I've already talked about Adam And The Ant's Prince Charming. However, for the sake of continuing where we left off yesterday, we need to go through that period of time.
Signing with CBS Records for their second album, and the re-release of their first through the label brought Adam And The Ants continued chart success. As the band returned to the studio, they would set to work on what would become their breakthrough album, Prince Charming. This all began with the single, Stand And Deliver, which was followed by the popular music video which was featured in steady rotation on MTV. This single became the bands first number one in the UK, and remained in that spot for five consecutive weeks. This was followed by the second single, Prince Charming, which also reached number one.
Upon the albums release, the band embarked on several tours, which ended in January 1982. Their continued success was bolstered by continuous re-release of prior material, and several awards. These included, British Album of the Year for Kings of the Wild Frontier at the BRIT Awards, and Songwriter of the Year Award for Stand and Deliver at the 27th Ivor Novello Awards. They were further nominated for Best British Group and twice in the Best British Single category for Prince Charming and Stand and Deliver. They were also nominated for Best New Artist at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards in 1982.
Despite all these accolades, Ant himself grew tired of the band, feeling that while on stage it wasn't a group effort. He ultimately ended up disbanding them, but retaining Marco Pirroni as a writing collaborator and guitarist. Drummer, Chris Merrick, also briefly stayed with Ant, recording and producing the single, Goody Two Shoes, before departing.
Ant released Friend Or Foe in 1982, led by the aforementioned single, which reached number one. This was followed by the album title single, which peaked at number nine. While he would recruit a new band, and head out on the road for touring, a knee injury would force him to postpone several dates. During this downtime, he would begin work with Pirroni on his next solo venture.
However, before we get to that point, we need to first pause and actually listen to Friend Or Foe.
As I started it up, I was immediately met by the familiar sound of Adam Ant which I have come to know. It's the style that began with the single, Stand And Deliver, and became his staple. I really can't explain it, but Ant fans will know what I mean. You know when you're hearing an Adam Ant song.
I really enjoyed my listening session, and grabbed a ton of "new" tunes for my shuffle list. These included, Friend Or Foe, Something Girls, Place In The Country, Goody Two Shoes, and Crackpot History And The Right To Lie. This is the Adam Ant that I want, and if I may skip a head several decades, is what brought me back in 2013 for Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter.
With that said, I will admit that the cover of The Doors, Hello I Love You, was a pretty poor rendition. It's probably the weakest link on the entire album, and frankly, not necessary, considering he was well established as an artist.
Overall, Friend Or Foe was enjoyable. Not all the tracks were bangers, but, as you can see from above, there was a healthy dose of them. This excites me to jump into his 1983 follow-up, Strip.
As for Ant himself, after recovering from his knee injury, he made an appearance on Motown 25. Here, he sand a cover of The Supremes, Where Did Our Love Go. The performance was bolstered by Diana Ross crashing the stage to briefly dance with him. Following this, he resumed his US tour, completing it in May 1983.
We have to pause there, and save the continued story for next time.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS August 21, 1982 |
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