Poptastic Confessions

Poptastic Confessions

Friday, May 22, 2020

A Bananarama Book!

Dear Poptastic Readers,

 This week, Bananarama announced they have a memoir coming out in October! HOORAY! The book is called Really Saying Something: Our Story. It is written by Sara and Keren. It will be out October 29, 2020. Here is the cover.

We will admit that it is a strange choice for a cover photo. You see, the photo is from the 1990/1991 era and then-member Jacquie was in the group. Plus, Sara has a floating hand. Having said that, it is a glorious photo of Sara and Keren as they both look fantastic. Have a look at the original ...

Here is the press release for the book (with added photos from us)
Music, fame and a lifelong friendship.

In the early eighties, best friends Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward arrived at the YWCA in London, with their sights set on careers in journalism and the media… but that wasn’t to be.

At that time, London was the most vibrant and culturally innovative of places, and within the whirl of clubs, parties, and new friends, a chance meeting with former Sex Pistol Paul Cook changed everything. Moving into Malcolm McLaren’s old office, they started rehearsing and singing background vocals for Paul’s new band, before teaming up with Sara’s college friend Siobhan, and forming their own band.


It wasn’t long before they’d made their first appearance on Top of the Pops, wearing clothes they’d made themselves, and not sure which camera to look at. Who could have imagined that this would be the birth of one of the biggest-selling female bands of all time? Bananarama!

From ground-breaking performance at The Brits, to sold-out world tours, party games with George Michael, hanging out with Andy Warhol in New York, to performing at Glastonbury last year. Bananarama’s DIY-style and attitude inspired a generation, obliterating all previous notions of what a girl band was or could be. Whether opening-up about the challenges of making it in a male dominated industry, balancing motherhood and fame, the hairstyles and TV interviews they’d rather forget, or the joys of writing and recording new music, Sara and Keren are honest, revealing and hilarious.


REALLY SAYING SOMETHING is the story of two friends who continue to pursue their dreams their way – and have a great time doing it. It is a celebration of determination and a life-long friendship, with an unbeatable soundtrack.

To order the book, click here. There are even signed copies available! Woo! We've created the Ultimate Bananarama playlist on Spotify for your enjoyment. Woo!


Cheers then,
—Davearama

 P.S. Please follow Bananarama and Poptastic Confessions on social media!

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Poptastic Confessions review of Bananarama's 2019 album In Stereo
Davearama's 2005 interview with Keren
Davearama's 2006 interview with Sara

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Monday, May 18, 2020

Magnificent by Rozalla

Dear Poptastic Readers,

 Rozalla has a new single out called "Magnificent." We absolutely loved her single from last year called "Turn On The Light." In fact, it was #9 in our Top 100 songs of 2019. If you missed it, click on those links.

So what is "Magnificent" like? It's a fun dance pop song. It comes with a slew of remixes. The lyric music video features the Retroteque Exclusive Remix. Have a look and listen ...

We like it! Although we think like the Matt Pop radio mix the best, as it is epic. "Magnificent" was written by Charlie Mason and John Matthews. It was produced by Matt Pop. We've added the Matt Pop radio mix to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Woo!


Love, Truth & Honesty,
—Sausi O'Sullivan

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Friday, May 15, 2020

The Healing by Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The Queen of Cool Jody Watley has released a new single today called "The Healing" and it is quite powerful, emotional, and inspirational. 


Jody wrote on her website about the song: "Something I wrote before the pandemic for Spring EP. The EP is delayed for now and I wrestled with releasing single or not but it’s timely and inspirational life message that is appropriate for where we are – Now." We are sure glad she did.

"The Healing" is a spoken word song, and it is the third in her career. You might remember her trailblazing 1993 single "When A Man Loves A Woman." It was very progressive at the time because it was song that mentioned the reality of AIDS. Jody also recorded new lyrics for two special remixes: "When A Man Loves A Man" and "When A Woman Loves A Woman." It was a bold move for a mainstream artist in 1993. Jody also had a second spoken-word song in 1999 called "Another Chapter." Here is the music video for "When A Man Loves A Woman" ...

Now, back to the song at hand. "The Healing" is just that. Jody's smooth vocals are calming and the subject matter at hand. Jody has released the single as the "RedTop Remix" and says the original version will be featured on her next EP. The RedTop Remix is offered up as a 6-minute mix, an instrumental, and a radio edit. The song was written by Jody Watley and Claude Lombard. It was produced by Jody Watley, Bill Coleman, and RedTop. Check out this video trailer ...


Wasn't that nice? Yes, it was. Now go out and purchase the single! We've added "The Healing" (RedTop Remix) Radio Edit to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear Jody's song "Weigh On Me" with SRL on the playlist, too!


Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Jody Watley and Poptastic Confessions on social media …

Jody Watley

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Thursday, May 14, 2020

Holiday '19 by Parralox

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Back in the beginning of the year, we meant to feature Parralox's Holiday '19 album. Now it is May, and we just remembered that we never did it! D'oh! Better late than never, as we always say! 

Holiday '19 is the 6th album in the Holiday series. What is the Holiday series? Since 2014, Parralox has released an album near the end of each year mostly made up of cover songs. However, sometimes the songs are original. Most of the songs do not have a seasonal holiday theme, but there have been a few. Some albums are long, while others have been short. You can check out our reviews of the past 5 Holiday albums here ...

















For the latest Holiday album, it is all cover versions. Here is our track-by-track review of Holiday '19:

 1. "Lucretia My Relection" was originally recorded by The Sisters Of Mercy in 1988.

We didn't know the original, but it was a Top 20 song in the UK. Parralox's version has John on lead vocals, and he gives a great vocal performance. We like it.

2. "Human" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1986. 

This very well-known song was a #1 hit for the Human League in America and Canada. Parralox gives a very faithful cover with John and Louise on vocals.

3. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" was originally recorded by Tubeway Army in 1979.

This was also a #1 song for Tubeway Army in the UK in 1979. It was part of the electronic music revolution that would heavily influence 80s music and beyond. You might be most familiar with the music as the original version was sampled by producer Richard X for the Sugababes 2002 UK #1 hit "Freak Like Me." Now, back to Parralox's version. We absolutely love this and keep playing it over and over. Louise is on lead vocals and she is just simply an amazing singer. She always makes everything sound so cool and effortless.

4. "Heart Like A Wheel" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1990.

While not a huge hit for the Human League, it is a classic song from the band's catalog. Parralox really capture the magic of this song by giving it an extended mix. The music has gorgeous layer and layers of synths. John and Louise turn out another fantastic performance. 

5. "True Faith" was originally recorded by New Order in 1987.

This song was a worldwide hit for New Order. It has been covered by many artists, including the late George Michael. John takes the lead on this one it is a great remake.

6. "Life Kills" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1980.

We must admit, Parralox is schooling us on Human League tracks that were released before their 1981 breakthrough album Dare! John sings this one.

7. "Duel" was originally recorded by Propaganda in 1985.

We weren't familiar with this song or the German group. So it is like a brand new song for us. Louise takes the lead. We just listened to a lot of Missing Persons songs, so this is giving us those vibes. Very good! 

8. "Pet Sematary" was originally recorded by the Ramones in 1989.

Of course, the Ramons song was the theme for the Stephen King movie by the same name. We didn't think that we would hear Parralox covering the Ramons, but it works quite well as a synth pop song with John on vocals.

8. "But Not Tonight" was originally recorded by Depeche Mode in 1986.

This was not a Depeche Mode song we were familiar with as it was the b-side to their song "Stripped" in 1986. However, it was also the theme song to a romantic comedy called Modern Girls. Louise takes the lead on this one, which slows the pace down and it becomes a lovely way to end the album.

Overall, this a great collection of songs. Sorry it took so long for us to review it, but better late than never. Now, if you would like to hear an album of original Parralox songs, then check out our review of their latest album Genesis. We are still waiting for the first single to surface for that album.

You can hear Holiday '19 on Spotify below, but please buy the songs on digital outlets so that Parralox can keep churning out the tunes for us!

We've also added some of these songs to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear some songs from their album Genesis there, too.

Cheers then,
—Davearama

 P.S. Please follow Parralox and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...

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A Poptastic Confessions Interview with John von Ahlen of Parralox in 2015

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Thursday, May 7, 2020

I Don't Wanna by Pet Shop Boys

Dear Poptastic Readers,

 Pet Shop Boys have a new single out called "I Don't Wanna" and it is from their latest album Hotspot. We are still loving their previous single "Monkey Business."

"I Don't Wanna" tells the story of a shy boy who would rather stay at home instead of going out dancing. Check out the lyric video ...

"I Don't Wanna" was written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys). It was produced by Stuart Price. We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear both "Monkey Business" and "Burning The Heather" there. Enjoy!~


Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Pet Shop Boys and Poptastic Confessions on social media!

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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Somebody by Dagny

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy May! While we can't seem to get enough of Dagny's previous single "Come Over," she has gone and released another great pop song called "Somebody."

"Somebody" is a lovely electro pop love song. It has a great melody and Dagny gives a fantastic vocal delivery. The music video is super cute, too. Have a look ...

"Somebody" was written by Dagny, Cato Sundberg, Kent Sunberg, and Lasse Michelsen. It was produced by Rat City and Thomas Kongshavn. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!~

You'll also hear "Come Over" on the that playlist, too!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Please follow Dagny and Poptastic Confessions on social media …

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