Duran Duran Album: “Rio”

Here's the short story on why so many of you are griping about the "re-editing" of Rio in this newest remastered form. Rio was released internationally in 1982 EXACTLY as it appears here. It was a huge hit in Britain and Europe, but not in America. David Kershenbaum was brought in to remix some of the tracks, three of which ( Hungry Like the Wolf, Hold Back the Rain, and My Own Way ) made it a mini lp ( or EP, as they were then called ) called Carnival ( I still have my copy ). After the extended version of Hungry Like the Wolf became a club and radio hit, Rio was re-released in the US with the extended versions of these three songs, and a very slightly altered Kershenbaum mix of Lonely in Your Nightmare, added to the album. ( Again, I actually have both versions of this LP ) So, to make a long story short, this IS the original, definitive version of the Rio album, in its full glory. If you like the extended versions, I suggest you look for "night Versions" ( now out of print, sadly ), or buy the singles box set, which will contain the remixes. I can also recommend the British cd called Strange Behaviour, which contains an excellent extended ( but not remixed ) version of Planet Earth, as well as a remixed and extended version of Hold Back the Rain, both of which are unavailable elsewhere, as far as I know. Rio, in and of itself, it a delightful slice of early Eighties dance-pop, with a slightly arty influence. Very highly recommended.

At long last, the Rio album is released in a format that allows you to program your CD player (or download your Ipod) with the complete version of the album that we in the US and Canada listened to in 82/83. Personally, I could never listen to the UK version issued on CD a few years ago. It just wasn't the same album.

And while you could cobble together most of the US version from various albums/compilations released over the years, as far as I know, up until now, the 5:33 version of Save a Prayer, and the US Remix of Lonely in Your Nightmare, were not available on CD. They're both here, along with both US versions of Hungry Like the Wolf (the original US album version and the much better Night Version).

Sound quality is tremendous. It does seem like the US Remixes may have been taken from a vinyl copy, however; you can clearly hear noise at the beginning of Lonely in Your Nightmare and Rio; compare this to the absence of such noise in the UK versions. But even if that is the case, the sound quality is still pretty good, and well beyond that of the vinyl copies from the 80's.

When I heard that the original songs from Rio had been remastered, I was ecstatic. I grew up with the versions on the cassette I bought in 1982, and never really liked the versions on the CD. I read the reviews here, and noticed there was a difference of opinion on whether these are the original songs. I was praying they were, and was most notably looking for the following differences: "My Own Way" intro has keyboard arpeggios in between the guitar chords. "Hungry Like a Wolf" has an instrumental verse before any singing starts. "Hold Back The Rain" starts with keyboard before drums and guitar start. It also has a slightly extended intro where Simon whispers, "Hold back the rain," and a second instrumental break towards the end of the song, where Simon sings, "Hold it back, hold it back, hold it back."

I was disappointed to find that none of these differences are on this 2001 remastered CD. I was able to get my hands on the versions I wanted via the internet, but you can tell they're recorded from a record. I definitely like the sound of the new CD, it's mixed very well. But don't buy it expecting the differences I listed above. [EDIT: For the versions of the songs I mentioned above, get their Singles '81-'85 Boxed Set. I got it for Christmas, and finally found what I was looking for.]

I wasn't born yet when this record was released, so I missed out on the Duran Duran heyday. But the other day, I heard this incredible song on the radio called Rio. No doubt in my mind, the best song I've ever heard. Its just utterly perfect in every way! The musicianship is phenominal. John Taylor's killer bassline, combined with Nick Rhodes arpegiated synthesiser riffs created one of the best songs ever. Listening to Duran Duran is like watching a really awesome movie. The songs take you on a musical adventure, you never know what's going to happen next.

A record like this could only come from the 80s. I understand that Rio was a monster hit in the 80s, but if it were released today, it would have flopped big time! Top 40 radio wouldn't touch these guys today. Something this complex would never be a hit in the new millenium. In the 21st century, nobody wants to hear accomplished musicianship, they want cr@p instead! So us poor unfortunate people who were born in the 80s and don't remember them have to suffer through a bunch of bratty, suburban, juvenile delinquent tunes by Green Day or Avril Lavigne every time we turn on a radio! Its just not fair!

Thank God this album has finally been re-mastered and re-released. As a longtime Duran Duran fan, this was the first album of theirs that I ever purchased... you remember vinyl, right? I have the older Rio cd, but this one sounds so much like I remember (I was particularly happy to hear the restored "longer" version of 'Save a Prayer', which the first cd totally cut to pieces). I do miss the original vinyl version of 'Hold Back the Rain' though. The enhanced cd elements are nice, and contain lyrics, 3 videos (Save a Prayer, Hungry like the Wolf, and Rio), old photos, and a discography of all the releases off the Rio album. Overall, I think it far exceeds the original cd pressing, and while the enhanced cd stuff is cool, it's not anything really new and exciting. It's such a joy to hear the songs so clear and crisp, with all the little nuances, and relive the experience of so long ago, in 1982, when I would listen to my Rio record... if you're a fan, there's no choice-- you must get this!