My Six Best Albums - Martin Fry

Friday May 18,2012

By Daily Express reporter

 

 

MARTIN FRY, 54, is the lead singer of ABC, best known for hits Poison Arrow and The Look Of Love.

ABC are part of the Ultimate 80s Festival at The Forum Hertfordshire, in Hatfield, on Saturday, May 26.

See forumhertfordshire.co.uk

 

 

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE: THERE'S A RIOT GOIN' ON

(Sony BMG)

Better than Sgt Pepper’s. Sly Stone is a funk genius. Even now I can’t work out how he made the record. You hear something different each time. When I was 13 I’d go to discos in the Manchester suburbs and they’d play Family Affair. It was like something from another planet.

 

ROXY MUSIC: FOR YOUR PLEASURE

(Virgin)

A stunning record, unashamedly art and music, totally ahead of its time and a blueprint for many bands such as ABC and Duran Duran. Do The Strand is my favourite track. It’s pretty much a manifesto of how you want to live your life.

 

MARVIN GAYE: WHAT'S GOING ON

(Commercial Marketing)

No points for originality with this but it’s one of those heaven-sent records. Spiritual but down to earth. What’s Going On, Mercy Mercy Me, Inner City Blues, it’s an album of songs with a conscience.

He was a poet. His music will live for ever.

 

DONNY HATHAWAY: EXTENSION OF MAN

(Rhino)

It’s unfathomable as a record, every track is a totally different style. The opening song I Love The Lord, He Heard My Cry (Parts I & II) is something you’d play at a funeral – it’s symphonic.

The Slums is a ghetto song. Another experimental artist who pushed it to the limit.

 

ARCADE FIRE: THE SURBURBS

(Mercury)

A new classic album which is a rare thing today. Again it has that brilliant quality of art and experimentation with elements of Neil Young and David Bowie. Ready To Start is a great song about starting again, it really strikes a chord. Other lyrics remain vague and really pull you in.

 

DAVID BOWIE: STATION TO STATION

(EMI)

Bowie was fusing funk, soul and rock ’n’ roll. He was in a world of his own making and a bit of a clairvoyant. It includes one of the balladeer’s favourites, Wild Is The Wind. Any crooner worth his salt must listen to that track. Bowie’s vocal is demented but brilliant.