Pop Life

(Track listing and times follow.) This deluxe three disc edition of Bananarama's "Pop Life" album was one of my most-anticipated reissues to come from Edsel and Rhino Records, and for the most part it met my expectations nicely. Like the other five reissues of albums originally released on London Records, it comes in a small hardcover book that is packed with release info, lyrics, chart positions, pictures, and an essay by (reissue) producer Tom Parker. It includes five previously unreleased cuts that were recorded during the sessions for "Pop Life," but were shelved for various reasons. "Pop Life" was produced primarily with Martin "Youth" Glover, a friend of Sara's who had been a member of the group Killing Joke and (later) Blue Pearl. He took over production chores from Stock Aitken Waterman, who were the architects of Bananarama's sound for the latter part of the 1980s. SAW did produce a handful of tracks which appear on this collection, and they are noted below. Though the music of "Pop Life" is still dominated by dancefloor-friendly drumbeats, the overall sound is considerably less processed than the SAW material that came before it. The rock guitar, harmonica and various percussive instruments give the album an almost organic feel, a first for a Bananarama release. As always, the Nanas were part of the songwriting process, and with Youth's help they created a solid collection of tracks that should have continued their run of high-charting releases. Things didn't quite work out that way, though "Pop Life" did produce four memorable singles: (in chronological order) "Only Your Love" (UK #27), "Preacher Man" (UK #20), "Long Train Running" (UK #30), and "Tripping On Your Love" (UK #76). Part of the reason for the unimpressive chart positions was the fact that London Records made inconsistent choices for single releases in different markets. The first two singles were released in the UK and Europe prior to the album's debut, but were never issued/promoted in the U.S. One of the album's strongest cuts, the SAW-produced "Ain't No Cure," would have made an excellent single, but friction between the Rams and their "WOW!" co-creators probably nixed the idea. This was Jacquie O'Sullivan's only complete studio album with the group, and try as I might I can't discern her voice from Keren and Sara's in the mix. The vocal blend is as smooth as it ever was, and the harmonies actually sound a bit better than they did when Siobhan was in the group. The material here is colored with 60s/70s psychedelic rock, Indian/Middle Eastern exotica, Spanish flamenco, and even Reggae. It all comes together in a highly polished, accessible mix that sounds great on the radio as well as on the dancefloor. "Pop Life" had it's greatest success in the latter arena, as the album spawned more individual dance remixes than any other Bananarama release. There were so many that this deluxe set couldn't include them all without adding a disc or two. Of the non-single cuts, I'm fondest of "Is Your Love Strong Enough" (trippy mid-tempo, nice vocal arrangement), "Megalomaniac" (club cut, vaguely similar to "Mr. Sleaze), and "Heartless" (SAW-produced disco number, a bonus cut on the original album). The remixed highlights here include the previously unreleased 12" mix of "Ain't No Cure," the Alma De Noche mix of "Long Train Running," Paco's Revenge mix of "What Colour R The Skies Where U Live," and Steve "Silk" Hurley's Silky 70's mix of "Tripping On Your Love." As a former club DJ, I take some small issue with a few of the remix choices. For example, the inclusion of the Ramabanana Alternative mix of "Preacher Man" (a bonus cut on the original release) instead of the subsequent remix from Shep Pettibone. I would also have left off the (mostly tuneless) Sweet Exorcist mix of "Tripping On Your Love," and included the deep house flavor found in Maurice's Wicked mix. If rarities are your bag, you'll probably get some mileage out of "Some Boys," a sparsely funky number the Rams recorded at Paisley Park studios (Prince's stomping grounds) in 1990. The SAW produced "I Don't Care" is another track that didn't get selected for "Pop Life," and debuts here. The Tony King remix on disc two incorporates more samples, and sounds a bit less SAW-like. Not bad in any case. The (region free) dvd in this set is a bit disappointing compared to the other Rama reissues: you get the four essential promo videos for the hits, plus a pair of (lip-synched) performances from the BBC. I believe there were at least two extended length music videos from "Pop Life," but nothing like that is included. When you look at this reissue as a whole, it's a very satisfying product, that could have been just a bit better. I strongly recommend it to longtime fans and early 90's dance collectors, it won't be long before it starts selling for "collectible" prices. Disc 1: Preacher Man 3:15, Long Train Running 3:31, Only Your Love 3:59, What Colour R The Skies Where U Live? 4:27, Is Your Love Strong Enough 5:07, Tripping On Your Love 3:20, Ain't No Cure 3:27, Outta Sight 4:33, Megalomaniac 6:23, I Can't Let You Go 6:08, Heartless 3:21, I Don't Care SAW mix 6:17, Some Boys 5:34, Only Your Love (Milky Bar mix) 8:12, Tripping On Your Love (Dancefloor Justice mix) 6:11, Preacher Man (original 12" mix) 6:09 Disc 2: Only Your Love (Monkey Drum mix) 7:34, Preacher Man (Ramabanana Alternate mix) 7:32, Long Train Running (Alma De Noche mix) 6:40, Tripping On Your Love (Euro Trash mix) 7:21, Ain't No Cure (alternative version produced by Youth) 4:07, What Colour R The Skies Where U Live? (Paco's Revenge mix) 6:56, Tripping On Your Love (Smoove mix) 7:08, I Don't Care (Tony King mix) 6:11, Ain't No Cure (Original 12" mix) 7:03, Tripping On Your Love (Silky 70s mix) 6:27, Long Train Running (Sparkys Magic Button mix) 4:35, Tripping On Your Love (Sweet Exorcist mix) 8:12 Disc 3 (dvd): Only Your Love, Preacher Man, Long Train Running, Tripping On Your Love, Only Your Love (on "Wogan"), Preacher Man (on "Top Of The Pops").

