Hello,
This is another in my continuing series of themusicaddict's greatest CDs of all-time. This blog is about Living Colour's "Vivid". I listened to it recently with fresh ears, I wanted to see if it's still a classic CD. Not only is it still a classic CD, but it's even better than I even remember. There is a lot of 80's music that sounds terribly dated. However this CD sounds as relevant in 2013 as it did in 1988. (Sadly Death Cab For Cutie's "Transatlanticism" hasn't aged as gracefully.)
Remember Living Colour is a band and "In Living Color" is a TV show. The show launched the careers of various Wayans, Jim Carrey and featured J Lo as a fly girl.
Seeming to come out of nowhere near the end of the best decade for music, the 1980s, was Living Colour's "Vivid". While the 80's had plenty of music by black artists, Michael Jackson and Prince are the first that come to mind, there were other black musicians that carved out their own niche. MC Hammer, Tracy Chapman, Neneh Cherry and Living Colour all had their moments in the sun.
In 1988 "Vivid" was released and Living Colour made a huge impact on American rock and roll. I remember them coming to Salt Lake when they were beginning to get famous and they sold out a crummy club in downtown Salt Lake. I'd known about them previously, but that sellout caught my attention. I thought maybe this band was going to be a last longer than many of the bands that passed through the 80s without barely making an impact.
Sadly Living Colour joins many other musicians who had a great debut and sadly that was their peak. In fact both Tracy Chapman and Neneh Cherry peaked on their first CDs as well and sadly both have been lost to the dustbins of time. Living Colour seems to be making a bit of a comeback now, they are touring behind the 25 year anniversary of "Vivid".
Living Colour was made up of certified rock god and guitarist Vernon Reid, charismatic singer Corey Glover, bassist Muzz Skillings and drummer Will Calhoun. All of the members of Living Colour have their moments in the spotlight, although it's Reid and Glover who've achieved the most fame.
"Vivid" made such an impact because it took full advantage of the burgeoning rap movement. Both Chuck D and Flavor Flav make appearances on this great CD. Living Colour's first CD combines elements of funk and rock. Taking the best of both and combining all those ingredients to make up their outstanding sound. Many of their lyrics were a scathing indictment of 80's racial politics and the less than great condition of much of Black America. They obviously had heard Run-DMC's "Raising Hell" in how they mixed so many forms of music in such a satisfying mix. Also they are a bit of a forerunner to the combination of butt kicking music/ political messages that Rage Against The Machine excellently explored a few years later.
"Vivid" didn't have a lot of so-called "hits", although it has many popular songs. "Cult of Personality" is obviously their most well known song. But "Open Letter (To A Landlord)", "Middle Man" and "Glamour Boys" also were great songs and raised their profile. "Glamour Boys" is one of the most memorable videos of the 80s.
As I like to do on this kind of blog, this is the full album for Living Colour's "Vivid":
Vivid's Track Listing:
1) "Cult of Personality": Although this video didn't quite have the visual impact that "Glamour Boys" would later have, it's still memorable in it's own right. Plus this song is the one that introduced us to the band.
And how are Living Colour live? The live version of "Cult of Personality":
2) "I Want To Know" (Live on Bourbon Street September 19th, 2013):
3) "Middle Man":
4) "Desperate People" (This video begins with snippets of Jimi Hendrix and Pat Benatar):
5) "Open Letter (To A Landlord)":
6) "Funny Vibe":
7) "Memories Can't Wait":
"Memories Can't Wait" (Live In Chicago April 11th, 2013):
8) "Broken Hearts":
9) "Glamour Boys":
10) "What's Your Favorite Color (Theme Song)":
11) "Which Way To America?":
"Which Way To America" (Live):
Then in 2002 "Vivid" was rereleased with bonus tracks:
12) "Funny Vibe (Funky Vibe Mix)":
13) "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (Clash Remake):
14) "What's Your Favorite Color" (Leblanc Mix):
15) "Middle Man" (Live):
16) "Cult of Personality" (Live At The Ritz)
themusicaddict
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