Prefab Sprout revisited
I am in Los Angeles remastering Prefab Sprout’s second album ‘Steve McQueen’ which I produced for them in 1985. It sounds INSANELY good. Many writers and music afficionados list this among their top LPs of all time, and listening to it for the first time years, I have to agree. Even if I was objective, I would agree. It’s a stunner! The fact it was never successful in America is one of the greatest crimes in living memory. Paddy McAloon’s voice; those chunky guitar lines interweaving with soaring piano; Neil Conteh’s tastful drum grooves; Martin’s melodic, inside-out bass; and Wendy Smith’s breathy bittersweet harmonies, all combined in a magic formula that was at once soulful and challenging. If you never heard this album, I urge you to seek it out. You won’t regret it. And, if you like my music, please know that you don’t have a complete overview unless you own this album and 1990′s ‘Jordan: The Comeback’–because these two works are as close to my heart as anything I’ve ever put out under my own name.
June 1st, 2006 at 12:32 am
GET OUT!
Loved that album when it first came out and it still features heavily on my playlists.
One of my favourite moments is the middle break in ‘Bonnie’ with your pipe sample and mirrored guitar solo sweeping over that driving beat, beautifully moving into the chorus again.
And to think it’s all being remastered!
I think in America it was released as ‘Two wheels good’ or something?
Anyway that is just brilliant news, you’ve made my week.
Cheers Chris
June 1st, 2006 at 1:33 am
Being born in 1990 I feel both lucky and unlucky in terms of the music out there that’s on offer to me. Unlucky because of the music in todays charts, I feel that a lot of it hasn’t been made with a great amount of thought, like the English girl-band Girls-Aloud, I’m sorry, I just don’t understand why people like it. Another thing is YMO are split, the great Freddy Mercury is deseased and there are some great musicians that havn’t made music, or intend to again.
But I’m actually really lucky. First of all because my (our) favourite musician has started touring again. But I look at it this way, there is loads of music (within the style of music that I like) that’s already been made. So basically that means: There’s still Yukihiro Takahashi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bill Nelson, David Bowie etc. who’s entire catalogues I have yet to hear. There’s so much stuff already in existence that I havn’t yet, because I wasn’t alive when it first came out. So I’m lucky that there’s loads of music that I can listen to that I havn’t already heard.
And hey, Kraftwerk have been putting new music out, TD is touring (can’t wait for the Scala), and I heard the Takahashi-Hosono colaboration product Sketch Show for the fist time the other day, it sounds great
So I guess Prefab Sprout will have to be the next on my list, I’m looking forward to it. I’m in a very privilaged position, there’s just so much great music I have yet to hear, I’m my favourite artists are still out there making great music!
June 1st, 2006 at 1:38 am
Regarding Steve McQueen I couldn’t agree with you more, Thomas. Your comments on the album reminded me of the following review that I posted on amazon.com back in 2001:
One of the finest records ever made…
Reviewer: Andreas Tjørnehøj (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Around the release of this album back in 1985, Paddy McAloon claimed that he was ‘probably the best songwriter in the universe’. He wasn’t far off the mark. This album is a collection of beautiful, atmospheric, catchy, moving, thoughtful songs, treated with one of the best production efforts Thomas Dolby has ever done – and that’s quite something. I love the entire album, but Bonny, Appetite, When Love Breaks Down, Goodbye Lucille #1 and Desire As are worth mentioning since they are some of the best songs ever written. Wendy Smith’s simple, soaring backing vocals and Dolby’s very personal keyboard sounds suit Neil Conti’s crisp drums, Martin McAloon’s deep bass and Paddy’s complex compositions perfectly. Dolby and the band struck something very special and undefinable on this album that they haven’t quite been able to recreate on their following collaborations (which, by the way, are still brilliant).
***
I think it’s great to see that you have kept contact with Paddy. I really hope the Sprouts will emerge again. With their website discontinued and the rumours about Paddy’s eye problems I wasn’t too optimistic, but now that you mention that he is writing new songs it seems there is still hope.
I’m really looking forward to the two gigs in London – I thought I would never get the chance to see you live!
June 1st, 2006 at 2:27 am
Great News!
I agree with “Chrism” that is such a clasic album!
i’ve got it in my CD changer in my car at the moment
Bonnie is such a “Dolby” Recording just a clasic!!
Look forward to the remaster.
its great to visit old recordings I’m sitting here in my studio re-mastering a Finaldemand Album from 1994 with Ableton Live! running on My vampire Rack (see http://www.peterjames-stephen.com) its great to be able to see everything on the screen!.
