Phil Collins - 12"ers from No Jacket Required - 1985

Not much to add on this one.  I took the original EP/Compilation from 6 tracks up to 8.  Big deal.  But, it's Phil.  You know?

I never really appreciated Phil or Genesis during their 80s heyday.  I saw their videos, and thought them quintessential 80s material, but that was it.  It wasn't until Phil released hits that I realized what an accomplished and talented guy he really is.  As it is, though, when he went the route of soundtracks in the early aughts, I was a little disappointed in the work.  But, for the most part, Phil is "the Man."

Not much today, see you on Friday.

Phil Collins - 12"ers from No Jacket Required - 1985

Men At Work - Hard Luck Story - 1985

Dear fellow music lovers -

I've been delving into my incomplete sets to build new "Deluxe Versions" for all of us.  I am currently working on Men At Work's album Two Hearts.  In 1985, they released a single in Australia only for the song Hard Luck Story.  I am missing the following tracks for this song....

Hard Luck Story (Dance Mix)
Hard Luck Story (Instrumental)

As the album didn't have any new songs on b-sides, all I have are mixes to include.  Without these two mixes, my collection will be far from complete.  If ANYONE has these songs, I would greatly appreciate your help in finishing the set.  PLEASE let me know if you can find them!!!!!!

Thank you

Jason 

Descendents - I Don't Want To Grow Up + Enjoy - 1985-86

I'm posting this one a day early, as I have to go back on the road tomorrow and I won't be back until Thursday night.  Work isn't so bad, I think I'm enjoying it.  But, time away from the family is never good in my book.  I'll miss my boys.

These two albums were the Descendents in their prime.  IDWTGU is by far my favorite of the two, as every song is a pop masterpiece (to my ever-so-sensitive ears.)  But, Enjoy is great in it's own right, as well.  I just don't like it as much.

I first heard IDWTGU in the car on the way to school, one fall morning in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.  I was in the back seat of Carey's camaro, sitting to a skinhead with short, stubbly red hair fuzzing his scalp.  Sharon was in the front seat next to Carey, and we were driving over the commuter tracks next to the station on Main Street.  The Tivoli Theater was on my right, and I can't remember what was on my left.  The sun was coming out, and the air was crisp with a chill.  No clouds in the sky, and the leaves on the trees were brown.  Sharon turns around and begins singing along with In Love This Way, right at me, tossing her hair back and forth.  I had nothing for her, but it seemed rather pleasing to have that happen.  I felt one with the group, I felt some adoration to a degree, it made me blush.

I had a tape of a tape of a tape the first time I "got" this album, and I wore that sucker out.  I didn't actually buy the tape until my senior year, and then got the CD in about 1993.  By then, I had that album memorized forward and back.

Enjoy was another story.  I never had any real personal connection with it.  I simply got the tape about the same time I got the actual tape of IDWTGU, and listened to that in tandem with the other.  Sour Grapes, Cheer, 80s Girl and, of course, Wendy were among my favorites.  Although somewhat humorous, I never understood the necessity of the Orgofart track.  Was that how they wanted to be portrayed for the rest of forever?  Probably a precursor to Van. 

I found some bootleg demos of some unreleased tracks that fell somewhere between the two albums.  They aren't too bad, but you can tell why they weren't ever used.  Some may say that there were other tracks out there that I didn't include.  Don't worry, I have them all.  There ARE some other tracks out there with different names, but if you listen to them, they are all the same as the ones I included in this set.  As for which names were the correct names, I don't know.....

Descendents - I Don't Want To Grow Up + Enjoy - 1985-86

A-ha - Hunting High & Low - 1985 - Already Been Deluxed!

 

 Already Been Deluxed - Day Seven - A-ha - Hunting High & Low - 1985

This was the collection that inspired me to do the "Already Been Deluxed" week to begin with.  One of my favorite albums, A-ha has released the BEST deluxe version of any album I've ever found.  You have album tracks, b-sides, remixes, unavailable tracks, demos and early versions.  All my favorite types of tracks.  

No one can think of 80s music or consider 80s music without mentioning Take On Me.  It is quintessential 80s to the Nth degree.  The entire album is Synthpop perfection.  Even though Take On Me has been overplayed thousands of times, it is still fun to hear and sing along.  Train Of Thought is catchy and rhythmic, and The Sun Always Shines On TV is by far the best song on the album.  Fortunately, the beloved Dreamtime has remixed the crap out of it, making a mammoth 13 minute version.

