Erasure • Gaudete

Last month, Erasure released a new album, and I somehow managed to miss it until I read about it on Marc Harshbarger's wonderful blog, Deep Dish. Erasure first came to my attention back in 1985, with the release of their first single, "Who Needs Love Like That?", a great song that convinced me to buy the album. I have been a big fan since. Erasure is made up by Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, both wonderfully talented men. Bell's voice has an unerring clarity, and Clarke's use of keyboards is beyond reproach, as can be heard from his days with Depeche Mode to Yazoo to this 28 years with Erasure. 'Snow Globe' is the name of the latest, and it is a 13-song offering is collection of holiday music, both old and new. The first single off the album, "Gaudete", is a lovely song, part Pop yumminess, and part chorale treat. And it is traditional color, composed in the 16th century, and arranged by Bell and Clarke. This is the official music video for "Gaudete".

The first cut on the album is an original written by Andy and Vince. "Bells of Love (Isabelle's of Love)" is a wonderful song, sounding very much like an Erasure song, but carrying a message fitting for the holiday. It takes a look at what is happening in society today, and the need to healing hands to help be a part of the change for the better. This is an audio track for "Bells of Love (Isabelle's of Love)".

While just over half of the tracks are either tradition or newer holiday favorites, they are arranged by Andy and Vince, giving them a new sound and feel. That would include the eleventh song on the collection, "Midnight Clear". It is a Christmas carol written by Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts, in 1849, better known as "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear". The following year, Richard Storrs Willis, a composer who trained under Felix Mendelssohn, wrote a melody that would be the sound of this music. Again, Bell and Clarke add their magic to the mix, making it a special track. This is the audio for "Midnight Clear".

I will grant you, the title "Blood on the Snow" does not sound like a great start to a holiday song, but never underestimate the power of Clarke and Bell. The dynamic duo tell a modern-day story of life and the struggle that comes with it. The search for divine intervention, for the sign to let us know we are moving in the right direction, sounds both timely and timeless in the hands of Erasure. This is the audio track for "Blood on the Snow".

This is a wonderful album, a must-have to Electronica fans, and people who love great music. You can purchase 'Snow Globe' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Erasure, visit their official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter. To check out Deep Dish, Marc Harshbarger's wonderful blog, you can visit the official website. You can also check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Erasure • Who Needs Hits Like That?

Erasure bandmates Andy Bell, left, and Vince Clarke, right.

Sometimes I am working on a post, and I surprise myself with amazing observations like, "No Freakin' way it has been 28 years since I first heard this song!" Yes, I know, I don't really say freaking, but I thought I'd clean it up. But it is true, it has been almost three decades since I first heard the amazing duo Erasure. I had followed keyboardist Vince Clarke since his collaboration with Alison Moyet in Yazoo, as well as his stint in Depeche Mode. So when he paired up with Andy Bell, I was curios to hear the new sound. After all, I had no idea who this Bell kid was, and I was reluctant to let go of the hope Vince and Alison would get back together.

In the Fall of 1985, before the first album hit the shelves, the group released "Who Needs Love Like That", soon to be featured on the debut album, 'Wonderland'. The song had a strong Synth-Pop sound, and dealt with a faltering dysfunctional relationship, and asks the immortal question, "Who Needs Love Like That"?

While that none of the early singles entered the US Billboard charts, Erasure did have a following in the States, with people who were loving the EuroPop coming in the form of New Wave acts like Howard Jones, Yazoo, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, Bronksi Beat, and so many other. In April of 1986, just weeks before the release of 'Wonderland', they released the single "Oh L'Amour" and I remember going to my music import store in the West Village to get it. The sound was so new, so fresh, and so darned fun.

It was another two years before Erasure started to show up on the US Single charts. In 1988, they released 'The Innocents', a fantastic new collection. The month after the album's released, a new song hit the airwaves that would certainly make an impact in the US. "Chains Of Love" was a bold and brash song that stood firm in the stance that all love needs to be honored, not just some. To free all love from the chains restricting those people, we can't really be free. Yes, this was a song I danced to on more than one occasion and in more than one club in New York. "Chains of Love" made it to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

That was followed up by a song that instantly spoke to so many people, it was universally loved. "A Little Respect" had so much meaning on so many levels, for the gays marching and trying to feel the respect offered to everyone but themselves. It also spoke to people in relationships, where one one person feels they are working so hard just to have their voice heard, be it with a lover, a friend, or a parent. The song made it to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #2 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. Here is the music video for "A Little Respect", also off the album 'The Innocents'.

You can find these hits and more on 'Pop! The First 20 Hits', available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, or at their online store. To learn more about Erasure, visit their official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Depeche Mode Co-Founders Clarke & Gore to Reunite

Two of the original members of Depeche Mode have reunited for the first time since 1981. Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore have announced they will release a series of EPs and a new album under the band name VCMG.