I’m also listening to “The gate to the minds Eye” at the moment. peaple seem to forget this album its one of my favourite TB Albums I’ve got the dvd too just stunning!!!
look forward to seeing TB in the UK this Month.
Peter James-Stephen.
Athena Music Systems Calne Wiltshire UK
June 1st, 2006 at 4:14 am
“Faron” is fantastic.
June 1st, 2006 at 4:49 am
“As obsolete as warships in the baltic…” Steve McQueen is one of my very favorite albums ever. I first heard it in 1985 on a great radio station in Minnesota, Cities 97. When I listened and got totally hooked by the music, I had no idea of your involvement in it. I just kept telling friends how much I loved the sound. I got the biggest grin on my face when I saw your name in the credits at my local music shop. I should have known!
I have this great photo from a trip to London from Moscow in 1990 (my first visit since living in the UK in 86/87) in front of a huge record store display for Jordan: the Comeback. I was thrilled to find a new release from Sprout with you producing again – and hugely amused, considering my location and surname…
I hope you get some new folks hooked on their music with this post, Thomas. It’s really great stuff!!
June 1st, 2006 at 8:28 am
Alright! A remaster would be swell. Two Wheels Good (as it’s called in the US, apparently McQueen’s estate threatened legal action!) is a killer album, a timeless classic. Ah!
June 1st, 2006 at 10:21 am
.And you are right to be proud of this. I was totally swept away by the production quality of Thomas Dolby meets Paddy MacAloon.
I really wonder what a remaster could make better? The one thing that comes to mind is that it would be re-released, hopefully with a lot of media attention.
Just don’t overdo (I know you won’t) … I still suffer from the CD release of Alan Parsons ‘Tales of Mystery and Imagination’.
June 1st, 2006 at 11:01 am
That’s all well and good… now, how about a remaster of TGOW???
June 1st, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Thomas,
I started listening to your music during one of Prefab Sprout quiet periods; you are the fifth Sprout afterall!
I’m looking forward to hearing Steve McQueen remastered. Does this mean some kind of anniversary re-release is on the horizon? Oh, and when you see Paddy please tell him that his fans are still here, waiting for him.
June 1st, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Steve McQueen was the first thing I bought with money from my very first pay cheque…money well spent, I’d say.
June 2nd, 2006 at 1:25 am
My Gods!!
I have been waiting 4 this 4 a long time. My copy of “Two Wheels Good” is just straight dogged…..but I do have the British 45s that came off this album (as well as a few off of the other albums) and a 12″ of “When Love Breaks Down”. Usually when I start my nights out at my regular work spot, that’s the first thing I play.
Me and my first love used 2 lie in bed listening 2 that album and just let it take us 2 another place. She and I just recently reacquainted ourselves, and this was the first record she brought up. When I see her next, I’m gonna let her know that it’s on its way out again.
Will this be put out in the States as well, or will I have 2 go 2 Wyatt Earp Records here and get it as an import? And how soon? I want 3 copies straightaway…….
June 2nd, 2006 at 9:06 am
For me, “When Love Breaks Down” is full of memories (souvenir) : I danced under this fabulous song during the evenings of my friends (party), with some beautiful girls (it was… whaou !). Without knowknowing – at this moment – that you, Thomas, you were behind this hit of genius.
(my translation is probably imperfect… sorry)
June 2nd, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Dear Thomas,
This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. The first time I heard it, I immediately recognized your influence (for example the opening to Love Breaks Down, reminds me of the intro to Budapest By Blimp)
The music is staggeringly beautiful and soulful. I fully agree, this album should have been BIG in the states. Bigger than “Songs From The Big Chair” for sure.
Great to hear that it is being remastered.
June 2nd, 2006 at 4:00 pm
For a really long time, daddy was gone on tour.It was really boring without him.He was gone for about 21 days.Oh well.At leasthe’s back know.
June 2nd, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Tom, do you remember the Prefab Sprout gig were you came onstage to play a song with them dressed as a vicar (I think!)? I remember the review of it and the photo of you and Paddy. What was with the vicars outfit???
June 2nd, 2006 at 6:47 pm
Thomas, this is my first post, but I have been enjoying your blog for the last couple of months. Wish you could have made it to Texas on your tour, maybe in the fall? I have enjoyed your music for many years. First started listening to you when I went off to college in Florida. I had the priviledge of seeing you play live in Tampa in ’94. I starting buying everything you were involved with including George Clinton’s “Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends” (great album) and Joni Mitchell’s “Dog Eat Dog”. I remember reading a small article in Rolling Stone about Prefab Sprout and learned that you produced their album. I immediately went out and purchased “Two Wheels Good”. It is indeed one of the best albums of all time. I have many happy memories surrounding it and my first love. I have been married to her for 16 years and we have two sons, 10 and 8. Anyway, if I remember correctly “When Love Breaks” was one of the few songs on the album not produced by you. I think Phil Thornally (also produced The Cure) produced that track. There’s a rumor now spreading on some of the Prefab fan sites that you are going to be producing their come back album. Can you confirm?
