Customer Reviews

Communards

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was fooled into buying this reissue by other reviews. 23 minutes mega mix of "Don't Leave Me This Way"??? Awesome. Not quite. I was sure this was going to be a combo of the 2 11 minute plus versions on the original vinyl 12". INSTEAD, you get about 11 minutes of utter choppy editing mess with no flow of melody, which FADES completely before the original 12" version begins on the same track--but which runs about 20 seconds shorter than the full 12".

Now. The rest of the CD--how do I break this to you gently? I don't. Most of the songs have been EDITED. Goes like this:

track 1: WAS 6:26 NOW 4:51
track 3: WAS 6:13 NOW 4:13
track 5: WAS 6:50 NOW 5:22
track 6: WAS 8:00 NOW 4:30

track 12: WAS "Disenchanted" (12" version)(8:45) NOW completely removed

If you already have the original FULL LENGTH CD, the 12" vinyl single of "Don't Leave Me This Way", and "Very Best of the Communards and Jimmy Sommerville" (which has the same exact slightly shorter version of the 12" as its own free standing track), then you DO NOT WANT THIS.

Jimmy's ethereal naturally falsetto voice is truly showcased on this album that goes from awesome classic dance tracks to slower ballads. All with a synth, british pop feel. A true gem from the 80s British invasion!

Before dismissing this reissue:
This CD re-issue is of the original LP, NOT the original CD.
This is the LP remastered. With two 12" mixes of "Don't leave Me This Way."
Summary:
For those of us who had the LP, this is a nice addition to the collection if you can buy it at a bargain price, and you get the USA 12" of "Don't Leave Me This Way" and a difficult to find European mix.
Details:
One has to have bought the import 12" versions to understand what's here. The LP versions of the singles were indeed shorter. The original CD issue featured the original UK 12" versions of "Don't Leave Me This Way," "Disenchanted," and "You Are My World," plus a longer version of "So Cold the Night." So at the time, in 1986, buying the CD was a great bonus, especially in the USA where most of the 12" versions were otherwise unavailable. The original CD also contained "Breadline Britain" as a bonus track as well as the 2nd 12" release remix of "Disenchanted."
Back to this issue:
Included here as the 22 minute bonus track are both sides of the original European mixes of "Don't Leave Me This Way," one of which happens to be one side of the original USA 12". The USA 12" had an exclusive mix of "Don't Leave Me This Way" as it's B side. The extra version here was a mix unique to the European second 12" release and features unique vocals. It's quite rare and good to see it finally available.

This is a brilliant album, but it is worth the price just for the *23* minute "Don't Leave Me This Way" Mega Mix.

If you're looking for something more than was available on the Communards "Heaven" CD, you'll be somewhat disappointed to find the best tracks on "The Communards" also appear on "Heaven," which came later. Still, "The Communards" features some wonderfully upbeat music - classic synthpop in the same vein as Frankie Goes To Hollywood or Eurythmics. Nonetheless, this CD also contains a variety of song styles that serve to showcase Jimmy Sommerville's unique voice talents. For any true devotee of the 80s, this is one of those "must have" albums.

Either you like them or you don't. Not for the faint of "falsetto" heart. For Jimmy Sommerville/Bronski Beat fans, this is a must have in your collection.

With their screeched falsetto singing and synth based disco beats, it's obvious where the Communards roots lay. They are eighties dance pop mavins from the gay pick up scene (think Pet Shop Boys or Bronski Beat), not surprisingly, there music has not aged well. Those nostalgic for the time may enjoy them, but their dated boogie will win no converts, at least not until 80's retro really comes into it's own.