Notorious is a fully accomplished Duran Duran album . Underrated, overlooked, it is a great album. Skin Trade is a gem.notorious is a classic...love this album so much..I hope it would get the recognition it does deserve
There has never been a song like Notorious, so daring, so catchy, so original, so perfect. The tape (album) came out when I was 17. Honestly, even then, I was aware the entire album, save for the title track, had the same sound. It was not eclectic at all. I kept saying to my self, "Nick is using the same keyboard sound through this entire album." To me, once again excluding the title track, every track had an echo sound.. as if the songs were recorded in an auditorium or echo chamber. Those two factors, even as a teenage Duranie in late 1986, where my only complaints... With that being said... I played Proposition over & over every day when I came home from school until I about wore the cassette out... Even to this year I play Winter Marches On every time it snows. Skin Trade... I heard at school the video premier was going to be on Friday Night Videos & I sat up half the night to see it ONCE.. (didn't have a VCR, let alone UA-cam to watch it again)... I loved Simon's outfit, John with his new hairstyle & trench coat.. & my girlfriend loved Nick's headband... Seriously. As far as the cover photo, I have always been amazed by that black & white image... even wondering, "Where is that tree to the left of Simon's head actually located?" In early 1987 I managed to fenagle the 2'x3' advertisement poster of the album cover from a friend who worked at the store. It had hung above the music area of my local Indiana department store... Yeah, it's framed & hanging on my bedroom wall 36 years later. For me these are just a few short memories from Duran Duran's Notorious album. Thank you for your review, Red Mug Music! PS, On July 7th, 1987 I got to see the lads play the "Strange Behaviour" tour (The Notorious Tour) at Market Square Area in Indy... $15.00 per ticket. NOTORIOUS... THAT'S WHY I DO IT AGAIN!
Notorious is a great Duran Duran album on the whole and there’s a good flow from song to song. Apart from the single releases for me Winter Marches On is an absolute classic and my personal fave of the album. A Matter of Feeling / Hold Me are understated tracks too. I’d put it around 5th in my fave album list. Keep well Brian and another top video. Looking forward to Rio and So Red 👍👍
Thanks for the tip on "Bittersweet Machines", loved their version of "Winter Marches On". I actually listened to the entire album "Disco Volante" and it is a solid album! The album has a Duran feel, especially track #5 "Elegant Disaster" in the chorus it jumps right out at you and screams DURAN. Thanks again Red Mug for the suggestion
Hi Chris!!! That’s so awesome and thx for listening to Bittersweet Machines. That makes my day!!! Duran is definitely my biggest influence… they are giants in my mind! Appreciate your very nice post! Thx
Great consistent album, wonderfully thematic with the Hitchcock vibe, magnificently listenable from start to finish. Personally, it's one of my favorite albums when the weather chills and leaves start falling in the autumnal season.
One of my fave albums of theirs! Love your review as always. Look forward to Arcadia review & once again, I felt the same way...Arcadia ❤❤❤ Power Station ❤ PS was great, Arcadia was BRILLIANT!! Take care & stay safe ❤🎶
I really LOVE this album. Happy Birthday, Simon LeBon! I'm obsessed with "Vertigo." John's dancing drives me love mad! 💗 "Meet El Presidente" The video, Simon is amazing in it! OMG, that photo @2:07! 💗 I call these three THE trio, these three always were my favs, but Roger is greatly missed, and when Andy and Roger quit, it just felt really different. Andy and Roger's superior talents cannot be denied. But even without them, I'm a DD fan for life! Love Arcadia and The Power Station! 💗
Glad your back and feeling better. Notorious is such a great album. Such a unique sound, and not a single weak track. Remains highly listenable today. A classic.
This is the very first original album I bought in my life. I was twelve, living in my original country, Spain, and got it in tape in a flea market. All I had of Duran Duran then was recorded. Love Notorious, American Science (you make an interesting point about Andy and Warren, I always thought it was only Warren on guitar), Hold Me (I love the energy and the bridge in this one) and very especially Winter Marches On (and the version you showed in another video.) I think the guitar in Proposition sounds more like Andy, but it is just my opinion, probably you are right. I am sorry, but Meet El Presidente is my least favourite one. Looking forward to Future Past. Great review, as usual. Thanks.