I have posted the four disc set exactly as released, and added my new covers to them.  I will admit, though, that I did add material to disc one that wasn't previously on there, but the collection as a whole is so complete, I think it still qualifies for this week in particular.

As ALWAYS - I want to think our superb fan-mixers Dreamtime and McDoc for their great work, as they've made versions uniquely their own, without changing the sound and style of the original.  Wonderful job, guys!

Tomorrow starts "Nothing Extra Nothing More" week, with seven days of awesome albums that don't have any bonus material that I can add, but are definitely in my top album category, and worthy of being recognized even though they are not "Deluxed".

CD1   CD2   CD3   CD4

The Power Station - 1985 - Already Been Deluxed!

Already Been Deluxed - Day Three - The Power Station - 1985 

When they released this expanded edition, I wasn't sure if I was overjoyed or upset.  I was overjoyed that they had finally released all of their '85 material on one disc, which is what I had always wanted.  I was upset by the fact that I couldn't make my own homemade, custom, one-of-a-kind disc to the envy of my fellow D2 friends, EMI had already done it and I was no longer the sole owner.  Now, if I ever tried to make my own version, it would be a cheap knock-off.  I mean, theirs even has a DVD!

But, it is still one of my favorite albums from the Duran Dynasty.  Even without Simon's vocals, you could hear the boys shining though - heavy bass and ripping guitars.  Obviously, Robert's vocals were MORE than adequate, and Tony's percussion was explosive.  Love it, love it, love it. I can still remember sitting in my 8th grade class talking to this girl about it, and how she was disappointed because it didn't sound like Duran.  Funny...   I used to put my headphones on and turn it up as loud as I could and play the album's first two tracks.  The thundering drums and screaming guitars nearly made my ears bleed.  I couldn't stop.

Surprisingly enough, this collection actually IS missing a track, which I proudly found and am graciously providing.  The Murderess Edit Version is not on the original Deluxe Edition, and I had to add it in at the end.  So NOW everything is on it.  Actually, I didn't "find" the track, I found it on the Burning The Ground blog, so technically, it's his to begin with.  Thank you for that!

As for the cover, I was fortunate to find some great jpegs of the original 33 1/3 cover.  The image is virtually flawless, and made it extremely easy to work with.  Overall, this cover turned out very well.

Now, I just need to get a Riptide and a Thunder post, and we can have a part two to this post!!!!!

The Power Station - 1985

Billy Idol - Whiplash Smile - 1985

So, I'm in a quandary on how to describe this one.  Is this the last of his good albums?  Or is this the first of his bad albums?  I will say this, it was a pivotal album in his career, and once this one was released, it was all downhill.

By the time this came out, the mainstream Pop radio record labels were trying to capture what they considered "New Wave" and putting a more radio friendly twist on it.  All while sacrificing the true intent and meaning behind it.  Imagine, only 6 or 7 years before this album, Billy was a true punk in Generation X, making some great stuff.   Then....

I think we all remember when this one came out, or at least when we started hearing it on the radio.  Regardless of what I said in the above two paragraphs, I was only 14 and it was still Billy Idol to me.  He had the killer attitude with the pretty boy looks.  Being a young shy geek with pimples and a big nose, I was very jealous of him.  The best I could do was emulate the fine lad.  As well, this was the time when my parents took my "secular" music away, so all I had was a dubbed tape from a friend.  I was still always very impressed with him, even through his next release in 1990.  I think the cyberpunk album is where he completely lost it...

But, now, I think the fanbase and respect is still out there.  I mean, it's fucking Billy Idol.  I'd be happy to meet the guy or see a show.  I guess the best I can do now, is wear an Idol t-shirt.  Good enough for me.

As always, I've got it all on this one...

Billy Idol - Whiplash Smile - 1985

Tears For Fears - Live In Manchester - 1985

Tonight's second fabulous show spotlights two gentlemen that I never was able to see live.  In their heyday, it would have been great.  I've seen some video of shows they've done within the past five to ten years, and I have to say they seemed sort of scary.  Some of our heroes have been able to continue their greatness into old age.  Some have not.  Curt doesn't look so bad, now, but poor Roland is starting to look like a scrotum.  Sorry, just a fact.

