'd forgot something... the music! The cover of "New Orleans" was a Top tune in '81 and although this one won't reach the same heights, personally I thought it was a pretty decent track, Ian Gillan giving it raucous vocals and backed by a solid & dependable band.

For some reason I thought the bald guitarist has the look of one of them dodgy geezers you have to see to get overpriced tickets for New Years' Eve in a pub, but I digress.

Next up David has a young Janice Long for company on work experience whilst our next turn is...

(6) JON & VANGELIS – I’ll Find My Way Home

An old favourite, I never tire of hearing this beautiful track.

It could be my eyes but Little Jon's white jacket seems to have more of a 'bloom' on this repeat performance, either that or he's been chasing the Ready Brek.

Zoo surplus to requirements as per.

With a tenuous link, I always think of this track together with Demis (Roussos) vocalised version of Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez, "Follow Me", more likely due to Demis & Vangelis being band mates in Aprodite's Child. This wasn't a hit in the UK but massive in Europe probably due to the "Abigail's Party" effect Roussos had in the psyche of the UK record buying public at the time, but a stunning take on a familiar melody IMO.

Clickbait below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krI_Fr00Z6M

(14) PHIL LYNOTT – Yellow Pearl (video)

Motivated from witnessing the horrendous spectacle during the Circus of Horrors a fortnight ago, Phil gets up from his sofa & makes a video. Any video will do, no matter how thin the plotline or content, but “at least there's no feckin' bodybuilders in it!”

In the video, Phil shows off his Christmas present haul of audio, video & camera equipment. He doesn't look happy though, as he only asked for one reel-to-reel tape recorder but instead ended up with a whole bank of the bloody things as some git pressed '1' twice on the computer and the Geisha's have lost the receipt so he can't return the excess.

Maybe all is not lost as a cheque stub would be accepted as proof of purchase, but to vent his frustration he gets his Geishas to tape him up in preparation for a bout of the 'Queensbury Rules' with the manager of Dixons, as the manager's the one who refused when the Geisha's tried earlier in the Week. Fair enough as they've only recently been imported & can't speak a word of English.

Until he gets to Dixons in the Yellow Pearl (a Reliant Robin on loan from Trotters Independent Traders) he won't know whether to sell on the excess reel-to-reels cheap.

....Or maybe he cut his hands on the cheap Japanese screens.

Truth be told these potential explanations make about as much sense as the lyrics or video do. Lynott's a legend & it's a top instrumental, but the track really should've stayed that way.

(13) THE MOBILES – Drowning In Berlin

Back by popular demand, the Punch & Judy show are back!

All menace extinguished as everyone is now fully aware they reside in Eastbourne and not Transylvania or Shepton Mallett, a last ditched attempt to scare everyone fails again as the band still don't have enough royalty moula to afford face painting for all, so they're reliant on Anna Maria & Grandpa Munster to carry the sausages... erm, baton. We never get to see the devil, policeman or the hangman, with the baby more than likely in the care of Social Services.

Nice routine in the chorus from Anna Maria, fashioned straight from an exercise care plan for the elderly. THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT!

(26) ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – Ticket To The Moon

BBC's props department had a rummage through the TV Centre skip & found bits of the Liberator from Blake's 7 not ruined by green gunk, with Zen "CON-FIRMED" for a cameo role.

'Flick Colby's new dance troupe Zoo' cobbled together this surprisingly non ham-fisted performance, which on a limited budget I thought was relatively effective given the tune, though I'm not sure if their ticket machine was geared up for Oyster Cards.

Personally I would've preferred “Here Is the News” as that track absolutely kicks ass, but I'm alright with a Ticket to the Moon.

David is joined by a clapping Fairbrass dressed as David Essex & introduces 'something meaty, beaty and definitely bouncy'. There's specialist websites now for that kind of thing.

(7) MEAT LOAF – Dead Ringer For Love (video)

A neutered and seed-free loaf this time, no nudity on the walls of the Dead Ringer Ale House & he doesn't even get to have a dance with Cher, but at least if I go there I know what happens when J2 is selected on the Jukebox. We even missed the bit where she drinks a pint of 'Rock n...well you know the rest. Adda girl...