This is an amazing album but the 80s wasn’t ready for it. That’s why I think it didn’t do well. I believe I have the entire album on my Spotify playlist. I can’t say that about any of their other albums. I have never really sat down and officially ranked their albums so I’m not sure where I’d put this, definitely top 5. But I’ve said before that it depends on my mood as to which album is my favorite at that time. I did not know that Andy played on this album. So I learned something. Thank you for discussing this album. It is one of my favorites. “Meet el Presidente” is my favorite song.
Another great review! Thank you. Your comment is spot on on that with only 10 songs it feels so much more..it’s the rich and complex content within in each song. Solid album and right up there!….notorious the single probably in their top 5 ever. Was and still not fan of So Misled..sounded too much like Style Council. Looking forward to Arcadia review as it’s my all time favourite Duran related album from every aspect.
Great review Brian!!! And thx again for the shout out and support! Notorious was a weird album for me bc I actually heard Big Thing and Liberty before Notorious so my reference points were all over the place. I absolutely love it… but… the 3 songs I struggled with initially were 3 that you listed as among your favorite; “Skin Trade”, “So Misled”, and “Meet El Presidente”. I just wasn’t ready for the funk but I love it all now. Obviously I love WMO… to me it connected So Red The Rose and Big Thing… I feel like Winter Marches On could have fit on Arcadia or the second side of Big Thing. Also… I really love the b-side “We Need You”… it’s definitely a b-side song… but I love it. And yes… I’m a huge Halloween horror nights fan!!! We go every year and we’re actually going back next weekend. No way I was gonna miss out on the Beetlejuice house!!!
Hey Matt :D I love that when i hear your music i can here Duran Duran's influence in the music, but you add your own twist to it too hugs, also i remember back in the day playing We need you over and over, i loved it, you never hear anyone really mention that song now, so underrated huh! x
@@Mistysmudge1 thx so much!!!! Very kind. Yes… We Need You is great and it somehow means even more because it is a non-album track… it feels like a secret song just for us Duranies.
I still remember buying this record. My Grandparents moved to PA the year before so we went for Thanksgiving in '86. Hit a mall in I think, Wilkes-Barre. Don't remember the name of the store. It wasn't around in CT. You'd think I'd remember cos it wasn't in my state. I think it was "Music - something". Wish there was a sticker on it. I also met Stan Harrison probably about 5 years back after a show he played with They Might Be Giants, I talked to him about Notorious rather than TMBG. He had a smile on his face.
The Borneo Horns who played on the Notorious sessions played with Bowie on his Let's Dance album which Nile Rodgers also produced. The background vocalists on the Notorious album have done a lot of work with Nile Rodgers in the past.
This album was the first one I bought from DD. It's not my favorite to have some songs just OK, but I love this album, is in my top 3!... they show a great growth and maturity
I love the Notorious album! I think its #3 for me with Rio #1 and first album #2. I loved their look during this album and tour. I got lucky and got to see them in concert during this tour while vacationing in Puerto Rico since I think they skipped Florida that year, or at least central FL. My first D2 concert was in 84 in the city of Lakeland, where I live now.
Notorious is our 2º most beloved DD album. Our first one? Seven... Nice video. PS: We bought Bittersweet Machines album and it turned out to be a really great record. Thank you for the tip.
The radio/video version of Meet El Presidente that they released is markedly different from the album version. Go watch the official video and you'll see - er, hear - what I mean. Sorry for the spam of messages. :)
I liked the album a lot. My favorite? Hmmm...no, not really -- although it does have some great songs. "So Misled" and "Vertigo (Do the Demolition)" bring the album down for me. And, actually, I do think "Skin Trade" sounds like Prince (And that's a good thing! It's one of my favorite tracks on the album). I think Rio will always be my favorite (as this was the first I ever bought by them and every song is great) followed by All You Need Is Now (not the iTunes version, the deluxe CD version). Then Seven and the Ragged Tiger...then Notorious. Then the Wedding Album. Oh! And HOW DARE YOU bring up ANDY again!! LMAO!! I kid...I kid...:-)
A classic, period!!! And perfectly produced. The sound is magnificent. P.S. I also like Roger, of course, but Steve Ferrone is a better triplet player. He is essentiell for this particular sound. Compare Roger with him, when they are playing "Notorious" nowadays. The swing is missing.
This album is very mature 4 DD! I also like this one a litte bit better than 'Rio'. It's a pity that it was very uderrated :( The first demo of 'Matter of feeling' was made in AOR style. I also adore this version and I dream to make my own cover of it combining with the final version. You can check in the Wikipedia - there is some info about musicians :) Steve Ferrone is exellent drummer. His Jazz/Funk/Blues fits perfectly to this album! 'So misled" is the hardest song of DD. I heard that John couldn't record it from the 1st take.
