“Missing You (Extended Version)” – John Waite

1984 brought John Waite this #1 single for one week. It was a love-letter to his wife in England while he was in America doing the things musicians do like getting wasted and taking the groupies for a test-drive. I kid. Tina Turner and Rod Stewart are just a couple of artists that have covered this song but I don’t care much for either of those versions. 2 years ago he re-recorded this track with Alison Krauss but it wasn’t met with much success on the country charts. 1989 saw the formation of the band Bad English with former Journey guitarist Neal Schon after Waite’s solo career stalled. They also hit #1 with, “When I See You Smile”. Wasn’t long after Bad English released their 2nd disc that they broke up though. Waite still records and tours on his own and is living in Santa Monica, California today. The mix runs 7:00.

http://sharebee.com/dcf2312c

Main line:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/82826260d28b98/

I’ve been kidnapped by K-Mart!

“Serious (Extended Remix + Delirious Mix)” – Donna Allen

The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleader reached #21 on the Hot 100 and #5 on the R&B Singles with this song in 1986. Allen was also a backup singer for Gloria Estefan for 9 years. The album, “Perfect Timing”, was produced by Lou Pace. Pace also produced the “Ruthless People” soundtrack and Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine’s ’84 LP, “Eyes Of Innocence”. Catchy little tune that lasts 5:31 and 7:42 each.

Extended Remix: http://sharebee.com/bd59d79c
Z-Share direct link back:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8239773a87254a/

Delirious Mix: http://sharebee.com/19fb15aa
and
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8240711c29f06f/

"It’s like taking nose candy off a baby."

“Miami Vice Theme (Extended Remix)” and
“Crockett’s Theme (Extended Mix)” – Jan Hammer

As you can tell from my previous posts, I’m a Viceaholic. The cars. The clothes (yes, there was a time they were in fashion). The sunglasses. The music. Everything about the show screamed cool. The scripts weren’t always the greatest but Jan Hammer always kept the mood going and you felt every minute of it. Hammer composed the series’ score for the first 4 seasons but declined to do the 5th and final one. Tim Truman stepped into some big shoes that year and opinions on his work in the series vary. I enjoyed it but we’re not here to talk about Truman ( http://www.myspace.com/timtruman ) today. The “Miami Vice Theme” hit the Billboard Charts in 1985 going all the way to #1. The soundtrack did the same on the LP charts and held the record for the most successful TV soundtrack in history until it was dethroned last year by “High School Musical”. The theme was extended to almost 3 minutes for the 45/radio version and this obviously is the longer mix of that running 6:54. “Crockett’s Theme” debuted on the show during the episode, “Calderone’s Return” and has since been covered many, many times by various artists but nobody does it like Jan. It’s mix runs 5:52.

“Miami Vice Theme (Extended Remix)”: http://sharebee.com/3cd7ed4e

“Crockett’s Theme (Extended Mix)”: http://sharebee.com/8889ebb0 (Thanks to cispas for this high-quality version of “Crockett’s”)

Chimes Of Freedom.

“Freedom Overspill (Liberty Remix)” – Steve Winwood

A top 20 hit for Winwood in 1986 and the 2nd single from his fourth solo LP, “Back In the High Life”. Steve has been a member of the following bands: The Spencer Davis Group (at age 15), Traffic (I love Traffic), Go and Blind Faith. It’s on his own that Winwood has had the most commercial success though, especially in ’86. He had his first #1 single and won Grammys for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record Of the Year with “Higher Love”. However, this is my favorite track from that disc in it’s remixed state running 7 minutes and 20 seconds. Look for Winwood to open for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers this summer at an arena near you.

http://sharebee.com/c5f8ef7c

“Working On It (Extended Mix)” – Chris Rea

Here’s a classic track by the genius Mr. Rea. Prominently featured in the Miami Vice episode, “Miami Squeeze”, this song was released in 1989. It wasn’t a big hit here in the States (peaking at #73) or the UK (peaked at #53) but I think time has been very kind to it and it should have performed a lot better. I’ll probably say that a lot throughout my time on this blog. This remix version runs 5:55. P.S.: Crank it at 1:19.

http://sharebee.com/6bc8dbec

“Big Love (Extended Remix)” – Fleetwood Mac

By request, another Mac long version. I thought it was interesting to learn that the above painting used as the cover to the LP, “Tango In The Night”, is by an Australian artist named Brett- Livingston Strong and used to hang in Lindsey Buckingham’s home. Damn…that was a long sentence huh? Total time: 6:40. Here’s the link already:

http://sharebee.com/10184d73

The rainbow’s end.

“Seven Wonders (Extended Version)” – Fleetwood Mac

Even though she spent most of the recording sessions for “Tango In The Night” in rehab, Stevie Nicks still managed to contribute this track (and two more along with her backing vocals added into others) to the 1987 LP. The band’s long history of troubles continued with Lindsey Buckingham’s refusal to tour for this record and departure from the group soon after recording was finished. They’ve since reunited more than once and their future is very uncertain depending on who you hear it from. This song reached the top 20 here in the USA in ’87 and this is the John “Jellybean” Benitez remix. Runs:6:36.

http://sharebee.com/69e5a8e8

More EW&F solo.

“Stand By Me (Extended Dance Remix)” – Maurice White

Another side project by an Earth, Wind & Fire member during their break in the early 80’s. White was the driving force behind EW&F but called the album this track came from, “a new beginning which I am now discovering.” When asked if EW&F were no more he replied, “I haven’t disbanded the group. Philip Bailey hasn’t left the band. We are just in a state of mind now where we want to do solo projects. It’s just evolution.” The song peaked at number 50 on the Hot 100 but was a Top 10 single on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles in late 1985. Originally recorded by Ben E. King, “Stand By Me” has been remade by everyone from John Lennon to Mickey Gilley but I like this version the best. White says he recorded it to help keep classic soul songs fresh and in the spotlight. Earth, Wind & Fire reunited 2 years later and their legacy still continues today. Running time: 5:05.

http://sharebee.com/ad3697d0

4,3,2,1.

“Major Tom [Coming Home] (Special Extended Version) – Peter Schilling

A sequel to a sequel by David Bowie, this song continued the saga of Bowie’s fictional astronaut. Bowie’s accounts of Tom were chronicled in the songs, “Space Oddity”, and, “Ashes To Ashes”. Some say Tom’s story is nothing more than an LSD trip Bowie had, so who really knows? Peter Schilling was born in Germany and this song was huge all over Europe. Here in the US it peaked at number 14 and remains one of my favorite 80’s tracks today. Running time: 8:06.

http://sharebee.com/cca3d35a

“Easy Lover (Extended Remix Version)” – Philip Bailey & Phil Collins

Earth, Wind & Fire member and Genesis frontman Phils – Bailey and Collins – teamed up for this duet in 1984 from Bailey’s 2nd solo effort, “Chinese Wall”. If you’ve never heard that disc I’d highly recommend it. Collins once told an interviewer (that had no idea who Bailey was) he discovered Bailey while he was pumping gas at a station. That story was picked up by major news outlets. Ha. The song reached number 2 here in the US. Running time: 6:22.

http://sharebee.com/3d09ed00