This show was filled with a lot of energy and a lot of heart and soul.  Just like their music, they weren't just performers up on stage putting on a show, they were opening themselves up and making a personal connection with their audience.  Their young, wild and creative days were captured and their refining and finesse was starting to really shine.  They translate wonderfully from studio to stage.  I would have LOVED IT.  But, alas....

Tears For Fears - Live In Manchester - 1985

 

Cure - Head On the Door - 1985

So with Disintegration being my favorite Cure album, followed by Kiss Me x 3, then Three Imaginary Boys...  I guess HOtD is my 4th favorite Cure album.  It would probably slip a place or two if I added in Mixed Up and Japanese Whispers, but those technically aren't albums.  As it is, when looking at the amount of work RS has released, being in 4th really isn't so bad.  Better than being 4:13 Dream, which came in dead-fucking last on my list.

Best songs on the album are In Between Days and Push, two absolute pop hook songs, and  A Night Like This.  The opening guitar cords on Push awaken younger feelings and times, that almost seem like long lost friends coming back to visit.  There's always a sense of forlorn and loss when I listen to this album, and I don't know why.  Maybe because I loved being a teen, and now that's all gone......

Worst song on the album is Close To Me.  Don't know why I feel this way, but I can't stand it.  Don't like it now, didn't like it then, won't like it tomorrow, either.

I redid this "Deluxe" version, as the official version had too many live tracks and home demos on the bonus disc, and not a single remix or b-side.  Is he serious?!  Really?  Come on, Robert.  Half that crap no one really cares about, and you didn't even add anything extra on the album disc, either.  So, I added the b-sides and mixes, and a few of the STUDIO demos, to make it more worthwhile.  What I have here is definitely more in line with what I wanted/expected from a deluxe version.

The two demos I included - Lime Time and Mansolidgone - are definitely period, and would have sounded good on the album.  Obviously, Lime Time (fabulous name) shared lyrics with Inbetween Days and seemed a tad too cheerful for the actual album.  Mansolidgone (stupid name) was also a little too cheerful for the album, but also could have changed the face of the album all together.  It sounds like a precursor to a Kiss Me track, reminding me a little of Hot x 3 and WCIBY?  Both are great demos, just wish the lyrics and melodies had been filled out a little bit more.  But, that's why they're demos, I guess.

Cure - Head On the Door - 1985

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Crush - 1985

Probably my favorite OMD album second only to Architecture & Morality.  I think that Crush is probably one of the most underrated Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark albums yet also one of their most influential.  The style and sound of this album help to not only set the stage for all of their future work, but also helped define the sound of Post Punk/Synth-pop from the 80s.

The album opens with my 3rd favorite OMD song, So In Love.  The best, followed shortly by Secret, one of my top 10 OMD songs.  The rest of the album plays terrifically, keeping with a lot of their warm yet experimental songs, and does it without becoming boring. As Architecture & Morality was developing OMD's definitive sound, Crush finds them in their writing prime, fully comfortable with the style they'd created for themselves. 

Also, OMD has a way with the saxophone that makes it sound as acceptable today as it did back then.  Usually I cringe when a band whips out the sax and starts tooting away.  Not OMD.  It's perfect.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Crush - 1985

Tears For Fears - Songs From the Big Chair - 1985

 

A far cry better than The Hurting & Seeds of Love, this album is quintessential 80s Pop Rock.  Graduating from New Wave into something more substantial, TFF really proved they had the talent and abilities to whether the demise of the 80s and hold their own into the 90s.  One of my Top Ten 80s songs is Head Over Heels, an absolutely perfect pure Pop track.

I was in 8th Grade when this album came out, and was strongly influenced by one of my friends - Grant - who said that after he outgrew Duran Duran (WHAT?!) he was now interested in TFF.  It sort of took me off guard when he said that, and thoroughly intrigued me.  Looking back, it was a natural procession to move onto them (as well as Sting, INXS, Simple Minds and Wang Chung.)  But, I am glad he recommended that, as the album became a staple of my collection.

I know that they've already released an expanded version of this album, but I felt it needed more, it wasn't quite right.  They had left too much material off that needed to be there.  Plus, I was able to also include a McDoC mix in there as well.  Great stuff.

A little advance notice, Thursday and Friday nights will be extremely late posts, as I have business meetings to attend both days that will stretch into the evenings.  Also, I will be taking off the 23rd and the 24th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Lastly, 90s Techno Rave Week will be starting on December 12th...

