"Terry Hall's understated, evocative vocals has continued to be one of the most distinctive and recognizable voices in all rock music""Genius, my hero since he was in the specials, brilliant song writer, brilliantly dead pan vocalist, deserves far more success than he's had lately"

"Terry Hall is a very modest man. He's had an enormous influence on many artists today."
"Terry Hall is one of our finest singer/songwriters"
THE COLOURFIELD
Genre:
Electronic,Pop, Rock
Style:
Genre:
Electronic,Pop, Rock
Style:
Synth-pop, New Wave
Members:
Terry Hall - vocals, guitar
Toby Lyons - guitar, keyboards (ex The Swinging Cats)
Karl Shale - bass (from Solid Action and Aching Tongue,later joined The Candyskins and played with Ausgang in the late 90's)
Gary Dwyer - drums, 1986-87 (ex The Teardrop Explodes)
VIDEO:
"Castles In The Air"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Sf-_fSxJ0
"Thinking of You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFGfTyCegY&feature=related
Members:
Terry Hall - vocals, guitar
Toby Lyons - guitar, keyboards (ex The Swinging Cats)
Karl Shale - bass (from Solid Action and Aching Tongue,later joined The Candyskins and played with Ausgang in the late 90's)
Gary Dwyer - drums, 1986-87 (ex The Teardrop Explodes)
VIDEO:
"Castles In The Air"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Sf-_fSxJ0
"Thinking of You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFGfTyCegY&feature=related
VIRGINS AND PHILISTINES (1985) (Japan CD version)
Credits:
Artwork By - T + CP
Drums - Paul Burgess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Burgess_%28musician%29)(tracks: 01 to 04, 06, 07, 09 to 12) , Pete De Freitas (from Echo & The Bunnymen) (tracks: 04,05)
Engineer - Chris Jones , Corinne Simcock
Percussion - Preston Heyman (tracks: 01 to 05, 07 to 11)
Clarinet - Ian Nelson (from Fiat Lux) (tracks: 11)
Photography - Ashworth
Producer - Hugh Jones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Jones_(producer) (tracks: 01 to 06, 08 to 11) , Jeremy Green (http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/credits/0,,438143,00.html) (tracks: 07, 12)
Tracklist:
Credits:
Artwork By - T + CP
Drums - Paul Burgess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Burgess_%28musician%29)(tracks: 01 to 04, 06, 07, 09 to 12) , Pete De Freitas (from Echo & The Bunnymen) (tracks: 04,05)
Engineer - Chris Jones , Corinne Simcock
Percussion - Preston Heyman (tracks: 01 to 05, 07 to 11)
Clarinet - Ian Nelson (from Fiat Lux) (tracks: 11)
Photography - Ashworth
Producer - Hugh Jones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Jones_(producer) (tracks: 01 to 06, 08 to 11) , Jeremy Green (http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/credits/0,,438143,00.html) (tracks: 07, 12)
Tracklist:
01 Thinking Of You
02 Faint Hearts

03 Castles In The Air
04 Take
05 Cruel Circus
06 Hammond Song
07 Virgins And Philistines
08 Yours Sincerely
09 Armchair Theatre
10 Sorry
11 The Colour Field
12 Windmills of Your Mind
13 Pushing Up The Daisies
14 Thinking Of You (Singalong Version)
15 My Wild Flame
16 Little Things
17 Castles In The Air (Extended Version)
18 Your Love Was Smashing
19 I Can't Get Enough Of You Baby
20 Things Could Be So Beautiful
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118599364/vl_a.rar.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/118598352/vl_b.rar.html
"When it was initially released in the mid-'80s, the Colourfield's Virgins and Philistines had little in common with most of the albums recorded during that decade. The passing of years has only strengthened the LP's timeless appeal. Plucking sounds from the late '60s and early '70s, the Colourfield created an album that will never be dated because it cannot be attached to a specific era. The mournful violin and sultry Latin rhythms of "Castles in the Air" represent the apex of vocalist Terry Hall's artistry. Hopelessly romantic, "Castles in the Air" yearns for lost love with a filmmaker's eye and a poet's ear. There are two versions of "Castles in the Air" on the Japanese CD reissue of Virgins and Philistines, the second of which has a lengthy instrumental intro; both are stunningly beautiful. The Japanese edition of Virgins and Philistines actually eclipses the original. First of all, there are more songs: 20 instead of merely 12. The bonus tracks include a dreamy cover of "Windmills of Your Mind," an instrumental rendition of "Thinking of You," and the rare B-side "My Wild Flame," essentially a rewrite of "The Colourfield." "Pushing up Daisies" can be found on either version; however, on CD the track's thorny guitar riffs and sullen basslines have greater punch. "Pushing up Daisies" offers a sobering look at withering stardom; Hall may write from a downcast, cynical perspective, but his unpretentious, honest lyrics are always hummable. Hall expresses more emotion on Virgins and Philistines than he ever did with his previous groups, the Specials and Fun Boy Three. On "Take," Hall sings, "You just take/And pile on the agony." The pain in Hall's voice rips through the song's cozy layer of acoustic guitars. The remake of "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" is the only track on the LP that received radio airplay in the U.S., and it's misleading; nothing else on the album is that upbeat. Although the album looks to the past for inspiration, it's never retro; the music is frozen in suspended animation, always fresh whenever it's heard."
(http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difrxqe5ldke~T1)
"Terry Hall split up The Specials in 1981 taking Neville Staples and Lynval Golding with him to form Fun Boy Three. By 1983 he had again become restless and split up FB3 with Toby Lyons from their touring band and forming The Colour Field with the like minded Karl Shale. Due to Terry's pedigree expectations where high for the new group and I remember spending an evening listening to the Janice Long Radio One show awaiting the premiere of their debut single also called `The Colour Field'.
Second single `Take' is included on this album and it is no doubt one of Terry Hall's greatest songs, that it failed to make the top forty beggars belief. Follow up `Thinking of You' again showcases Hall's spot on song writing and this time the song went top twenty with a momentum carrying this album into the charts. The next song taken from the album `Castles in the Air' again failed to chart despite a similar approach to `Thinking of You'. The song writing and arrangements of the remainder of the album perhaps do not rise to the dizzy heights of it's 45's but it is a satisfying collection of indie pop gems. That this album is currently out of print is criminal.""It is not often you see so many 5 stars for an album, buy it and totally agree. Like others I heard this when i was a kiddo and today it still sounds as fresh as a daisy. This really is timeless pop with songs both your Grandma and punk cousin will find acceptable. It is hard to say which singles are the best 'cos there really isn't a bad track on it, but my personal favourite is 'Sorry'.i know this is a lot of money, but I promise that it is a worth while investment. I don't know if Terry Hall is making any money from this Asian release but in my opinion he should be given a knighthood. THE BEST ALBUM OF THE 80's."
