Customer Reviews

Rio

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Here's the short story on why so many of you are griping about the "re-editing" of Rio in this newest remastered form. Rio was released internationally in 1982 EXACTLY as it appears here. It was a huge hit in Britain and Europe, but not in America. David Kershenbaum was brought in to remix some of the tracks, three of which ( Hungry Like the Wolf, Hold Back the Rain, and My Own Way ) made it a mini lp ( or EP, as they were then called ) called Carnival ( I still have my copy ). After the extended version of Hungry Like the Wolf became a club and radio hit, Rio was re-released in the US with the extended versions of these three songs, and a very slightly altered Kershenbaum mix of Lonely in Your Nightmare, added to the album. ( Again, I actually have both versions of this LP ) So, to make a long story short, this IS the original, definitive version of the Rio album, in its full glory. If you like the extended versions, I suggest you look for "night Versions" ( now out of print, sadly ), or buy the singles box set, which will contain the remixes. I can also recommend the British cd called Strange Behaviour, which contains an excellent extended ( but not remixed ) version of Planet Earth, as well as a remixed and extended version of Hold Back the Rain, both of which are unavailable elsewhere, as far as I know. Rio, in and of itself, it a delightful slice of early Eighties dance-pop, with a slightly arty influence. Very highly recommended.

It was originally released in May 1982, but Duran Duran's second album, "Rio," didn't catch fire on these American shores until a year later, thanks to the breakthrough single and video "Hungry Like the Wolf." It was perfect timing for the British group: the year was 1983, during which MTV culture was taking shape and revolutionized the way we listen to music. That, coupled with the group's stylishly produced videos and new romantic-inspired pop, helped make Duran Duran such an important staple in 1980s music. Here, virtually none of the 80s cheese you find from trendier groups appears on this CD. There's the dynamic title track (replete with a sax solo from Andy Hamilton), the seductive "The Chauffer," the uptempo rocker "Hold Back the Rain," and the funkified "My Own Way" (which differs from the original mix on the 1981 single). "Rio" is one of the first LPs I ever purchased (I still have the original vinyl), and it gives me great teenage memories. On its own merits, the record really deserves 4 stars, but it gets an extra one for its sentimental value. (By the way, this remastered version is the original pressing of "Rio" that was released overseas, and not the remixed version that was once available in America.)

I know it's a bit predictable to say that Rio is their best album. I would rather say that their debut was their best album as I prefer the whole New Romantic thing to the bands 1982 Miami Vice aesthetic they adopted with RIO. But white sport jackets and fedoras aside, Rio is so well constructed and produced that it blows any other album by them out of the water.

This is the fun Duran Duran we all fell in love with.
The musicianship on this album is playful, and often superb (When are these guys gonna get the credit they deserve?). Many of the songs have wonderfully wierd basslines from John Taylor.

Andy Taylor's guitar was in full effect, and proves that he was as important as the vocals of Simon Le Bon in giving them their unique sound.
"Rio" gives you hits aplenty. Not only do you get the title track, "Hungry like the wolf" and "Save a prayer" on this CD, you also get the outstanding "The Chauffer" which has to be one of their greatest moments on record. "Hold back the Rain" showed that when they (sort of) wanted to rock out, they were damned good at it. "New Religion" has a bass groove from hell and the odd effect of Lebon, as two alter egos, argueing for a chorus.
The classic album cover was designed by Nagel and was later defaced and satired on the bands 1997 release "Medazzeland" which was probably their next best album after Rio. Hmmmm.

When I heard that the original songs from Rio had been remastered, I was ecstatic. I grew up with the versions on the cassette I bought in 1982, and never really liked the versions on the CD. I read the reviews here, and noticed there was a difference of opinion on whether these are the original songs. I was praying they were, and was most notably looking for the following differences: "My Own Way" intro has keyboard arpeggios in between the guitar chords. "Hungry Like a Wolf" has an instrumental verse before any singing starts. "Hold Back The Rain" starts with keyboard before drums and guitar start. It also has a slightly extended intro where Simon whispers, "Hold back the rain," and a second instrumental break towards the end of the song, where Simon sings, "Hold it back, hold it back, hold it back."

I was disappointed to find that none of these differences are on this 2001 remastered CD. I was able to get my hands on the versions I wanted via the internet, but you can tell they're recorded from a record. I definitely like the sound of the new CD, it's mixed very well. But don't buy it expecting the differences I listed above. [EDIT: For the versions of the songs I mentioned above, get their Singles '81-'85 Boxed Set. I got it for Christmas, and finally found what I was looking for.]

It seems to me that there's some confusion about the tracks used on this CD, as well as Duran Duran's Rio album in general.

