Great piece Mark! As much as I love the early Pet Shop Boys music there is something to be said for the work they did during the period you cover. I was a big fan of some of the songs you mention, such as "Domino Dancing" and "Left to My Own Devices" which now seem like classics to me!
You have a satisfyingly concise way of putting these songs'n'artists into perspective, Mark....where they fit in the music landscape and if and how they were influential! I love that! For all the things people are far too kind and glowing about "my musical knowledge," my well-documented "black hole" is right in this late-'80s/early-'90s time frame you cover here (due to a return to college and radical career change), and it's great to know where these fit into their time in history!
With MAYBE one or two exceptions, I've heard none of these songs (or seen the videos!), while of course, am familiar with all these artists' names. So, your wonderfully pinpoint-writing sure helps me put these "puzzle pieces" into perspective, and a music-factoid nerd like me really appreciates your diligence in laying these out as you do!
I will say I never knew Dusty Springfield (I knew about the duet, but not this song), Liza, Eartha Kitt and Gene Pitney attempted career comebacks in the late-'80s by putting themselves out there to the MTV kiddos in synthy-disco settings!! Pitney didn't look TOO uncomfortable, did he?! And, for him...you're right. I looked it up, and whomever was his U.S. label at the time, there WAS no American release! Still amazing how the label's excuse smacked like a '70s close-mindedness, and not a supposedly more accepting '80s-into-'90s pop culture!
Thanks for the kind words, Brad! I'm starting to enjoy writing from about Mid-80s to the early 90s most so I'm glad I can fill those musical black holes in!
So glad you’ve given these icons some shine! Classic PSB is as good as any of today’s synthpop yet has gone lost to time. Loved this, especially the “What Have I Done to Deserve This” shout, and already can’t wait for part 2!
Great piece Mark! As much as I love the early Pet Shop Boys music there is something to be said for the work they did during the period you cover. I was a big fan of some of the songs you mention, such as "Domino Dancing" and "Left to My Own Devices" which now seem like classics to me!
Glad you enjoyed it Dan! It's without a doubt my favourite period of their career.
You have a satisfyingly concise way of putting these songs'n'artists into perspective, Mark....where they fit in the music landscape and if and how they were influential! I love that! For all the things people are far too kind and glowing about "my musical knowledge," my well-documented "black hole" is right in this late-'80s/early-'90s time frame you cover here (due to a return to college and radical career change), and it's great to know where these fit into their time in history!
With MAYBE one or two exceptions, I've heard none of these songs (or seen the videos!), while of course, am familiar with all these artists' names. So, your wonderfully pinpoint-writing sure helps me put these "puzzle pieces" into perspective, and a music-factoid nerd like me really appreciates your diligence in laying these out as you do!
I will say I never knew Dusty Springfield (I knew about the duet, but not this song), Liza, Eartha Kitt and Gene Pitney attempted career comebacks in the late-'80s by putting themselves out there to the MTV kiddos in synthy-disco settings!! Pitney didn't look TOO uncomfortable, did he?! And, for him...you're right. I looked it up, and whomever was his U.S. label at the time, there WAS no American release! Still amazing how the label's excuse smacked like a '70s close-mindedness, and not a supposedly more accepting '80s-into-'90s pop culture!
Can't wait for Part 2!
Thanks for the kind words, Brad! I'm starting to enjoy writing from about Mid-80s to the early 90s most so I'm glad I can fill those musical black holes in!
Great to hear, Mark!
Love the PSB so much! This was a fantastic piece! Can’t wait for part 2!
Thank You!
So glad you’ve given these icons some shine! Classic PSB is as good as any of today’s synthpop yet has gone lost to time. Loved this, especially the “What Have I Done to Deserve This” shout, and already can’t wait for part 2!
Thanks Max!
I thought I'd hallucinated that "Streets Have No Name/Can't Take My Eyes Of Of You" medley!
I always forget it exists too.