I saw this documentary called Blondie's New York, that aired last week on the Smithsonian Channel (yeah, i never heard of that either). It was about the making of the album Parallel Lines. It featured the band and producer, Mike Chapman now, talking about making of the album, the writing and the recording. Things like this are so awesome. They usually have the artists sitting at a mixing console, soloing tracks as they talk about them.
Hearing Debbie Harry's vocals on "One Way Or Another" solo and her describing the recording and Mike Chapman describing his perspective really takes you back into the studio in 1977. I could watch stuff like this all day.
Parallel Lines was a total coming of age album for me. I was 9 when it came out and Debbie Harry was my 1st crush. Her voice, her look (even today) is still one of the sexiest women out there.
From the moment "Hanging on the Telephone"* starts with a UK telephone ring tone, I get transported to when I first heard the album. It still sounds just as fresh as it did 36 years ago.
*"Hanging on the Telephone" was originally written by The Nerves
Of course, this made me feel nostalgic and sad that bands like this don't exist anymore. So while I spent all this time listening over and over to the album, my mind subconsciously ventured to another band favorite of mine from the 90's, Letters To Cleo.
I can't believe I never drew the comparison. Not that Letters to Cleo were trying to be Blondie, they just shared a lot of the same musical DNA. Which would easily explain my immediate attraction to the band.
Blondie. 6 members. Guitar and Singer relationship, killer drummer and key bookends to seal it all up.
Letters to Cleo. 5 members (ok not 6 like Blondie, but stick with me). Guitar and singer relationship, killer drummer and key bookends to seal it up.
Singer. Both women, Deborah Harry and Kay Hanley are tough as nails, beautiful and very distinct voices with as much attitude as sex appeal.
Both Chris Stein and Mike Eisenstein (Hello? "Stein"?) are amazing guitar players and songwriters that complemented their romantic halves.
Stacy Jones and Clem Burke, both amazing drummers who both went on to play with other artists and hold amazing drummer reputations and great hair.
I'm not looking to short change Nigel Harrison, Jimmy Destri, Frank Infante, Scott Riebling or Greg McKenna but I don't want to go too into the history that I have looked up and know way too much. I'm a fan, what can I say...
Musically, both bands crafted great pop/rock songs. Both had great lyrics with a great sarcasm and truth. Romance, great chorus and just great musicianship. Their live shows also carried this vibe and you couldn't take your eyes off of their charismatic singers.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Letters To Cleo and call a few of them friends! Even their Manager, Creamer who I love even though he's a Red Sox fan... That's a whole other blog.
Kay even performed one time with Sponge on Conan O'Brien as a guest while they were on tour together. Even with her just standing in the back singing back ups, she stole the show.
Letters to Cleo never reached the level I feel they should have, but that's not their fault. If the label was like Chrysalis was in the 70's and 80's, I have no doubt they would have gotten there. The business was just different. Their records to me are timeless.
Blondie keeps doing it, Debbie Harry is still hot. The songs are forever and albums like Parallel Lines are what make me LOVE music.
I have had a great week just listening to both catalogues of 2 great bands. If reading this gets you to revisit them on YouTube, pull albums from your catalogue or even Spotify.
If you trashed all your old albums, I hope you take the time to go to a record store, buy a CD, LP or even to iTunes and put these bands into your rotation for a week. It will leave you with a smile on your face.
Blondie are New York and Letters to Cleo are one of the only things I will ever admit to loving from Boston.
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