Good analysis. To me, this album is their most funkified, and while John has always had that element to his bass playing, I think Nile Rodgers really brought that out. With the horns and the background vocals, I also hear elements of '70s Motown-style soul. I suspect that is also Nile's influence. That's why I love it when they collaborate with Nile! As far as the individual songs, "Meet El Presidente" is absolutely one of my favorite DD songs! It's fun to dance to, it's fun to sing to, and just generally makes a gal feel sassy. If you're still interested in other albums, I'd suggest one of John's solo albums, "Techno For Two." All three of his solo albums are interesting in their progression, and TFT has some killer bass grooves on it.
Roger Taylor's drumming style is very distinct and a quintessential part of the Duran Duran sound. Roger's return was immediately apparent on the Astronaut Album.
Hello buddy how's you!!!! I avent heard to notorious album for a long time I need to sit down and listen but I luv America science and hold me wow wow wow so now what's ya fav album now notorious or future past!!!! I really think Nile Rodgers should av been in future past brilliant awesome amazing producer and guitar 🎸 player he's amazing!!!! Wow wow wow I agree Arcadia is much better then power station and I totally think so red the rosé should av been a Duran Duran album!!! You agree
I'll be the other side of the arguement, I think. My first album I ever bought was Seven and the Ragged Tiger, then Duran Duran (reissue). My sister bought Rio. We had as many 12" remixes as we could find and every 45 that came out. When Arcadia came out, I loved every minute of it. I really liked Power Station as well, but not as much. After so much time, when the single Notorious came out, it didn't sound anything like Duran Duran. It wasn't in the middle of Arcadia and PS, but was something completely different. The horn sections, the lack of Nick keyboards, the heavy funk influence . . . it just didn't do it for me. Since my sister didn't care for it either, we never got the album. (Maybe, in all honesty, we'd just moved on musically in a different direction.) It's where I parted ways with D2 until I heard Ordinary World. I've been on and off with them since, but really loved the last album. Because of your channel, I've gone back and picked up some albums I've missed to give them a shot. I've listened to Notorious as an album about six times and it still just doesn't sound like Duran Duran to me. There are some hints of who they were previously, but overall it would never be in my top ten. I appreciate how nostalgia can play a part in these things and if this hit you when you started loving D2, it makes sense you love it. Since it was when I felt disappointed by them, it may just always have a dark cloud around it. I love A Matter of Feeling, but the rest of the album feels like an experiment that didn't click with me. Thank you for allowing me to discover some of the D2 I've missed along the way, though! I love what you do and I love hearing your insight.
I think some of Duran's best songs use a key changes in the chorus, which happens in American Science, Matter of Feeling, Vertigo, and Serious from Liberty. It's something I haven't heard in any track on Future Past and I'm hoping they employ that technique somewhere on that album, because it sounds so good when they do it, especially when they swap between major and minor.
You shouldn't compare really as they both have completely different styles. Roger has openly admitted he falls into Steve's traps but I think roger does quite a decent job. Steve was more relaxed and laid back, while roger was more intense and threw in the kitchen sink lol.
I know Andy Taylor showed up on a few sessions. As to what he played on may remain a mystery. Listening to Notorious I can only say it sounds like AT guitars on American Science and Hold me. It's hard to decide. Overall good album. It's on the top five of my rank.
Andy is definitely playing the first solo with warren the second I agree with his (warrens) style is immediately recognisable as is Andy’s use of the way bar on solo #1
I'm sure Andy plays on Notorius (song) the short stabby chords & a few choppy trills, the one solo on American Science as well as on Hold Me & Vertigo. They all have his sound in them. That MAY be him with the more rock guitar on Proposition too. I think Hold Me & Proposition are the only possible discrepancies but they both sound like they have Andy's involvement to me to be honest.
It needs to be a well-trained musician and DD fan to identify the style of guitar playing, I think...I totally agree that Andy played the 1st solo on Anerican Science. Also, on A Matter Of Feeling and on Proposition he could record the whole guitar parts. To make sure on it - listen to his Thunder album and catch his AOR-ish style. I adore Notorious! It helped me to understand - how can rock, pop and funk be combined on my own music. The same feeling I felt only listening Spandau Ballet's Diamond, True, Parade, Through Tthe Barricades and Hall & Oates's Private Eyes albums! By the way, I'm only 33! Not bad for such young amateur, right?)) Also I understand the reason why did Andy quit. It's a neverending battle between rockers and electronic-influenced musicians. He could compose any part because of simplicity, but when he tried to explain his ideas to Nick - he couldn't understand him. Andy was working accepting this because band was popular, they had a status, were earning money, but when the patience has gone - he just simply felt that it's over for him (for example - do you want to work in a company where your colleagues don't listen to your ideas about developing new projects? maybe no! you will quit one day).
