Talk Talk: The Colour Of Spring 1986 + Spirit Of Eden 1988

 

British synth pop / art rock band founded in 1981 in London and disbanded in 1991. The group had a

string of international hit singles including "Talk Talk", "Today • It's So Serious", "It's My Life", "Such A Shame", "Life's What You Make It" and "Living In Another World". They moved away from synth-pop to a more experimental form with the album The Colour Of Spring in 1986, and their critical reputation increased. Their final two albums, Spirit Of Eden (1988) and Laughing Stock (1991), are highly acclaimed and remain influential to experimental alternative rock genres.
                    

With Simon Brenner out, Tim Friese-Greene was recruited to assist with the recording of their second

album It's My Life (1984) and he soon became the band's producer and de facto fourth member. He played keyboards and became Hollis' frequent songwriting partner, co-writing all the songs on The Colour Of Spring (1986), Spirit Of Eden (1988) and Laughing Stock (1991). Although a major contributor to the band's studio output, Tim Friese-Greene did not regularly play with the touring band, and was absent from the band's publicity material.
                      

Joined by producer and keyboardist Tim Friese-Greene in 1983, the band began to experiment with jazz and classical influences, at times evoking late-60's psychedelic explorers CAN and PINK FLOYD.

With a cut-and-paste style of production, Hollis and Friese-Green utilized recordings of many and diverse guest musicians to create atmospheric compositions of startling uniqueness. By the early 90s, the band's internal pressures and total lack of record company support (added to their refusal to do interviews, make videos, or even tour regularly) led Hollis to venture out on his own, where he continued to explore music in its most abstract and minimalist forms, until his death in February 2019.
                  

TALK TALK - THE COLOUR OF SPRING 1986

                       

This would be the last 'pop' influenced TALK TALK album. Hollis had begun to follow his

musical calling.This is where the real magic started, but it's not always easy to find. The 'modern' pop sound of the 80s dominates this album, albeit at a level of creativity that most synth-pop or new romantic bands never approached. The raw, articulate desperation and spirituality is becoming more apparent, on "Happiness is Easy", "I Don't Believe in You", and "Living in Another World". "Life's What You Make It" is a classic pop song, sounding much less dated than one would expect.
                   

The true herald of the band's imminent breakthrough is the shifting, otherworldly beauty of "April 5th"-

a hushed precursor to the unique opus to come in the following two albums. The simplicity of the songs and Mark Hollis's voice make this album just incredible," Mr. Wright had explained to Record Collector magazine. "The first tune, 'Happiness Is Easy', says it all--nothing but a bass, a snare and a weird chord. That's Talk Talk all over, great songs and simplicity with a twist ...
                        

Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
Label: Warner Music Group – none
Format: CD, Album
Country:
Released: Sep 3, 2014
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: New Wave, Synth Pop

TRACKS

                       
                    

 
01. Happiness Is Easy    6:31
02. I Don't Believe In You    5:03
03. Life's What You Make It    4:30
04. April 5th    5:52
05. Living In Another World    6:59
06. Give It Up    5:18
07. Chameleon Day    3:21
08. Time It's Time    8:17

BONUS TRACK

09. It's Getting Late In The Evening    5:50

LINE - UP

Mark Hollis / lead vocals, guitar (8), keyboards (1), organ (4), piano (3,5-7), Mellotron (6), melodica (8), Variophon synth (4,7), cello (1)
Paul Webb / bass (2,5,6,8), backing vocals (3,5)
Lee Harris / drums, percussion

WITH:

Tim Friese-Greene / piano (1,2,4,8), organ (3,6,8), Mellotron (3), Kurzweil electric piano (1), Variophon synth (4,7), producer
Robbie McIntosh / guitar (1,2,5), dobro (4,6), acoustic guitar (8)
David Rhodes / guitar (3,5,6)
Ian Curnow / keyboards
Steve Winwood / organ (1,2,5)
David Roach / soprano saxophone (2,4,5)
Mark Feltham / harmonica (5)
Alan Gorrie / bass (1)
Danny Thompson / acoustic bass (1)
Gaynor Sadler / harp (2)
Martin Ditcham / percussion (1,3,5,6,8)
Morris Pert / percussion (1,2,5,8)
Phil Reis / percussion (1)
Children From The School Of Miss Speake / chorus vocals (1)
Ambrosia Choir / chorus vocals (8)

Flac (24 bit/96 khz) Size: 1.02 GB

TALK TALK - SPIRIT OF EDEN 1988

                  

Completely removed from the pop crowd hang-over and synth-driven work they were so well

known worldwide for, TALK TALK reversed the tide with this release. This album contains no syth work, but instead relies totally on the organ and the piano. The "Spirit Of Eden" is very involved and delicate music which explores some pretty heavy aspects of life. At the time of recording, Hollis insisted on using only the original instruments in recording this very personal album.
                       

Acoustic guitar, double bass, mexican bass, trumpet, clarinet, bassoon, violin, oboe and the choir of

Chelmsford Cathedral help create the most captivating musical landscape you have ever experienced. The study of this album would be the study of sound and Hollis and Co. make it of primary mission here to challenge the listener.
                           

Talk Talk – Spirit Of Eden
Label: Warner Music Group – none
Format: CD, Album
Country:    
Released: Mar 9, 2014
Genre: Rock
Style: Abstract, Post Rock, Ambient

TRACKS

                   

01. The Rainbow    8:05
02. Eden    7:39
03. Desire    7:00
04. Inheritance    5:18
05. I Believe In You    6:10
06. Wealth    6:42

BONUS TRACK

07. John Cope    4:44

LINE - UP

Mark Hollis / vocals, piano, organ, guitar
Paul Webb / electric bass
Lee Harris / drums

WITH:

Tim Friese-Greene / harmonium, piano, organ, guitar, producer
Robbie McIntosh / dobro, 12-string guitar
Mark Feltham / harmonica
Henry Lowther / trumpet
Andrew Stowell / bassoon
Michael Jeans / oboe
Andrew Marriner / clarinet
Christopher Hooker / cor Anglais
Nigel Kennedy / violin
Hugh Davis / "shozygs"
Simon Edwards / Mexican bass
Danny Thompson / double bass
Martin Ditchman / percussion
Chelmsford Cathedral Choir / chorus vocals (5)

Flac (24 bit/96 khz) Size: 861 MB

Talk Talk: The Party Is Over 1982 + It's My Life 1984 on Urban Aspirines HERE
Talk Talk: The Ultra Collection 2005 on Urban Aspirines HERE