True Confessions

(Track list and times follow.) The original "True Confessions" album was Bananarama's most inexplicably awkward collection of songs, themes and sounds. There are great highs, along with meh-worthy moments and a couple of stiffs. The deluxe 2013 three disc set inadvertantly exaggerates the fluctuation in quality and content, but wins out in the end by dint of sheer comprehensiveness. It is of course the Banana album where production chores were shared by the two most recognizeable architects of the girls' sound, Jolley & Swan and Stock/Aitken/Waterman.The Jolley & Swain collaborations represent the majority of the original album's contents, and they are very similar in tone to the tracks from 1984's "Bananarama." That means there's plenty of brooding to go with the beats, but thankfully J & S keep the music engaging even when the lyrics go south. They also had a talent for capturing the most precise vocal performances from Keren, Sara and Siobhan, and a knack for arranging layered vocals that kept them from sounding over-processed. After an album and a half (roughly) of work together, the Banana's association with J & S had become a bit dull; plenty of texture and tempo variation, but nothing that would light a fire under the average listener.The beach Pop of "Promised Land" is a buoyant reminder of earlier productions, but the rest of their tracks have darker, almost ominous settings. "Do Not Disturb" is a highlight, as are the sultry fatal romance of "Dance With A Stranger" and the strutting appraisal of "Cut Above The Rest." "Ready Or Not," once a contender for single release, is a reasonably memorable track. The title track has an arresting rhythmic pulse, but the lyrics are a combination of cliche sentiments and vague wordplay. Bananarama had a "big sister" appeal for many young listeners early in their career, and also had a tendency to write lyrics that offered advice and even socio-political insight. So some fans may find it easier than I do to excuse the well-intentioned but pretentious lyrics in "Hooked On Love" and "In A Perfect World."The two remaining cuts on "True Confessions" are the group's initial collaborations with Stock/Aitken/Waterman, and represent a dynamic contrast to the rest of the album. This is in part due to the straightforward and beat-heavy SAW style of the period, which sounded simplistic next to the J & S tracks with their varied tempos and settings. Still, great dance records cannot be denied, and SAW's frenetic production of "Venus" gave Bananarama a world-wide smash on the Pop and Dance charts, not to mention one more requisite title on 1980's music compilations. The popularity of "Venus" (and it's many remixes) tended to overshadow the other SAW track, "More Than Physical," which was released as the next single. The original "Physical" album mix is funkier and less aggressive than the extended mixes that came after, and the "come do me" lyrics are a far cry from the likes of "A Trick Of The Night."Lyrical overkill (or understatement) aside, I give the Nanas major credit for writing much of their material, and for ending a successful collaboration with J & S before it turned sour. Their vocal sound on "True Confessions" is tight, tuneful, and reasonably uniform in spite of the twin production teams. The same cannot be said of some of the bonus tracks on this deluxe set. "Scarlett" is a bit rough, vocally speaking, and "Ghost" sounds downright anemic. "White Train" isn't much better. The Daryl Hall produced "Riskin' A Romance" (from "The Secret Of My Success" movie soundtrack) is all angular (and dated) 80's beats and synths with subpar lyrics, but it's still catchy as hell. "Set On You" is a SAW confection that uses sampled vocals/lyrics from "Venus," "More Than Physical," and "A Trick Of The Night." Not much going on there thematically, but it sounds fun. There are also two J & S productions that were bumped from "True Confessions;" "Too Much Of A Good Thing" has some nice melodic moments, and "Vicious Circle" is an uptempo polyrhythmic attack.Disc two of the deluxe "True Confessions" set is comprised of 12" single remixes and dub versions, and includes most of the essential dance versions played in clubs. There are only three versions of "Venus" and a dub, so some fans may be disappointed. "More Than Physical" is represented by the Taste Of Honey-groovy "Garage Mix," the garage dub, and the Ian Levine "Musclebound Mix," which I find grossly repetitive and overlong. A sore point for this listener is the exclusion of the J & S extended mix of "Trick Of The Night," which had a difficult intro to mix but the best overall arrangement of the song. Instead we get the odious SAW "Number One" mix, which co-opted an earlier (and very popular) SAW recording made with Princess, "Say I'm Your Number One." For this collection, it's another awkward moment, with poorly re-recorded vocals and generic synths over a rhythm track that was used to better effect on someone else's record. Of the other tracks, the extended "Do Not Disturb" is welcome, and the previously-unheard remixes of "Ready Or Not" are pretty terrific.The (region-free) dvd in this set has nine performances, including six promotional music videos and three appearances on various BBC programs. It was nice to finally see the UK video version of "Trick Of The Night," which I prefer to the arty US version. The dvd is a nice capper for the set, which in my opinion is an essential buy for longtime fans and completists. There won't be a better version of this album ever, so don't wait too long to purchase.Disc One: True Confessions 5:18, Ready Or Not 3:53, A Trick Of The Night 4:38, Dance With A Stranger 4:30, In A Perfect World 6:03, Venus 3:49, Do Not Disturb 3:24, A Cut Above The Rest 3:39, Promised Land 3:43, More Than Physical 5:03, Hooked On Love 3:48, BONUS: Too Much Of A Good Thing 5:12, Vicious Circle 3:13, Ghost 4:03, White Train 3:52, Scarlett 5:16, Riskin' A Romance 3:52, Set On You 3:54Disc Two: Do Not Disturb (Extended Version) 6:07, Venus (Extended Version) 7:23, More Than Physical (Garage Mix) 8:46, A Trick Of The Night" (Number One Mix) 8:14, Ready Or Not (Pettibone & Forest Mix) 6:34, Venus (Fire & Brimston Mix) 6:43, More Than Physical (Musclebound Mix) 9:57, A Trick Of The Night (J&S Dub) 4:33, Venus (Dub) 8:15, More Than Physical (Dub) 4:57, Ready Or Not (Pettibone & Forest Dub) 4:45, Venus (Original Mix) 3:18Disc Three (dvd): Do Not Disturb, Venus, More Than Physical, A Trick Of The Night (U.K. version), A Trick Of The Night (U.S. version), Venus (12" version), Venus (on `Top of The Pops'), More Than Physical (on `Wogan'), and "The Making of A Trick Of The Night" (on `In At The Deep End')