I’m as big a Duranie as you can get. But to think Roger can drum like Steve ferrone is just incorrect. He was as important to this album as Nile was. Steve was in on the early writing sessions with john and nick forming the foundation of the album.
Notorious was Duran's answer to all the rock critics that said they weren't "real" musicians. At this juncture, they could do whatever they pleased. Via Power Station and more so Arcadia, Duran was now comfortable working with great musicians. In an interview with Nile Rodgers, he stated he was impressed with how far the band had come in terms of musicianship. As for the drumming, Steve Ferrone is a different level of drummer compared to Roger and is at the core of this album's sound signature. I knew a few drummers who bought the Notorious album just because of the incredible drumming and drum production. It didn't do great commercially because Duran was probably more interested in credibility at the time and who better to work with than Nile Rodgers. As for the commercial success of the album? Duran have had a habit of releasing the wrong songs as singles or at least in the wrong sequence. While I love Skin Trade, there were better choices to followup the Notorious single. It doomed the commercial success of Notorious, Big Thing, RCM, AYNIN and probably Future Past. While the album may have been a departure from their previous work, it contained many musical and sonic elements of Power Station and Arcadia. Notorious is a masterpiece. Duran Duran all grown up.
The first two albums for me are difficult to beat largely because of the classic sound of the five members and they go for the jugular in terms of a pop sound. Notorious would be next for me. It's a vast improvement on Seven And The Ragged Tiger. For a band of their nature (commercial/mega successful) the playing on Notorious is exceptional- just that a lot of it isn't DD themselves. It doesn't matter really- it's the direction they decided and their songwriting. Not a weak track at all.
Roger's guitar was in there, just not what they new vibe was so they buried it and he was half way out the door at this point. Niles was probably filling in the guitars. Steve Ferrone drums sound AMAZING. This is actually my FAV album of all time.
Best album in History of music (with Wedding album, Be here now of Oasis and Please, of Pet shop boys). Best song: very difficult to choice......i think Vertigo. It makes my mind relax. Second best....too difficult, i don't.
Although I don't think Skin Trade sounds like Prince I think he influenced Duran's change of sound on Notorious. They wrote the Bside to Skin Trade -We Need You as a tribute to him. I also think Prince wardrobe department inspired the colourful outfits the band wore on The Big Thing tour as they are very similar to what Prince was wearing around Sign Of The Times/Lovesexy.
I do like notorious but a lot of the songs sound unfinished with a few gaps that should have been filled. Andy laid down a lot of stuff but some of it was unusable for the sound they were after, I think he just turned up cus he was forced to by emi.
Totally agree, it's a good album but always sounded a little unfinished to me too, some very good songs on it too though. I personally find later albums outshine it.
I love this album but I was surprised at the time when I heard it as it was such a departure in style for Duran Duran. I came across a version of A Matter Of Feeling that Andy Taylor sings on. It's a rockier version than the one on the album. Here's the link for it: ua-cam.com/video/gUzsYvwha7A/v-deo.html
This is the album I was most disappointed with from Duran Duran. Having come after 3 epic singles The Reflex, Wild Boys and A View to a Kill I was probably expecting more of the same (I was 16) The first single Notorious was decent, I bought the 12" and was shocked at how lame it was, later the Latin Rascals remix made up for it. I hated Skin Trade. Meet El Presidente I like, and the remix of that was good, but overall at the time this just didn't work for me. I would put it above Pop Trash and maybe Medazzaland
*_Guitar Credits for Notorious Album_*
Notorious - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nile Rogers
American Science - - - - - - - - - - Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo
Skin Trade - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nile Rogers and Warren Cuccurullo
A Matter Of Feeling - - - - - - - - - Andy Taylor
Hold Me - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Andy Taylor
Vertigo (Do The Demolition) - - Andy Taylor
So Misled - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nile Rogers
"Meet El Presidente" - - - - - - - - Warren Cuccurullo
Winter Marches On - - - - - - - - - No guitars in arrangement
Proposition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Warren Cuccurullo
Where did you find this?
Oh wow! That’s interesting. Thanks
To me it sounds like Andy is playing on "Proposition" because the distorted guitar has that Marc Bolan/T-Rex flavor to it.
