Nik Kershaw • The Riddle Reissue

Almost 39 years ago this November, a wonderful album hit the shelves that included one of my personal favorites of 1985. On November 10, 1984, Nik Kershaw's 'The Riddle' hit the shelves in the UK, and soon thereafter it was on the shelves of the Import shops, and then the record outlets in the US. The album featured three songs that all went into the Top 10 of the UK single charts, proving he was a force to be reckoned with, on the heals of his success with 'Human Racing'. The platinum selling classic album has been remastered and now comes heaped with b-sides and amazing rare live material all mixed by Nik himself!

Following the acclaimed 'Human Racing' reissue, Universal Music Catalogue are now pleased to announce the Re-Presents edition of 'The Riddle'. Featuring three top 10 singles, this expanded edition comes with b-sides and live material, which was mixed by Nik himself. 'The Riddle' heralded Nik's dominance of the UK pop music scene. In 1984, Kershaw spent the most weeks as a solo artist in the chart. You could give credit to the first single off the album, "The Riddle". The song went to #3 on the UK and Irish Pop charts, and the video went into regular rotation on the American TV.

At the beginning of 1984, a Nik Kershaw had released his breakthrough song "Wouldn't It Be Good", which reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart, and was a big success in Europe. He enjoyed three more Top 20 hits from his debut album 'Human Racing'. The music video for "Wouldn't It Be Good" hit American television, and was soon in rotation. The bold imagery along with the strong song made the video a must watch, and a hit with college kids enjoying the Electro-Pop sounds coming out the England. And with his new release, Kershaw once again became the darling of the college audience, as well as those who were loving the New Wave of music coming from the UK. The second single off 'The Riddle' was "Wide Boy", and it went to #9 on the UK Single chart, and #5 on the Irish charts.

In July 1985, Kershaw was among the performers at Live Aid, held at Wembley Stadium. He played four songs on the stage, "The Riddle", "Wouldn't It Be Good","Wide Boy", and the third single off the album, "Don Quixote". I have no problem admitting this was my favorite song off the album. There is something almost combustible in the song, with the the rhythm section driving at a strong cadence, somehow held in check by the vocals. I hope you enjoy this expanded version of the music video for "Don Quixote".

The reissue includes a remastered version of the original album, which is pretty great. But that is not all, for it also includes eleven addition tracks on a second CD, which includes extended version of "The Riddle", "Don Quixote", and "Wide Boy", two B-Sides, and six live versions of songs from the album, recorded at London's Hammersmith Odeon on December 31st, 1984. The tracks all sound great, and I am so pleased I have my copy!

You can purchase the re-release on iTunes, Amazon, and wherever great music is sold. To learn more about Nik Kershaw, visit his official website. There you can find all the latest news, and check out his touring schedule to see if he is playing new you. You can also 'follow' Nik HQ on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Imagine by Patti LaBelle

Not only did Patti LaBelle take part in what many still consider one of the seminal musical moments of the 80s, she also tackled one of John Lennon's iconic songs, Imagine, as only she can. So from the 1985 concert, recorded in the Philadelphia segment of the concert, here is the lady herself, Patti LaBelle.

New Followers - #100 & 101

I have to say, hitting the century mark with followers is quite amazing to me. And knowing who is #100 made it all the more special. If that wasn't great enough, there was #101, whom I hadn't known at all until she had recently commented on a post, and opted to stick around. I am liking this!

First, the 100th follower for Soundtrack to my Day is Paul Bright, the handsome and talented writer/director/actor/producer/whatever-the-hell-else-he-wants-to-do. Paul heads up Silly Bunny Pictures, whose movies have been featured here on this blog, including Angora Ranch, Theft, and Aaron...Albeit A Sex Hero. I get all warm and fuzzy at the thought Paul is following me here on the blog, it is such a compliment! You can catch Paul at the website for Silly Bunny Pictures here, his Facebook page here, or the his blog here. You can visit my latest post here and see trailers for all his films.

The addition of the 101st follower is also heartwarming. S'A stopped by, left a comment, and has continued to return. She is a 40-something blogger with two interesting blogs, Bratwurst Times and Life in Altamont. She makes her home in Illinois with her family. Stop by her blogs and tell her 'hello!'

