5 Stars
Blondie came together in New York, USA 1974. Founded by blonde bombshell Debbie Harry and guitarist boyfriend Chris Stien during the New Wave scene in New York or what was called Punk in the UK. After two albums, Blondie was moderately successful in Great Britain but still had only cult status in America.
This burst open in 1978 with the release of their third album ‘Parallel Lines,’ reaching number one all across Europe, Asia and Australia and number six on the American Billboard. The track ‘Heart of Glass’ was also an international number one. Needless to say, there were more hit singles from the album—five altogether. It was ranked #140 on Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 500 albums of all time.
A chance meeting with famous singer/songwriter/producer/half of the Chinn/Chapman partnership that gave us Suzi Quatro, Sweet, Mud, etc., Mike Chapman in California (where else?) was the catalyst that sparked the flame. He guided their combined talents to come up with this perfect combination.
These were fine musicians on the crest of a tidal wave. In the band now were Nigel Harrison, ex-Silverhead on bass guitar, the dazzling and thunderous drums of Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri on keyboards, and their very own Keef Richards in Frank Infante—a perfect blend.
No longer just a New Wave band, Blondie covered rock, disco, funk, and pop.
As soon as the first track, ‘Hanging on the Telephone,’ rings off the hook, you’re up and rockin’. It was actually a cover of an old Nerves song. But Blondie made it their own, one of two Jack Lee songs on Parallel Lines. The other was ‘Will Anything Happen.’ Blondie also rocked their way through Buddy Holly’s ‘I’m Gonna Love You Too.’
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The originals are right up there with that standard of songwriting. The dramatic ‘One Way or Another’ has been sung with great enthusiasm by millions on karaoke machines around the world.
Debbie Harry is, of course, the star of the show. The singing of the temptress on ‘Fade Away and Radiate’ is hypnotizing. She had become arguably the greatest front person of her era.
The cover photo by Edo Bertoglio drew your eyes immediately. An instant iconic image, the cover shows the band all in matching black suits smiling, whilst in front is Debbie Harry in a white dress, hands on hips, scowling defiantly.
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Parallel Lines was the UK’s top-selling album in 1979 when vinyl sales were at their peak. Total sales now far exceed 20 million.
If you buy the 2001 remastered version, you get four bonus live tracks, including a stonesy version of Marc Bolan’s ‘Get It On.’ These tracks prove what a phenomenal live band Blondie were.
Essential in any serious music collection.
Written by Mott the Dog whilst dancing around his kennel on the Darkside of Pattaya.
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