Whats your source?
I’d have to agree just on the sound and style of each player does make sense to the songs
Notorious is a fully accomplished Duran Duran album . Underrated, overlooked, it is a great album. Skin Trade is a gem.notorious is a classic...love this album so much..I hope it would get the recognition it does deserve
This album is just perfection..five stars for me
Spot on....the best DD album! Every song is a winner. And to this day i don't think 'Skin Trade' has been bettered.
I really like "Hold me" It's my fav on this album
There has never been a song like Notorious, so daring, so catchy, so original, so perfect.
The tape (album) came out when I was 17. Honestly, even then, I was aware the entire album, save for the title track, had the same sound. It was not eclectic at all. I kept saying to my self, "Nick is using the same keyboard sound through this entire album." To me, once again excluding the title track, every track had an echo sound.. as if the songs were recorded in an auditorium or echo chamber. Those two factors, even as a teenage Duranie in late 1986, where my only complaints... With that being said...
I played Proposition over & over every day when I came home from school until I about wore the cassette out... Even to this year I play Winter Marches On every time it snows. Skin Trade... I heard at school the video premier was going to be on Friday Night Videos & I sat up half the night to see it ONCE.. (didn't have a VCR, let alone UA-cam to watch it again)... I loved Simon's outfit, John with his new hairstyle & trench coat.. & my girlfriend loved Nick's headband... Seriously.
As far as the cover photo, I have always been amazed by that black & white image... even wondering, "Where is that tree to the left of Simon's head actually located?"
In early 1987 I managed to fenagle the 2'x3' advertisement poster of the album cover from a friend who worked at the store. It had hung above the music area of my local Indiana department store... Yeah, it's framed & hanging on my bedroom wall 36 years later.
For me these are just a few short memories from Duran Duran's Notorious album.
Thank you for your review, Red Mug Music!
PS, On July 7th, 1987 I got to see the lads play the "Strange Behaviour" tour (The Notorious Tour) at Market Square Area in Indy... $15.00 per ticket. NOTORIOUS... THAT'S WHY I DO IT AGAIN!
Another great video. I will post it on my group ' FB Duran Duran Music fans'
Keep them coming👍👍
Thank you Mat. I appreciate it!!
Awesome album!!! The first three songs are especially dope!!
Notorious is a great Duran Duran album on the whole and there’s a good flow from song to song.
Apart from the single releases for me Winter Marches On is an absolute classic and my personal fave of the album.
A Matter of Feeling / Hold Me are understated tracks too.
I’d put it around 5th in my fave album list.
Keep well Brian and another top video.
Looking forward to Rio and So Red 👍👍
Thanks for the tip on "Bittersweet Machines", loved their version of "Winter Marches On". I actually listened to the entire album "Disco Volante" and it is a solid album! The album has a Duran feel, especially track #5 "Elegant Disaster" in the chorus it jumps right out at you and screams DURAN.
Thanks again Red Mug for the suggestion
Hi Chris!!! That’s so awesome and thx for listening to Bittersweet Machines. That makes my day!!! Duran is definitely my biggest influence… they are giants in my mind! Appreciate your very nice post! Thx
Great consistent album, wonderfully thematic with the Hitchcock vibe, magnificently listenable from start to finish. Personally, it's one of my favorite albums when the weather chills and leaves start falling in the autumnal season.
Yes!!!
One of my fave albums of theirs! Love your review as always. Look forward to Arcadia review & once again, I felt the same way...Arcadia ❤❤❤ Power Station ❤ PS was great, Arcadia was BRILLIANT!! Take care & stay safe ❤🎶
Great album with remarkable tunes, my fave is undoubtedly Vertigo
I really LOVE this album.
Happy Birthday, Simon LeBon!
I'm obsessed with "Vertigo."
John's dancing drives me love mad! 💗
"Meet El Presidente"
The video, Simon is amazing in it!
OMG, that photo @2:07! 💗
I call these three THE trio, these three always were my favs, but Roger is greatly missed, and when Andy and Roger quit, it just felt really different.
Andy and Roger's superior talents cannot be denied.
But even without them, I'm a DD fan for life!
Love Arcadia and The Power Station! 💗
Glad your back and feeling better. Notorious is such a great album. Such a unique sound, and not a single weak track. Remains highly listenable today. A classic.