Tears For Fears - Songs From the Big Chair - 1985

Tears For Fears - the Big Chair Remixes - 1985 

Falco - Falco 3 - 1985

 

At first I thought this song was awesome!  Then I thought he was a joke.  Then I thought he was nostalgic.  Now I think he's talented, unique and pretty good (not quite awesome.)

It's sad that he never caught on bigger in the US, as I think that given the opportunity and exposure, he would have had the potential to write more and better songs for an American (and world) audience.  But, due to his only marginal success in the US, he stuck to his German language only material, and pretty much isolated himself to a European audience.  Just my opinion.

When I first started collecting the tracks from this album, I spent an age trying to find the "original" mixes.  After a time, stupid as I was, I finally realized that the "mixes" on the album were actually the originals, and there weren't any more other than the ones that I put on the remix disc.  Silly that he should name the album tracks as mixes.  It was a tad confusing.  If I am completely wrong on this, let me know...

Unfortunate that he died so young.  I wasn't really into his later work, so it didn't impact me that much.  I was surprised, though.  It can be jolting when anyone, especially a star, dies before their time.

Although it looks a little dull, I like how the remix cover turned out with the chrome signature.  I love photoshop layer styles....

Not the best quality on the tracks, here.  I was able to put both albums and their covers in a zip less than 200Mb.  Sorry...

Falco - Falco 3 - 1985

Sting - Dream Of the Blue Turtles - 1985

I didn't fall in love with Sting's work until Nothing Like the Sun.  That being said, I still really liked a lot of the singles from this album, and after I started really paying attention to him, I learned what a wonderfully written album this truly was. 

When I was a kid (13 or so?) I remember seeing the If You Love Somebody video on MTV and enjoying it and the unique way in which they shot it (check it here).  Were they actually in that room or not?  And William Orbit's mix is awesome.  I heard Russians on the radio (I remember driving from the suburbs into Chicago and it played) and it was great, it was sad and beautiful and perfectly captured the essence of the 80s political stage.  To this day, I still think that Fortress Around Your Heart is one of the best songs he's ever written.  It is a cathartic pop hook that helped me sort through several relationships.  And Seventh Wave is a clever balance between objective happiness and nihilism. 

One track I had never heard before until I compiled this collection is Code Word Elvis.  It is stupid and silly, but it's supposed to be.  In fact, it's hilarious. 

I'm not going to say that Sting wrote his best work when he went solo, but damn near close.  If it weren't for Synchronicity, it would be a definite yes.

Sting - Dream Of the Blue Turtles - 1985

The Dream Academy - Self-Titled Debut - 1985

When it comes to the Dream Academy's self-titled debut, there's only one thing I can say - Ferris Bueller.  If it weren't for the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I probably would've never purchased this album, and only ever cared or heard of them through the one song entitled Life In A Northern Town.  That one movie and it's terrific soundtrack introduced me to the Dream Academy, and for that I am eternally grateful.

 I remember my sophomore year in High School in Chicago I was part of a special class of "gifted" kids.  We had to score high on the IQ and EQ charts, maintain good grades and be relatively well-mannered to be in the class.  You'd be surprised at the extreme diversity of kids that were included.  I remember Richie Vargas, a hispanic skate punk who was big into the likes of Minor Threat and the Descendents.  Then there was Jason Hinkle, another skate punk who introduced me to Samhain, the Misfits and Danzig.  Then there was Anne who was all about the Psychedelic Furs, and Kevin Arias who introduced me to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.  Conversely, Tim Mickus introduced me to Robotech and anime in general, but his idea of good music was alien to me.  Who listens to crappy classical music like Chopin anyway?!  It's weird when I think back to my friends in my past and remember them based on the music they listened to....

BUT I DIGRESS...

In this class, we used to take field trips all the time, travelling all over Chicago doing snooty, educated, upper bourgeois sorta things.  That year reminded me so much of the movie Ferris Bueller, as we went to several of the places in the movie throughout the year.  We went to the Chicago Stock Exchange, a Cubs game, and we ate at the Berghoff Restaurant (I know that wasn't in FBDO, but it reminded me of their fine dining scene).  BUT, obviously, the most significant place we went, in relation to the movie and to the Dream Academy, was the Chicago Art Museum.  I stood on the walkway looking out the blue stained glass window, just like they did.  I looked at Seurat's "Sunday on La Grande Jatte" just like Cameron.  And all of this to the sounds of the Dream Academy's cover of "Please Please Please".  

