Ok are we sitting comfortably children? Right then here is the shortened version of the story behind Platinum Weird. Dave Stewart formed a band with a woman called Erin Grace (pre Annie Lennox/Eurythmics).
On the eve of the album launch party in 1974, Erin who was the lead singer disappeared. 32 years later Stewart decided to reform the band and hooked up with popular LA based songwriter Kara Dioguardi (Written for the PCD, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Kelly Clarkson etc). Apparently when waiting to rehearse with Kara in his Hollywood home studio, Dave found the old Erin demo of ‘Will You Be Around’. As he was strumming the guitar and singing the song, Kara arrived and immediately chimed in with the chorus. Dave was amazed; only he and Erin were the only people who knew that song. Kara explained that she was taught it by her mentor all those years ago in Scarsdale. It could only mean one thing—that woman and Erin were the same person.
Well there you have it, the stuff that Rock n’ Roll fairy tales are made of, impressed?
This CD contains the original recordings from 74 which feature Erin not Kara as some journalists have mistakenly observed. The album opens with the heart felt ‘Will You Be Around’ which is the first single from the album.
We then move into the main body of the disc, where some lovely 70’s style ballads can be found; ‘Lonely Eyes’, ‘Picture Perfect’ and ‘I Pray’ all supply great vocals, sweet hooks and friendly guitars.
‘If you Believe In It’ will inspire the die hard Eurythmics fans and offers a slightly harder edge to the album, whilst ‘Love Can Kill The Blues’ brings a 5 minute experimental sound-scape that breaks up the mix quite sweetly. Make Believe demonstrates just how talented Stewart was from day dot, whether or not we could have lived our musical lives without ever hearing this album is questionable. However, the Disney style story sold with this package tickles your ears and has you ripping off the shrink wrap before you can say Annie Lennox!
Very Good
Rating: 3.8/5
Label: Polydor
Words: Peter Litchfield