This is the very first original album I bought in my life. I was twelve, living in my original country, Spain, and got it in tape in a flea market. All I had of Duran Duran then was recorded. Love Notorious, American Science (you make an interesting point about Andy and Warren, I always thought it was only Warren on guitar), Hold Me (I love the energy and the bridge in this one) and very especially Winter Marches On (and the version you showed in another video.) I think the guitar in Proposition sounds more like Andy, but it is just my opinion, probably you are right. I am sorry, but Meet El Presidente is my least favourite one. Looking forward to Future Past. Great review, as usual. Thanks.
This is an amazing album but the 80s wasn’t ready for it. That’s why I think it didn’t do well.
I believe I have the entire album on my Spotify playlist. I can’t say that about any of their other albums. I have never really sat down and officially ranked their albums so I’m not sure where I’d put this, definitely top 5. But I’ve said before that it depends on my mood as to which album is my favorite at that time. I did not know that Andy played on this album. So I learned something. Thank you for discussing this album. It is one of my favorites. “Meet el Presidente” is my favorite song.
Another great review! Thank you. Your comment is spot on on that with only 10 songs it feels so much more..it’s the rich and complex content within in each song. Solid album and right up there!….notorious the single probably in their top 5 ever. Was and still not fan of So Misled..sounded too much like Style Council. Looking forward to Arcadia review as it’s my all time favourite Duran related album from every aspect.
Great review Brian!!! And thx again for the shout out and support! Notorious was a weird album for me bc I actually heard Big Thing and Liberty before Notorious so my reference points were all over the place. I absolutely love it… but… the 3 songs I struggled with initially were 3 that you listed as among your favorite; “Skin Trade”, “So Misled”, and “Meet El Presidente”. I just wasn’t ready for the funk but I love it all now. Obviously I love WMO… to me it connected So Red The Rose and Big Thing… I feel like Winter Marches On could have fit on Arcadia or the second side of Big Thing. Also… I really love the b-side “We Need You”… it’s definitely a b-side song… but I love it. And yes… I’m a huge Halloween horror nights fan!!! We go every year and we’re actually going back next weekend. No way I was gonna miss out on the Beetlejuice house!!!
Hey Matt :D I love that when i hear your music i can here Duran Duran's influence in the music, but you add your own twist to it too hugs, also i remember back in the day playing We need you over and over, i loved it, you never hear anyone really mention that song now, so underrated huh! x
@@Mistysmudge1 thx so much!!!! Very kind. Yes… We Need You is great and it somehow means even more because it is a non-album track… it feels like a secret song just for us Duranies.
I now live about 30 minutes away from Universal. Love it down here in Central Florida.
@@RedMugMusic so you’re saying I should cancel my hotel reservations next week and just bunk up with you and your family!!! 🤣🤣🤣
That would be a whole lot less fun for you.
I still remember buying this record. My Grandparents moved to PA the year before so we went for Thanksgiving in '86. Hit a mall in I think, Wilkes-Barre. Don't remember the name of the store. It wasn't around in CT. You'd think I'd remember cos it wasn't in my state. I think it was "Music - something". Wish there was a sticker on it.
I also met Stan Harrison probably about 5 years back after a show he played with They Might Be Giants, I talked to him about Notorious rather than TMBG. He had a smile on his face.
Hilarious
The Borneo Horns who played on the Notorious sessions played with Bowie on his Let's Dance album which Nile Rodgers also produced. The background vocalists on the Notorious album have done a lot of work with Nile Rodgers in the past.
This album was the first one I bought from DD. It's not my favorite to have some songs just OK, but I love this album, is in my top 3!... they show a great growth and maturity
I love the Notorious album! I think its #3 for me with Rio #1 and first album #2. I loved their look during this album and tour. I got lucky and got to see them in concert during this tour while vacationing in Puerto Rico since I think they skipped Florida that year, or at least central FL. My first D2 concert was in 84 in the city of Lakeland, where I live now.
Would you do a review about Arcadia’s album
Absolutely
Power Station would be dope too!
@@RedMugMusic Thank you
@@RedMugMusic thank you!
Also really looking forward to your rediscovery of So Red the Rose!
I can’t wait either
Notorious is our 2º most beloved DD album. Our first one? Seven... Nice video. PS: We bought Bittersweet Machines album and it turned out to be a really great record. Thank you for the tip.
It’s my pleasure. Thank you
Fantastic album. Matter of feeling is on this im sure? Great song
I keep dreaming about DD singles ranking video….:-)
OMG - how could anyone do this? So hard!
Yes great album this is what got me into duran duran thanks.
