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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
11:37 AM 4th March 2021
arts

NOW - Decades Of Love (Sony Music/Universal Music On Demand)

 
Billed as the greatest love songs of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, this four CD compilation surprisingly features the four decades out of chronological order

They must have thought that the 80s was either the best period for love songs - or this collection is predominantly aimed at people who are fans of music from this decade. It was indeed a golden period for music so really it is only right that the 80s kicks off the compilation.

Reading like a who’s who of 80s pop George Michael offers 'Careless Whisper', Spandau Ballet reign with their big Number 1 from spring 1983, 'True'(despite the song being used on a fast food commercial at the moment, it still resonates).

You were either a Spandau Fan or Duran Duran fan back in the day, so 'Save A Prayer' by the Birmingham group succinctly follows. Sade might have been a smooth operator, nevertheless 'Your Love Is King' brings up the love connection here. Amazingly enough she performed a concert at Harrogate Conference Centre in 1984 on her debut UK tour, naturally it was a classy affair - and that was just the audience!

Sheffield seems well represented with 'The Look of Love' by ABC, 'Human' by The Human League and 'Up Where We Belong' from Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes.

The 70s CD contains such gems as 'Just The Way You Are' by Billy Joel, 'I’m Not In Love' by 10cc and Bradford born Kiki Dee with 'Amoureuse'.

Going right back to the 60s there's 'I Got You Babe' from Sonny and Cher, 'Make It Easy On Yourself' from the The Walker Brothers and 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King.

You can certainly hear the difference in 30 years, particularly on the 90s CD which opens with the powerhouse vocals of Whitney Houston and 'I Will Always Love You' and 'All By Myself' covered here by Celine Dion.

Manchester’s Take That are featured with 'Back For Good' and Simply Red with 'Stars'. Who can forget the never ending run that Wet Wet Wet had at Number 1 in the singles chart with their version of 'Love Is All Around.'

Lots here to love for any young old or come to think of it, ageing New Romantic!



I rate the album 4 out of 5.