"Out of the blue I got an email from Vince just saying, 'I'm interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?'" reports Gore in a press release. The pair's first EP of remixes, Spock, will have an exclusive release on Beatport on November 30th before becoming widely available on December 13th. Their untitled new album is expected in early 2012.

Vince Clarke was one of the four co-founders of Depeche Mode in 1980. He soon left, citing creative differences, and went on to co-found Yazoo with Alison Moyet and, later, Erasure with Andy Bell. Gore became Depeche Mode's principal songwriter after Clarke's departure.

National Coming Out Day

To celebrate National Coming Out Day, I will include a couple of videos from some artists who were out and proud long before it would any publicist thought it was OK or wise. There are several I won't get to post here, but these are four I find particularly big for myself. Sylvester was bold, brassy and bodacious. He hid behind nothing and no one. While I was going through my own struggles, he was singing loud and proud. Here he is singing his 1978 hit, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).



Bronski Beat were unabashedly gay, singing songs that were gay-themed when the world would have preferred not to listen. But they did, for who could ignore the amazing voice of Jimmy Somerville? The first time I heard them, they were a revelation. They were a band of gay men, singing about gay things. Listen now as they tell the tale of far too many LGBT Youth in Smalltown Boy.



kd lang had a look that few other women had ever tried. She also has a voice few other could touch. I am sure she oerheard many a people making comments about her, but none could say a thing about her talent. Such a gift. Listen as she sings her hit, Constant Craving.



Erasure is made up of the glorious Andy Bell and the talented Vince Clarke. Together them made some rapturous electronica. Bell never shied away from his gayness, and Clarke was nothing other than an amazing str8 ally. Listen to their beautiful A Little Respect.



These talented performers came out in a time there was no day to celebrate such things. Their honesty and bravery gave me hope things would get better.

Friday Night Blogiversary Party

Top: Paul Lekakis & Magnus Carlsson. Middle: Erasure. Bottom: Pet Shop Boys and Janet Jackson.

OK, to continue the fun, it is time to celebrate Friday night with a collection of great music that makes me want to get up and dance, and I hope you feel the same! So I have compiled a group of artists who have all been on the blog before, and who might very well be on it again sometime soon. The first song is My House by Paul Lekakis, who was just on the blog the other day. I still love his music, so I am good to listen to it any time I can. I really did love this song off the 1990 album, Tattoo It. My God, he looks so young in this video!



Swedish stunner Magnus Carlsson shows off his exceptional pipes is a cover of the great Erasure song, A Little Respect. The song was part of the 2010 album Pop Galaxy, which I just love. Aside from Magnus' dreamy good looks, voice and upbeat personality always win me over.



You don't think I could let Magnus cover them, and not include one of my favorite songs in this great mix of songs, right? Andy Bell shows why few cold ever match him in the vocals department, and Vince Clarke is there to deliver some top-notch musicianship. Together, they are Erasure singing one of my favorites, Chains Of Love. The single was released in 1988, off the album, The Innocents.



In 1987, Thee Pet Shop Boys went to the top of the charts with the infectious It's A Sin. Off the album Actually, the song is a classic example of Neil Tennant's and Chris Lowe's work, with complex music that came across on first listen as simple.



In 2001, Miss Janet Jackson scored a worldwide hit with the song All For You from the album of the same name. This came 15 years after her first trip up the charts with the music of the sensational Control. Crank up the volume and enjoy a bit of Miss Jackson.



Have a great night and weekend!

New Mix - Erasure - A Little Respect

Andy Bell & Vince Clarke of Erasure; Angel Andy gets his wings.

They were and still are Gods of music, ruling the airwaves with their innovative and magic music in the mid 80s to the mid 90s. Andy Bell had a magiccal voice, and a stage presence that was such star power. Vince Clarde was the music man, his former associations with Yazoo and Depeche Mode coming to fruition in Erasure, making amazing synth-Pop that had grace and a bite. 22 years ago they released an amazing song, A Little Respect. Recently, they have released a new remix of the song, and everyone should go to iTunes and buy it now, just because they can. Even better, because the money is going to the Hetrick-Martin Institute, hence the HMI Redux tag, the home of the Harvey Milk High School, in New York, and the True Colors Fund. The Hetrick-Martin Institute, the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ youth service organization, provides a safe and supportive environment to all young people – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity so that they can achieve their full potential.

In the wake of all the gay bullying and related suicides that have been reported in the US over the past several months, Erasure wanted to do something special to spread a message of tolerance and to raise money for an organization that engages in the fight on a daily basis and, because it has become something of a gay rights anthem over the years, it seemed only fitting to release a brand new version of A Little Respect.

The HMI Redux features a youth chorus from the Hetrick-Martin Institute who also appear in the music video, directed by filmmaker Jason Stein.

