Unbelievably, Monday the 4th of March marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Spandau's seminal album TRUE.
The album marked the real high point of the bands career and contained no less than four singles (five if one includes "Pleasure" which wasnt released here in the UK).
Recorded at Compass Point Studios Nassau, the album peaked at number one in UK on 14th May only to be usurped by a little know record by Michael Jackson the following week. Produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolly, the project had initially started out with Trevor Horn as producer and was known among the band as "the pleasure project". However, the band ultimately found working with Horn difficult and both parties went their separate ways after Horn had tried to insist on the firing of Spandau drummer, John Keeble. Jolly and Swain were recruited fresh from huge success producing Imaginations "Body Talk".
Having not previously toured a great deal in support of earlier releases the band toured extensively on the back of the release of True and this had a marked effect on the future direction of the band, Later releases, Parade (1984) and Through The Barricades (1986) had a distinctly "rockier" feel to them.
True really is a fantastic body of work. Although by today's standards it is a very short album (35 minute 36 seconds), every song is excellent.
One final note, the artwork on the album and supporting singles (except Lifeline) are paintings by David Band, who continued his association with the band for many years, producing work for both the Parade album and Heart Like A Sky. See earlier posts on this blog.
I, like many hope that the band see fit to celebrate this 30th anniversary in the only way possible - by getting back on the road this year.
Come on Mr Hadley - Pull yer finger out!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
