Customer Reviews

Wonderful Life

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Looking over the other reviews here, I don't feel anyone does this album justice, nor the artist, Colin Vearncombe. Released back in 1987, "Wonderful Life" is one of those lost gems, forgotten by most. In America, the album barely made a dent, and the title track hardly received any play on MTV or VH1, but that's where I saw the video.

There was something unique about Black, sounding like Depeche Mode, OMD, Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music and Rick Astley. At the time I was 14, and this type of music really appealed to me. There's not one bad song on this disc, and it could very well be Mr. Vearncombe's best work. Years later, I still enjoy listening to this disc, and it also brings some nostalgia with it. If you liked the new romanticism of bands like ABC, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club, plus the above mentioned artists, you might like Black. This is his debut, and a great place to get started.

For the record, his other releases that you might find equally as enjoyable are: AS BLACK: "Comedy" (1989), "Black" (1991), "Are We Having Fun Yet?" (1993) AS COLIN VEARNCOMBE: "The Accused" (1999), "Water On Snow" (2000) and "Smoke Up Close" (2002). Colin has recently returned to the Black moniker and is supposed to release a new cd called "Between Two Churches" soon (2005). Most of his catalogue is out of print. But you know what that means? Ebay! You can also find more information about Colin at his website [...]. I have most of his cds, and he's definitely worth checking out.

You always remember certain moments in your life when you hear a particular song for the very first time and it hits you in a certain way. That moment came in the 80s when Wonderful Life by Black (Colin Vearncombe) first aired on MTV. Having already been a huge Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music fan, I was happy to see the doors opening once again to sophisticated, romantic rock. And there stood Black, a James Bond figure, who like his music, was glam, romantic, cool, and suave, drenched in melody and melancholy. My favorite tracks include the title track, "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Blue," "Just Making Memories" and "Sweetest Smile." Although this album may not have touched a lot of people's lives, it certainly made my life more wonderful.

The Mozart of modern pop music, for US audiences Black is perhaps the greatest undiscovered male vocalist ever. While his breakthrough CD "Wonderful Life" climbed to #3 in the UK charts in 1987, bungled promotion by A&M Records here in America denied it the radio play it needed to gain a following. This was truly a shame, because the sophisticated songs on the album could have easily exposed Black as the equivalent talent of Sade to millions of jazz-pop fans here in the US. As it was, this never happened and consequently Black has remained one of Europe's best kept secrets. Black is essentially songwriter and vocalist Colin Vearncombe from Liverpool, England. His musical style is difficult to categorize as it contains pop, jazz, blues, and classical elements all at the same time. The common denominators between all of these complex compositions, however, are beautiful melodies and deep lyrics that transcend the simplicity of ordinary pop music. Throughout Colin's voice is as rich as coffee, as smooth as silk. In songs like "Sweetest Smile" Black re-defines the possibilities of what music can be... what it should be... pure art and not just background filler. Though everyone seems to enjoy his music at a basic level, the deeper, reflective souls among us will get the most of the incredibly beautiful songs on "Wonderful Life." Who says we have no Mozarts among us today?

Hello to all the lovers of music!!!

Since 1988, I listen to Black alias Colin Vearncombe, eh yes, I confess: I'm an unconditional of his music!
I discovered him, maybe like some of them, by "Wonderful life" where romanticism and derision blend to form a magic ballad full of nostalgia, seminal song of this artist become neglected unfairly today.
So, i'd like simply, if you grant me please, to help him to get started `cause it's an artist of great talent with an incomparable jazz-pop style and a so spellbinding voice! so I find regrettable that one grants a little attention to his songs which are of a great musical quality, with moving lyrics and a pinch of irony who characterizes well this liverpudian artist.
Playing of guitar with dexterity, Colin Vearncombe goes on to make us dreaming on his music, which can be sometimes soft or energetic, nostalgic and melancholic; on his official site... we can get his last albums: "WATER ON SNOW" grouping very beautiful melodies, as the song entitled like the album but above all the auto-derision song "Famous", and "ABBEYROAD LIVE" a solo album accompanied simply by the play of acoustic guitars. "ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?" is an album to discover too `cause it is a very melodious one, and without to forget "THE ACCUSED" imbues of this kind of melancholy from this unique artist.
Also, Colin Vearncombe gives touring all the year in Great Britain, I was present at one of his gigs and I can say you that we spend an intimist and full of emotions evening.
So if I have been able to arouse your curiosity or simply to make you want to listen again to this non-standard composer-performer, you don't regret it because his so elegant and moving voice induces us, with a lot of pleasure, to let oneself go on his musical compositions without moderation!!!
Thank you to have read me.
Kind regards
Karine (from France)

It was my very first LP, and this CD is my best CD. You may not find much in the US, but he released two more album as Black, and right now he is singing as Colin Vearncombe. His latest album was released on Sep. 6th 1999! Amazon.com, please please distribute his CDs! You are our only hope to get his CDs in the US.

I had the cassette when it was released way back in the late eighties. Needless to say that the original tape was worn out along with its several copies. Now the CD never leaves the deck. Sweetest Smile, Wonderful Life and Finder are the best songs on this CD. The music and lyrics are just great. This CD belongs to the collection of greatest music of the last two decades.

First heard this CD back in 87 and fell in love with it. Although it did get some radio play here in Seattle it wasn't enough for it to catch on.I find that a real shame because its such a hip CD that fits right in with music from the mid 80's

This is the best song-writing ever. Although 12 years old, this album still hasn't met any competition.

I am looking for Black CD-singles from this period an later. Does anybody have any for sale?

One could argue that this album is worth purchasing based only on the merits of its title track and "Sweetest Smile." And that would be a fine argument indeed! See, "Wonderful Life" is a song that can be likened to a rainy day during a tropical vacation. Yes, the bittersweet melancholy in this song is tremendously touching. It makes you laugh and cry at the same time. Fantastic. And "Sweetest Smile" is totally dark and magical; it represents the genius in Black's songwriting.

But one shouldn't discount the rest of the tracks. Although they are clearly repetitive, they boast a wonderful pop eloquence that merits a listen. The hooks are catchy and lie within that dimly-lit and sarcastic niche that Black alone populates. And the production on these tracks hardly feels dated. Well-crafted tunes such as these outlive their original historical context.

Any fan of late-80s pop, pop in general, moody tunes and quality music should give this album a shot. Some songs might feel redundant at times, but this only enhances their longevity. Buy it if you can!

Lots of people talk about this record. I know I bought it for the track "Wonderful Life" but as usual it was some others mainly "Finder" and "Everything's bringing up roses" which got me hooked.
Those three alone make it worth buying the CD.
Black has got a nice voice, somewhat alike to Seal (another of those forgotten 80s - 90s artists that are worth a listen).

But it is a strong CD throughout. I bought the LP in the 80's and am rescueing the thoroughly played record to CD on my computer at the moment.