Bananarama Album: “Deep Sea Skiving [Bonus Tracks]”

A great debut from Bananarama, though they don't sound as confident as on their other albums this album is still a gem. From excellent songs like What a Shambles, to Shy Boy it is all here. The bonus tracks are good too. I would recommend this album to everyone, such good work!

This reissue was a treat for many reasons...

First, being Bananarama's oldest album, the digital

remastering made quite an impact on the sound quality...

I compared "Shy Boy" from my original CD to this new one,

and was blown away by the sound difference !

This is a great album, one of Bananarama's best...

Some great singles came off of this CD,

"Shy Boy", "Really Saying Something", "Cheers Then"

and "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)".

But what really makes this CD special is the

previously unavailable "B-Sides"...

As a Bananarama fan, it was a real treat to

hear a song that I've never heard before,

"He's Got Tact", which is very rare (and rather good) !

Also nice to hear some old vinyl "B-Sides" (Sounding crisp and new),

such as

"Tell Tale Signs" and a cover of The Sex Pistol's "No Feelings" !

Also, I must say, the packaging is great, they have retained all of

the "Ocean Theme" pictures, (as well as "Baby Pictures" of the group members)!

(These pictures were featured on the inner sleeve when the album was released WAY back in 1983).

"Deep Sea Skiving" is good clean fun !!!

Even though their hook-up with bubblegum popmeisters Stock, Aitken, And Waterman was five years away, their earlier era under the tutelage of producers Tony Swain and Steve Jolley gave them a vivacious dance tinged with a bit of Motown soul harmonies, a more natural sound. That being said, Deep Sea Skiving, their debut, is probably the best of their early era, and the original lineup of Keren Woodward, Siobhan Fahey, and Sarah Dallin never sounded fresher than here.

Take away the drums, and bass in "Shy Boy" and one can imagine a Shirelles or Chiffons-type group doing it, especially with the "shoop shoop ahh" refrain they chant in unison. It's a mildly upbeat number. The same goes true for "Doctor Love".

"What A Shambles" describes the downside of fame, such as the early mornings, interviews, and the pressured schedule that doesn't give the star a life. As the chorus says, "I wish you were in our shoes/I wish you could be us/Washing all your laundry /And riding on the bus." The title comes into play in describing a bad day: "What a shambles of a meeting/Don't know what to say/What a shambles of a bus ride/What a shambles of a day..." One of the best songs here.

Their UK Top Ten hit, a cover of the Velvelettes' "Really Saying Something" shows their R&B roots all too well. They have the Fun Boy Three backing them up, a favour returned for a reason I'll explain later.

A wall of dreamy keyboards and piano gives "Cheers Then" the atmosphere of a nice outdoor cafe, but sadly, it's about how all good things, even between "two old friends" thought to be inseparable, can come to an end: "But those good times came to an end/And its not worth another try/Time that lapsed a bond collapsed/We never planned for that/You felt betrayed I let you down/You're better on your own." One of the best songs here.

Then comes the single that got the attention of Terry Hall, vocalist of Fun Boy Three, and which led to the Rams' collaboration of FBT's "It Ain't What You Do, It's The Way That You Do It." That single was a cover of Swahili Black Blood's "Aie A Mwana", and it was produced by Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. I haven't heard the original but the sax and funky bass add to the tribal rhythms felt in the song, and they don't sound out of place chanting the African lyrics. That later led to a reteam for "Really Saying Something."

The upbeat and gushingly bouncy "Young At Heart" is the best song on this album, set to an insistent backing drumbeat. Yet the subject is about how young people may be young at heart, thinking they can make it on their own the instant they walk out of Mum and Dad's door, but the irresponsible things they do make them old before their time: "How come I love them now/How come I love them more/But all I wanted to do when I was/Old was to walk out the door."

They then cover Steam's well-known hit, "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)". Like "Shy Boy", this was another example of the production team of Tony Swain and Steve Jolley's giving them Top Ten hits on the UK charts. I like this one better than the version done by the Nylons later.

The mid-paced synth exercise "Hey Young London" was written by all three members and two others, and is a commentary on the youth culture in London's night life.

"Boy Trouble"--the title explains the theme. "Wish You Were Here" has the same wistful and beat-heavy style as "Cheers Then."

Six songs here were written by all three members, so to say they relied too much on cover songs is sort of fallacious. Now granted, it was those same covers that soared up the UK charts, but songs like "Cheers Then" and "Wish You Were Here" prove their non-single material didn't slip.

This album captures a small but wonderful section of the UK pop scene circa 1982 or so when the Fun Boy Three were experiencing chart topping success after splitting from the Specials. When the three boys hooked up with these three girls the results were inspiring. The germs of a real glossy pop career are here, but this record also shows why the gals have a place even in the hearts of "serious" pop aficionados.

1. Shy Boy - glossy pop, a great single.

At time this album is raw, at times the promise of the gals future polish shine through. If you thought they were just some random collection of women found by SAW then you should pick up this album to see their roots. True, they seem to do best when working with producers who have a strong vision, but they clearly bring their own view points to the table.

I am not what you would call an audiophile. And I don't have a thumpin' system in my car, but when I popped it in the player, waiting to hear the girls shine, as I remember them. I was sadly disturbed at the muddled sound. Everything, tiny and flat. Nothing stood out, drums, vocals, high's. I thought, ok the radio has had it. Popped another cd I bought, General Public's awesome"Rub It Better", what a difference! So I thought, some glitch, put the Bananarama back in, after General Publics album finished. Lot's of driving mind you. I was still dissapointed. Thought I'd suffer through and listen to see if it got better. Nope. The whole time, I'm thinking, it was the album always this bad sounding? Got to drag out the vinyl. NOpe, sounded better. What gives? Why do remasters seem to suck a lot? Is it just me? Is it as Edward who gave it 1 star, better suited for the computer? Anyone else think it sounded bad?