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The B-52's


Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Pop/rock

Status:

Most recent release, Live! 8-24-1979 (live, 2015); most recent release of new material, Funplex (2008)

See also:

The B-52's official site

Wikipedia's entry for the B-52's

Comparisons:

60s pop. Kinda. Umm...

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

The best party band of the '80s! Whacky and fun and a dancing delight. Go for it. (Neile

Recommended first album:

Either The B-52's or Wild Planet, though the Mesopotamia EP is my personal favourite. (Neile)

Recordings include:

  • The B-52's (1979)
  • Wild Planet (1980)
  • Party Mix EP (1982)
  • Mesopotamia EP (1983)
  • Whammy! (1983)
  • Bouncing Off The Satellites (1986)
  • Cosmic Thing (1989)
  • Good Stuff (1992)
  • Time Capsule—Songs For A Future Generation (compilation, 1998)
  • Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology (compilation, 2002)
  • Funplex (2008)
  • With The Wild Crowd: Live in Athens GA (live, 2011)
  • Live! 8-24-1979 (live, 2015)

The B-52's

Release info:

1979—Warner—D 110512

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended if you like party pop

Group members:

Kate Pierson—vocals, organ, keyboard bass, 2nd guitar
Fred Schneider—vocals, walkie talkies, toy piano, keyboard bass
Keith Strickland—drums, percussion, Claire sounds
Cindy Wilson—vocals, bongoes, 2nd guitar, tambourine
Ricky Wilson—guitar, smoke alarm

Produced by:

Chris Blackwell

Comments:

The original wacky, dancey B-52's album. Perfect for parties. irresistible beat, fun vocals, hilarious lyrics. (Neile)

Wild Planet

Release info:

1980—Warner—7599-23471-2

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended if you like party pop

Produced by:

Rhett Davies and The B-52's; Chris Blackwell (executive producer)

Comments:

How could you resist songs like "Private Idaho", "Devil in My Car" and "Quiche Lorraine"? Why would you want to? (Neile)

Party Mix EP/Mesopotamia EP

(now on one cd)

Release info:

1991—Warner—W2 26401 (Party Mix originally released 1982; Mesopotamia originally released 1983)

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended if you like party pop

Group members:

Ricky Wilson—guitar, keyboard, bass, organ, smoke alarm
Cindy Wilson—vocals, bongoes, tambourine
Keith Strickland—keyboard, bass, drums, percussion, organ, piano, marimba, guitar
Fred Schneider—vocals, walkie talkie, toy piano
Kate Pierson—vocals, keyboard, bass, organ, 2nd guitar, bird calls, keyboard bass

Guest artists:

David Byrne—fretless bass, synthesizer, guitar, percussion
Steve Scales—percussion
Yogi Horton—drums
Charles Rocket—accordion
Ralph Carney—saxophone
David Buck—trumpet
Roberto Arron—saxophone

Produced by:

Party Mix produced by Rhett Davies, The B-52's, Chris Blackwell; Mesopotamia produced by David Byrne

Comments:

The Party Mix is a party great; Mesopotamia is one of my favourite silly listens. (Neile)

Whammy!

Release info:

1983—Warner—9 23819-2

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended if you like party pop

Group members:

Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Ricky Wilson, Keith Strickland—vocals
Keith Strickland, Ricky Wilson—all instruments, except...

Guest artists:

Ralph Carney—saxophone
David Buck—trumpet

Produced by:

Steven Stanley

Comments:

Somehow (how is that possible?) a little less effervescent than the previous releases. Still party fun. (Neile)

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DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2016-05-21 19:44:30.
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