"Fantastically under-rated album with some of Terry Hall's best song writing - poetic yet humorous. The pained anger of a separation is exposed in "Take" with lines such as 'I bet you're in a bed of roses/Lying in a heap/surrounded by your new possessions/so tasteless and cheap'. A Japanese version of the CD contains all the B sides which are just as good and worth tracking down."
"Terry Hall's finest hour. Superb acoustic sounding album, some songs with a slight latin influence a la Love.It contains the brilliant "Take", "Castles In The Air" & the last ever hit single Terry ever had - "Thinking of You". I wish I could find this album on CD, but I don't think it exists."
More review:
THE COLOUR FIELD EP (1986)Credits:
Terry Hall - all instruments and voices
Toby Lyons - all instruments and voices
Karl Shale - all instruments and voices
Gary Dwyer - Drums
Producer- Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds) and Hugh Jones
Tracklist:
01 Things could Be Beautiful
02 Frosty Morning
03 Armchair Theater
04 Faint Hearts
05 Pushing Up The Daisies (Live)
06 Yours Sincerely (Live)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/119731430/cfep.rar.html
The Colourfield was the second release by the British new wave band, The Colourfield. This EP was only released in the US. The UK had already seen all of the songs released as either a single or a 12".
DECEPTION (1987)Credits:
Terry Hall - all instruments and voices
Toby Lyons - all instruments and voices
Gregg Mangiafico (http://www.belmont.edu/Music/faculty/faculty_current/mangiafico_gregg.html) – Keyboards Sammy Merendino (http://sammymerendino.com/) – Drum Programming
Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears) - Guitar (tracks 02,04)
Dollette McDonald, Deborah Malone & Janice Pendarvis - Background Vocals (track 08)
Co-producer, Engineer - Jeffrey Lesser (producer of Sailor,Invisible Zoo,Mental As Anything etc.,see:http://hometown.aol.com/jetlaser/bio.html)
Producer - Richard Gottehrer (ex The Strangeloves,also producer of Blondie,Dr. Feelgood,Go Go's,Yachts etc.;see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Gottehrer)
Tracklist:
01 Badlands (4:43)
02 Running Away (3:54)
03 From Dawn To Distraction (3:40)
04 Confessions (4:34)
05 Miss Texas 1967 (4:10)
06 She (3:17)
07 Heart Of America (5:00)
08 Digging It Deep (3:51)
09 Monkey In Winter (5:15)
10 Goodbye Sun Valley (4:36)
Bonus:
11 The Colour Field (Extended Version)
12 My Wild Flame (Extended)
13 Running Away (Long version)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118641406/dec.rar.html
Deception was to be the last album released by the British new wave band, The Colourfield. During the recording of the album Karl Shale left during the sessions. Terry has since voiced his displeasure with the recording of the album because he did not feel he had the control of the session musicians and producers the way he needed to preserve The Colourfield’s sound.
"Deception isn't just the name of the Colourfield's second album; it's also vocalist Terry Hall's modus operandi. Underneath the surface of Hall's seemingly cheerful melodies is always a bummed-out lyric or two, and he wastes no time on Deception. Amidst the jolly xylophones of "From Dawn to Distraction," the second track on the LP, Hall sings, "Nothing is enough/In a world without love." "Digging It Deep" emulates the same formula: hook listeners with a danceable beat while hurling unsettling revelations like "Oh how I wish I love the human race/Oh how I wish I had a pretty face." There's probably no one who is having as much fun being depressed than Hall. While Deception is slicker than the Colourfield's debut album, Virgins and Philistines, Hall's songwriting hasn't softened; he can still tell sad stories with acid-tongued wit and a barrel full of empathy. On the haunting "Miss Texas 1967," Hall narrates a tale of faded beauty with deeply felt compassion. With its lovely acoustic guitars, "Miss Texas 1967" more closely resembles the intimate sound of Virgins and Philistines than Deception's glossy production. The robotic percussion and blaring horns of the band's cover of Sly & the Family Stone's "Running Away" might revolt indie pop purists with no tolerance for '80s dance music; however, it nicely shows off Hall's stylistic range, and "Goodbye Sun Valley" is a rousing homage to cabaret. Deception may wallow in its misery, but at least it does so with a smile on its face." (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifrxqe5ldke~T1)
"This was The Colour Field's second and unfortunately final album. Marred by an acrimonious split in the band (Toby Lyons left during the recording of the album) the album was released in 1987 and I was fortunate enough to buy the album at the time, and to see the remainder of the band (Raquel Welch's band I am led to believe) live in Manchester just after the release of this. Ten splendid tunes including the sublime 'Miss Texas 1967', the poignant 'Goodbye Sun Valley' and the brilliant 'Confession'. Give this album a try - Terry Hall is one of the best singer/songwriters of the last twenty odd years. Buy It!"
Biography:
By the summer of 1983, the Fun Boy Three were peaking in popularity and Terry Hall disbanded the group. Hooking up with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale, Hall moved to Manchester and formed the Colourfield, a more lush and melodic outfit than the Fun Boy Three. In January of 1984, the band released their first single, "The Colourfield," which just missed the Top 40. It was followed later that summer with "Take," which didn't even come close to the Top 40. The Colourfield had its first hit in January of 1985, when "Thinking of You" reached number 12. It was followed by "Castles in the Air," another failed single that preceded the release of their debut album, Virgins and Philistines, by just a few weeks. Like the band's singles, Virgins and Philistines failed to gain a large audience for the Colourfield. The band released a second album, Deception, in the spring of 1987. During the sessions, Lyons left the band, leaving Hall to finish the album by himself; to complete the album, Hall hired Raquel Welch's band.
(http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:n72vad6kv8w2)
More bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colourfield
More info:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hhodson/terry%20hall%20biog%20page%202.htm
http://dreamtimemix.blogspot.com/search?q=colourfield
http://rocksgodiva.tripod.com/id1.html

TERRY HALL
Genre:
Electronic, Pop, Rock
Style:
New Wave, Pop Rock, Ska, Synth-pop,Brit Pop, Downtempo
VIDEO:
"Ballad Of The Landlord"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d1Lz_e9G1E
"Running Away"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fjaYu3mXo&feature=related



VEGAS - Vegas (1996)
Credits:
Dave Stewart (www.davestewart.com/) - Guitar,Vocals, Keyboards
Terry Hall-Vocals
Olle Romo (Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys,State Of Play,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olle_Romo)-Drums, Programming
Manu Guiot (http://www.myspace.com/manuguiot) - Mixing
VIDEO:
"She"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaJBDyXM3TE&feature=related
Tracklist:
01 Possessed
02 Walk Into The Wind
03 She's Alright
04 Take Me For What I Am
05 Trouble With Lovers
06 Nothing Alas Alack
07 Thought Of You
08 Anthem
09 Wise Guy
10 Day It Rained Forever
11 She
Bonus:
12 Lying In Bed Barefoot (from Possessed 12")
13 Infectious (from Possessed 12")
14 Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction (from Walk Into The Wind 12")
15 Art Blind (from Walk Into The Wind 12")
16 If You Kill My Cat, I'll Kill Your Dog (from She 12")
17 Tip Of My Tongue (from She 12")
18 She (Remix)
19 She (Disco Mix)
Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118606937/vega.rar.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/118605006/vegabo.rar.html
"A fantastically stylish collaboration between Dave Stewart (ex Eurythmics) and Terry Hall. An early 90's comercial 'flop' from the musical genius of the immenslely talented Dave Stewart and the distinctive vocal talents of Terry-fun boy three-Hall. I thought this CD had disappeared into the mists of the 1990's!! Best described as stylish and cool, mixed in with a little camp uncertainty with a slightly tounge-in-cheek delivery, this albumn is a clear signpost to the brilliant, diverse and brave; yet commercially unsuccessful, work offered up by Dave Stewart throughout the 1990's during his time away from the Eurythmics.Great for Sunday afternoon listenings at home whilst drinking champagne and self indulgently complaining about the price of good domestic help."Mine has 10 tracks listed on the sleeve, but has all 11 printed on the CD."