1986, the Girl's 3rd album. This Deluxe Edition is just fantastic!!!Not only do we get a nicely done CD of the original album, but we get 7 bonus tracks included on the first CD.The second CD has several mixes of the "hits" or most notable songs on the album. Venus, More than Physical, Trick of the Night, Do Not Disturb, Ready or Not. (It does not have the single mixes of "More Than Physical" or "Trick of the Night". Those are found on a special edition of the regular album CD with the aforementioned bonus tracks. The CD itself of that album is white with True Confessions written across it in black letters.) Hang onto it, otherwise you may have to get that huge box set of their singles. Very pricey as of this writing.)** Track listing is above in album song specifics **** The DVD is awesome as well!~ 6 Videos including "Venus", "Do Not Disturb", "More Than Physical", "A Trick of the Night" (US and UK Versions), "Venus 12" version".~ Bananarama at the BBC, Venus, More Than Physical, The Making of Trick of the Night (which is quite lengthy).Inside Liner notes and photos are superb. The CDs sound wonderful and the DVD looks really good on the UHD TV. Get this one while you still can folks!!

The girls were suddenly everywhere due to their biggest US hit to date, their awesome version of Venus, which went to #1 in the US. (Incidentally, although the group sold a lot of records in their native UK, they never achieved a #1 single in their homeland.) The infectious sounds of Venus eclipsed everything else released from this largely uneven record, though "More than Physical" was worthy of being a bigger hit than it was. These two hits would lead into the groups Stock Atkien Waterman produced heyday. This reissue, all six in the series as a matter of fact, are the type of release fans dream of. How I wish other bands would follow suit and release quality, all-inclusive, reissues like these. The packaging is great, the liner notes superb, tons of extra photos, and every b-side, demo, single mi1x, dub mix, and 12" remix associated with the album. This newest release collects ALL versions in their complete, unedited formats. Add to this a bonus DVD that includes all of the music videos from the album and even a few live TV appearances to top that off. Even though the band has stated their disappointment as not being included in the track selection and remastering, l feel the record company did an excellent job with these re-issues and the girls should be proud of their accomplishments and these stellar re-releases! Quite simply, a collector's dream. NOTE: This review is for the 2CD/1DVD 2013 Re-Issue from Edsel Records.

When I was a teenager. I remember first seeing Bananarama's video. For the cover song( Na Na Hey Hey( Kiss Him Goodbye.) I loved them immediately!! I also loved the duet they did, With Fun Boy Three( Really Saying Something,) Catchy fun songs!! I had to have their music! When the(Cruel Summer) song came out. It blew me away!! It's my favorite Bananarama song!! Of all time!!Then all the hits kept coming!! I'm pleased to finally find. The ( True Confessions) album on cd!! It's got their biggest hits!! The cover of the "Venus" song, the fantastic, mega dance hit!! My other favorite tracks are " Trick Of The Night" Beautiful, haunting ballad! " Ready Or Not" has an excellent catchy, dance groove!! I love it!! " True Confessions" song is a strong, catchy, upbeat, dancefloor groove!! I also love " When You Dance With A Stranger" I think it's a heartfelt, pretty song. I'm over the moon!! with this Special Edition Collection!! It's a must for all Bananarama Mega Fans!! Satisfaction Guarantee!!

I love this album but the critics did not. Each song has its unique sound. I can't stop listening to this album. One of their best.

Are fantastic homage to this album with great additional tracks and packaging

Some say it was the 'nana's best album and it's hard to argue with this comprehensive set. If you like eighties you can't go wrong here.

Perfect !I love it !I want all reissues but the first 3 are too expensive...:(

This album sees the 3 girls maturing into young ladies. Great harmonies , especially on the haunting Trick of The Night.The smash hit Venus sits uncomfortably on this album due to the use of SAW production. The extra tracks on this deluxe edition would excite all Nana fans.

Bananarama: gruppo femminile che ha venduto oltre 40 MILIONI di dischi nel mondo dagli anni 80!Il loro genere pop dance "brilliant" ha conquistato generazioni e la casa discografica ha pensato bene di rendere omaggio a questo gruppo ristampando tutti i loro classici album anni 80 (6 in totale) in edizione Deluxe (2cd + dvd): i cd includono ovviamente tutto l'album, gli inediti, le B-sides ( il famoso lato B dei 45giri spesso brano inedito non incluso nell'album), le versioni in spagnolo, tutti i mix e remix e per concludere il DVD con tutti i video dei singoli dell'album e LE APPARIZIONI TV ALLA BBC!!!!Tutto remasterizzato dai master originali 80s e impacchettato come strong digipak con libretto che include testi e foto.What else? un must per chi adora la dance, gli anni 80 e soprattutto le Bananarama! Li ho presi tutti!!!!

Musica ben riproposta e sempre ascoltabile con molto piacere, a trent'anni di distanza. Un gruppo di successo, al top fino alla presenza di Siobhan Fahey. Lo consiglio a chi non ha conosciuto il fenomeno e desidera conservare un bel ricordo di quei tempi. Prodotto integro e pervenuto regolarmente nei tempi previsti.