5037300069272
5037300067117
5037300847290

No. 1 In Heaven

Sparks

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Format: 2CD

Cat No: LBRCD119

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Format Details: 45th Anniversary Edition /

Release Date:  17 May 2024

Label:  Lil Beethoven Records

Packaging Type:  Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  5037300069272

Genres:  Pop  

Release Date:  20 April 2024

Label:  Lil Beethoven Records

Packaging Type:  Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  5037300067117

Genres:  Pop  

Release Date:  29 March 2019

Label:  Lil Beethoven

Packaging Type:  Digipak

No of Units:  2

Barcode:  5037300847290

Genres:  Pop  

  • Description

    An exclusive 45th anniversary CD release of Paste Magazine's #1 synth-pop album of all time 'No. 1 In Heaven' by Sparks. Released in 1979, the Giorgio Moroder-produced 'No. 1 In Heaven' became the blueprint album for all electronic music to come. The same year, Ron and Russell Mael wrote, produced, and recorded the album 'Is There More To Life Than Dancing?' for LA-based singer Noel. Together these albums showcase the Maels' electronic adventurousness and trailblazing foresight into the next decade. Bands such as Joy Division, Duran Duran, Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure), etc. have cited 'No. 1 In Heaven' as influential to their own work.

    Description

    An exclusive 45th anniversary double vinyl release of Paste Magazine's #1 synth-pop album of all time 'No 1 In Heaven' by Sparks, and the Sparks-composed-and-produced lost gem 'Is There More To Life Than Dancing?' by Noel. Released in 1979, the Giorgio Moroder-produced 'No. 1 In Heaven' became the blueprint album for all electronic music to come. The same year, Ron and Russell Mael wrote, produced, and recorded the album 'Is There More To Life Than Dancing?' for LA-based singer Noel. Together these albums showcase the Maels' electronic adventurousness and trailblazing foresight into the next decade. Bands such as Joy Division, Duran Duran, Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure), etc. have cited 'No. 1 In Heaven' as influential to their own work.

    Description

    Remastered for both vinyl and CD, this reissue also includes numerous bonus tracks, including the rare and original Peter Cook promo spots for the record, that were only available on the original UK picture disc pressings of 'Tryouts For The Human Race' and 'Beat The Clock'.

    "Virgin Records had the wonderful idea to enlist British comic Peter Cook to do two promo spots for the No.1 In Heaven album. They stood him in front of a mic and let him riff away at the meaning of the syndrum bleeps in 'Tryouts For The Human Race'"
    Russell Mael / Los Angeles, January 2019

    The No.1 in Heaven album saw a departure from Sparks' more traditional band format– and saw them collaborate with the renowned Giorgio Moroder to create an album of synth laden electro tracks, sans guitar and bass. At the time the album received mixed opinions from music critics, some accusing Sparks of betraying their pop and rock roots; but forty years and 16 more albums later, Sparks are still confounding, and amazing critics with their genre defying and pioneering music. Now, No.1 In Heaven is seen as an important and essential bookmark in the history of electronic music, inspiring countless other artists.

    "The most thrilling albums to make are those where you go in not having much of a clue what you're doing or where you're going, and where, at least once every thirty minutes, you ask yourself, 'Is this what it means to commit both artistic and commercial suicide?' That was the case with the No.1 in Heaven album."
    Ron Mael / Los Angeles, January 2019

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Tryouts For The Human Race
      • 2. Academy Award Performance
      • 3. La Dolce Vita
      • 4. Beat The Clock
      • 5. My Other Voice
      • 6. The Number One Song In Heaven

      Disc 2

      • 1. Peter Cook's Promo Spot For No. 1 In Heaven
      • 2. Tryouts For The Human Race (Alternative Long Version)
      • 3. Beat The Clock (Long Version)
      • 4. The Number One Song In Heaven (Single Version)
      • 5. Tryouts For The Human Race (Single Version )
      • 6. Beat The Clock (Single Version)
      • 7. La Dolce Vita (Single Version)
      • 8. Beat The Clock (Alternative Version)
      • 9. Tryouts for the Human Race (Alternative Short Version)
      • 10. Peter Cook's Promo Spot For Tryouts For The Human Race

    Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Tryouts For The Human Race
      • 2. Academy Award Performance
      • 3. La Dolce Vita

      Side 2

      • 1. Beat The Clock
      • 2. My Other Voice
      • 3. The Number One Song In Heaven

      Disc 2

      Side 1

      • 1. Dancing Is Dangerous - Noel
      • 2. Is There More To Life Than Dancing? - Noel

      Side 2

      • 1. The Night They Invented Love - Noel
      • 2. Au Revoir - Noel
      • 3. I Want A Man - Noel

    Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Tryouts For The Human Race
      • 2. Academy Award Performance
      • 3. La Dolve Vita
      • 4. Beat The Clock
      • 5. My Other Voice
      • 6. The Number One Song In Heaven

      Disc 2

      • 7. Tryouts For The Human Race (Alternative Long Version)
      • 8. Peter Cook's Promo Spot For Number One Song In Heaven
      • 9. The Number One Song In Heaven (Single Version)
      • 10. Beat The Clock (Long Version)
      • 11. Peter Cook's Promo Spot For Tryouts For The Human Race
      • 12. Tryouts For The Human Race (Single Version)