The radio/video version of Meet El Presidente that they released is markedly different from the album version. Go watch the official video and you'll see - er, hear - what I mean. Sorry for the spam of messages. :)
I liked the album a lot. My favorite? Hmmm...no, not really -- although it does have some great songs. "So Misled" and "Vertigo (Do the Demolition)" bring the album down for me. And, actually, I do think "Skin Trade" sounds like Prince (And that's a good thing! It's one of my favorite tracks on the album). I think Rio will always be my favorite (as this was the first I ever bought by them and every song is great) followed by All You Need Is Now (not the iTunes version, the deluxe CD version). Then Seven and the Ragged Tiger...then Notorious. Then the Wedding Album. Oh! And HOW DARE YOU bring up ANDY again!! LMAO!! I kid...I kid...:-)
Andyyyyyy Tayyyyylorrrr!!!!
Love “all you need is now” deluxe CD!!! Great comment Tracy!!!!!
A classic, period!!! And perfectly produced. The sound is magnificent.
P.S.
I also like Roger, of course, but Steve Ferrone is a better triplet player. He is essentiell for this particular sound. Compare Roger with him, when they are playing "Notorious" nowadays. The swing is missing.
I’ll listen for that
This album is very mature 4 DD! I also like this one a litte bit better than 'Rio'. It's a pity that it was very uderrated :(
The first demo of 'Matter of feeling' was made in AOR style. I also adore this version and I dream to make my own cover of it combining with the final version.
You can check in the Wikipedia - there is some info about musicians :)
Steve Ferrone is exellent drummer. His Jazz/Funk/Blues fits perfectly to this album!
'So misled" is the hardest song of DD. I heard that John couldn't record it from the 1st take.
Good analysis. To me, this album is their most funkified, and while John has always had that element to his bass playing, I think Nile Rodgers really brought that out. With the horns and the background vocals, I also hear elements of '70s Motown-style soul. I suspect that is also Nile's influence. That's why I love it when they collaborate with Nile! As far as the individual songs, "Meet El Presidente" is absolutely one of my favorite DD songs! It's fun to dance to, it's fun to sing to, and just generally makes a gal feel sassy.
If you're still interested in other albums, I'd suggest one of John's solo albums, "Techno For Two." All three of his solo albums are interesting in their progression, and TFT has some killer bass grooves on it.
I’m not sure I have access to John’s music. I’ll find out.
@@RedMugMusic I had to order the CDs from...I think it was Japan! But I know the whole album of TFT is available on UA-cam!
Also, fun fact: Steve Ferrone went on to play the drums for the massive Duran Duran hit "Ordinary World".
I knew that name sounded familiar but I could not place it
Notorious and Big Thing are my two favorites. I can't pick between them.
Roger Taylor's drumming style is very distinct and a quintessential part of the Duran Duran sound.
Roger's return was immediately apparent on the Astronaut Album.
Hello buddy how's you!!!! I avent heard to notorious album for a long time I need to sit down and listen but I luv America science and hold me wow wow wow so now what's ya fav album now notorious or future past!!!! I really think Nile Rodgers should av been in future past brilliant awesome amazing producer and guitar 🎸 player he's amazing!!!! Wow wow wow I agree Arcadia is much better then power station and I totally think so red the rosé should av been a Duran Duran album!!! You agree
I'll be the other side of the arguement, I think. My first album I ever bought was Seven and the Ragged Tiger, then Duran Duran (reissue). My sister bought Rio. We had as many 12" remixes as we could find and every 45 that came out. When Arcadia came out, I loved every minute of it. I really liked Power Station as well, but not as much. After so much time, when the single Notorious came out, it didn't sound anything like Duran Duran. It wasn't in the middle of Arcadia and PS, but was something completely different. The horn sections, the lack of Nick keyboards, the heavy funk influence . . . it just didn't do it for me. Since my sister didn't care for it either, we never got the album. (Maybe, in all honesty, we'd just moved on musically in a different direction.) It's where I parted ways with D2 until I heard Ordinary World. I've been on and off with them since, but really loved the last album. Because of your channel, I've gone back and picked up some albums I've missed to give them a shot. I've listened to Notorious as an album about six times and it still just doesn't sound like Duran Duran to me. There are some hints of who they were previously, but overall it would never be in my top ten. I appreciate how nostalgia can play a part in these things and if this hit you when you started loving D2, it makes sense you love it. Since it was when I felt disappointed by them, it may just always have a dark cloud around it. I love A Matter of Feeling, but the rest of the album feels like an experiment that didn't click with me. Thank you for allowing me to discover some of the D2 I've missed along the way, though! I love what you do and I love hearing your insight.
