Tony Banks is best known as founding member of the rock band Genesis. However, he is also a prolific solo artist, releasing six solo albums that range through progressive rock, pop, and classical music.
In 1991, he released his third solo album called 'Still'. On the album he collaborated with Fish from Marillion on one track, and with Nik Kershaw on two tracks. The song 'I wanna change the score' was released as a single from the album. Despite a fairly heavy promotional effort by Giant Records, the album and the single failed to sell well.
My collection: 7" single no. 6238
Found: Discogs.com, received January 22, 2020
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'I wanna change the score' / 'Hero for an hour'
Showing posts with label Nik Kershaw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nik Kershaw. Show all posts
Thursday, 23 January 2020
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Elizabeth's eyes - Nik Kershaw
Released in 1989, Nik Kershaw's fourth album 'The Works' wasn't the commercial success it might (or should) have been. Only two singles were taken from the album, of which 'Elizabeth's eyes' was the second. This 12" single features an extended version of the track as well as a dub version.
According to Nik: "The single is a song written from the point of view a guy called Willie Darden, who was America's longest serving death row prisoner. He was on death row for fifteen years and during the last twelve years of his life he corresponded with a lady in Essex called Elisabeth Allen who's a school teacher. The two never met and they sort of developed a relationship over the years, which is very strange 'cause they never actually existed, a lot of it existed in the mind of Darden. I was trying to imagine how he felt - I've read some of the letters which are absolutely unbelievable - they're poetry, they're love letters, they're incredible things." The song's final line of the third verse reads "Tuesday at seven I will find my heaven, and I'll see you there", which is accurate to the time and death of Darden in reality, on Tuesday, 15 March 1988 at 7am.
My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Elisabeth's eyes (extended version)' / 'My friend John', 'Elisabeth's eyes (club dub)'
According to Nik: "The single is a song written from the point of view a guy called Willie Darden, who was America's longest serving death row prisoner. He was on death row for fifteen years and during the last twelve years of his life he corresponded with a lady in Essex called Elisabeth Allen who's a school teacher. The two never met and they sort of developed a relationship over the years, which is very strange 'cause they never actually existed, a lot of it existed in the mind of Darden. I was trying to imagine how he felt - I've read some of the letters which are absolutely unbelievable - they're poetry, they're love letters, they're incredible things." The song's final line of the third verse reads "Tuesday at seven I will find my heaven, and I'll see you there", which is accurate to the time and death of Darden in reality, on Tuesday, 15 March 1988 at 7am.
My collection: 12" single [unnumbered]
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Elisabeth's eyes (extended version)' / 'My friend John', 'Elisabeth's eyes (club dub)'
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Ich will, wenn ich wüsste, dass ich darf - Florian Haidt
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgm4sIyoJmY/VyJr4qaoDKI/AAAAAAAAQpo/mDIQUnepiqQYL1cZwZk-A24HnWDtge1JQCLcB/s320/haidt.jpg)
A certain Florian Haidt released 'Ich will, wenn ich wüsste, dass ich darf' ('I would if I knew that I could') in Germany. The single was pressed on purple marbled vinyl, which added to the attraction - at least, for me. It's a chance to hear a rather unusual version of this classic Eighties song.
My collection: 7" single no. 5835
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 17, 2016
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ich will, wenn ich wüsste, dass ich darf' / 'Express (Instrumental)'
Listen to the song
Friday, 11 May 2012
One step ahead - Nik Kershaw
The end of the Eighties was a strange time. Many idols who were very successful in the mid-Eighties were declared 'yesterday's news' and suddenly didn't the charts anymore. One of them was Nik Kershaw, who had been very successful with his first two albums, but the third and fourth one were not so popular.
'One step ahead' was taken from his fourth album 'The works', which left the album charts even before it entered it. Not that the music was bad: personally I think this single is one of his finest tracks. And the remix included on this 12" single is very impressive indeed.
My collection: 12" single no. 356
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, circa 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'One step ahead (Industrial mix)' / 'One step ahead', 'When I grow up'
'One step ahead' was taken from his fourth album 'The works', which left the album charts even before it entered it. Not that the music was bad: personally I think this single is one of his finest tracks. And the remix included on this 12" single is very impressive indeed.
