Gerard Gerard (1983) [2008, Altovoz, Alt 20]

Although she had earned worldwide fame in 1978 with "It's a Heartache," Bonnie Tyler had trouble building on that success looked as if she were doomed to one-hit wonder status by the early 1980s. However, she returned to prominence in 1983 with Faster Than Speed of the Night, a bombastic opus that took her gift for heartbroken balladry to epic heights. The key to the this album's success is the production and writing chops of Jim Steinman. He applies the same gothic operatic touch that made his work with Meat Loaf so captivating (and successful), wrapping the songs in atmospheric, all-stops-out arrangements that blend drama and power chords in equal measure.

By 1983, with the new romantic movement they'd sprung from a rapidly fading memory, the members of Spandau Ballet showed they had no intention of traveling the same path. Always ambitious, the British quintet really got down to business: Gone were the kilts, frilly shirts, and makeup – as well as the sometimes chilly electronics of their first two albums…

After the rejuvenated excitement of 10 Out of 10, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman pulled in studio heavyweights like Steve Gadd and recorded this ambitious, but ultimately lukewarm album in 1983. All of the usual 10cc trademarks were in place: great melodies, heartbreaking harmonies, and inventive arrangements are in great abundance here…

This wonderful DVD features Ella Fitzgerald, one of the great divas of jazz singing. This performance consists of the second half of a 1983 Tokyo concert. We begin with a set presenting Ella backed by her regular trio with Paul Smith on piano. The accompaniment is then augmented to a quartet with the addition of the great guitarist Joe Pass. The singer and guitarist had made a few unique albums together, and their magical chemistry can be seen here on an Ellington medley and a version of the Carmichael evergreen “Georgia on My Mind’. For a big finale, a number of jazz stars (Clark Terry, J.J. Johnson, Zoot Sims, Oscar Peterson…) join them on the classic “Flying Home”, ending the concert in the spirit of the great jazz jam sessions.

The Best of UFO (1974-1983) is a greatest hits collection by UFO, released in 2008. All songs were digitally remastered in 2007 and 2008…