"In 1992 I predicted this would be the hit album of the year; I've been wrong before and will no doubt be wrong again. It seemed the perfect duo, Dave Steward from electro pop band The Eurythmics and Terry Hall journeyman singer of The Specials pedigree. First single and album opener `Possessed' b/w `The Day it Rained Forever' was the perfect fanfare for this new group and it ticked all the boxes, that it failed to chart was a surprise not only to me but also to BMG who had put there whole corporate muscle behind the release securing the `Possessed' video being played on heavy rotation on all TV stations. Charles Aznavour's `She' was chosen as the second single to showcase the bands commercial side and again it failed to chart allowing the album to stagger uncertainly into Woolworth's where I got my copy still expecting to be the first to hear the next big thing. It is a great album with classic tracks as `She's Alright', `Take me for what I Am' and the brilliant `The Trouble with Lovers' but it turned out I was into a great underground band rather than the world beating act I was anticipating. By the time the third single `Walk into the Wind' was released the band had done just that. Even so the occasional detour into Vegas is always welcome."
"This is an odd one -- and one that should not have worked out nearly as well as it did. This is the debut album from Vegas, which is Terry Hall and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart with help from Eurythmics assistants Olle Romo and Manu Guiot. Trying to picture Terry Hall in Eurythmics just doesn't make sense, yet the result is simply stunning. Both Hall and Stewart branched out from their previous bands and experimented with different sounds, both lyrically and musically. The result is a real mixture of rock, pop, electronica, and reggae, and it all works. Hall's deadpan vocals sound yearning throughout as he sings about despair and the loss of trust and self. Stewart compliments the sentiments with unsettling music throughout, mixed with some of the strongest melodies he has ever written (just listen to the opening track, "Possessed," once and then try to shake it out of the brain). Other songs take sound textures to another level, such as the bizarre, yet wonderful "Nothing Alas Alack." Both artists seemed to have influenced each other and both were very willing to go out on a limb and try some very new sounds. On a technical note, it is interesting that there is not a production credit, although it is almost certainly a Dave Stewart production." - Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide

LIGHTNING SEEDS - What You Say part 1. and part 2. (CDS) (1997)
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
House, Synth-pop
Credits:
Engineer - Kenny Patterson /Producer - Ian Broudie , Jonathan Quarmby , Kevin Bacon Written-By - Ian Broudie , Terry Hall
Remix [Credited To] - Touché (tracks 04,05)/Programmed By - Ashley Beedle , Marc Woolford (track 03)
Remix - Ballistic Brothers (tracks 02,03)
Remix [Credited To], Producer [Additional Production] - Ashley Beedle (track 03)
Remix [Credited To], Producer [Additional Production] - Ashley Beedle , Marc Woolford , Rocky (track 02)
Tracklist:
01 What You Say (7" Version)
02 Wishaway (weirdaway version)
03 Blue
04 Be My Baby
05 What You Say (Psychedelic Beach Funk Vocal - Parts 1 & 2)
06 What You Say (Psychedelic Beach Trip - Part 3)
07 What You Say (Wiseguy Remix - Vocal)
08 What You Say (Wiseguy Remix - Instrumental)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118626174/lswys.rar.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d1Lz_e9G1E
"Running Away"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79fjaYu3mXo&feature=related

TERRY, BLAIR & ANOUCHKA - Ultra Modern Nursery Rhymes (1990)
Genre:
Electronic, Pop
Style:
Synth-pop
Members:
Terry Hall
Anouchka Groce
Blair Booth (member of Oui 3)
(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=357402164)
VIDEO:
"Missing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5REDrOwHV8U
Credits:
Arranged By - Jeremy Green (tracks: 4 to 6, 8, 9)
Guitar, Backing Vocals - Anouchka Groce
Keyboards, Vocals - Blair Booth (http://www.blairbooth.co.uk/)
Producer - Bob Sargeant (http://www.answers.com/topic/bob-sargeant?cat=entertainment)
Genre:
Electronic, Pop
Style:
Synth-pop
Members:
Terry Hall
Anouchka Groce
Blair Booth (member of Oui 3)
(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=357402164)
VIDEO:
"Missing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5REDrOwHV8U
Credits:
Arranged By - Jeremy Green (tracks: 4 to 6, 8, 9)
Guitar, Backing Vocals - Anouchka Groce
Keyboards, Vocals - Blair Booth (http://www.blairbooth.co.uk/)
Producer - Bob Sargeant (http://www.answers.com/topic/bob-sargeant?cat=entertainment)
(tracks: 1 to 7, 9, 10) , Jeremy Green (http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/credits/0,,438143,00.html) (tracks: 4 to 6, 8, 9)
Vocals - Terry Hall
Written-By, Arranged By - Blair Booth , Terry Hall
Tracklist:

01 Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme
02 Missing
03 Fishbones and Scaredy Cats
04 Lucky in Love
05 Day Like Today
06 Sweet September Sacrifice
07 Beautiful People
08 Three Cool Cats
09 Happy Families
10 Just Go
11 Hush Hush Baloo
12 Lush Will Keep Us Together
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118627484/tba.rar.html
"After The Colourfield imploded, Terry Hall formed a trio with an American actress called Blair Booth and a jeweler called Anouchka Groce. Terry, Blair, And Anouchka explored Hall's love for '60s pop, as well as kitschy mainstream pop, as evidenced on the trio's cover of Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together." "Missing," the group's first single, was released in the fall of 1989 and it didn't make much of an impact, peaking at number 75 on the British charts. The trio's second single, "Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme," didn't even chart. Terry, Blair And Anouchka's debut album, also called Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, was released in February of 1990 to little attention." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
"One of the most overlooked and forgotten gems. From the splendor of the Terry Hall tongue, this outing with Blair Booth and Anouchka is truly a great find. They blend whimsical lyrics, catchy hooks and uplifting rhythms. Think of Mamas & Papas meets Lighting Seeds."
