Customer Reviews

The Twelve Inches of Bananarama

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

 

 

Well, a golden opportunity to satisfy long time fans and collectors of Bananarama has been ruined. There are only a handful of sought after 12" versions finally on CD here, the rest are really bad remix choices and a huge disappointment. This single disc barely scratches the surface of the fan favorite extended versions, including all the stock aitken waterman/bananarama extended versions that were released over the years. The breakdown is:

1. Really sayin' Somethin (4:00) (extended??? my vinyl 12" runs 7:54)
2. shy boy (5:52) (the version I have on "Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites volume 2 runs 7:22 and is very remixed. This is the original 12" version)
3. Cruel Summer (6:02) (should have used the original 12". This is a new extended version that chops the heck out of the original with annoying repetitions of individual words, drum rolls, etc. Disaster!)
4. Venus (7:22) (Eureka! The actual TRUE stock aitken waterman 12" version!)
5. More Than Physical (8:45) (The original 12" version!)
6. trick of the night (8:18) (original 12" version again!)
7. I heard a rumour (5:53) (another original 12"!)
8. Love Truth and Honesty (9:17) (NO!!!! A stock aitken waterman/banarama 12" desperately needing to be on CD--and instead they use a freestyle mix! BLECH!)
9. Nathan Jones (5:20) (one of Bananarama's best 12" versions, left intact. Hallelujah)
10. Only Your Love (6:33) (not a bad version, but not as much of a dance mix as the original "Pop Life" CD version)
11. Preacher Man (7:19) (A real treat. The hard-to-find Shep Pettibone mix on CD)
12. Tripping On Your Love (3:39) (None of the mixes on the original 12" were very good--but if I had to choose one to be on here, I would have preferred the "Silky Seventies mix, because the metropolis mix sounds very much like the original CD version)

I must agree with DKW. This is a bit of a missed opportunity. It's bad enough the compilers missed dance classics like "I Can't Help It" and "I Want You Back", but to not use the SAW 12" of "Love Truth and Honesty" is a major disappointment. It's one of my favorite tracks from the girl group and it's represented here in an overlong and dull mix that zaps the Euro-NRG appeal of the original.

I'm happy to have this compilation but considering the wait, I wanted much more.

If you like Banaanarama then you may find a few remixes you like here. For me, well I had hoped for more. There are a few songs you've heard on the radio, but the remixes could be better. Bananarama has a new album out with new 2006 remixes (Drama) of their new songs, a much better choice for your money.

I am a die-hard fan of Bananarama (since 1984), so thrilled to see this album released. When I saw TRICK OF THE NIGHT included in this 12", I was so happy! Had been looking all over for that remix for ages (I only got it in LP), I couldn't care less about the rest of the tracks.

It is overall a great album, but quite disappointed with some of the remixed tracks. I am really looking forward for The Twelve Inches of Bananarama Part II. Anyone?

What happened to I Can't Help It!!!!! This was Siobhan's final release with the group and in my humble opinion one of their best singles.

This is the best compilation of 12" Inches by Bananarama, finally got the chance to find on CD classic vynil dance hits like "Cruel Summer" 12"Mix, "Venus" Extended Club Mix and the powerful "Preacher Man" Shep's Club Mix. I was amazed by "Tripping On Your Love" George Michael's Metropolis Mix, George did really make a nice job. So if you love Bananarama and 80's Pop and Dance music you've got to have it!

It was way overdue for this Remix CD to come out. I am so happy to see the old mixes of some of my favorites: A Trick Of the Night, More Than Pyshical.
It would have been nice to have tracks from Please Yourself on this compilation.

OK, THIS IS LONG OVERDUE AND I'M HAPPY WITH IT. BUT WHY IS JACQUIE DEAD CENTER ON THE COVER - I MEAN, SHE ONLY SANG ON ONE ALBUM. I DON'T GET IT. SIOBAN SHOULD BE ON THE COVER.

And the evidence is here as a collection featuring their 12" singles on CD here for the 1st time!

The Go-Go's were/are the best female rock band to emerge from the 80s new wave/punk movement, but across the pond, Bananarama emerged the best girl group. Their sense of fun, style and great pop songs remain untouched. The mixes of some of their best shine here, esp the 90s songs from their ignored, fan-fav album "Pop Life". Get it! And let's hope for a second volume w/ ext versions of "the Wilde Life", "Hotline to Heaven" and B-sides like "Mr. Sleaze" & "Live Now" surface. While you are at it, get Keren & Sarah's new CD "Drama" as well!