I first heard Talk Talk back in the very early 80’s by seeing the video for Talk Talk and then hearing It’s My Life on the radio. I haven’t kept up with the group throughout the years, but I am starting to discover what an effect the band has had on many of my favorite musicians like Alan Wilder (Depeche Mode, Recoil), John Taylor (Duran Duran) and No Doubt, who did a remake of It’s My Life back in 2003.
In writing this post and researching more about the band, I discovered that their first two singles were produced by Colin Thurston (Duran Duran’s producer at the time), and they even opened up for Duran Duran on their 1982 tour, right in the throes of the new romantic movement. Back then, I would never have guessed that was the original path for the band. Most of the songs I have heard from the band after the single Talk Talk came from the album It’s My Life and their sound is such a departure from Duran Duran.
I started reading about a book called Spirit of Talk Talk because of Alan Wilder’s involvement on tribute CD of the same name (to be released by Fierce Panda in September 2012). Not only is he the musical and production supervisor for the tribute CD, he also contributed to the book, which will be published by Rocket 88 Books, also to be released in September 2012 (I also found a great interview with Alan regarding his involvement with Spirit of Talk Talk on The Electricity Club blog here).
Spirit of Talk Talk was complied by people influenced by the band, from friends to fans, and celebrates their legacy and impact. The book is currently available for pre-order (click on the link to place an order). If you do so, you can also be a part of their “Roll of Honour”, which will be printed in the book. There are two versions of the book, Classic and Deluxe (compare the editions here). I pre-ordered the Classic version to be a part of the “Roll of Honour” and the first 1,000 sold will be signed by art designer, James Marsh. If you are a fan of 80’s music and Talk Talk, this is a wonderful and exciting way to become a part of their printed musical history.
(Top image courtesy of Chartstats; middle image coutesy of The Rocket Books 88 Blog; last image courtesy of Wikinoticia.)