Again, I have a hole in my chest where the city of Chicago used to be, and when I hear tunes that remind me of living there, I get nostalgic and a little sad.  This entire album reminds me of that great city (along with about 10 other albums) and when I get morose, I pull this one out (sometimes) and give it a listen.  It tends to make things a little better. 

 The Dream Academy - Self-Titled Debut - 1985

Madness - Mad Not Mad - 1985

Last of the four awesome posts in a row, here's a little Madness to start your weekend.

Not much to say today, other than I'm posting early because I'm headed back out of town this weekend to work on my rental property for the new tenants.

Madness have always been a favorite of mine ever since I saw them as a kid on the Young Ones.  This one doesn't have a whole lot of hits, but their sound had started to change and I found it unique to the others.  I have all the b-sides, so you should enjoy.  I also have the full-length version of Dracstein Castle.  What a funny funny piece of shit!

Anyway, enjoy, and I'll be back Sunday night!

Madness - Mad Not Mad - 1985

Wang Chung - To Live & Die In LA - 1985

Obviously, Wang Chung was more successful once New Wave started to die down.  I love how they took New Romantic sensebilities and crafted them into mainstream Pop Rock that was radio friendly.  They took something bland and gave it an attractive edge.  Couple this with their extensive musical background and education, and it's probably why they got the shot to do this soundtrack.

As a whole, the album isn't that bad.  It's a "pleasant" listen that is executed well, with a couple memorable melodies intertwined.  I remember when this movie came out, and being just a kid, it never really interested me to go see it.  I was more into the Goonies, and Ghost Busters and James Bond of the time.  You know, Spies Like Us.  But, the song was played on the radio a lot, and this is how I was first introduced to the band.

Too young to know any better, all I had was the 45rpm single of the song until I picked up the Soundtrack on CD in the late 90s.  Glad I did.

I added Fire In the Twilight, another soundtrack song, as it came out at the same time, and doesn't really fit anywhere else.  It sounds alright here.  Also added the mixes, of course.

I couldn't find the right font to match the Wang Chung logo, so I used the next best one similar.  It's not quite the same, but close enough.  Also, used the original movie poster for the cover, to dress it up a bit.

Chung on your wang tonight

Adam Ant - Vive Le Rock - 1985

All through my youth, I was always a fan of Adam Ant, even when he was solo (because that's where my earliest memories start) but more when he was with the Ants.  I think that when he split the band, he freed himself to be more creative and take an even greater leadership role.  Even when he spun away from his Punk/New Wave roots and ventured into 80s pop, he was still a spectacular musician. 

One of the aspects that I admired about Ant, was his ability to exude hetero sensuality and eroticism while NOT being some typical masculine testosterone tough guy, but more of a pretty boy.  He showed that even those guys with skinny arms and lace scarves could be just as attractive to the opposite sex as a long-haired headbanger.

Vive Le Rock finds Ant moving more into the Pop Rock territory, with a couple big hits that I remember well.  I had these two songs in a mix tape I made from taping the radio.  I always loved those tapes, even with the beginning and ends of the songs all jacked up with a song segue or the DJ jumping in and shooting his mouth off.  These two singles I remember being that way specifically, but that was how I listened to them for years.  I remember the end of Apollo 9, the DJ said "Traffic on the Dan (Ryan Expressway (a highway in Chicago))" before I cut the tape off.  Now when I listen to the song, right at the end of the song I say "Traffic on the Dan" right where it was when I was a kid.

B-sides, demos and mixes galore on this one.  A great little spin.  I changed the color of the type on the front to blue, as I felt it suited the cover better.  The cover was too red before.  The blue provides a nice contrast with the brown, red, orange and yellow of the photo.

Turn it up.

Adam Ant - Vive Le Rock - 1985

Thompson Twins - Here's To Future Days - 1985

My favorite, and probably the best of the Thompson Twins albums, Here's To Future Days came out in 1985.  This was the last of the great New Romantic albums.  As we shifted into the late 80s, the sound began to change as we saw Rap, Hair Metal, Synth-Pop/Rock, Post Punk and proto-House began to dominate the music scene.  The Twins reached the peak of their popularity with this album, and then it was a slow slide downhill after.

