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This remastered version of SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR contains the omitted title track, rare b-sides and US re-mixes.
Additional personnel includes: Neil Taylor (guitar); William Taylor, Mel Collins (saxophone); Andy Davis (piano); Chris Hughes, Jerry Marotta (drums); Marilyn Davis, Annie McCaig, Sandy McLelland (background vocals).
Digitally remastered by Jon Astley and Chris Hughes (1999 Close To The Edge).
Although the opening track, "Shout," takes on the theme of catharsis that dominated THE HURTING two years earlier, the progression evident from that debut to SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR is manifest in every other facet. While many of the band's synth-pop peers continued to develop along a linear route, Tears For Fears vaulted into the potentially insipid world of '80s MOR.
Curt Smith sings on the radio-friendly "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," but Roland Orzabal's stronger voice takes center-stage for much of the album, including the spirited single "Mother's Talk" and a falsetto on the stadium-sized "Head Over Heels." "The Working Hour" is the perfect realization of the new sound: a smooth six-minute arrangement of saxophone, piano, and guitar that's marked by a restrained sense of drama. SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR is an excellent album and, shading Simple Minds' ONCE UPON A TIME, arguably the finest example of epic '80s pop. The 1998 remastered edition includes seven bonus tracks.
Includes liner notes by Sean Egan.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Additional Tracks; Deluxe Edition
Tears For Fears: Roland Orzabal (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Curt Smith (vocals, bass); Ian Stanley (keyboards); Manny Elias (drums).
Producers: Chris Hughes, Ian Stanley, Tears For Fears.
Compilation producer: Mike Gill.
Tears for Fears: Curt Smith (vocals, bass guitar); Roland Orzabal (guitar, keyboards); Ian Stanley (keyboards); Manny Elias.
Personnel: Roland Orzabal (vocals, grand piano); Marilyn Davis (vocals, background vocals); Neil Taylor (guitar); William Gregory (saxophone); Chris Hughes , Jerry Marotta, Manny Elias (drums); Stevie Lange, Annie McCaig, Sandy McLelland (background vocals).
Audio Remixers: David Bascombe; Michael Barbiero; Bob Clearmountain.
Liner Note Author: Paul Lester.
Photographers: Timothy O'Sullivan; Brian Aris; Laurie Lewis.
Arranger: Ian Stanley.Q (p.125) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[The] album zeroed in on every angsty adolescent's desire to feel heroic, with a sound of spotlit, spacious sophistication plus anthemic choruses you'd bet your house on." Q (7/99, pp.130-1) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...launched the 'duo' onto the world stage....were it not for the skyscraping 'Shout', the always-uplifting 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and the mighty 'Head Over Heels', this would possess museum value only..." Q (7/99, pp.130-1) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...launched the 'duo' onto the world stage....were it not for the skyscraping 'Shout', the always-uplifting 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' and the mighty 'Head Over Heels', this would possess museum value only..." CMJ (1/6/03, p.14) - Included in CMJ's list of "Top 25 College Radio Albums of All Time" CMJ (1/5/04, p.16) - Ranked #1 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1985" CMJ (1/6/03, p.14) - Included in CMJ's list of "Top 25 College Radio Albums of All Time" CMJ (1/5/04, p.16) - Ranked #1 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1985"
Brilliant!! This is the absolute best version of this album ever.
The sound is so fresh you would say it was recorded today.
It has all the 7" & 12" remixes and B-Sides that any TFF fan would want.
Do yourself a favour and by this album. Submitted by dare2001 (Sydney, Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Pretty Good Compilation The remastered disc does justice to a group who expounded upon synth music in the 80's. Worth purchase. Submitted by MMAHARAJ5 (South Korea) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
They sure don't make 'em like this anymore... Although TFF reached their peak with the single Woman in Chains, I think overall this is their most consistently inspired and creative endeavor. Every song is a winner, from the subtle nuances of Listen, to the all-out RB/rocker Mother's Talk. Submitted by billyjoeboomboom (Bryson City, NC, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
A classic 80s album even made better with additional tracks This incarnation of "Songs From the Big Chair" is probably my 4th copy on CD. Loved all the songs but in the beginning, I used to skip over the 5th track "I Believe" and to a lesser degree the 2nd track, "The Working Hour." Over the following weeks that I listened, "Working Hour" quickly grew on me while "I Believe" took a little longer. Overall, this is a great album from the 80s. However, the measely 8 songs left me wanting more!!! Lazy songcrafters back then, pressed for time to beat a release deadline because of perfectionist tedencies or great marketing forsight? Whatever the reason, I'm glad for the release of this version of the album. For one, you will hear a difference in the sound quality. Its sonic 'landscape' sounds bigger and more detailed; and with additional tracks of B-sides and the U.S. sigle version mix of "Mother's Talk," this album is a must have for TFF fans and completists!!! Submitted by Robert (Waialua, HI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Have A Rocking Good Time!!!! This is a very good rock and classic album. Great to listen to. The songwriting and lyrics are superb. It is still a very good classic rock album. Submitted by jejr9 (Irvine) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Pretty Good Compilation
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