Collection of twenty-two original songs recorded for Julian Temple’s 1986 film ‘Absolute Beginners’. This release is the first time that all 22 songs have been available on CD, previous versions of this format being highlights only.
The film cast included Patsy Kensit, David Bowie, Eddie O’Connell, Ray Davies, Sade, James Fox, Mandy Rice-Davies and Steven Berkoff (with ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ cameos from Sandie Shaw, Eric Sykes and Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli).
The soundtrack album boasts three songs by David Bowie (including the theme song, a 1986 number 2 single) that weren’t included on any of his studio albums. It also includes the Sade song ‘Killer Blow’, Ray Davies first solo single ‘Quiet Life’, and ‘Riot City’, an eight-and-a-half minute Jazz instrumental that marked a first solo outing for Jerry Dammers. All three tracks are unavailable elsewhere.
In addition there is an extended version of The Style Council single ‘Have You Ever Had It Blue’?’ also unique to this album. The album was produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, whose many credits include No. 1 singles for Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners. It features brass arrangements by Gil Evans, widely recognised as one of the key orchestrators in jazz, acclaimed for his collaborations with Miles Davis.
- 1 -
1. Absolute Beginners - David Bowie
2. Killer Blow - Sade
3. Have You Ever Had It Blue? - the Style Council
4. Quiet Life - Ray Davies
5. Va Va Voom - Gil Evans
6. That's Motivation - David Bowie
7. Having It All - Eighth Wonder
8. Rodrigo Bay (7" Version) - Working Week
9. Selling Out - Slim Gaillard
10. Riot City - Jerry Dammers
- 2 -
1. Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough and the Smooth) - Gil Evans
2. Ted Ain't Dead - Tenpole Tudor
3. Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - David Bowie
4. Napoli - Clive Langer
5. Little Cat (You Never Had It So Good) - Jonas
6. Absolute Beginners (Slight Refrain) - Gil Evans
7. Better Git It In Your Soul (the Hot and the Cool) - Gil Evan
8. Landlords and Tenants - Laurel Aitken
9. Santa Lucia - Ekow Abban
10. Cool Napoli - Gil Evans
11. So What? (Lyric Version) - Smiley Culture
12. Absolute Beginners (Refrain) - Gil Evans