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:19 pm
I was 14 when this album came out. The only reason I picked it up was because you had produced it. I was waaay into synths. back then… Synths only!
So, first time I listened to this, I hated it. What is this guitar stuff?? I took it off. A few months later I thought I should give it another listen. Put it on in the background and loved it. Funny how expectations can influence your perceptions.
I hope this will be in a high resolution stereo format like DVDaudio or Super Audio CD. If you have to, 5.1 is fine, but please include a stereo version.
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Wow. I had no idea you worked with Prefab. I wish I had a spec of Paddy McAloon’s creative mind. Not often does music give you a means of escape–Prefab’s music really did that for me. I have no idea why, but I used to listen to “Machine Gun Ibiza” on loop…just loved the vocals and the whole feel of that song..just felt good…
June 6th, 2006 at 9:23 am
Was just thinking about your work with PS the other day, determined that I would try to track down the group for a story sometime soon. Now that there will be a remastered edition of the McQueen masterpiece coming out (soon, I hope), it would be a great focal point for the article.
Amazing album, amazing production.
– Steve Stav
Ink19.com
p.s. Generation 80s Retro Radio frequently plays “Looking for Atlantis,” sometimes the very-cool extended mix. Jordan, another great record.
June 7th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Dear Thomas,
Great to see you in Denver the other night, my best friend, myself and our wives had a great time at that show. The warm up U2 tribute act was pretty cool. My friend and I were at the Red Rocks show in 1983. He reminded me that the whole crowd continued to sing “How long to sing this song” all the way to the parking lot and into our cars. That was truly unforgettable. I fully agree with your comments about the 2 Prefab Sprout records, they are permantly etched in my soul and my gray matter forever. I have also thought for many years that it was a crime against art that those records never saw the light of day in the country, so to speak. The community you have here, it seems to me, is porbably a very interesting group and probably very knowledgable. I often wondered if you have heard recent Neil Finn records (probably a dumb question). Although I think there all great, I think “One All” is a complete masterwork on the scale of Dolby and Prefab records. Also, on another note
– that Larry Treadwell riff on “Pulp Culture” is right up there as one of the greatest guitar leads in the history of music. Be Well.
Sincerely,
Greg Matheny
June 7th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
I am *always* on the lookout for really great, quality music, and now, thanks to all of you who posted great reviews of “Two Wheels Good” and Prefab Sprout in general , now I know whose music to invest in.
I did, as a matter of fact, just order both “Two Wheels Good” and “Swoon” at a popular online store. Thank you all for your guidance. 
When an album is recommended not only by fellow fans of my favorite musician {one TMDR, of course!
}, but even by the musician himself, then I know I gotta have it!!! 
You guys know great music, and Thomas, you MAKE great
music. Keep up the good work, *all* of you!!!
Unfortunately, in this silly, messed-up world of ours, there
seems to be an inversely proportional relationship between
the quality of an album, and its chances of success.
Sigh…I could rhetorically ask, “Why?? O gracious heavens, WHY??!?!?” , but I think I already know the answer, so maybe I’ll just smack my frustrated head against something soft for a while instead.
~~the miz, incurable music lover~~
June 9th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Thomas:
The view(s) of a Yank on the success/lack of Prefab Sprout’s “Two Wheels Good” collection in the U.S.:
Growing up in the 80′s (and now a 40 – something), I was dismayed at how short-lived ALL of the 80′s acts were. We have this “Baby-Boom” generation that is absolutely convinced that everyone in America has a tireless interest in what they grew up with (i.e. their music, their t.v. shows, their films, etc.).
While I, and several of my more discerning musical snob friends believe that the 80′s were one of the most musically fun and diverse times in American/British musical history, a lot of people just took the “Hey! This ain’t Zeppelin!” approach. As such (call me paranoid), it seemed that there was very nearly an intentional effort to squash anything and everything that was 80′s music!
