Various - Absolute Beginners Soundtrack (0865657) 2 LP Set
The album features three songs by David Bowie that weren't included on any of his studio albums, along with exclusive tracks recorded for the film by Sade, The Style Council, Ray Davies and Jerry Dammers and more. The soundtrack was much more warmly received than the film was at the time, while the reviews for the film were mixed, the album had good write-ups in the best selling ‘inkies’ of the day NME & Sounds.
Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, whose many credits include No. 1 singles for Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners, produced the album and it also features arrangements by Gil Evans, widely recognised as one of the key orchestrators in jazz, acclaimed for his collaborations with Miles Davis.
Both the title track by Bowie and ‘Have You Ever Had It Blue’ by The Style Council were significant UK hits and Bowie was kept off the #1 slot by Diana Ross’s Chain Reaction, and he would have to wait another six years before he hit the top ten again.
1. David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
2. Sade - Killer Blow
3. The Style Council - Have You Ever Had It Blue?
4. Ray Davies - Quiet Life
5. Gil Evans - Va Va Voom
6. David Bowie - That's Motivation
7. Eighth Wonder Featuring Patsy Kensit - Having It All
8. Working Week - Rodrigo Bay
9. Slim Gaillard - Selling Out
10. Jerry Dammers - Riot City
11. Gil Evans - Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough And The Smooth)
12. Tenpole Tudor - Ted Ain't Ded
13. David Bowie - Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)
14. Clive Langer - Napoli
15. Jonas - Little Cat (You Never Had It So Good)
16. Gil Evans - Absolute Beginners (Slight Refrain)
17. Gil Evans - Better Git It In Your Soul (The Hot And The Cool)
18. Laurel Aitken - Landlords And Tenants
19. Ekow Abban - Santa Lucia
20. Gil Evans - Cool Napoli
21. Smiley Culture - So What? (Lyric Version)
22. Gil Evans - Absolute Beginners (Refrain)
Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, whose many credits include No. 1 singles for Madness and Dexys Midnight Runners, produced the album and it also features arrangements by Gil Evans, widely recognised as one of the key orchestrators in jazz, acclaimed for his collaborations with Miles Davis.
Both the title track by Bowie and ‘Have You Ever Had It Blue’ by The Style Council were significant UK hits and Bowie was kept off the #1 slot by Diana Ross’s Chain Reaction, and he would have to wait another six years before he hit the top ten again.
1. David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
2. Sade - Killer Blow
3. The Style Council - Have You Ever Had It Blue?
4. Ray Davies - Quiet Life
5. Gil Evans - Va Va Voom
6. David Bowie - That's Motivation
7. Eighth Wonder Featuring Patsy Kensit - Having It All
8. Working Week - Rodrigo Bay
9. Slim Gaillard - Selling Out
10. Jerry Dammers - Riot City
11. Gil Evans - Boogie Stop Shuffle (Rough And The Smooth)
12. Tenpole Tudor - Ted Ain't Ded
13. David Bowie - Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)
14. Clive Langer - Napoli
15. Jonas - Little Cat (You Never Had It So Good)
16. Gil Evans - Absolute Beginners (Slight Refrain)
17. Gil Evans - Better Git It In Your Soul (The Hot And The Cool)
18. Laurel Aitken - Landlords And Tenants
19. Ekow Abban - Santa Lucia
20. Gil Evans - Cool Napoli
21. Smiley Culture - So What? (Lyric Version)
22. Gil Evans - Absolute Beginners (Refrain)