My collection: 12" single no. 356
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, circa 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'One step ahead (Industrial mix)' / 'One step ahead', 'When I grow up'
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Radio Musicola - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eZS35W8X7fk/T25OcMfy-8I/AAAAAAAAMhg/q-e_EFkwo60/s200/nikkershaw19.jpg)
The title track was one of the tracks to be released as a single and this 12" single features an extended version of it, which is not spectacular, but nice nonetheless.
My collection: 12" single no. 425
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Radio Musicola (extended version)' / 'L.A.B.A.T.Y.D.', 'Radio Musicola'
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Human racing - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wY7gF50q_Wk/T06VD4YoKXI/AAAAAAAAMGI/lfD2GbMVkG0/s200/nikkershaw18.jpg)
'Human racing', the title track of Nik Kershaw's debut album was remixed to great effect, leaving only drums and vox at the end, but still engaging and soulful. Nik's voice sounds suspiciously like Stevie Wonder's on this track, and it's the kind of soulful song the blind American could have written and recorded himself. The remix of Kershaw's hit single 'Wouldn't it be good', which inexplicably isn't included on expanded double cd re-release of 'Human racing' of last Monday, is weird but wonderful, and the remix of album track 'Faces' is moving and more engaging than the original version. So there you have it: 17 minutes of pure bliss on one piece of vinyl.
My collection: 12" single no. 13
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Human racing (special extended mix)' / 'Wouldn't it be good (remix)', 'Faces (remix)'
Sunday, 19 June 2011
I won't let the sun go down - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1xJUWajr-8/Tf5T_IsruKI/AAAAAAAALBw/4Ldi1c13VCo/s200/nikkershaw17.jpg)
Originally the single only reached number 47 in the UK charts. However, the follow up single from the same album, 'Wouldn't it be good', reached the top five and on the back of that success 'I won't let the sun go down' was re-released and soared to number 2. It was also subsequently a major hit in several other countries and was responsible for bringing Nik Kershaw to greater public attention.
My collection: 7" single no. 5147
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I won't let the sun go down' / 'Dark glasses'
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Let it be - Ferry Aid
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/S_LZz3DwTRI/AAAAAAAAKJw/2_tBEcoemlA/s200/ferryaid2.jpg)
The remixed version of 'Let it be' starts with the part of Kate Bush, so basically it starts on a high. It's very interesting to hear a different sequence of artists in the 12" mix.
My collection: 12" single no. 545
Found: discogs.com, received May 18, 2010
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Let it be [12" remix]' / 'Let it be (Mega message mix)'
Monday, 19 April 2010
Let it be - Ferry Aid
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/S8y3Y9eGNkI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/AIHqsMrNxUE/s200/ferryaid.jpg)
Contributing artists were, in order of appearance: Paul McCartney, Boy George, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Nick Kamen, Paul King, Mark King, Taffy, Andy Bell, Pepsi & Shirley, Mel & Kim, Jaki Graham, Mark Knopfler (guitar solo), Gary Moore (guitar solo), Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Edwin Starr, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ruby Turner and Kate Bush. The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists, including Bonnie Tyler, Errol Brown, Hazel O'Connor, The Nolans, Rick Astley, Jim Diamond, Doctor and the Medics, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Mandy Smith, Su Pollard, Maxi Priest and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Go West, The Alarm and Bucks Fizz.
The single made number 1 in the UK singles chart and also topped the charts in Switzerland and Norway. In the Dutch Top 40, Ferry Aid reached number 3.
My collection: 7" single no. 575
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Let it be (Gospel Jam mix)'
Monday, 7 December 2009
Elisabeth's eyes - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sx1_R-Fj_5I/AAAAAAAAHSY/jyBjCXq5R-k/s200/nikkershaw16.jpg)
After this, Kershaw devoted himself to writing songs for other artists - the most successful track being 'The one and only' which launched Chesney Hawkes' career in 1991, peaking at number 1 in the UK - and only returned with an album called '15 minutes' in 1999, ten years after the release of this single.
