Blast from Two Pasts

Well it's nice to be back here after a month long hiatus, not that too many people noticed, but I'm okay with that. My major focus has been on the alternate sight at mortmaz.blogspot.com, where following the unfortunate passing of one of my favorite musicians, and all around nice guy, I spent literally weeks combing back through my life to dredge up everything I could remember to tell my tale of a rock and roll obsession. If I have wet your whistle, or aroused your curiosity, I hope you will drop by there to see what I am talking about. That said, let's take it back to my favorite year in the unknown 80's realm, 1984. This artist comes once again from my college radio past at New York Tech's WNYT. The only vinyl I recall seeing from this guy was a 12" sampler sent primarily to radio stations in advance of the upcoming album release. Side A featured what I am assuming was the single. Music director, (we'll call him M) wrote: "I'm not sure who did the original of this classic, but you'll recognize it instantly"

I didn't.

Go back over the last few posts and re-familiarize yourselves with my ailment called Musical Cluenessness.

In fact, none of us at 'NYT could remember. I took a stab at The Dave Clark Five. It was not until 1987, following the release of an uber-popular, yet far from critically acclaimed cinematic flick, that any of us would find out who recorded this now iconic classic.

"It's a great cover, really good production, 80's sounding, yet tough enough," continues M.

Side A featured a longer club mix version of the tune, while side B featured the radio mix, and another cut, Palm of My Hand.

Musically clueless and close minded as I was back then, I never listened to the second cut, and only discovered it on this cool rainy Saturday afternoon.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER!

"Try Palm of my Hand," M concludes. It makes a great segue with Van Halen's Jump.

I can guarantee that for the short time this record was in rotation, many a WNYT DJ tested the segue theory as per the esteemed music director.

I'll try it later and see how it sounds.

M was primarily an alternative music aficionado, thus the limited amount of information revealed about the artist. It took me quarter of a century to do the research and find out that this guy comes from an impressive rock and roll past! I am duly impressed and will reveal no more here. For that bit of info, you will have to once again hit the play button below and take another trip with me back in time to the Unknown 80's. Please make sure to leave a comment on your way out, and pass the word to other 80's enthusiasts.

See you next time,

Morty!