Bananarama's first '90s album with the headlining hit "Preacher Man" leads them with more success in the new decade. "Long Train Running" a Doobie Brothers hit from the '70s has a nice female '90s ring to it now, followed by "Only Your Love" would the album's main three hits, but the whole album is pretty good from start to finish. Fans of The Rolling Stones will notice the beginning of "Only Your Love" as that being of "Sympathy for the Devil". So, no doubt song sampling was going on strong. * CD 1 you get the original 10 song album remastered, with 6 bonus tracks. * CD 2 is 12 songs of various mixes of the albums songs. Pretty good. * DVD is 4 promo videos for the album and 2 live appearances for At The BBC. I really liked the live performances. The CDs sound really good and the DVD looks good on the UHD TV. Sound is good also considering these videos are 25 years at least. Packaging and liner notes are pretty nice, with colorful photos of the ladies and the songs that made the album what it is.

Pop Life is an excellent album, especially Preacher Man, Long Train Running, and Only Your Love. The only thing I do not like about the album is that Jacqui O'Sullivan, I am sure she is a nice lady, but she never belonged in Bananarama. Keren Woodward and Sarah Dallin are so talented and beautiful. It would be so awesome if Siobhan Fahey reunited with them and made new albums as a trio the way it was meant to be, it would mean so much to fans around the world. The truth is Keren and Sarah alone make excellent albums, that last release Drama was the best work they have done ever. Pop Life is right up there too, it gets an A.

So you have to know this LP (make sure this review applies to the LP) is a remaster. If you listen to the original lp, which I have, and then this remastered version there are noticeable differences. The volume is enhanced to the point it is distorted on a high end turntable. I even put a new needle on and it skipped all over because the new needle was not prepared for the massive groves. It is not a good sound, yes some of the background treble is now brought forward, but the bass is so massive it breaks/blasts in the headphones. The original does not do this. Also, the CD is mastered so it does not do this either. Do not get this if you want good sound, get the originals and a good turntable and equalizer (all cheap now a days). This is a collector's item for the lp color and anniversary only.

Pop Life is my favorite Bananarama, and the vinyl reissue sounds excellent. I love it. The color is brilliant dark translucent pink. Beautiful. I could dance to this record all night. Also, having another cd copy come with is good, because I can keep one in the car.

Pop Life was not a huge success, but a breath of fresh air after years with the PWL machine of their previous 2 albums. There are so many great racks here and a plethora of remixes and unknown tracks. Preacher Man is such a fun song. One of their best!

This is a great buy for a Bananarama fan!! Vinyl and CD are excellent quality!!

ONE OF THE BEST BANANARAMA ALBUM THIS ALBUM WAS AHEAD OF IT TIME

Me encanta, me encanra, me encanta. Dance pop de los 90 con el sello bananarama. Edición supercompleta con versiones, remixes, videos, etc. El mejor disco de este grupo femenino de los 80.

Die CD ist super. Mit Verlaub gesagt ! Aber die Qualität !? Ich weiß nicht ob die schon immer so etwas leise abgehört hat . Wer sie brauch ein Muss - klar !

Really happy to have this vinyl! Super fast delivery!

Great album and beautiful vinyl but disappointed with the quality of the cover artwork- could be better.

Sevizio veramente impeccabile,velocissimo nella consegna,sono veramente soddisfatto,cd in perfette condizioni,imballo piu' che protettivo,insomma il meglio del meglio ! ! !