The original version of A Little Respect, released in 1988, featured on The Innocents, the first Erasure album to hit the UK #1 spot (first on 30th April 1988 and again in January 1989), a chart-topping position they revisited with each of their next four album releases.

In over two decades together, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke have sold more than 20 million albums around the globe, proving themselves masters of every kind of song from disco symphonies to unplugged ballads. To download this amazing redux of A little Respect, click here.



So, for just 99 cents, you can have an incredible song, and help support LGBTQ Youth. This is a total win-win, and a triple win if you consider you'd be getting the music of Erasure. To purchase the download from iTune, click here. So do it now!

Saturday Night Live at S2MD

Clockwise from Top Left: SIRPAUL, Ari Gold, Andy Bell, and Jimmy Somerville.

It is Saturday night, and I thought I would bring out some of my favorite out performers singing great dance songs live, and showing talent that is hard to deny. The first up is a performance I was there for, that I experienced live and in person myself, and I have to say, I loved every minute of it. This is the glorious and beautiful SIRPAUL singing Music & Me/Physical Attraction at his CD Release party earlier this year.



The music of Ari Gold has been blowing me away for a couple of years. I have not managed to get to a live performance yet, but there is still hope. After all, a chance to see the stunning performer in all his live glory is something that I can't get out of my mind. Here Ari sings Love Will Take Over at a show in the Hamptons. There is both a sweetness and a sexy quality to the performance.



One of my favorite all-time performers is the gifted and brilliant Jimmy Somerville. Whether he was with the Bronski Beat, the Communards, or singing solo, I have loved his music. I last saw Jimmy performing in New York when he was apart of The Communards, but if I got a chance to see him again, I would be there without thinking twice. His voice is every bit as mind-blowing live as it is on record, if you can believe that. This is Jimmy singing You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).



Andy Bell is the singer for Erasure, where he is paired with Vince Clarke, a man who is no stranger to talented cohorts. Clarke was an original member of Depeche Mode, and left to work with the outrageously talented Alison Moyet. But he has spent most of his career working with Andy, so that must mean something. Bell has a fantastic voice, as can be seen here in a live performance of A Little Respect.



Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did putting it together. I was dancing in front of my computer!

Dark Monday - Red Hot + Blue 4

Twenty years ago, the album Red Hot + Blue was released. It featured the music of American musical theater legend Cole Porter and some of the top acts of the day, all to raise money and awareness for AIDS research. The album contained 20 cuts, and I found 17 videos for those cuts, and for the next several weeks, will be running them in this Monday night spot. The album was thought of as a fundraising tool, it also allowed the artists involved great freedom with their interpretation of Porter's music, making for a wide variety of styles on the album. We shall go through the album in the order that is on my CD, which I did purchase at the time.



Porter was an amazing talent, and some consider him one of the best LGBT songwriters, if not THE best. He started his Broadway career in 1915, when one of his songs appeared in a Broadway Revue. He was just 24 years old. He went on to write songs for the theater like Lets Do It, Let's Fall In Love, What Is This Thing Called Love, and Anything Goes.Despite having a whife of 35 years, most believed him to be gay, and the marriage one between two dear friends who gave one another space and freedom, while gaining both wider acceptance in the greater world at large.

When it comes to incredible voices, it is hard to top kd lang. The Canadian singer has a rock-solid sound, with an emotive quality that is amazing. She takes on Porter's So In Love, and puts in what could be the best performance in the collection.



When it comes to poppy and flirty, it is hard to compete with Erasure. Andy Bell's vocals are at once coy and kittenish, almost coo-ing the lyrics of Too Darned Hot. And Vince Clarke's accompaniment is just perfect.



The Jungle Brothers work the heck outta I Get A Kick, delivering a very urban version of the song. While it carries very little of Porter's song, it is still a wonderful homage to the songwriter.

21st Anniversary Release - Erasure

Yesterday, October 26, the Erasure album The Innocents 21st Anniversary Edition was released. Out and proud Andy Bell and gay-friendly Vince Clark, who was also in supergroups Depeche Mode and Yaz, started with their first release in 1985. The third album from Erasure, it originally hit the stores in 1988, and I remember rushing out and buying it immediately. The first US single was the great song Chains of Love. It hit #12 on the Billboard Top 100 chart, and #4 on the Billboard Dance Chart.



The next release in the US was A Little Respect, an amazingly song with a majorly contagious song that makes you get up and dance. Andy Bell's vocals on both songs just soared, and Vince Clark's keyboard wizardry drives the songs to new heights.

Erasure - Little Respect
Uploaded by Tunashaker. - Explore more music videos.

As well as being out, Bell announced in 2004 he is HIV Positive, and has been since 1998. To get more information on Erasure, go to their official website here.