Product Description The first official live album release from Gene Loves Jezebel. Recorded digitally from a 1998 performance, Live In The Voodoo City contains live versions of hit GLJ songs such as Gorgeous, Motion Of Love and Desire. About the Artist Probably the most successful English alternative band to blend the sensibilities of American pop rock and English Gothic, Gene Loves Jezebel music broke through traditional radio barriers. They influenced many of mainstream alternative acts of the late 80s and 90s. Perry Farrel, of Janes Addiction, cites lead singer Jay Aston and Gene Loves Jezebel as one of his main musical influences. GLJ started in 1981 when two brothers arrived in London from South Wales. Initially interested in fashion, the flamboyant pair drew attention with their outrageous fashions. Soon after, the two brothers took to music and started a loose, experimental band. Word spread quickly about the bands charismatic and energetic frontmen. Fans became fanatics. Beggars Banquet Records signed the band and immediate success followed. Their first album, Promise (1983), hit high on the English charts. Album number two, Immigrant (1984), again hit on the English charts and became their first U.S. release (Relativity). Meanwhile, their single Desire was becoming a raging hit on the Billboard Dance Chart, eventually reaching the top five, as well as being featured in the John Hughes film, Shes Having A Baby. Their next album, Discover (1986), hit #1 on the British charts, and another US tour solidified them as a major act. Major label Geffen Records soon caught wind and signed them. Conscious of the visual as well as musical, the groups video for single Heartache became a instant hit on MTV. When Desire was re-recorded by Peter Walsh and released as single in the United States, the video was nominated for three American Video Awards, and it set the standard for dance club music in the 80s. In 1987, the success of the single Motion of Love led the band into a major tour of the US and Japan. The song eventually reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Pop singles chart. Soon after, House of Dolls(1987), was released. Change was in the air for the twin brothers and one departed to pursue a solo career. Jay Aston, the main songwriter of the band, kept it going and Kiss of Life (1990) was released. The record contained their biggest hit to date, Jealous, which hit #1 on Billboard Modern Rock Chart. A new label, Savage Records, offered the band more money and signed them along with David Bowie as flagship acts. But midway through a 1993 US tour, the band received word the label had gone bust. With no tour support, the band was forced into hiatus. The Savage/BMG album, Heavenly Bodies(1993), still went on to sell more than 150,000 copies worldwide and established them as a major act in Portugal and Latin American markets. Years passed. Jay went on to record a solo album, Unpopular Songs (1998, Paras/Rykodisc Records). And things probably would have stayed that way if it werent for one ardent fan. Convinced they still had plenty of music left in them, a fan miraculously brought Jay, James, Peter and a new American drummer, Joel Patterson, together to record the new album, VII.
P**A
Wicked City
This album is very poorly recorded, and captures GLJ on a particularly bad night. It's a soundboard recording, which means that you can't hear the audience and the vocals are too far up in the mix. In fact, it doesn't sound as if this album was mixed at all. I've spoken to Jay Aston (GLJ's lead singer) about this release, and it is most definitely UNAUTHORIZED. Don't buy it!
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