The original album was originally released in the U.S. in 1982 on Harvest records. This version (as well as all UK and Japanese versions) shipped with the *shorter* versions of the songs. So in fact these tracks are the "original versions" and are not "cut to pieces" or the "wrong master tapes". This is the version of "Rio" that every country but the U.S. thinks of when they think of the album.

Now, if memory serves me correctly, Harvest then re-released a version of the album in very small quantities. This version is exactly the same as the later Capitol version, and would become the "standard" U.S. release. This version contains the mostly "extended" versions of the songs.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion. If you think this is bad, don't even bring up the US vs. UK vs. German CDs of this same album!

Thank God this album has finally been re-mastered and re-released. As a longtime Duran Duran fan, this was the first album of theirs that I ever purchased... you remember vinyl, right? I have the older Rio cd, but this one sounds so much like I remember (I was particularly happy to hear the restored "longer" version of 'Save a Prayer', which the first cd totally cut to pieces). I do miss the original vinyl version of 'Hold Back the Rain' though. The enhanced cd elements are nice, and contain lyrics, 3 videos (Save a Prayer, Hungry like the Wolf, and Rio), old photos, and a discography of all the releases off the Rio album. Overall, I think it far exceeds the original cd pressing, and while the enhanced cd stuff is cool, it's not anything really new and exciting. It's such a joy to hear the songs so clear and crisp, with all the little nuances, and relive the experience of so long ago, in 1982, when I would listen to my Rio record... if you're a fan, there's no choice-- you must get this!

Other reviewers have correctly pointed out that this CD was made from the original UK release, not the version remixed by David Kershenbaum that was released later in the US, and that most US listeners consider to be the "official" release.

Even casual listeners will notice the differences. I know that some folks will always say that the original versions are better by virtue of being first, but in this case, I think the record company got it right --- the US mixes are considerably more punchy and poppy. The UK mixes are comparatively dull-edged.

Unfortunately, the only way to hear the US mix of Rio is to get a vinyl copy (they are widely available wherever used vinyl is sold)

This seems like such a comical oversight in an era where every remix, alternate version etc is available on CD somewhere. Some lawyer must have screwed up in 1982 and nobody has the rights to the US version. Or something.

There has been much discussion about omissions/additions to this remastered version as opposed to the original. But as a musician myself, I can tell you without question, that the remaster, for whatever detractions that can be named about it, still stands alone among its peers in its technical beauty. Everything about this remaster is more sonically appealing - every instrument stands out more clearly, every vocal is more meaningful and more clear. It is a beautiful homage to what can only be viewed as the flawed original to the trained ear. The original is an undisputed classic, but no version of this album in any incarnation can hold up to the awesome sonic complexity of this remix. Utterly amazing. If I could give it a million stars, I would.

If you're reading this you probably have already heard this music and have your own opinion about it. ... The music on the CD is not exactly the same as that on the US LP.

Compare the timings:

US LP version of Rio:
A1 ? Rio (5:28)
A2 ? My Own Way (4:36)
A3 ? Lonely In Your Nightmare (4:52)
A4 ? Hungry Like The Wolf (5:14)
A5 ? Hold Back The Rain (6:32)
B1 ? New Religion (5:31)
B2 ? Last Chance On The Stairway (4:18)
B3 ? Save A Prayer (5:33)
B4 ? The Chauffeur (5:12)

This CD (and the UK/International version of the LP):
1 ? Rio (5:38)
2 ? My Own Way (4:51)
3 ? Lonely In Your Nightmare (3:50)
4 ? Hungry Like The Wolf (3:41)
5 ? Hold Back The Rain (3:49)
6 ? New Religion (5:33)
7 ? Last Chance On The Stairway (4:20)
8 ? Save A Prayer (5:25)
9 ? The Chauffeur (5:12)

As you can see from the timings, some of the songs on the US version are significantly different from those on this CD, which is a remastering of the UK/international version of Rio.

This CD is less than 45 minutes long. Given that 80 minutes can fit onto a CD, Capitol could easily have made this release much better by including (as "bonus" tracks) the US LP versions of the songs as well, and then you could just program on your CD player the version that you wanted to hear.

Duran Duran is the epitome of synthpop/new wave 80's. One of the most influential bands of the that decade. This is 1 of their best albums by far. We all know they have had numerous hit songs "Planet Earth" being 1 of my faves too many to mention but this CD you will not skip a track. The production is amazing it was ahead of it's time with synths and drumbeats. Every song is catchy and you can sing every track on this album. The breakout dance singles "Hungry like the wolf" & "Rio" are incredibly catchy but "Save a prayer" is my favorite on cd the lyrics bring you right there as if your going through the same thing he is. Simon Lebon has a good voice the soft ballad "Lonely in my nightmare" The album incorporates it all dance, ballads, & synthpop/punk. Essential cd to collection for any one who grew up in the new wave 80's decade.