Blondie - Parallel Lines - 1978
07/11/21 • 91 min
A true classic album for our 3rd LP deep dive - do we think that Blondie's most revered record stands the test of time? We talk about the history of the iconic band, how they came together, and what were the ingredients that made this, their 3rd LP, so special. All six members of the band - Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante - had songwriting credits on the record, and so we look at their contributions on the twelve tracks, along with the three covers included on the album. It was a surprise to discover that one of these songs was actually not a Blondie original, and so we created a top 10 list of cover songs you probably didn't know were cover songs. Let us know if you have any suggestions to add that should have made our list!
The instantly recognisable album cover is discussed including why the band were not happy with it even though it has been lauded ever since. There have been numerous reenactments of the sleeve artwork, inclduing a Britpop frontman looking very fetching as Debbie Harry - find out who it is! We also look at where the album title, Parallel Lines, came from and highlight a wonderful documentary and a brilliant live performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test from New Years Eve 1979 in Glasgow - what a way to usher in the new decade! Links below.
Finally 1978 gets our full attention. As well as reviewing what was competing with Blondie in the album and singles charts from September 1978, we discover what was dominating the movie charts. Maybe you too believed a man could fly!
LINKS
Blondie's New York....& The Making Of Parallel Lines
Blondie - Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, 1979 (BBC Four broadcast, 2007)
BBC TV's "Swap Shop" 22 12 79 with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein
A true classic album for our 3rd LP deep dive - do we think that Blondie's most revered record stands the test of time? We talk about the history of the iconic band, how they came together, and what were the ingredients that made this, their 3rd LP, so special. All six members of the band - Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante - had songwriting credits on the record, and so we look at their contributions on the twelve tracks, along with the three covers included on the album. It was a surprise to discover that one of these songs was actually not a Blondie original, and so we created a top 10 list of cover songs you probably didn't know were cover songs. Let us know if you have any suggestions to add that should have made our list!
The instantly recognisable album cover is discussed including why the band were not happy with it even though it has been lauded ever since. There have been numerous reenactments of the sleeve artwork, inclduing a Britpop frontman looking very fetching as Debbie Harry - find out who it is! We also look at where the album title, Parallel Lines, came from and highlight a wonderful documentary and a brilliant live performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test from New Years Eve 1979 in Glasgow - what a way to usher in the new decade! Links below.
Finally 1978 gets our full attention. As well as reviewing what was competing with Blondie in the album and singles charts from September 1978, we discover what was dominating the movie charts. Maybe you too believed a man could fly!
LINKS
Blondie's New York....& The Making Of Parallel Lines
Blondie - Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, 1979 (BBC Four broadcast, 2007)
BBC TV's "Swap Shop" 22 12 79 with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein
Previous Episode
Status Quo - 12 Gold Bars Volume 1 + 1 - 1984 - Ep. 3
It’s December 1984 and Status Quo release the latest version of their greatest hits compilation, 12 Gold Bars volume 1 + 1. Kate questions why Rick owns the LP which leads us to Mods & Rockers, The Britannia Music Club, People from Suffolk, Live Aid, cassette tapes, naff films, Evil Kenevil, and Dolly Parton amongst other inane chat!
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Cheers,
Rick & Kate
Next Episode
The Wedding Present - George Best - 1987
A review of the debut album by The Wedding Present, George Best, from 1987. Kate questions when and where Rick purchased the LP knowing that his musical journey of discovery wasn't developed to such obscure indie tastes at the age of 15 when the LP was released. On her Wedding Present research journey, Kate discovers their latest release - Locked Down and Stripped Back - and the record quicky gets added to her Spotify playlist. She's particularly taken by their cover of the Sleeper song 'We should be together' featuring vocals from Louise Wener.
We have the first podcast reviews in (even though they were from Rick's best mate and his cousin - cheers Dave and Dave!) and Kate discovers that 1987 wasn't the non-event she had envisaged - in fact, it was very much a year of strife and disaster around the globe. We visit the list of the 'Top 50 American Bands of all time' published by Ultimate Classic Rock, counting down from 50-36 and aren't impressed!
We talk about producer Steve Albini, The Pixies, their LP Surfer Rosa, and fab American band 'OK-GO' (who would comfortably sit in our list of the top 20 groups from the USA!). In particular we give a huge thumbs up to their top, top single 'Here it Goes Again'. If you've never seen the video, stop reading now and go watch it on YouTube!!
Finally, we discuss what we've been watching on TV, and what books we've been reading. Strong reading recommendations for 'Invisible Women' by Caroline Criado Perez from Kate, and 'I am The Messenger' by Markus Zusak (author of The Book Thief) from Rick.
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