This was $8 and perhaps the most modern thing I have had on this blog. That is why I spent the big bucks to buy it.
This was the first of two solo albums by Fred Schneider of the B-52’s. It was released in 1984, a year after the success of the group’s Whammy!. Schneider, born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, was doin’ some schoolin’ down at the U of Georgia, It was there in Athens in 1976, that the band was formed. Anyway, 1989 Cosmic Thing‘s massive success no doubt led to the opportunity to re-release this in 1991 and thus we have this. The key single, which I seem to remember was “Monster”.
Decent album. The fact that it played well both in 1984 and 1991 accounts for something. The record features P-Funk legend, Bernie Worrell (who also produced) as well as some help from band mates Kate Pierson and the late Ricky Wilson. R&B legend Patti LaBelle as guest vocalizes on a track . Good album. I mean it sounds like you would expect all the variables to add up to, but those are good variables and the end result is a fine album.
For a sample, I was stuck. I really liked “Boonga!” as it was probably my favorite song but I also like “Time To Kiss”, the track with LaBelle and I felt that this is the exact kind of collaboration that this blog celebrates. What to do. I flipped a coin about five times. Then I listened again to both songs. Well after much thought, we are going with the LaBelle track. Poor “Boonga!”.
It is sad to think that I am calling something from 1984 a foray into modern music, but for this blog, yeah it is. So enjoy it while it lasts, Satisfactory record.