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China Crisis|Working With Fire And Steel

Working With Fire And Steel

China Crisis

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China Crisis main men Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon were great songwriters searching for that one song that would make a difference. "Working with Fire and Steel" was that song. Although they had hits before, and they would have hits after, no other song defined China Crisis' essence more. With its percolating beat, Daly's hiccupping vocals, and a smashing chorus, it was the perfect modern pop song. With that said, there was also so much more to China Crisis than that one song. This, their sophomore album, features songs cut from the same cloth as "...Fire and Steel," including "Animals in Jungles" and "Hanna Hanna," but also reveals a band with deeper meaning and ambitious ideas. Lundon's sweet backing vocals (and lead vocals on the pretty "Wishful Thinking" and "When the Piper Calls") balance out the quirkiness of Daly's voice, creating a perfect combination. Although they were pigeonholed as a 'synth pop' band, China Crisis was much more. All that mattered to them was the song, and this album is chock full of intelligent, well-written pop songs. Producer Mike Howlett added much to the sonic blend, allowing the melodies to shine while toughening up the band's sound (the addition of a full-time drummer and bassist helped to thicken the sound as well). Even the softer moments, like "Here Comes a Raincloud," and "The Soul Awakening" are full of life and excitement. Apart from their own matured sound on this release, there are traces of rock, pop, and jazz floating between the lines. It was only a matter of time before they were compared to Steely Dan. But that came on the next album....

© Steve Schnee /TiVo

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Working With Fire And Steel

China Crisis

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1
Working With Fire And Steel Explicit
00:03:40

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Graeme Levy, Spoken Word, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

2
When The Piper Calls
00:04:03

Roddy Lorimer, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Oboe, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

3
Hanna Hanna
00:03:29

Roddy Lorimer, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Engineer, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

4
Animals In Jungles
00:03:39

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Engineer, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

5
Here Comes A Raincloud
00:04:15

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Levy, String Arranger, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Barbara Parham, Violin, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

6
Wishful Thinking
00:04:42

MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Dale, ComposerLyricist

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1984 Virgin Records Limited

7
Tragedy And Mystery
00:04:02

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Pollard, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Luke Tunney, Flugelhorn, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

8
Papua
00:03:36

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

9
The Gates Of Door To Door
00:04:15

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Gil Norton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barnacle, Flute, AssociatedPerformer

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

10
The Soul Awakening
00:04:35

STEVE CHASE, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alan Douglas, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - MIKE HOWLETT, Producer - Paul Cook, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - China Crisis, MainArtist - Gary Johnson, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Eddie Lundon, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gary Daly, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Wilkinson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Levy, Oboe, AssociatedPerformer - Geoff Higgins, Engineer, StudioPersonnel

(C) 1983 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1983 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

Album review

China Crisis main men Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon were great songwriters searching for that one song that would make a difference. "Working with Fire and Steel" was that song. Although they had hits before, and they would have hits after, no other song defined China Crisis' essence more. With its percolating beat, Daly's hiccupping vocals, and a smashing chorus, it was the perfect modern pop song. With that said, there was also so much more to China Crisis than that one song. This, their sophomore album, features songs cut from the same cloth as "...Fire and Steel," including "Animals in Jungles" and "Hanna Hanna," but also reveals a band with deeper meaning and ambitious ideas. Lundon's sweet backing vocals (and lead vocals on the pretty "Wishful Thinking" and "When the Piper Calls") balance out the quirkiness of Daly's voice, creating a perfect combination. Although they were pigeonholed as a 'synth pop' band, China Crisis was much more. All that mattered to them was the song, and this album is chock full of intelligent, well-written pop songs. Producer Mike Howlett added much to the sonic blend, allowing the melodies to shine while toughening up the band's sound (the addition of a full-time drummer and bassist helped to thicken the sound as well). Even the softer moments, like "Here Comes a Raincloud," and "The Soul Awakening" are full of life and excitement. Apart from their own matured sound on this release, there are traces of rock, pop, and jazz floating between the lines. It was only a matter of time before they were compared to Steely Dan. But that came on the next album....

© Steve Schnee /TiVo

About the album

© 1983 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1983 Virgin Records Limited

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