|
''Love's a Prima Donna'' is an album by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released in October 1976. The album reached No. 28 in the UK Albums Chart in November 1976. ==Background== With the formation of Cockney Rebel Mark II, Harley saw big commercial success with the band's 1975 album ''The Best Years of Our Lives'', which spawned the band's number-one, million-selling single "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)". The following year saw the release of the following album ''Timeless Flight'', which was a Top 20 success in the UK, though its two singles failed to make any chart appearances. Once promotion was completed for the album the band began recording ''Love's a Prima Donna'', which would turn out to be the band's final album before Harley launched a solo career. The album was recorded over a four-month period at Abbey Road Studios in London (June–September 1976).〔http://www.discogs.com/Steve-Harley-And-Cockney-Rebel-Loves-A-Prima-Donna/release/1670351〕 In a Record Mirror article dated 11 September 1976, it was announced that the album had been completed, and Harley was due to fly to Los Angeles to cut the disc. It was also noted the group were looking for a new guitarist, following the departure of Jim Cregan, who joined Rod Stewarts band. Jo Partidge, who provided guitar and backing vocals on "Here Comes the Sun", as well as backing vocals on "(If This Is Love) Give Me More", would replace Cregan on the band's following tour. As well as showcasing the same style of glam rock used on the group's earlier records, the album draws upon a number of other musical styles including progressive rock, folk, doo-wop, and reggae.〔 Harley played electric guitar for the first time on record on "(If This Is Love) Give Me More". The song "Sidetrack II" was preceded by "Sidetrack 1", which was the B-Side to the "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna" single. "Here Comes the Sun" also contained the non-album B-Side "Lay Me Down", which remains exclusive to the single to date. The lead single chosen to return Harley to the charts was a cover version of George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun", originally recorded by The Beatles for their 1969 album ''Abbey Road''. Released in July 1976,〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.45cat.com/record/emi2505 )〕 it became the most successful UK cover, reaching #10 in the UK chart, lasting in the Top 100 for seven weeks.〔http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/Here+Comes+The+Sun#single〕 With the album soon to be released, the second single released was "(I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna", which failed to become the big hit expected, though it did reach #41 in the UK. It lasted four weeks within the Top 100.〔http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/Love+Is+A+Prima+Donna#single〕 "(Love) Compared with You" was also issued as the third single, however this was in America only as a promotional release. The song was originally planned to be a single release in the UK, much like the cancelled "Psychomodo" single from 1974. However the single release was cancelled.〔http://www.harleyfanzone.com/70/Scrapbook/1977/Record_collector/Record_Collector_Page5.htm〕 With the release of the album, it peaked at #28 in the UK, lasting in the Top 100 for three weeks.〔http://www.theofficialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/Love'S+A+Prima+Donna#album〕 It became Harley's last studio album to reach the Top 100 in the UK.〔http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/steve%20harley%20and%20cockney%20rebel〕 Later in 2015, Harley revealed to guitar-bass.net the albums that had most had an influence on him, under the "Soundtrack of my Life" section. One of the album's was his own ''Love's a Prima Donna'', and he revealed: "This is not self-indulgence, I swear! I gave free rein to Jim Cregan during the recordings and he rewarded me with some brilliant parts, which I could harmonise with the keyboards. The more outlandish my production became, the more Jim pushed himself. Cockney Rebel started as a non-guitar band, and here we are offering up lashings of electric mayhem!"〔http://www.steveharley.com/cuttings/575-soundtrack-of-my-life.html〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Love's a Prima Donna」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|