My collection: 7" single no. 2718
Found: July 20, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Elisabeth's eyes' / 'My friend John'
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
One step ahead - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SwMGSkQLuhI/AAAAAAAAG3o/R98Xz-BzG-I/s200/nikkershaw15.jpg)
The first single from the album was 'One step ahead', a decent pop song with a slight retro sound when compared to its contemporaries. The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.
My collection: 7" single no. 2143
Found: Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'One step ahead' / 'When I grow up'
Friday, 23 October 2009
James Cagney - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SuINYkXioPI/AAAAAAAAGWk/elZ28T5Sg68/s200/nikkershaw14.jpg)
I bought the single a year later, although I didn't know the song. I was pleasantly surprised when I got home and played it. It would take me more than 20 years to find the 12" single with an extended mix of this great track.
My collection: 7" single no. 681
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, November 12, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'James Cagney' / 'Radio Musicola'
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Nobody knows - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/StY8-O4b8bI/AAAAAAAAGE8/2UUn9WgzOgM/s200/nikkershaw13.jpg)
The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 73 in Australia and number 2 in Japan.
My collection: 7" single no. 3077
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Nobody knows' / 'One of our fruit machines is missing'
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Radio Musicola - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sscsm4jo3AI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/4au4Thef2WY/s200/nikkershaw12.jpg)
All this intelligence was probably too much for the audience to handle: the single only reached number 43 in the UK singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 3065
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Radio Musicola' / 'L.A.B.A.T.Y.D.'
Saturday, 12 September 2009
When a heart beats - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqvJk4U73NI/AAAAAAAAFeA/tN2nEFmVi_k/s200/nikkershaw11.jpg)
The single reached number 27 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.
My collection: 7" single no. 2449
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When a heart beats' / 'Wild horses'
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Don Quixote - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqbAaiJZbpI/AAAAAAAAFXg/iEP9aClerFE/s200/nikkershaw10.jpg)
It was still pop, but much harder to swallow for the teenage audience he'd attracted. While this single still reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Ireland, in other countries the single failed to reach the top 20 - or even chart at all. After this, commercial success mostly eluded Nik, but artistic satisfaction must have been way bigger.
My collection: 7" single no. 2304
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Don Quixote' / 'Don't lie'
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Wide boy - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqKDqNkI3lI/AAAAAAAAFPA/I_vnUiarva0/s200/nikkershaw9.jpg)
This limited edition of the single comes in a gatefold sleeve with a 12 page booklet full of photographs of Nik.
My collection: 7" single no. 2780
Found: House of Rhythm, London, November 1, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Wide boy' / 'So quiet'
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
The riddle - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sp2h45KA3uI/AAAAAAAAFJY/zxHdRZFC-yg/s200/nikkershaw8.jpg)
Despite all this, it gave Kershaw a considerable hit. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in December 1984, his biggest hit up to that point. In the Netherlands, the single reached a more modest number 19.
My collection: 7" single no. 2767
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'The riddle' / 'Progress'
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Human racing - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SoHO-JGXWdI/AAAAAAAAEwE/33UonG3INuw/s200/nikkershaw6.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SoHbp5D6rzI/AAAAAAAAEwM/ah3yVv-OC6s/s200/nikkershaw7.jpg)
I bought a double single edition of this a decade ago, featuring a second single with two live tracks. The gatefold sleeve showed a rather funny playing board based on Kershaw's songs. On August 5, I found a picture disc of this single (pictured below) for 50p at Revival Records.
My collection: 7" single no. 3056
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, May 8, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Human racing' / 'Faces (remix)' // 'Cloak and dagger (live)' / 'Drum talk (live)'
Monday, 3 August 2009
Dancing girls - Nik Kershaw
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623144915im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SndnZmtGwcI/AAAAAAAAEl0/EYyupb5MysQ/s200/nikkershaw5.jpg)
The single peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart, number 14 in Ireland and number 21 in Germany.
My collection: 7" single no. 2510
Found: Record Exchange, October 30, 1995
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Dancing girls' / 'She cries'
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