| 
Review: Jack Foley
SIOBHAN Fahey has contributed more to the British pop scene than
some may initially give her credit for.
Her first band, Bananarama, entered The Guinness Book of Records
as the biggest girl band on the planet, after clocking up 12 UK
top 30 singles, an American No. 1 and five hit albums.
Her second band, meanwhile, was Shakespear's Sister, and they
became the biggest girl duo ever, selling 2.5 million albums.
Their single, Stay, enjoyed an eight-week run at No.1
in the UK singles chart.
In 1992, they headlined Glastonbury, played at Celtic Park with
Prince and caused Slash from Guns N Roses to exclaim: "I
never thought I'd say this about chicks, but you rock."
To cap a memorable partnership, Siobhan won the coveted Ivor
Novello award for writing the 'outstanding contemporary song collection'
of its year.
It seems only fair, therefore, that Siobhan and Marcella Detroit
should provide a reminder of their talents in the form of a best
of compilation, which chronicles the high points from all three
albums, from 1989 to 1996.
The first album, Sacred Heart, is showcased by the memorably
off-kilter You're History, as well as the darkly fun
Dirty Mind.
It also contains some distinctly 80s-rooted efforts that really
haven't aged well, such as Heroine, but glimpses some
of the darker material that was to follow, courtesy of Waiting.
The real best of Shakespear's Sister comes in the form of the
tracks taken from second album, Hormonally Yours, which
really did the trick for them (earning multi-platinum status).
Aside from the hauntingly mournful ballad, Stay (which
still sounds like a classic track), there is the Cockney-Rebel
influenced Goodbye Cruel World, and the despondent glam
ballad, Hello (Turn Your Radio On).
Ironically, Marcella then left the sister act, forcing Siobhan
to reinvent herself and put out a solo effort, under the Shakespear's
Sister name.
The album was heavy on glam and named 3 and spawned a Top 30
hit with I Can Drive. But the album never saw the light
of day.
Now, however, it is being released on Siobhan's own record label,
SF Records, to coincide with the best of compilation.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Siobhan's ability to
cater for the pop market is still as strong as ever.
With the best of, however, Shakespear's Sister fans get to revel
in some glorious nostalgia.
|
 |
Track listing:
Disc: 1
1. You’re History
2. Heroine
3. Break My Heart
4. Dirty Mind
5. Waiting
6. Goodbye Cruel World
7. Stay
8. I Don’t Care
9. Hello
10. I Can Drive
11. Excuse Me John
12. Can U Wait That Long?
13. Do I Scare You?
14. White Rabbit
15. Was It Something I Said
Disc: 2
1. Break My Heart (You Really)
2. Heroine
3. Run Silent, Run Deep
4. You're History
5. Dirty Mind [Remix]
6. The Russian Film (Feat. Dirty Mind & Heroine Live In Leningrad
1988)
7. Goodbye Cruel World
8. Stay
9. I Don't Care
10. Catwoman [Live]
11. My 16th Apology [Edit]
12. Hello (Turn Your Radio On)
13. I Can Drive
|