Look at some of the commercial Giants of the era. Duran Duran, George Michael, Van Halen… dead, gone, relegated to nostalgia radio. These were not necessarily my favorites (in fact, I didn’t really care for Van Halen at all), but the fall of their superstardom can’t be ignored. Anyway, music from the 80′s, good or otherwise was largely “discounted” in the American media as a fad and something to be ignored or certainly rushed to the budget bin. It was bad and biased business. Cater to the largest generation in American history, or to the smallest (mine – who was digging the grooves that were rolling in our decade). We lost, and so did music. Bring on the gangsta’ rap – puke!
I was happy to hear that you considered the two “Sprouts” albums to be close to your heart. I have both of them, and “Two wheels good” (Steve Mcqueen for you Limeys) is still one of my faves.
As for the view from a Yank on your music, much of the same injustice was done to you. When I first heard “Blinded Me With Science”, I thought, oh, how quaint, another “novelty artist,” and that’s where American Radio would’ve left it. Fortunately, I had the mistaken pleasure of stumbling across more of your serious stuff (other than Sprout contributions) and was stunned to find how taken I was with it. Bought an old “laser disc” of your videos (shows how old I am), and was blown away. “Field Work” was very clever, “Airwaves” is an excellent old tune – love it! “One of our submarines” – Great tune. “Hyperactive” – very fun tune and amusing video (they don’t make ‘em like that anymore). More recently, I really enjoyed much of the “Astronauts and Heretics” album, especially “Silk Pajamas.”
In short, I think very highly of both you and Paddy, and have enjoyed your contributions to music throughout the years, even if an incredibly stupid American music industry doesn’t appreciate real talent!
I consider it a great priviledge to have the opportunity to write to you.
Sincerely – Steve
June 11th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Just listening to “Cruel” right now – love that song. I’ve had this conversation with a friend – we always thought “Cruel” would have sounded very much at home on “Steve McQueen.” Great, great song, Thomas.
June 21st, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Oh. My. Lord.
I just received “Two Wheels Good” in the mail two days ago, and I have to tell you, it is like a cool, jasmine-scented breeze on a hot day…”Desire As” is the music I’ve heard in my dreams…ohhh that saaaaxophone… Mere words cannot capture the wonder and magic that came spinning up off of that CD. It is truly music to make the knees weak, and Paddy’s lyrics are INCREDIBLE!!!
Yes indeed, Thomas, you and Prefab Sprout are a nearly lethal combination.
Absolute magic…like what I’ve heard smoking opium is like: you might not survive the experience, but everything is so hazy and dreamlike that you don’t care…I don’t do drugs, I do music.
I’ve had “Desire As” running through my head for hours now. “Faron” is fantastic–music to race horses by.
When your marvellously remastered version comes out,
But, I have finally heard the rest of the music {along with your own wonderful,
and I buy it and listen to it, my spirit might just leave my body. Hopefully it’ll go back in!
amazing music, of course} that I have been searching
for all of my life. I heard music like that in my head when
I was a child, but I could never figure out how to liberate
it. It was captured by yourself and Prefab Sprout in
1985, and I am eternally grateful, as are many, many
other people, I suspect. The ones who value great music
that is crafted with care. I’ve always thought that the
word “hit” {as in, single} should have an “s” at the beginning. Very few people can appreciate great music,
and even fewer can make it. Hit songs are common in
more than one way. They’ve got the “hooks” and whatnot,
and in some cases have very literally been modelled on
pieces of previous years’ hits; said previous years’ hits
having been picked apart chord by chord–sort of reverse-engineered, as it were–by songwriters who just wanted a hit single and gobs of money.
But yourself and the Sprouts make great music, and I
Utterly original,
mean great as in, great works of art.
highest-quality; bloody marvellous, to be absolutely frank.
Music of that quality is so very, very rare, and its very rarity makes me treasure it even more; then there’s the fact that it was made by people who are able to acheive what sounds like absolute perfection to my ears (most of the time).
Love and absolute appreciation,
Kara Laidlaw
June 25th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Ok, so uhm, I did a bad thing at age 17 and bought a copy of Jordan the night before its street date. I knew nothing about Prefab Sprout, short of a brief interview on the programme 120 Minutes some week or so before. I took home that CD and promptly fell asleep somewhere around “Jesse James Bolero”.
On recommendation, I next bought Steve McQueen/TWG and still couldn’t figure it out. I fell asleep in class with earbuds in, landing me in a lot of trouble around the time “Blueberry Pies” was playing. During that time, I was able to identify your approach to sound production, which I rather welcomed.
It was later, after buying SWOON, that I was able to parse what I could not before. This prompted me to become versed in both Paddy’s repertoire and, by extension, yours. All these years on, the music of Prefab Sprout is inextricably intertwined with the fabric of my existence. Similarly, both The Flat Earth and Astronauts & Heretics share this quality.
