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29 May 2012

Flashdance (1983): Expanded Edition

Tomorrow morning, I leave France to return to California for the summer. I likely won't be able to post anything for the next week or so, so I figured I should do one last post before I leave...
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Here is an expanded version of the Flashdance soundtrack. There isn't much I can think to say about it, other than the fact that it features a number of wonderful songs, including the title track ("Flashdance" by Irene Cara), "Maniac" (by Michael Sembello), "Gloria" (by Laura Branigan), "I Love Rock N' Roll" (by Joan Jett)  and "Romeo" (by the late Donna Summer). The songs that are in their original format are from my CD version of the soundtrack, and "Gloria" and the title track are also from my own CDs. "I Love Rock N' Roll" and the extended version of "Maniac" are from the internet.
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Title
Artist
Length
If Different From Original:
1
Flashdance…What A Feeling
Irene Cara
7:12
Extended Remix (1983)
2
Gloria
Laura Branigan
4:51
X
3
He’s A Dream
Shandi
3:29
X
4
Love Theme From Flashdance
Helen Saint John
3:28
X
5
Manhunt
Karen Kamon
2:38
X
6
Lady, Lady, Lady
Joe Esposito
4:10
X
7
Imagination
Laura Branigan
3:36
X
8
Romeo
Donna Summer
3:19
X
9
I Love Rock N’ Roll
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
2:55
X
10
Seduce Me Tonight
Cycle V
3:33
X
11
I’ll Be Where The Heart Is
Kim Carnes
4:37
X
12
Maniac
Michael Sembello
5:47
Vocal Remix (1983)
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“Gloria” and “I Love Rock N’ Roll” were featured in the film, but not on the original soundtrack.
“Flashdance…What A Feeling” and “Maniac” are included here in their 12” remixed versions.
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Enjoy here!
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P.S. Feel free to leave a comment if you liked this post, or if you have any problems with the download.
P.P.S. There is a typo in the "Read-Me" file... The song "Maniac" is 5 mins 47 seconds, not the 4 min 18 second version.

28 May 2012

Recommended mp3 Download Blogs

Here is a list of mp3 download blogs (most currently active) that I follow and regularly download from. In most cases, the albums featured are from vinyl (12," 10," 7," etc.) and are out-of-print; often the albums have some crackles, pops, and/or clicks, but rarely anything that detracts from the listening experience.

I cannot stress enough that, if you find something you like (and if it is available on CD), please try to support the artists in any way you can, whether by purchasing the album or by seeing them live, etc.

African music:
- Global Groove (http://globalgroovers.blogspot.fr/): My absolute favourite music blog, focusing on music from around the world, with a strong showing of music from the Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, and Brazil. A MUST!
- Electric Jive (http://electricjive.blogspot.fr/): Focuses primarily on South African vinyl albums.
- Dial Africa (http://dial-africa.blogspot.fr/), Likembe (http://likembe.blogspot.fr/), Sea Never Dry (http://seaneverdry.blogspot.fr/), Oro (http://orogod.blogspot.fr/), Worldservice (http://wrldsrv.blogspot.fr/): Lots of goodies.

Brazilian:
- Abracadabra LPs do Brasil (http://abracadabra-br2.blogspot.fr/): Lots of classic samba, bossa nova, etc.

Disco:
- Moimix (http://moimix.blogspot.fr/): Features many extended mixes, 12" singles, rare alternate versions, etc. of disco and dance classics, including quite a few Boney M treasures.
- Disco Funk 70 & 80 (http://discofunkmusic70e80.blogspot.fr/): A good selection of disco albums, 12" singles, and more.


Soul and R&B:
- All Soul and Funk (http://allsoulandfunk.blogspot.fr/): Full discographies for many classic soul/funk/jazz artists.
- Classic & Rare Soul Sisters 50s-70s (http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.fr/) & Soulful Divas (http://soulfuldivas.blogspot.fr/): No longer being updated, but FULL of treasures!

Classical:
- Big 10-Inch Record (http://big10inchrecord.blogspot.fr/):All kinds of goodies, including classical music, musical theatre EPs, actor and singer highlights, etc.
- 33 RPM Classics (http://satyrlp.blogspot.fr/) & 78 RPM Classics (http://satyr78lp.blogspot.fr/): Lots of absolutely wonderful classical music LPs (the page is in Dutch, but there is translation bar at the top that allows you to view everything in English).
- Quartier des Archives (http://quartier-des-archives.blogspot.fr/): In French; chock full of goodies.

Country:
- UPDATE: TJ's House of Country Music has been taken down.

Lounge:
- Lounge Legends (http://loungelegends.blogspot.fr/): Classic lounge, vocal, easy listening, etc. (AKA a lot of thoroughly enjoyable elevator music...)

Assorted Goodies:
- Snap, Crackle & Pop (http://snapcrackleandpops.blogspot.fr/): Lots of fun stuff, including African music, pop, disco, rap, soul, funk

Enjoy! And remember to always support artists whenever possible.
If you find this list helpful, please don't be a stranger; leave a "thank you" comment.
Thanks, Merci, Gracias.

Bee Gees Gold (1976)

Bee Gees Gold: I grew up on this album. The Bee Gees were my mom's favorite group, and this album was in regular rotation during my youth. To the best of my knowledge, this album has never been released on CD, which is a shame, as it is a great compilation of their pre-disco hits. In addition to the 12 songs originally on this compilation, I have added as bonus tracks five songs from the 1969 compilation Best of Bee Gees.
Bee Gees Gold was labelled as "Volume 1" but no further volumes were released.


I have assembled this album from CD albums, primarily Their Greatest Hits: The Record. The songs from that album are in 320kbps mp3, while the four other songs are in 263-264kbps Variable Bit-Rate mp3.
I previously posted this album in lower bit-rate and with mono versions of many of the songs. Now all songs are in stereo.

1. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?
2. Holiday
3. To Love Somebody
4. Massachusetts
5. Words
6. Lonely Days
7. Run To Me
8. I've Gotta Get A Message To You
9. My World (263kbps, VBR)
10. I Can't See Nobody (263kbps, VBR)
11. I Started A Joke
12. New York Mining Disaster 1941

BONUS TRACKS (From "Best of Bee Gees")
13. Spicks & Specks
14. Tomorrow, Tomorrow (264kbps, VBR)
15. First Of May
16. World
17. Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Tell You (263kbps, VBR)

NEW LINK (June 5, 2013, ZIP, 115 MB)

Digression #2: To Come In The Next Few Weeks

In no particular order, blog posts to come in the next few weeks (many of them are music-related):
- An mp3 album of ABBA-esque songs (Brotherhood of Man, Boney M, Champagne, Maywood, etc.)
- Thank God It's Friday Expanded Soundtrack (mp3)
- Bee Gees Gold (mp3)
- A compilation of African songs (mp3)
- A list of recommended music download blogs
- More on France & French life