Duran Duran - Rio: 2015 Reissue (1982)

I've often claimed 1982 as my favorite year in pop music and ranked this album as the best release of that year, so it only makes sense that I would eventually pick up a copy of a 2 disc deluxe edition. And here we are. I initially believed it was a mostly superfluous, completist purchase as I thought had most of the versions included here on other discs, mainly the 2003 singles box set. However, I was mistaken as there are some new additions to my collection here. And let's be honest, while that singles box set is gorgeous, a fun idea, and I'm glad I have the thing, it is a big pain to mess with all those discs with only 3 or 4 tracks on each; I'm pretty lazy when it comes to stuff like that.

If you're looking for my earlier thoughts on my original CD plus the usual print ads, CD longbox picture, album reviews, chart data, etc., please check out my 2012 post here: The CD Project: Rio. This post will primarily deal with the new-to-me mixes, bonus tracks, and packaging.

First off, these discs improve on the sound of my other Rio disc and some of the original UK mixes - like the title track, New Religion and Last Chance On The Stairway - have a pop they were missing on some of the other recordings I own. Even the demo tracks sound better than one would expect.

The 24 page booklet includes lyrics, credits, a 2009 essay by Daryl Easlea, and lots of glamour shots of the boys from the early '80s. All using that original, wonderful graphic design from Malcolm Garrett. Oddly missing is the familiar cityscape shot included on my LP's inner sleeve back in '82:

Tracks:

My picks haven't changed over the years:

• best track: Rio
• most underrated track: Last Chance On The Stairway
• most overrated track: Save A Prayer
• most intriguing track: The Chauffeur

It's nice to have the complete UK version in sequence. I'm also fascinated by all five versions of My Own Way (one of the better tracks on the album) to see how it evolved.

I have no use for demos, but as mentioned above, these sound polished and are at worth hearing at least once or twice. The real treat in this set is the second ⅔ of CD Two - having these 9 cuts in one place is a convenient treat. Highlights: 1) the disco strings and too-fast tempo of both the original 7" and Night versions of My Own Way, 2) the Spanish guitar influence on the haunting early version of The Chauffeur, and 3) the just-when-you-thought-this-song-couldn't-get-any-better Night Version of Rio.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Most memories recapped in my previous post, but here's a Duran-related story I forgot to mention there: When I was 16, I took first-year French as an elective during my junior year of high school. The teacher was a cheerful, free-spirit kind of woman who encouraged us to create "French names" to use while in her class. I changed Mark to Marco (which is of Italian origin, not French, I now realize) and, due to my fandom of Duran Duran, I picked Le Bon as a surname, becoming Marco Le Bon for the two years I was in that French classroom. However, "Mark the Good" is hardly how I would describe the 16-year-old version of myself. But I still get called Marco on occasion from high school friends and my wife.

I will also take this opportunity to offer my hearty endorsement of Annie Zaleski's 2021 book in the 33⅓ series about this album.

Books in this series tend to be hit-or-miss, but this one is well-researched and, therefore, highly informational and useful to fans of the album (i.e., someone of my general age, height, weight and build). Recommended.

And while this question haunts me from time to time...

...the answer in regard to this album is a resounding "both" for this guy. I'm glad I picked up this set.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Astronaut (2004)
The Singles 81 - 85 (2003)
Decade (1989)
Rio (1982)

Duran Duran - Rio (1982)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by a CD.

Released thirty years ago today, Rio is easily one of the seminal New Wave/New Romantic albums of the 1980s. Definitely the high point of the band - the Nagel album cover, the haircuts, the shiny suits, the music, and the videos just scream '80s. The music is consistent throughout: nonsensical lyrics, funk bass lines, atmospheric keyboards, and guitar work more suited to a rock band than a New Romantic group. This album was a big influence on me in regard to the music I would listen to for the next few years. A desert island CD. Curiously, this album didn't make Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 1980's. Hell, they didn't even bother reviewing the album upon release. Screw 'em. After more listenings than I could count, this album should be ingrained my DNA by now.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "catchy, melodic and accessible"
• Smash Hits (5½ out of 10): "not totally satisfying"
• Trouser Press: "a modern-sounding record with a lot of old-fashioned virtues"
• Stereo Review: "dance music with design values"
• Robert Christgau (C-): "Anglodisco at its most solemnly expedient"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #6
• Billboard Rock: #2
• CashBox: #6
• Rolling Stone: #3