As is the tradition, I have picked out a video to welcome the new members. I decided to go with INXS from Live Aid. They beamed in from Sidney, Australia, playing at the Oz Arena. In this clip, they sing What You Need and Don't Change, two fantastic songs! And one can never watch enough of the late Michael Hutchence performing, you know?

RIP Teddy Pendergrass - 1950-2010

Philadelphia born Teddy Pendergrass passed away yesterday, January 13, 2010. Handsome, brimming with sex and machismo, Pendergrass is the enduring image I have of the man who was a part of my early adulthood, being from the Philadelphia area. Teddy started out his music career as a drummer for the group The Cadilllacs. In 1970, he joined Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, a Philly-based group, as their drummer. Within months of joining the Bluenotes, the lead singer left, and Teddy was promoted to the job. Soon the band was signed to Philadelphia International Records, run by the the writing team of Gamble & Huff. In 1972 the group put out an eponymous album, featuring the monster hit If You Don't Know Me By Now, which shot up the charts, topping out at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Teddy's expressive vocals helped the song stand out from the rest of the music on the radio.



In total, the group released four albums, the last being 1975's Wake Up Everybody, which went into the Top 10 on the US Album chart. It also spawned the mega-hit of the same name. It was an amazing song, filled with political ideas, delivered in the inimitable Teddy style. This was one of my favorite Teddy songs, a truly great performance.



Not too long after this, Pendergrass went out on his own to make a solo career for himself. In 1977 he put out his debut, a self-titled album that continued his success. His second album, Life Is A Song Worth Singing, was released in 1978, along with the single, a Gamble & Huff penned tune Close The Door. Songs like this cemented his position as a loving yet sexy singer, and he looked damn good doing it.



His career continued to soar, staying near the top of the R&B and Pop charts thru 1982 when he was involved in an automobile accident, when the brakes on his Rolls reportedly failed. He went into the hospital for an extended period, and it was revealed he had a spinal chord injury, and was paralyzed from the waist down. He went through a prolonged recovery process, including physical therapy. His music stayed on the charts, thanks for the music he had recorded prior to the accident. He finally returned to the studio in 1984 to record his next album, This One's For You, which included a duet with a little known singer, Whitney Houston. In July 1985, Pendergrass took to the stage with Ashford & Simpson at the historic Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, making a triumphant return to live performance. They sang Reach Out And Touch, which he most certainly did that day, just shy of 40 months after the accident.



He was soon back to work, touring with his music, as well as touring in the gospel musical, Your Arms Too Short To Box With God. He also continued putting out albums and top rated singles. That included the song Joy, which made it to #1 on the R&B charts in 1988.



He continued on until 2006, when he retired from the music business. In 2009 he went back to the hospital with more medical problems, and passed away on January 13th, 2010, just 59 years old. His joy will most definitely be missed.

Worth Another Listen - Midge Ure

Now, back in the 80s, I was madly in love with Midge Ure, yet another Scotsman. He was the lead singer of one of my favorite bands, Ultravox. He had an amazing voice, and was very hot. Then he worked with Bob Geldof, and together they wrote Do They Know It's Christmas?, the huge single to raise money for African Famine Relief. Ultravox also performed at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid. So, Midge was also good-hearted and had cool friends. Aside from the wife and being str8, I thought he would be a perfect boyfriend for me.

In 1986, Midge ventured out on a solo career, and I was loving it. He released The Gift, and I was all over it. It was followed by Answers To Nothing, Breathe, and Pure. His first solo single was If I Was, and I still love that damn song, and think the video just makes me happy.

Like so many of us, Midge has aged a bit. But dammit to Hades, I still think he is hot. He still performs in the UK, so there is little chance I will get the chance to see him.

Midge Ure with Bob Geldof in 2004, Midge Ure aging beautifully.

Ultravox had that dense rock sound I was [and still am] so very fond of. I could, of often would, listen to Ultravox all day long. Songs like Vienna, Lament, All Stood Still, We Came To Dance, Love's Great Adventure, and Hymn, I was a very happy camper. Here is a clip of Ultravox playing Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, followed by Vienna from their set at Live Aid. Great stuff!

You can find out more about Midge on his website.