SoundPress.net Feature Article: 80's Hits Stripped Reworks Classics of the Decade! (CD Release)

80's Hits Stripped Reworks Classics of the Decade:
Get Ready to Hear Acoustic Versions of Your Favorite '80s Hit Songs!
A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch

Los Angeles, CA: You've heard the songs a million times before: "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield, "Our Lips Are Sealed" by the Go-Gos, "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol and "The Metro" by Berlin.

Howard Jones performs "No One Is To Blame"!

Now, prepare yourself to hear these classic tracks the way they were originally meant to be appreciated: Intimate, pure ... and acoustic.

Sidewinder Music has released '80s Hits Stripped, a compilation of the 80's greatest hits performed acoustically by the original artists. The bare bones nature of these songs will offer listeners the rare opportunity to hear their favorite tracks in an entirely new light. Executive Producer Jamie Talbot says, "In keeping with the Stripped motif and theme, I believe we have captured the essence of these mega-hits. This is the way most of these songs were written before technology and amplification got hold of them."

When you hear Billy Idol belt out "Rebel Yell" backed acoustically by virtuoso Steve Stevens, or the soaring a cappella vocals of The Outfield's "Your Love" accompanied by an intimate acoustic guitar, or the beautifully stripped rendition of "No One is to Blame" by Howard Jones, you feel like you are getting an intimate peek into the songs' origins -- the way they were originally crafted by the artists decades ago.

John Waite performs "Missing You"!

Each of the 15 tunes on '80s Hits Stripped are newly recorded, not previously released or only found on rare b-sides or imports.

"Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield, "Only the Lonely" by The Motels, "She Blinded Me with Science" by Thomas Dolby," "Promises Promises" by Naked Eyes, "Our Lips Are Sealed" by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos and "867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone were all recorded exclusively for this compilation. Additionally, "Down Under" by Colin Hay of Men at Work is from Man at Work; The Outfield's "Your Love" is an unreleased b-side; Berlin's "The Metro" is an Itunes Exclusive; Howard Jones's "No One Is To Blame" comes from Live Acoustic America; Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" is a live KROQ Acoustic Christmas version; John Waite's "Missing You" is from The Hard Way; Heart's "These Dreams" is from The Long Road Home; Asia's "Heat Of The Moment" is an import (Steve Hackett Tokyo Tapes); and Billy Squier's "The Stroke" is from Happy Blue.

While amplified sound and polished production can make a song a Top 40 staple, it is the acoustic version of the song that reveals the track's true foundation. "I think it is the essence of the song," says Rick Springfield. "I always figure if you can't get a song across with a single voice and an acoustic guitar then it's more a 'production' than a 'song.'"

Naked Eyes performs "Promises, Promises"!

The Go-Gos Jane Wiedlin offers, "'Our Lips Are Sealed' is one of those songs that is fundamentally good at the core - the lyrics and the melody are strong enough to be performed most any way and it will still sound pretty cool. I am so pleased and so proud that something that sprang straight from my heart resonated, and continues to be meaningful to so many people."

Berlin's Terri Nunn agrees. "My partner in Berlin, John Crawford, used to say that if a song didn't sound good acoustically, throw it out. No amount of production would ever make it good. In my almost three decades as a musician, I've found this is true. For all of our electronics and loud guitars and bombastic productions, it still always comes down to just the song." 80's Hits Stripped, released on May 30th by Sidewinder Music, will allow listeners the opportunity to hear their favorite songs in an entirely new realm…acoustically.

Additionally, on June 1 many of the compilation's artists will take to the stage in a rare, one-of-a-kind gathering at LA's famous Viper Room to celebrate the album's release. The artists will perform their greatest hits acoustically, offering fans a live version of the 80's Hits Stripped CD.

For more information on 80's Hits Stripped, or to pre-order the album, go to www.sidewinder-music.com

Complete Track Listing: 1. Rick Springfield - "Jessie's Girl " 2. Colin Hay of Men at Work - "Down Under" 3. The Outfield - "Your Love" 4. Berlin - "The Metro" 5. Howard Jones - "No One is to Blame" 6. Billy Idol - "Rebel Yell" 7. The Motels - "Only the Lonely" 8. Tommy Tutone - "867-5309/Jenny" 9. John Waite - "Missing You" 10. Heart - "These Dreams" 11. Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me with Science" 12. Naked Eyes - "Promises Promises" 13. Asia - "Heat of the Moment" 14. Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Gos - "Our Lips Are Sealed" 15. Billy Squier - "The Stroke"

Rick Springfield performs "Jessie's Girl"!

Related Links: For more information on 80's Hits Stripped and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Sidewinder Music | Buy From Amazon

(Originally Published on July 14, 2006)

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