Tracks: I love Rio, My Own Way, Hold Back the Rain, Last Chance On the Stairway, and The Chauffeur, but the whole of what was side 1 (now tracks 1-5) is highly enjoyable. I'm probably in the minority, but I've never much cared for the repetitive Save A Prayer, so I sometimes skip that one, but 8 good tracks out of 9 is a winning percentage for sure. 4 of the tracks were eventually released as singles:

• My Own Way (UK #14, didn't chart in the US)
• Hungry Like the Wolf (UK #5, US #3)
• Save a Prayer (UK #2, #16 in US in 1985)
• Rio (UK #9, US #14)

It's almost criminal that Last Chance On The Stairway wasn't released as a single.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Once I saw the video for Hungry Like The Wolf, I was hooked. This album was never far from my turntable and car stereo during my junior year in high school. The Markmobile didn't have a/c, so the windows were always rolled down, which means most residents of the small town I lived in were treated to me singing along to Rio at the top of my lungs as I drove around town. My friends and I would also go to the local Pizza Hut and play songs from this album on the jukebox while we waited for our pie.

I listened to this music so often and so intently that I started to hear all the different lines, even those way back in the mix. I would then point them out to my friends, who would say they hadn't heard those parts before. This helped me gain confidence in my ear, which improved my confidence as musician. If only my talent had matched my confidence. It's almost embarrassing to admit that my earliest ear-training came from a New Wave album, but that's what happened. At the same time, I was wearing this DD pinback on my shirts:

A few years ago, I bought the DVD from the Classic Albums series about the making of Rio (below). A lot of material from that DVD is available on YouTube if you're interested. I don't know if they were a good live band back then, but I would have enjoyed seeing them on tour supporting this album.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Astronaut (2004)
The Singles 81 - 85 (2003)
Decade (1989)

Duran Duran - Decade (1989)

GREATEST HITS FORTNIGHT (FEBRUARY 6-19, 2012)

This CD is certainly in the running for ugliest album cover art. How do you go from the sublime Rio art by Nagel to this mess by fashion designer Stephen Sprouse? In any case, this was an early CD purchase for me and got a lot of playtime in the early '90s, bringing back great high school memories. This album was later rendered obsolete with the release of the 1998 compilation, Greatest, which included all 14 songs from this album, plus New Moon on Monday (one of my fav DD tunes) and four singles from the '90s.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #67
• Billboard Pop CD: #24

Tracks: I've already covered most of these songs here, which makes me wonder why I've kept this CD in the collection. This compilation gives you the familiar radio edits and mixes. The later tunes which aren't on the singles box set are Notorious, Skin Trade, I Don't Want Your Love and All She Wants Is. I can do without any of those four, particularly Skin Trade. I guess when they switched from New Romantic to funk lite, I lost interest (although I still have great respect for producer Nile Rodgers).

Song	Year	Hot 100	Rock	Dance	UK
Planet Earth	1981	-	-	26	12
Girls On Film	1981	-	19	26	5
Hungry Like The Wolf	1982	3	1	36	5
Rio	1982	14	5	-	9
Save A Prayer	1982	16	-	-	2
Is There Something I Should Know	1983	4	3	34	1
Union Of The Snake	1983	3	2	33	3
The Reflex	1983	1	35	15	1
Wild Boys	1984	2	42	27	2
A View To A Kill	1985	1	42	-	2
Notorious	1988	2	-	26	7
Skin Trade	1986	39	-	-	22
I Don't Want Your Love	1988	4	13	1	14
All She Wants Is	1988	22	24	1	9

Exclusive CD longbox photo courtesy of
Dirk Digglinator of the Hambonian Archives.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: My first year as a public school teacher, I took some students on an overnight trip to Corpus Christi. Some knuckleheaded students brought a full component stereo on the bus that they somehow had rigged up to a car battery for power (I guess I should give the credit for their problem solving skills). The only songs I remember them playing before I had them turn down the volume were Living Colour's Cult Of Personality and Duran Duran's Wild Boys, either of which could have easily been that group's theme song.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Astronaut (2004)
The Singles 81 - 85 (2003)

Duran Duran - Astronaut (2004)