"...Terry Hall was thinking when he decided teaming up with an actress and a jeweller and coming up with this fantastic album but whatever he was thinking that time, I'm glad he did it. Sadly, no one practically took notice when this great piece of work came out. Hall is a master of conveying the deepest emotions one can have from timely things like the ruins of a divorce. He can also get away with doing covers like Captain & Tenille's staple Love Will Keep Us Together (OK, let's give Blair & Anouchka equal credit as they are parts of the album as well!!). Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, (..err, the song) is a happy song cleverly done by the trio. Equally good is Beautiful People but the real knockout here is Missing. Missing has a real honesty in it, lyrics-wise anyways. Quite seldom for a man to be admitting he misses a separated wife and Hall just does it with utmost truth in it. Still very visible are the traces of his prior group, The Colourfield, which also mastered melo-dramatic tunes. This is probably one of the forgotten chapters of Terry Hall's discography but if you liked him eversince, add a dash of influence from Mamas & Papas...then maybe, just maybe,...you'll like this album."
"After The Colourfield split up Chrysalis slit had enough faith in Terry Hall to come up with the goods they allowed him to credit this album Terry, Blair and Anoushta when issuing it as a solo venture by cash cow Terry Hall may have appealed more to their accountants. With the two part harmony backing vocals the album is more attuned to Fun Boy Three than any other of the Hall canon and the feminine touch makes this a very light and poppy collection. This is most apparent on with jazz standard `Three Cool Catz' which is very reminiscent of FB3 45 `T-aint What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) which was lifted by the backing singing of the then unknown Bananarama. Title song `Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme' sets the standard for the album with it's child like naivety being thrown into sharp contrast by the cynical and deadpan lead vocals. These work especially well on `Missing' a song on divorce which would dove tail nicely into any west end musical climax and the fantastic `Fishbones and Scaredy Cats' which still makes me laugh nearly twenty years after I first heard it. The arrangements on this album are perhaps a little samey however it is a fantastic listen, highly recommended."
"the first album by Hall's new trio with Blair Booth (vocals/keyboards) and Anouchka Groce (guitar/vocals) — drapes his usual lyrical dyspepsia in superficially simple light pop music that's too subtle for its own good. While several songs recall the Fun Boys' old partnership with Bananarama (minus the rhythmic intensity), there are fewer echoes of Hall's subsequent adventures: the faint accents here are Dixieland, swing and Latin. Booth, who shares songwriting and lead vocals, is a versatile, sympathetic collaborator, but the album is a bit down-the-middle dull, lacking any strong stylistic personality. After years of making music neck-deep in atmosphere, Hall isn't served well by such understatement; as pleasant as these tunes are, none of them has the memorable mettle of his best."
(http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=fun_boy_three)
Biography:
Terry, Blair & Anouchka was a musical outfit, active in the early 1990s. The group was formed by Coventry born singer Terry Hall, American actress Blair Booth and jeweler Anouchka Groce.Terry, Blair & Anouchka were formed shortly after the dissolution of Terry's previous musical project The Colourfield. All three members shared a love for '60s pop, as well as kitschy mainstream pop, as evidenced on the trio's cover of Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together." Their debut single "Missing," was released in the fall of 1989 and while it didn't make much of an impact (peaking at number 75 on the UK singles charts), it did have the distinct dishonour of making the Guinness Book of Records list of least successful singles by any act.The trio's second single, "Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme," didn't even chart. Terry, Blair and Anouchka's debut album, also called Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, was released in February of 1990 to little attention. The group split shortly afterwards.In 1992, Terry Hall collaborated with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics under the name Vegas, before releasing a self-titled album in 1995. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry,_Blair_&_Anouchka)
Vocals - Terry Hall
Written-By, Arranged By - Blair Booth , Terry Hall
Tracklist:

01 Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme
02 Missing
03 Fishbones and Scaredy Cats
04 Lucky in Love
05 Day Like Today
06 Sweet September Sacrifice
07 Beautiful People
08 Three Cool Cats
09 Happy Families
10 Just Go
11 Hush Hush Baloo
12 Lush Will Keep Us Together
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118627484/tba.rar.html
"After The Colourfield imploded, Terry Hall formed a trio with an American actress called Blair Booth and a jeweler called Anouchka Groce. Terry, Blair, And Anouchka explored Hall's love for '60s pop, as well as kitschy mainstream pop, as evidenced on the trio's cover of Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together." "Missing," the group's first single, was released in the fall of 1989 and it didn't make much of an impact, peaking at number 75 on the British charts. The trio's second single, "Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme," didn't even chart. Terry, Blair And Anouchka's debut album, also called Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, was released in February of 1990 to little attention." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
"One of the most overlooked and forgotten gems. From the splendor of the Terry Hall tongue, this outing with Blair Booth and Anouchka is truly a great find. They blend whimsical lyrics, catchy hooks and uplifting rhythms. Think of Mamas & Papas meets Lighting Seeds."
"...Terry Hall was thinking when he decided teaming up with an actress and a jeweller and coming up with this fantastic album but whatever he was thinking that time, I'm glad he did it. Sadly, no one practically took notice when this great piece of work came out. Hall is a master of conveying the deepest emotions one can have from timely things like the ruins of a divorce. He can also get away with doing covers like Captain & Tenille's staple Love Will Keep Us Together (OK, let's give Blair & Anouchka equal credit as they are parts of the album as well!!). Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, (..err, the song) is a happy song cleverly done by the trio. Equally good is Beautiful People but the real knockout here is Missing. Missing has a real honesty in it, lyrics-wise anyways. Quite seldom for a man to be admitting he misses a separated wife and Hall just does it with utmost truth in it. Still very visible are the traces of his prior group, The Colourfield, which also mastered melo-dramatic tunes. This is probably one of the forgotten chapters of Terry Hall's discography but if you liked him eversince, add a dash of influence from Mamas & Papas...then maybe, just maybe,...you'll like this album."
"After The Colourfield split up Chrysalis slit had enough faith in Terry Hall to come up with the goods they allowed him to credit this album Terry, Blair and Anoushta when issuing it as a solo venture by cash cow Terry Hall may have appealed more to their accountants. With the two part harmony backing vocals the album is more attuned to Fun Boy Three than any other of the Hall canon and the feminine touch makes this a very light and poppy collection. This is most apparent on with jazz standard `Three Cool Catz' which is very reminiscent of FB3 45 `T-aint What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) which was lifted by the backing singing of the then unknown Bananarama. Title song `Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme' sets the standard for the album with it's child like naivety being thrown into sharp contrast by the cynical and deadpan lead vocals. These work especially well on `Missing' a song on divorce which would dove tail nicely into any west end musical climax and the fantastic `Fishbones and Scaredy Cats' which still makes me laugh nearly twenty years after I first heard it. The arrangements on this album are perhaps a little samey however it is a fantastic listen, highly recommended."
