Since they emerged into the mainstream in 1974, Sparks – brothers Ron and Russell Mael – have endeared themselves to successive generations of fans with their wry humour, offbeat quirkiness and lyrical and musical inventiveness.
This compilation picks up the story in 1979, when Sparks commenced a renewed assault on European chartdom, with Giorgio Moroder – the Italian-born producer who, with Pete Bellotte, had turned Donna Summer into a disco megastar. It charts a particularly fertile period in a long career.
A & B-sides of the period singles are included, as it runs from early hits like ‘Beat The Clock’ and ‘The Number One Song In Heaven’ (highly influential on 80s hit stars the Human League) through biggest American hit single ‘Cool Places’ (performed with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos) to selections from 1984’s ‘Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat’ LP.
Booklet with authoritative and extensive liner notes written by respected ‘Record Collector’ journalist Michael Heatley.
Expertly remastered – superb sound – top quality reproduction. The best in the business!
Tracklist
CD 1:
01.Tryouts For The Human Race
Single A-side, ℗ 1979
02.The Number One Song In Heaven
Single A-side, ℗ 1979
03.La Dolce Vita
Single A-side, ℗ 1979
04.Beat The Clock (3’46” version)
Single A-side, ℗ 1979
05.Young Girls
Single A-side, ℗ 1980
06.When I’m With You
Single A-side, ℗ 1980
07.Rock ‘n’ Roll People In A Disco World
Single B-side, ℗ 1980
08.Funny Face
Single A-side, ℗ 1981
09.Tips For Teens
Single A-side, ℗ 1981
10.I Predict
Single A-side, ℗ 1982
11.Eaten By The Monster Of Love (Promo Single)
Single A-side, ℗ 1982
12.Modesty Plays (Short Version)
Single A-side, ℗ 1982
13.Angst In My Pants
Single A-side, ℗ 1982
14.Cool Places (feat. Jane Wiedlin)
Single B-side, ℗ 1983
15.All You Ever Think About Is Sex
Single A-side, ℗ 1983
CD 2:
01.Please, Baby, Please
Single A-side, ℗ 1983
02.With All My Might
Single A-side, ℗ 1984
03.Pretending To Be Drunk
Single A-side, ℗ 1984
04.My Other Voice
Single B-side, ℗ 1979
05.Just Because You Love Me
Single B-side, ℗ 1980
06.When I’m With You (Instrumental)
Single B-side, ℗ 1980
07.Wacky Women
Single B-side, ℗ 1981
08.Don’t Shoot Me
Single B-side, ℗ 1981
09.Moustache
Single B-side, ℗ 1982
10.Nicotina
Single B-side, ℗ 1982
11.Sports
Single B-side, ℗ 1983
12.I Wish I Looked A Little Better (Promo Single)
Single B-side, ℗ 1983
13.Rockin’ Girls
Single B-side, ℗ 1983
14.Beat The Clock (Canadian Single Version) (4’22”)
Single A-side, ℗1979