For a confessed not-too-serious-Duranie like me, to have all five original members back in the studio for the first time in 20 years was a cause for celebration. Unfortunately, instead of giving their old fans what they want, they decided to 'update' their sound to try to reach a younger audience. Being from England, they're probably unfamiliar with the Western saying: "Dance with whut brung ya." I should have waited until I read a few reviews before I purchased the CD (metacritic rated it at 52 out of a possible 100), but I was eager to hear this release. After this CD, guitarist Andy Taylor left the band (again) and they've released albums of new music since Astronaut; I haven't purchased any.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #17 (Oct 30, 2004)

Tracks: The first single, (Reach Up For The) Sunrise, sounds like classic '80s Duran Duran. There's a few more decent songs (Taste The Summer, Finest Hour, and Chains), but there's really some disappointing songwriting here. It's not necessarily bad, it's just forgettable. I'm talking about the music writing, not the lyrics. LeBon's lyrics were always nonsense babble and he continues that tradition on this release with lyrics such as: "I been around the world/I seen a lot a things 'd make your chicken curl." That's from the particularly bad Bedroom Toys.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: After purchasing this CD, I remember sticking it in the car stereo, rolling down the windows, and speeding down the Southwest Freeway in Houston with the music blaring from my speakers, calling old friends that were also DD fans. That may be as close as I've ever gotten to having a mid-life crisis.

Duran Duran - The Singles 81 - 85 (2003)

13 disc box set

In 1982, if you had asked my who my favorite band was, it's very likely that I would have told you Duran Duran (maybe The Police). As MTV finally made it to Bay City cable TV, I was exposed to a lot of Duran Duran. Each CD is supposed to be a faithful copy of the UK vinyl 12" single as it was released in the early '80s, with all of the B-sides and alternate tracks, and each is packaged in a square cardboard sleeve replicating the original artwork. The thirteen cardboard sleeves are then packaged in a heavy-duty card box. The infamous "Night Versions" are available on some of these CD singles. Early on in their career, DD was known for not being content to simply remix their songs; they recorded entirely new versions for the extended versions.

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CD 1: Planet Earth (1981)

Includes Late Bar, which I can take or leave, but the Night Version is much better than the single version.

1. Planet Earth – 4:30
2. Late Bar – 2:57
3. Planet Earth (Night Version) – 6:18

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CD 2: Careless Memories (1981)

Not a very good single. This single stands out as one of the few without a remix included on the 12" single. Maybe it wasn't good enough to earn a Night Version? Khanada is a throwaway, and while I had high hopes for the cover of David Bowie's Fame, this version is just boring.

1. Careless Memories – 3:44
2. Khanada – 3:28
3. Fame – 3:17

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CD 3: Girls on Film (1981)

I like this song. The video, controversial in '81, probably wouldn't even raise an eyelash these days. The Night Version is OK, but doesn't differ too much from the single version. Faster Than Light is a good song, more New Wave than New Romantic.

1. Girls on Film – 3:30
2. Faster Than Light – 4:28
3. Girls on Film (Night Version) – 5:29

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CD 4: My Own Way (1981)

This is an interesting single because the UK single version is very different from the version I first heard on the US album Rio. This single version has a faster tempo and a string part being played on a synth. I prefer the US album version, but this other version isn't too bad. The Night Version keeps the faster tempo and string part. Like an Angel is typical B-side stuff.

1. My Own Way (Single Version) – 3:42
2. Like An Angel – 4:47
3. My Own Way (Night Version) – 6:36

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CD 5: Hungry Like the Wolf (1982)

I loved this song when I first heard it, but I listened to it so much I think I just got tired of it. I don't listen to it much anymore, but that doesn't mean it isn't an eighties classic. The mix on this CD, however, puts Simon LeBon's vocals way back, enabling you to hear more of what else was going on underneath the lyrics: the bubbly synths and slashing guitar over the slap bass line. Other than an extended intro, the Night Version is almost identical to the single version. The live version of Careless Memories is even worse than the versions on CD 2.

1. Hungry Like the Wolf – 3:31
2. Careless Memories (Live Version) – 4:12
3. Hungry Like the Wolf (Night Version) – 5:11

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CD 6: Save A Prayer (1982)

Probably my least favorite song on the Rio album. Fortunately, it doesn't get a remix here. However, Hold Back the Rain (a much better song) gets 2 remixes! I give the 12" remix the slight edge over the remix. It occurs to me as I listen to Hold Back the Rain that Michael Jackson shamelessly lifted the guitar part for his song Black or White.

