Conference marvin::uk_music

    Rockset (sp?) - It's spelt Roxette - Yep I quite like this one
    
    The Bon Jovi Song - I first thought of Rod Stewarts 'I would rather
                        go blind' when I heard this one.
    
    Mazzer
    

    
    The Roxette song did well over here, too.  I guess the group are
    from Sweden and their album was the #1 album there for 1988.
    
    Sue

    I'm not averse to that Midnight Oil song, too. I was in the record
    shop recently, while it was being played. There seem to be a number
    of different versions, too. 
    
    I like hearing things without knowing who the artist is - even though
    I try to have no preconceptions, it means I can judge something
    purely on its own merits
    
    Bob

    Re .0 "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil is formula.
    
    S'funny to hear that said, because I've followed the band for 10 years
    or so in Australia, and they are well known to be anything but formula.
    Because they never played the game on the terms dictated by Radio and
    TV, and dared write lyrics about Australia and Australian issues (like
    "Beds are Burning") they had little exposure. They also do things like
    come from Oz to Scandinavia to play a once-off anti-nuclear gig and
    then go back, and the lead singer ran for parliament on the
    anti-nuclear ticket.
    
    However, on the strength of their albums and live performances (where
    they would have a different unknown support band every night to
    encourage talent, and play two 1.5 hour sets) they have a
    huge following. Mind you a lot of people hate them for being too
    political as well.
    
    FWIW: I bought the cassette last time I went back to Oz, and it isn't
    their best in my opinion, so maybe the fact the they have a UK hit
    single is related to a more "formula" feel they might be developing.

    re: .3 
    
    I've only heard the one version on radio, which is a direct cut from
    the album - if they've done an extended dance mix I'm gonna throw up.
    (I heard it at the ship disco in Cannes Harbour at DECworld and it was the
    album track - I couldn't believe I'd hear Midnight Oil at disco!)
    
    Stewart.

    
    
    re Midnight Oil song - I like the song well enough but the singer's
    vocal through the verse sounds very contrived - kinda Bowie circa
    76.
    
    Does he always sound like that Stewart?

    Nevertheless, from what you say Stewart they sound like a good bunch
    of lads!
    
    
    Michael
    

    Yes he does always sound like that. 
    
    Make a change from Kylie and Jason doesn't it!

    I bought the CD album last year !
    
    Brilliant, especially when the sun is out !!!
    
    John

    re .5? .6?
    
    No, it's not an 'extended dance mix' in the usual sense of the word,
    just a different version, slightly less commercial but still good
    in its own right.
    
    This band warrant further investigation, I feel. I have been aware
    of them and their political stance for a couple of years now, but
    this is the firat time i've actually heard anything by them.
    
    Bob

    Midnight Oil have done very well in France.   They appear to have
    released half the album (well three tracks at least), with Beds
    Are Burning going to about no. 12.   The album was also Top 5
    I believe.
    
    As an ex-pat, I find it _really_ depressing, listening to the Network
    Chart on Sunday night (courtesy of Riviera Radio here on the C D'A).
    It looks like the single is dying a death anyway so I won't have
    to put up with it for much longer.   My guests are pleasantly
    surprised by the radio stations I listen to (both Italian bien sur)
    as there is _so_ much good commercial music about - it's just not
    being played or bought in Britain at the moment.

    Beds Are Burning did quite well over here 12-18 months ago.
    
    How is it that it's just hitting the European charts *now*?
    There isn't usually that much of a delay in releasing stuff
    to different markets, is there?!

    To be honest, Sue, generally the US charts are a little behind the UK
    ones, but obviously there are exceptions...
    
    Keith

    
    
    re .12, Depends Keith.   If the artist is British the record is
    usually released first in the UK.  Vice versa if it's an American
    artist.
    
    As for Aussie bands, don't know.
    
    
    
    Michael
    

    re .11
    
    "Beds are burning" was first released in the U.K. around May/June
    last year as promotion for a couple of dates at the Town and Country
    Club in Kentish Town, London. I caught one of the shows and they
    were pretty hot...outback stage-set and all.
    
    I think the current album, "Diesel and Dust"? is the only U.K. 
    distributed album you can get, unless you're willing to fork out
    INXS (ouch, sorry!!) of ten quid a piece for the imports. The Virgin
    Megastore in Oxford Street stocks most of them and if you can't
    get one on the day they'll order it for you. I'm sure most of the
    other big retaillers throughout the country will do the same.
    
    Anyway here's a list of available imports if anyone's interested:
    
    "Midnight Oil"
    "Head Injuries"
    "Places without a postcard"
    "10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1."   (what an album!!)
    "Red sails in the Sunset"
    
    That's all I know of album wise but there are a couple of 12"
    singles/eps available, "Endagered species"(?) and "Bird Noises"