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CD TRACKLISTING The Smile On Our Face |
SUNDANCE came together in early-1982. The group were formed by Mike Hurst (ex Springfields and noted record producer), Michael de Alberquereque (ex-ELO) and Mary Hopkin, famed for her sixties hit ‘Those Were The Days’. Their first recordings with Ray Fenwick on guitar, Steve Price on bass and Steve Dimitri on drums led to a licensing deal with Bronze Records.
The group toured the UK as support to Dr Hook and appeared on numerous TV shows, but their first single ‘What’s Love?’ only charted in South Africa! Then, due to Mary Hopkin’s ill-health the group disbanded. Mike Hurst said, ‘I believed that Sundance could have gone on forever, but only with the original line-up. The initial idea of heavy acoustic guitars with Fleetwood Mac-type harmonies was the right one, but it needed perserverance, a thing in short supply in the record business.’
Their only album is reissued here with bonus tracks including a historic TV performance of ‘Those Were The Days’. Mike Hurst contributes informative and authorative sleeve notes as well as unpublished photos from his personal archive.
Reviews
This CD is a collection of all the tracks they recorded during their short lifetime, being a mixture of Hurst originals and covers…Fans of Mary Hopkin may well be interested in a period of her career which is largely unknown… Feedback (June 2002)
Producing a sound that was packed with laid-back guitars and vocal harmonies, this, their only release, is surprisingly well-honed... Sundance were at their finest when they veered away from the ballad and concentrated on a light-rock sound, as demonstrated here on 'A Good Old Song', 'Never Goung Back' and the country edge of 'What's It Doing To You And Me' Rich Wilson, Record Collector (August 2002)
Although Sundance were clearly cut from the same poppy mould as Eurovision Song Contest winners Bucks Fizz..the strength of Hurst's and Hopkins' vocals certainly raised them above that particular denominator…Their choice of material, too, was generally strong - Andrew Gold's 'The Smile On Your Face', a rousing 'Walk Right In', and a lovely 'Silver Thread And Golden Needles' are highlights. Jo-Ann Greene, Goldmine (August 2002)
With Michael's voice in beautiful harmony with the wonderful voice of Mary's it just seemed so perfect…Here we have the original nine songs plus four superb bonus tracks…this is an important part of music history…good album with a historic value of 10. Modern Dance, Issue 43 (January 2003)
…an interesting MOR release...with some particularly strong vocal work... Bernard Law, Classic Rock Society (Nov/Dec 2003)
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