1. Save A Prayer (7" Edit) – 5:28
2. Hold Back The Rain (Remix) – 4:01
3. Hold Back The Rain (12" Remix) – 7:06

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CD 7: Rio (1982)

One of my favorite songs of the '80s. Both versions here are fantastic with Part Two having extended instrumental sections. The saxophone solo is always the same, which is fine by me; I've always liked the way the solo was shaped. The version of The Chauffeur included here is nothing like the album version. If they had released it in the '90s, they would have called it the "unplugged" version. Both this acoustic version and the electronic album version are equally haunting. The Chauffer is an underrated gem. The CD finishes with yet another mix of My Own Way, different from the two mixes on CD 4.

1. Rio (Part One) – 5:15
2. The Chauffeur (Blue Silver) – 3:50
3. Rio (Part Two) – 5:31
4. My Own Way – 4:37

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CD 8: Is There Something I Should Know? (1983)

Originally released as a stand-alone single, this song makes me think of traveling to Austin with Scott, Jack, and Kenneth to attend American Legion Boy's State in June, 1983. It's one of the group's better singles. The Monster Mix is mainly instrumental and really doesn't offer much that listener hasn't heard on the single version. Faith in This Colour is an instrumental that sounds like something Vince Clarke would write, but not a bad B-side. The Alternate Slow Mix included here is just needless and boring.

1. Is There Something I Should Know? – 4:10
2. Faith in This Colour – 4:09
3. Is There Something I Should Know? (Monster Mix) – 6:44
4. Faith in This Colour (Alternate Slow Mix) – 4:06

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CD 9: Union of the Snake (1983)

I never understood why this was considered good enough to be released as a single. With a bass line lifted from David Bowie's Let's Dance, it just never seems to get going. I'm surprised it was as popular as it was. Secret Oktober should have remained a secret; it's mercifully brief. Needless to say, this may be the first time this CD was listened to in its entirety.

1. Union of the Snake – 4:24
2. Secret Oktober – 2:47
3. Union of the Snake (The Monkey Mix) – 6:27

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CD 10: New Moon on Monday (1984)

My youngest son and I both like this song. The echoing keyboard part is almost identical to Is There Something I Should Know? but I liked it there, too. The Dance Mix is simply longer with some instrumental verses and choruses. It makes you long for the days of the Night Version so you could hear something different. Tiger Tiger is a moody instrumental that features John Taylor's bass playing.

1. New Moon on Monday (Album Version) – 4:18
2. Tiger Tiger – 3:30
3. New Moon on Monday (Dance Mix) – 6:03

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CD 11: The Reflex (1984)

When I graduated from high school in May 1984, this song and The Cars' Hello Again were just about all I played in my car. The Nile Rodgers single remixes are different from the album version (and much better), so this is one of the few 12" singles I actually purchased. I think I may still have it somewhere. The US single, however, had different artwork and didn't contain the live version of Make Me Smile. British musicians of a certain age seem to be fascinated with Steve Harley's Make Me Smile. I've heard a number of cover versions. This one isn't bad, but it's not something I would seek out to listen to. For some reason, the band chose to fade out a live version - that's certainly uncommon, maybe the band didn't like how they ended the song onstage. The Dance Mix of the Reflex is one of the band's more interesting remixes, quite different from the 7" mix.

1. The Reflex (7" version) – 4:26
2. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) (Recorded Live at Hammersmith Odeon) – 4:58
3. The Reflex (Dance Mix) – 6:34

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CD 12: The Wild Boys (1984)

This single marks the point when Duran Duran started to become irrelevant to me. I didn't like it then and still don't. So the highlight of this single is the live version of Cracks In The Pavement, not a bad song.

1. The Wild Boys – 4:18
2. (I'm Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement ([Live] 1984) – 4:10
3. The Wild Boys (Wilder Than Wild Boys) Extended Mix – 8:00

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CD 13: A View to a Kill (1985)

I thought the band was recovering here, but, even though the song is better than the movie, it wasn't good enough for me to purchase. As a single, this is a major disappointment, containing just the single version plus a brief John Barry orchestral version that was used in the movie (which would be of absolutely no interest to the typical DD fan). I remember going to see this movie in the summer of 1985 with a friend of the family, John. A former girlfriend of mine dropped by the house as we were leaving, so she came with us to the movie. Watching John hit on her that night was awkward, to say the least.

1. A View To A Kill – 3:37
2. A View To A Kill (That Fatal Kiss) – 2:31