(41) XTC – Senses Working Overtime

Sections of this track irritate me no end (sacrilege I know). When it gets going it's great but in the slow bits Andy Partridge's vocals are annoyingly whyyyyyyyyy-nyyyy, and as a result it's not a favourite of mine. I'm more a fan of “Nigel” or “Sgt. Rock” (as we all are ), but an excellent performance on the show I thought despite my reservations...

(31) ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK – Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Of Joan Of Arc)

A highlight, more so in the context of the superb Architecture album. Pretentious for some but it's hard to resist not tapping a foot to the driving rhythm when it gets going.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a showcase event for the 'Liberator' album (sans Paul Humphreys) c.1993, with Andy McCluskey performing 3 or 4 tracks live, and while there I regret not asking to be taught the “McCluskey Flail”, although I'm sure like most I could manage a good impression of it after a few sherbets.

Full marks also to the audience member doing some 'air drumming' (In time too, unlike the real one) & Andy McC not demolishing the mic stand mid-flail.

One of my favourite bands for their melodies, and they seem to age with somewhat of a vintage, as their recent material is well worth a listen too.

(18) CHRISTOPHER CROSS – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) (video)

A Wika-dee Wika-dee Wika-dee Wack!

He might not be one of the world's most handsome or charismatic performers, but I find Kris Kross' voice a tonic even though by some he's regarded as a bit dull. This track for me I find just 'OK', benefitting hugely by a leg up from the Arthur film.

His self-titled album with Michael McDonald's backing vocals seem more evocative of the sound he aimed for. You can almost smell the seaweed of West Coast America, or it could be bullshit.

“Sailing” & “Ride Like the Wind” are my highlights of his back catalogue.

Cut back to David in the studio, and we have an early appearance by a 'crisp' young Gary Lineker, recently signed up with Manpower Services Commision on the YTS Scheme, with Mentor Dave showing him how it's done. Later on David's going to show Gary how to wrestle a moose. There's bound to be one in the TOTP enclosure.

(8) FOREIGNER – Waiting For A Girl Like You (video)

An extended listen to this live version still does the track no favours, and omitting the first verse doesn't help matters. Maybe there were more bum notes not necessarily in the right order and the footage was unusable. A classic atmospheric track in the right environment (i.e. not live).

(1) BUCKS FIZZ – The Land Of Make Believe

Blimey is it Christmas again?

Most teenage boys would think all their Christmasses had come at once if faced with the vision in white that was Jay Aston in this performance, while poor Rita looked like a strawberry but that's showbiz. Despite cheerleaders taunting the Fizz & inviting them to eat hay, no doubt on a high from their silly string anhilation of the Human League, normal service has been resumed as the Fizz look happy enough running on the spot & Christmas hasn't been moved to January 21.

David's much more relaxed now for the finale as Janice Long's back, even managing to 'bust a move' in celebration. Two Zoo engage in some overdue freestyle fist-pumping and another episode is in the can.

More forensic examination soon at no extra cost and an 8/10 for the show, 8.5 at a push if Phil Lynott got a refund.

Nos da pop pickers

It is great to hear some positive feedback for Gillan's "Restless", as i thought it was a very strong track from them. A very good opener to a fairly consistent episode.

I was surprised though that Tight Fit was considered a suitable opener the following week, because generally the show likes to start with a bang, so to speak - something uptempo, and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is mid paced. I still find it difficult to comprehend how both Tight Fit and The Goombay Dance Band made No 1 consecutively, when there was so much interesting stuff to be found in the charts in this period. Still, in a way it was the unpredictability that contributed to making pop so exciting. You could never be quite sure which songs would be likely to capture the public's imagination.

She did rather well for herself

It doesn't seem to be popular here at DS but I think this is quite a magnificent record. From the weird, eerie intro, to the wonderful ending, it's quite a brilliant song.

I think the intro is one of the best of all time. The rest of the song is pretty good but nothing really special in my opinion.