"the first album by Hall's new trio with Blair Booth (vocals/keyboards) and Anouchka Groce (guitar/vocals) — drapes his usual lyrical dyspepsia in superficially simple light pop music that's too subtle for its own good. While several songs recall the Fun Boys' old partnership with Bananarama (minus the rhythmic intensity), there are fewer echoes of Hall's subsequent adventures: the faint accents here are Dixieland, swing and Latin. Booth, who shares songwriting and lead vocals, is a versatile, sympathetic collaborator, but the album is a bit down-the-middle dull, lacking any strong stylistic personality. After years of making music neck-deep in atmosphere, Hall isn't served well by such understatement; as pleasant as these tunes are, none of them has the memorable mettle of his best."
(http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=fun_boy_three)
Biography:
Terry, Blair & Anouchka was a musical outfit, active in the early 1990s. The group was formed by Coventry born singer Terry Hall, American actress Blair Booth and jeweler Anouchka Groce.Terry, Blair & Anouchka were formed shortly after the dissolution of Terry's previous musical project The Colourfield. All three members shared a love for '60s pop, as well as kitschy mainstream pop, as evidenced on the trio's cover of Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together." Their debut single "Missing," was released in the fall of 1989 and while it didn't make much of an impact (peaking at number 75 on the UK singles charts), it did have the distinct dishonour of making the Guinness Book of Records list of least successful singles by any act.The trio's second single, "Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme," didn't even chart. Terry, Blair and Anouchka's debut album, also called Ultra Modern Nursery Rhyme, was released in February of 1990 to little attention. The group split shortly afterwards.In 1992, Terry Hall collaborated with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics under the name Vegas, before releasing a self-titled album in 1995. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry,_Blair_&_Anouchka)

HOME (1994)
Credits:
Bass - Les Pattinson (Echo And The Bunnymen,see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Pattinson)
Drums - Chris Sharrock (The Icicle Works,see:http://www.premier-percussion.com/artist.asp?id=1648)
Guitar - Craig Gannon (Adult Net,The Smiths,see:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=263951891)
Photography [Sleeve] - Juergen Teller
Producer - Ian Broudie (Lighting Seeds)
Notes:
Recorded in Liverpool - Spring 1994
Credits:
Bass - Les Pattinson (Echo And The Bunnymen,see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Pattinson)
Drums - Chris Sharrock (The Icicle Works,see:http://www.premier-percussion.com/artist.asp?id=1648)
Guitar - Craig Gannon (Adult Net,The Smiths,see:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=263951891)
Photography [Sleeve] - Juergen Teller
Producer - Ian Broudie (Lighting Seeds)
Notes:
Recorded in Liverpool - Spring 1994
VIDEO:
"Forever J"
01 Forever J 
02 You
03 Sense
04 I Drew A Lemon
05 Moon On Your Dress
06 No No No
07 What's Wrong With Me
08 Grief Diguised As Joy
09 First Attack Of Love
10 I Don't Got You
Bonus:
11 God Only Knows
12 Suburban Cemetary
13 Guess It's Not A Great Day
14 This Guy's In Love With You
15 Forever J (Pulp Mix)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118619854/th-h.rar.html
"Home, Terry Hall's first solo album, is a surprisingly polished collection of mainstream pop/rock produced by the Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie. Theoretically, the setting is entirely too smooth for Hall's limited vocal skills, but the results are quite enjoyable, since he and Broudie have cleverly arranged each song to emphasize the strengths of Terry's detached vocals. While there is a bit of filler scattered throughout the album, the record is supported by pleasantly jangling pop songs that help make Home Hall's strongest effort since the Colourfield." - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
" I just found this album when looking to replace my much-loved copy of the excellent Virgins & Philistines and bought it on trust. The music has progressed from those heady days in the early 1980s but remains distinctively Terry Hall - bouncing guitar, cynical/humourous lyrics, some brilliant phrasing: if you liked the other stuff, you'll enjoy this from track one on! My favourite tracks so far: Forever J, I Drew a Lemon (Fool's Garden meets the Kinks), What's Wrong with Me, but as usual all the songs are strong."
"Terry Hall's career is the perfect example of the law of diminishing returns. After breaking up The Specials to form The Fun Boy Three it was apparent FB3 could never eclipse its parent group. The Colourfield failed to capitalise on the hit single `Thinking of You' and by the time the Vegas album had drifted effortlessly into the remaindered bin it was looking like Terry would never again trouble the pop world again. Not to be discouraged Terry recruited ex-Smiths sideman Craig Gannon, Lightening Seed Ian Broudie, XTC front man Andy Partridge and ex-Haircut One Hundred singer Nick Haywood as writing partners and began creating one of the most accomplished albums of his career. Terry and Craig put together a band and in contrast to most of Terry's previous vehicles went on the road. With Ian Broudie back in the producers chair he had occupied back in The Colourfield days the album was launched with 45 `Forever J' which put Terry back in the music press if not the charts. The album which followed lived up to all exceptions with the fantastic `You' and `Sense' the later of which became a hit for The Lightening Seeds. Over highlights would be `I Drew a Lemon', `Moon On Your Dress' and `No No No' which was going to be issued as a single but inexplicably deleted prior to issue. If not a perfect return to form this album was at least a precursor as to the heights Terry would later achieve with his next album, to paraphrase the song if ifs and ands were pots and pans, Terry would be a kitchen."
"A sadly neglected pop classic, sprinkled with sarcastic fairy dust."
"For Terry Hall's first solo album he was helped by people such as Ian Broudie, Craig Gannon, Nick Heyward, Andy Partridge and Les Pattinson however as ever with a Terry Hall record its his lyrics and distinct vocals which dominate. Tracks like "Forever J" "No No No" and "What's wrong with Me" find him lyrically and vocally reaching new heights."
More review:
http://www.theginge.com/home.html

02 You
03 Sense
04 I Drew A Lemon
05 Moon On Your Dress
06 No No No
07 What's Wrong With Me
08 Grief Diguised As Joy
09 First Attack Of Love
10 I Don't Got You
Bonus:
11 God Only Knows
12 Suburban Cemetary
13 Guess It's Not A Great Day
14 This Guy's In Love With You
15 Forever J (Pulp Mix)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118619854/th-h.rar.html
"Home, Terry Hall's first solo album, is a surprisingly polished collection of mainstream pop/rock produced by the Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie. Theoretically, the setting is entirely too smooth for Hall's limited vocal skills, but the results are quite enjoyable, since he and Broudie have cleverly arranged each song to emphasize the strengths of Terry's detached vocals. While there is a bit of filler scattered throughout the album, the record is supported by pleasantly jangling pop songs that help make Home Hall's strongest effort since the Colourfield." - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
" I just found this album when looking to replace my much-loved copy of the excellent Virgins & Philistines and bought it on trust. The music has progressed from those heady days in the early 1980s but remains distinctively Terry Hall - bouncing guitar, cynical/humourous lyrics, some brilliant phrasing: if you liked the other stuff, you'll enjoy this from track one on! My favourite tracks so far: Forever J, I Drew a Lemon (Fool's Garden meets the Kinks), What's Wrong with Me, but as usual all the songs are strong."
