Shortcuts: The 7 Inch Mixes (1979–1984)

Sparks

Shortcuts: The 7 Inch Mixes (1979–1984)

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