Many years later, following two Prefab Sprout web sites, a flight to Newcastle and Leeds to see Mart, Paddy and Neil play one last time, and establishing a relationship with both Dave Brewis and Mart, the “fan” aspect is a bit lost on me. What was fandom is now one of respect, association and camaraderie, and it’s now quite personal — given the people I have befriended and those with whom I’ve come to meet along the way.
I never had the opportunity to get to know you, though back in 1996 the idea of working with the Beatnik project was an inviting one. I’m a geek, but not quite geek enough to tinker with code. That you have collaborated with others for whom I regard with utmost respect — å‚本é¾ä¸€ and Michael Doucet, among others — is endearing. It is a demonstration of the ability to communicate and collaborate with a shared recognition of composing and playing. While hardly unique, your approach just happens to be one of a few to which I can best relate to the way I eventually want to make and produce music.
Thank you for stepping forward as an innovator and as someone who challenges conventional wisdom. I suspect that this has never been intentional on your behalf, but something out of necessity. There are times when self-doubt in what I’m doing — when learning, inventing, creating and venturing into new territory — is overwhelming, even enticing my own defeatism when all I run into are mistakes and obstacles. I am, however, reminded that this seems par for the course when I recognize others who have persisted in the face of constriction, refusing to lock into one stipulated vocation or life path. It is safe to say that you are but one of those individuals who reminds me to keep looking forward, ever upward.
I anticipate enjoying the remastered Steve McQueen. Ta ever so.
Greetings from Toronto,
accozzaglia
http://accozzaglia.livejournal.com/profile
June 26th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Looking forward to hearing it remastered–and on CD. My vinyl copy of TWG has many hours on it, not always on stellar equipment.
“…a force of will, a sleight of hand”, Indeed. Thank you for this record.
June 30th, 2006 at 11:50 pm
[...] Words reaches my ears (from the producer’s blog nonetheless – he blinded me with science you know) that 1985’s finest album, Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout is being remastered in preparation for a re-release. [...]
August 3rd, 2006 at 1:29 am
I agree with everyone. Steve McQueen have, literary, saved my life. It’s been there when no one else have. If you guys love Prefab Sprout this much you have to look in to the equivalent of 2006. Junior Boys So This Is Goodbye.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48342023
November 13th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
[...] Current rumours about the band are that there is a new album in the pipeline with Thomas Dolby at the helm although this has yet to see the light of day. Dolby meanwhile confirms on his blog that he is working on a 21st Anniversary edition of Steve McQueen which their Wiki entry indicates will have a disc of acoustic versions of the songs. Excellent news. For more information on Prefab Sprout boots and other recordings, visit More Sprout Info. [...]
March 12th, 2007 at 1:59 am
[...] Paddy and co. certainly turned out plenty of wonderful work before and after, but Steve McQueen still remains their supreme achievement. Sony/BMG is just about to release a 20th anniversary Legacy Edition (it’s been 22 years actually, but once you’ve waited this long, why quibble) of the original album, which was remastered late last year by the album’s producer Thomas Dolby. A bonus disc of newly recorded acoustic renderings of eight SM songs is also due to be included. [...]
March 17th, 2007 at 4:11 am
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May 31st, 2007 at 7:52 pm
[...] Paddy and co. certainly turned out plenty of memorable work before and after, but Steve McQueen still remains their supreme achievement. Sony/BMG is just about to release a 20th anniversary Legacy Edition (it’s been 22 years actually, but once you’ve waited this long, why quibble) of the original album, which was remastered late last year by the album’s producer Thomas Dolby. A bonus disc of newly recorded acoustic renderings of eight SM songs is also due to be included. [...]
December 16th, 2007 at 10:26 am
[...] Dolby produced their recently-reissued classic ‘Steve McQueen’? Didn’t know that. Here’s a post on his blog about remastering the reissue. Hang on, Thomas Dolby has a [...]
February 4th, 2008 at 6:16 am
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February 29th, 2008 at 1:16 am
80\’s music…
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March 28th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
[...] time I’ll be saying hello to the latest opus from Supergrass, a new album by Chris Difford, a remastered version of Steve McQueen and a couple of early albums by the mighty [...]
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Mini Cube Speakers…
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April 2nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Steve McQueen was the album I listened to for more than a year then – I simply needed anything else. I still love listening to it from time to time and it is still a great album – one of the best I’ve ever heard!
October 18th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Crazy that a new/old Prefab album was recently released. http://www.prefabsprout.net
A similar sounding modern artist for me is Halloween Alaska: http://www.halloweenalaska.com