"Terry Hall's career is the perfect example of the law of diminishing returns. After breaking up The Specials to form The Fun Boy Three it was apparent FB3 could never eclipse its parent group. The Colourfield failed to capitalise on the hit single `Thinking of You' and by the time the Vegas album had drifted effortlessly into the remaindered bin it was looking like Terry would never again trouble the pop world again. Not to be discouraged Terry recruited ex-Smiths sideman Craig Gannon, Lightening Seed Ian Broudie, XTC front man Andy Partridge and ex-Haircut One Hundred singer Nick Haywood as writing partners and began creating one of the most accomplished albums of his career. Terry and Craig put together a band and in contrast to most of Terry's previous vehicles went on the road. With Ian Broudie back in the producers chair he had occupied back in The Colourfield days the album was launched with 45 `Forever J' which put Terry back in the music press if not the charts. The album which followed lived up to all exceptions with the fantastic `You' and `Sense' the later of which became a hit for The Lightening Seeds. Over highlights would be `I Drew a Lemon', `Moon On Your Dress' and `No No No' which was going to be issued as a single but inexplicably deleted prior to issue. If not a perfect return to form this album was at least a precursor as to the heights Terry would later achieve with his next album, to paraphrase the song if ifs and ands were pots and pans, Terry would be a kitchen."
"A sadly neglected pop classic, sprinkled with sarcastic fairy dust."
"For Terry Hall's first solo album he was helped by people such as Ian Broudie, Craig Gannon, Nick Heyward, Andy Partridge and Les Pattinson however as ever with a Terry Hall record its his lyrics and distinct vocals which dominate. Tracks like "Forever J" "No No No" and "What's wrong with Me" find him lyrically and vocally reaching new heights."
More review:
http://www.theginge.com/home.html

RAINBOWS EP (1995)
Credits:
Track 01: Featuring - Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz,see:http://www.damon-albarn.com/dlo.php)
Track 02: Featuring - Ian Broudie (Lighting Seeds)
Track 04: Featuring - Tricky (http://www.trickyonline.com/)
Notes:
a 2 cd set. Tracks 3 and 4 are live covers of songs by Television and The Specials. Tracks 05 and 06 are from cd2.
Credits:
Track 01: Featuring - Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz,see:http://www.damon-albarn.com/dlo.php)
Track 02: Featuring - Ian Broudie (Lighting Seeds)
Track 04: Featuring - Tricky (http://www.trickyonline.com/)
Notes:
a 2 cd set. Tracks 3 and 4 are live covers of songs by Television and The Specials. Tracks 05 and 06 are from cd2.
Tracklist:
01 Chasing A Rainbow
02 Mistakes
03 See No Evil (Live)
04 Ghost Town (Live)
05 Our Lips are Sealed (live)
06 Thinking Of You (live)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118646471/thra.rar.html
"In 1995 Terry released a new EP called 'Rainbows'. This was released on two CD singles. The first single featured the main track 'Chasing a Rainbow' which was co-written by Blur's Damon Albarn. The second track, 'Mistakes', was co-written by Ian Broudie (Lightning Seeds) who also produced the first two tracks. The third track was a live recording of 'See no evil' taken from a 1994 Manchester University gig. This recording together with two live recordings on the second CD single also appeared on the promo version of the unreleased single 'No, No, No'. The final track of the first CD single was a live recording of the Specials 'Ghost Town' performed with Tricky during a 1995 gig. The second CD single also featured 'Chasing a Rainbow' and 'Ghost Town' but with two live versions of Terry's best remembered songs - The Fun Boy Three's 'Our Lips are Sealed' and the Colourfield's 'Thinking of You'. A promo video for the single was produced featuring Terry with a bevy of female musicians. Both Damon Albarn and Tricky had cited Terry as a major influence in their own careers."
More:
http://www.moon-palace.de/tricky/select95.html
01 Chasing A Rainbow
02 Mistakes
03 See No Evil (Live)
04 Ghost Town (Live)
05 Our Lips are Sealed (live)
06 Thinking Of You (live)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118646471/thra.rar.html
"In 1995 Terry released a new EP called 'Rainbows'. This was released on two CD singles. The first single featured the main track 'Chasing a Rainbow' which was co-written by Blur's Damon Albarn. The second track, 'Mistakes', was co-written by Ian Broudie (Lightning Seeds) who also produced the first two tracks. The third track was a live recording of 'See no evil' taken from a 1994 Manchester University gig. This recording together with two live recordings on the second CD single also appeared on the promo version of the unreleased single 'No, No, No'. The final track of the first CD single was a live recording of the Specials 'Ghost Town' performed with Tricky during a 1995 gig. The second CD single also featured 'Chasing a Rainbow' and 'Ghost Town' but with two live versions of Terry's best remembered songs - The Fun Boy Three's 'Our Lips are Sealed' and the Colourfield's 'Thinking of You'. A promo video for the single was produced featuring Terry with a bevy of female musicians. Both Damon Albarn and Tricky had cited Terry as a major influence in their own careers."
More:
http://www.moon-palace.de/tricky/select95.html
VEGAS - Vegas (1996)Credits:
Dave Stewart (www.davestewart.com/) - Guitar,Vocals, Keyboards
Terry Hall-Vocals
Olle Romo (Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys,State Of Play,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olle_Romo)-Drums, Programming
Manu Guiot (http://www.myspace.com/manuguiot) - Mixing
VIDEO:
"She"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaJBDyXM3TE&feature=related
Tracklist:
01 Possessed

02 Walk Into The Wind
03 She's Alright
04 Take Me For What I Am
05 Trouble With Lovers
06 Nothing Alas Alack
07 Thought Of You
08 Anthem
09 Wise Guy
10 Day It Rained Forever
11 She
Bonus:
12 Lying In Bed Barefoot (from Possessed 12")
13 Infectious (from Possessed 12")
14 Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction (from Walk Into The Wind 12")
15 Art Blind (from Walk Into The Wind 12")
16 If You Kill My Cat, I'll Kill Your Dog (from She 12")
17 Tip Of My Tongue (from She 12")
18 She (Remix)
19 She (Disco Mix)
Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118606937/vega.rar.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/118605006/vegabo.rar.html
"A fantastically stylish collaboration between Dave Stewart (ex Eurythmics) and Terry Hall. An early 90's comercial 'flop' from the musical genius of the immenslely talented Dave Stewart and the distinctive vocal talents of Terry-fun boy three-Hall. I thought this CD had disappeared into the mists of the 1990's!! Best described as stylish and cool, mixed in with a little camp uncertainty with a slightly tounge-in-cheek delivery, this albumn is a clear signpost to the brilliant, diverse and brave; yet commercially unsuccessful, work offered up by Dave Stewart throughout the 1990's during his time away from the Eurythmics.Great for Sunday afternoon listenings at home whilst drinking champagne and self indulgently complaining about the price of good domestic help."Mine has 10 tracks listed on the sleeve, but has all 11 printed on the CD."