I think my favorite video from this album was the Revolution video.  From what I can remember, it was a pseudo-live performance, and was shot from the floor up.  They were bouncing all over the stage windmilling their guitars and screaming out the song and they were bigger than life.  Yeah, it was a good video.  Trying to find any of the official videos from this album is near impossible.  I haven't seen the Revolution video for 25 or 30 years.  It would be great to see it again.

As with Into the Gap and Out of the Gap, This album had a ton of mixes.  Again, more than I could count.  I know I didn't get all of them, as there were some that seemed redundant and I didn't have enough to fill an entire additional disc.  As it is, there are two solid discs of great mixes and versions.  They also had a bunch of good single sleeves, as well.  I was lucky to find such a great scan of a magazine article that had the trio and logo in front of a yellow screen.  It's a perfect cover.

Now, I liked Close To the Bone, but that album signaled their inevitable slide into obscurity.  So sad.  By the time Big Trash and Queer came out, they were irrelevant and had to re-invent themselves into Babble.  When I hear the name Thompson Twins, though, this is the album that instantly comes to mind.

Enjoy the mixes.

Thompson Twins - Here's To More Future Days - 1985

Thompson Twins - Here's To Future Days - The Remixes - 1985

Billy Idol - Vital Idol - 1985

Vital Idol was originally released in 1985 as a compilation of his extended remixes.  But, there were only 7 tracks on it.  I've upped it to 11, and added a new cover, that was supposed to look better than the previous.  I guess it does, but I think it may look too modern for the songs.  Not sure.

Today is my first son's 15th birthday.  As the years have passed, he's made me more and more proud to be his father. He has grown, not just physically and mentally, but spiritually, beyond my wildest beliefs. He makes me aspire harder and harder to be a better dad, and a better person day after day, by leading a positive and optimistic life. Lucas, you are a wonderful son, and I look forward to your bright and hopeful future. I love you, big guy!

Billy Idol - Vital Idol - 1985

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88

So, several months ago, I posted my "Singles Collection" of every OMD single, b-side and remix up through Dreaming.  I know, though, that listening to 6 discs straight through can be a daunting task.  I know because it's tough for me, even on a road trip.  So, I also made myself an extended/remix collection with one mix from each of their singles, if a mix exists.

It's hard to say which disc I prefer, as I have favorites on both of them.  Regardless, it's a good set, and playing through a 2-disc set doesn't take long.  Favorite tracks would include Never Turn Away, So In Love,
Messages, Souvenir, and of course the Martin Hannett mix of Electricity.

I've said before that I don't care for greatest hits collections.  I don't.  But, when it comes to OMD, and Art of Noise, a lot of times, that's the only way you can listen to them.  Don't know why.  But, as far as albums go, neither of them can really pull together a cohesive group of songs that I can like.  I guess I'm too picky.

Anyway, I thought the font and cover graphic was fitting for this collection.  I hadn't made the cover for myself before, but once I got these two, I printed them off.  Looks good on my CD wall.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88 - Disc One

Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - The Extended Versions - 1979-88 - Disc Two 

Howard Jones - Dream Into Action & Action Replay - 1985-86

My favorite of Howard Jones albums, this one reminds me of my youth in Chicago.  It came out when I was in Junior High, and I had the cassette of Action Replay.  At the time it wasn't one of my favorites, but it was always a go-to when I was looking for something "normal" to listen to.

As I've aged, I have grown to respect the work that Howard did in the 80s.  Yes, it was Psuedo-New Wave Radio Pop, but it was all well written.  He worked with a number of talented producers and musicians, including Phil Collins, that helped to give true heart and life to his work.  Although some of the songs aren't too interesting, I can't say anything bad about them lyrically, their melodies aren't that bad, and the production was always tight.  He is a true artist and master at what he does.

I saw him live in 1999 in Chicago with Human League and Culture Club.  All three bands were great, but Howard was the only one who went out there without pretense, and just to have a good time.  He didn't dress up flashy, he didn't have the wild hair, and he was smiling the entire time.  He even brought his teenage son out on stage for a couple of songs.

I don't know how else to put it other than the guy is simply GENUINE. And I love that about him.

Howard Jones - Dream Into Action - 1985

Howard Jones - Action Replay - 1986