"In 1992 I predicted this would be the hit album of the year; I've been wrong before and will no doubt be wrong again. It seemed the perfect duo, Dave Steward from electro pop band The Eurythmics and Terry Hall journeyman singer of The Specials pedigree. First single and album opener `Possessed' b/w `The Day it Rained Forever' was the perfect fanfare for this new group and it ticked all the boxes, that it failed to chart was a surprise not only to me but also to BMG who had put there whole corporate muscle behind the release securing the `Possessed' video being played on heavy rotation on all TV stations. Charles Aznavour's `She' was chosen as the second single to showcase the bands commercial side and again it failed to chart allowing the album to stagger uncertainly into Woolworth's where I got my copy still expecting to be the first to hear the next big thing. It is a great album with classic tracks as `She's Alright', `Take me for what I Am' and the brilliant `The Trouble with Lovers' but it turned out I was into a great underground band rather than the world beating act I was anticipating. By the time the third single `Walk into the Wind' was released the band had done just that. Even so the occasional detour into Vegas is always welcome."
"This is an odd one -- and one that should not have worked out nearly as well as it did. This is the debut album from Vegas, which is Terry Hall and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart with help from Eurythmics assistants Olle Romo and Manu Guiot. Trying to picture Terry Hall in Eurythmics just doesn't make sense, yet the result is simply stunning. Both Hall and Stewart branched out from their previous bands and experimented with different sounds, both lyrically and musically. The result is a real mixture of rock, pop, electronica, and reggae, and it all works. Hall's deadpan vocals sound yearning throughout as he sings about despair and the loss of trust and self. Stewart compliments the sentiments with unsettling music throughout, mixed with some of the strongest melodies he has ever written (just listen to the opening track, "Possessed," once and then try to shake it out of the brain). Other songs take sound textures to another level, such as the bizarre, yet wonderful "Nothing Alas Alack." Both artists seemed to have influenced each other and both were very willing to go out on a limb and try some very new sounds. On a technical note, it is interesting that there is not a production credit, although it is almost certainly a Dave Stewart production." - Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide

LIGHTNING SEEDS - What You Say part 1. and part 2. (CDS) (1997)
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
House, Synth-pop
Credits:
Engineer - Kenny Patterson /Producer - Ian Broudie , Jonathan Quarmby , Kevin Bacon Written-By - Ian Broudie , Terry Hall
Remix [Credited To] - Touché (tracks 04,05)/Programmed By - Ashley Beedle , Marc Woolford (track 03)
Remix - Ballistic Brothers (tracks 02,03)
Remix [Credited To], Producer [Additional Production] - Ashley Beedle (track 03)
Remix [Credited To], Producer [Additional Production] - Ashley Beedle , Marc Woolford , Rocky (track 02)
Tracklist:
01 What You Say (7" Version)
02 Wishaway (weirdaway version)
03 Blue
04 Be My Baby
05 What You Say (Psychedelic Beach Funk Vocal - Parts 1 & 2)
06 What You Say (Psychedelic Beach Trip - Part 3)
07 What You Say (Wiseguy Remix - Vocal)
08 What You Say (Wiseguy Remix - Instrumental)
Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118626174/lswys.rar.html
LAUGH (1997)
Credits:
Terry Hall - Arranger, Vocals, Handclapping, Main Performer
Guitar, Arranger, String Arrangements - Craig Gannon (Adult Net, The Smiths)
Sean O'Hagan (from Microdisney and Stereolab,see:http://www.musicalpainting.com/en/who-highllamas.php), Angie Pollock - Vocals (Background)
Jocelyn Pook - Viola/Julia Singleton,Elain Constantine - Violin/Caroline LaVelle - Cello (http://www.carolinelavelle.com/about.html)
Simon Rogers - Keyboards, Programming (Adult Net etc.,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Rogers)
Martyn Campbell - Bass (ex Lightning Seeds,see:http://www.myspace.com/martyncampbell)Terry Disley - Keyboards (http://www.terrydisley.com/)
Drums - Chris Sharrock (http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=c29664224df72c608130bbd059ab6952)
Ellie Warren - Flute/Rosie Lindsell - Bassoon/Mick Ball - Trumpet/Handclapping - Dave Auty/Susanna Warren - Clarinet
Nick Heyward - Vocals (Background) (from Haircut 100,see:http://www.nickheyward.com/)Handclapping, Remixing, Producer - Stephen Street (also produced: The Smiths,Blur etc.,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Street)
Tracklist:
01 Love To See You
02 Room Full Of Nothing
03 Sonny And His Sister
04 Happy Go Lucky
05 Ballad Of A Landlord
06 For The Girl
07 Take It Forever
08 Summer Follows Spring
09 Misty Water
10 I Saw The Light
Bonus:
11 Music To Watch Girls By
12 Close To You
13 Anywhere
14 Working Class Hero (live)
15 Ballad Of Landlord (acoustic)
16 Love To See You (acoustic)
17 Bang Went Forever (from Ballad Of A Landlord 7")
Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118642783/thh.rar.html
"Terry Hall is most engaging when he is miserable. Hall, formerly of the Specials and Fun Boy Three, began delving into his shattered heart with the Colourfield in the mid-'80s. On his second solo album, Laugh, Hall is again weeping in his ale despite the cheerful appellation. On the surface, this album is distilled sunshine: The blanket of tastefully strummed acoustic guitars of "Love to See You," the crystalline jangle and sweet harmonies of "Sonny and His Sister," and the soaring chorus of "Take It Forever" seduce the listener into singing along to Hall's lyrics without realizing how tormented they are. Like Morrissey and Robert Smith of the Cure, Hall can sweep his angst underneath toe-tapping hooks. The shimmering guitar pop of "Summer Follows Spring" sounds as if it were made for a Sunday afternoon stroll, but it's a booby trap; the track is actually about his lover having an affair. "Last night you slept with someone else," Hall plaintively sings, while ex-Smiths member Craig Gannon paints fluffy white clouds with his six-string. While Hall mined the '60s with the Colourfield, his affection for '70s AM radio fodder is proudly displayed on Laugh. The songs are straightforward and immaculately produced, lacking any quirks or rough edges. If Hall didn't have such poetic and biting lyrics, this could be described as an easy listening record. Nevertheless, his mournful voice merges beautifully with the soft rock of his band. On "Ballad of a Landlord," Hall's whispery tone is matched by subtle strings; the music slowly builds volume and tempo with the rising emotion in Hall's vocals and lyrics. When he exclaims, "So now the place lies in ruin/the way you lied and ruined me," the guitars suddenly become louder, capturing the pain and resentment in his voice and words. Hall chooses to cover Todd Rundgren's "I Saw the Light" at the album's end; however, beneath its bouncy, infectious beat, there are no barbed confessions. Then again, Hall didn't write it." - Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
"This album is so special.It was apparently written as a response to the breakdown of Terry;s marriage and this is some result. Touching beautiful songs,wonderful harmonies..I still havent stopped playing it yet... a song for every bitter sweet mood Essential!"
"Having adored Terry's earlier album Home (another five star release), I bought Laugh the day it came out and loved it too. But today, I listened to it all the way through for the first time in a while, and it really struck me all over again what a total work of melancholy genius it is. The melodies are enchanting, the lyrics heart-wrenching and beautiful - I was blubbing by the first chorus of the first track (again...), the production wonderful. I really can't understand why Laugh is such a little-known gem, as it's so lovely, honest and truly superb."
"This album is beautiful and moving,Terry`s vocals are exquisite,the lyrics touching and the production is great."Ballad Of The Landlord,"and "I`d Love To See You,"are my own personal favourites,but each song has it`s own merits.Beg,borrow or steal it!"
"Terry has always blended perfect sweet pop with wit and honesty. One of the most prolific artists in the UK, "Laugh" presents a darker, lonely side of Hall after his brutal divorce. The lyrics seem a little too introspective but his unusual since of pop and hooks delivers most nicely. Terry explores more of his falsetto range on this outting going in and out of high and low notes, but the result is very interesting. Love to See You and Sonny and his Sister are utterly divine and For the Girl will leave you smiling. From ska with the Specials to Fun Boy Three, Colourfield, Vegas and with Blair/Anouchka (which is an amazing rarity), Terry shines once again. Oh and the sleeve is perfect"
"Actually a good album from this both loved and hated singer, former of The Specials, Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield and featured in various collaborations... Not one annoying song, and lots of very nice ones! Feels like good old Terry Hall, and a perfect album to have playing in the background on a good busy day."
More review:
http://cd.ciao.co.uk/Laugh_Terry_Hall__Review_5000291
Credits:
Terry Hall - Arranger, Vocals, Handclapping, Main Performer
Guitar, Arranger, String Arrangements - Craig Gannon (Adult Net, The Smiths)
Sean O'Hagan (from Microdisney and Stereolab,see:http://www.musicalpainting.com/en/who-highllamas.php), Angie Pollock - Vocals (Background)
Jocelyn Pook - Viola/Julia Singleton,Elain Constantine - Violin/Caroline LaVelle - Cello (http://www.carolinelavelle.com/about.html)
Simon Rogers - Keyboards, Programming (Adult Net etc.,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Rogers)
Martyn Campbell - Bass (ex Lightning Seeds,see:http://www.myspace.com/martyncampbell)Terry Disley - Keyboards (http://www.terrydisley.com/)
Drums - Chris Sharrock (http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/artist.php?artistNR=c29664224df72c608130bbd059ab6952)
Ellie Warren - Flute/Rosie Lindsell - Bassoon/Mick Ball - Trumpet/Handclapping - Dave Auty/Susanna Warren - Clarinet
Nick Heyward - Vocals (Background) (from Haircut 100,see:http://www.nickheyward.com/)Handclapping, Remixing, Producer - Stephen Street (also produced: The Smiths,Blur etc.,see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Street)
Tracklist:
01 Love To See You
02 Room Full Of Nothing
03 Sonny And His Sister
04 Happy Go Lucky
05 Ballad Of A Landlord
06 For The Girl
07 Take It Forever
08 Summer Follows Spring
09 Misty Water
10 I Saw The Light
Bonus:
11 Music To Watch Girls By
12 Close To You
13 Anywhere
14 Working Class Hero (live)
15 Ballad Of Landlord (acoustic)
16 Love To See You (acoustic)
17 Bang Went Forever (from Ballad Of A Landlord 7")
Links to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118642783/thh.rar.html
"Terry Hall is most engaging when he is miserable. Hall, formerly of the Specials and Fun Boy Three, began delving into his shattered heart with the Colourfield in the mid-'80s. On his second solo album, Laugh, Hall is again weeping in his ale despite the cheerful appellation. On the surface, this album is distilled sunshine: The blanket of tastefully strummed acoustic guitars of "Love to See You," the crystalline jangle and sweet harmonies of "Sonny and His Sister," and the soaring chorus of "Take It Forever" seduce the listener into singing along to Hall's lyrics without realizing how tormented they are. Like Morrissey and Robert Smith of the Cure, Hall can sweep his angst underneath toe-tapping hooks. The shimmering guitar pop of "Summer Follows Spring" sounds as if it were made for a Sunday afternoon stroll, but it's a booby trap; the track is actually about his lover having an affair. "Last night you slept with someone else," Hall plaintively sings, while ex-Smiths member Craig Gannon paints fluffy white clouds with his six-string. While Hall mined the '60s with the Colourfield, his affection for '70s AM radio fodder is proudly displayed on Laugh. The songs are straightforward and immaculately produced, lacking any quirks or rough edges. If Hall didn't have such poetic and biting lyrics, this could be described as an easy listening record. Nevertheless, his mournful voice merges beautifully with the soft rock of his band. On "Ballad of a Landlord," Hall's whispery tone is matched by subtle strings; the music slowly builds volume and tempo with the rising emotion in Hall's vocals and lyrics. When he exclaims, "So now the place lies in ruin/the way you lied and ruined me," the guitars suddenly become louder, capturing the pain and resentment in his voice and words. Hall chooses to cover Todd Rundgren's "I Saw the Light" at the album's end; however, beneath its bouncy, infectious beat, there are no barbed confessions. Then again, Hall didn't write it." - Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
"This album is so special.It was apparently written as a response to the breakdown of Terry;s marriage and this is some result. Touching beautiful songs,wonderful harmonies..I still havent stopped playing it yet... a song for every bitter sweet mood Essential!"
"Having adored Terry's earlier album Home (another five star release), I bought Laugh the day it came out and loved it too. But today, I listened to it all the way through for the first time in a while, and it really struck me all over again what a total work of melancholy genius it is. The melodies are enchanting, the lyrics heart-wrenching and beautiful - I was blubbing by the first chorus of the first track (again...), the production wonderful. I really can't understand why Laugh is such a little-known gem, as it's so lovely, honest and truly superb."
"This album is beautiful and moving,Terry`s vocals are exquisite,the lyrics touching and the production is great."Ballad Of The Landlord,"and "I`d Love To See You,"are my own personal favourites,but each song has it`s own merits.Beg,borrow or steal it!"
"Terry has always blended perfect sweet pop with wit and honesty. One of the most prolific artists in the UK, "Laugh" presents a darker, lonely side of Hall after his brutal divorce. The lyrics seem a little too introspective but his unusual since of pop and hooks delivers most nicely. Terry explores more of his falsetto range on this outting going in and out of high and low notes, but the result is very interesting. Love to See You and Sonny and his Sister are utterly divine and For the Girl will leave you smiling. From ska with the Specials to Fun Boy Three, Colourfield, Vegas and with Blair/Anouchka (which is an amazing rarity), Terry shines once again. Oh and the sleeve is perfect"
"Actually a good album from this both loved and hated singer, former of The Specials, Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield and featured in various collaborations... Not one annoying song, and lots of very nice ones! Feels like good old Terry Hall, and a perfect album to have playing in the background on a good busy day."
More review:
http://cd.ciao.co.uk/Laugh_Terry_Hall__Review_5000291

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