Thank you so much for this comment. These kind of comments touch my heart the most. This is why I am here. 🙏🏻
NOTORIOUS is a great Album and i Love it. All Tracks are perfekt.
But for me is RIO the best Album from Duran Duran.
Now it's time to hear NOTORIOUS.
I think some of Duran's best songs use a key changes in the chorus, which happens in American Science, Matter of Feeling, Vertigo, and Serious from Liberty. It's something I haven't heard in any track on Future Past and I'm hoping they employ that technique somewhere on that album, because it sounds so good when they do it, especially when they swap between major and minor.
It catches your attention for sure.
You shouldn't compare really as they both have completely different styles. Roger has openly admitted he falls into Steve's traps but I think roger does quite a decent job. Steve was more relaxed and laid back, while roger was more intense and threw in the kitchen sink lol.
I know Andy Taylor showed up on a few sessions. As to what he played on may remain a mystery. Listening to Notorious I can only say it sounds like AT guitars on American Science and Hold me. It's hard to decide. Overall good album. It's on the top five of my rank.
Warren Cuccurullo is playing the second guitar solo in "American Science". It has his fluid attack and sustain.
As far as I know and read it about, these were the two tracks Andy colllaborated.
Andy is definitely playing the first solo with warren the second
I agree with his (warrens) style is immediately recognisable as is Andy’s use of the way bar on solo #1
I'm sure Andy plays on Notorius (song) the short stabby chords & a few choppy trills, the one solo on American Science as well as on Hold Me & Vertigo.
They all have his sound in them. That MAY be him with the more rock guitar on Proposition too. I think Hold Me & Proposition are the only possible discrepancies but they both sound like they have Andy's involvement to me to be honest.
It needs to be a well-trained musician and DD fan to identify the style of guitar playing, I think...I totally agree that Andy played the 1st solo on Anerican Science. Also, on A Matter Of Feeling and on Proposition he could record the whole guitar parts. To make sure on it - listen to his Thunder album and catch his AOR-ish style.
I adore Notorious! It helped me to understand - how can rock, pop and funk be combined on my own music. The same feeling I felt only listening Spandau Ballet's Diamond, True, Parade, Through Tthe Barricades and Hall & Oates's Private Eyes albums! By the way, I'm only 33! Not bad for such young amateur, right?))
Also I understand the reason why did Andy quit. It's a neverending battle between rockers and electronic-influenced musicians. He could compose any part because of simplicity, but when he tried to explain his ideas to Nick - he couldn't understand him. Andy was working accepting this because band was popular, they had a status, were earning money, but when the patience has gone - he just simply felt that it's over for him (for example - do you want to work in a company where your colleagues don't listen to your ideas about developing new projects? maybe no! you will quit one day).
I’m as big a Duranie as you can get. But to think Roger can drum like Steve ferrone is just incorrect. He was as important to this album as Nile was. Steve was in on the early writing sessions with john and nick forming the foundation of the album.
Notorious was Duran's answer to all the rock critics that said they weren't "real" musicians. At this juncture, they could do whatever they pleased. Via Power Station and more so Arcadia, Duran was now comfortable working with great musicians. In an interview with Nile Rodgers, he stated he was impressed with how far the band had come in terms of musicianship. As for the drumming, Steve Ferrone is a different level of drummer compared to Roger and is at the core of this album's sound signature. I knew a few drummers who bought the Notorious album just because of the incredible drumming and drum production. It didn't do great commercially because Duran was probably more interested in credibility at the time and who better to work with than Nile Rodgers.
As for the commercial success of the album? Duran have had a habit of releasing the wrong songs as singles or at least in the wrong sequence. While I love Skin Trade, there were better choices to followup the Notorious single. It doomed the commercial success of Notorious, Big Thing, RCM, AYNIN and probably Future Past. While the album may have been a departure from their previous work, it contained many musical and sonic elements of Power Station and Arcadia. Notorious is a masterpiece. Duran Duran all grown up.
The first two albums for me are difficult to beat largely because of the classic sound of the five members and they go for the jugular in terms of a pop sound. Notorious would be next for me. It's a vast improvement on Seven And The Ragged Tiger. For a band of their nature (commercial/mega successful) the playing on Notorious is exceptional- just that a lot of it isn't DD themselves. It doesn't matter really- it's the direction they decided and their songwriting. Not a weak track at all.
Roger's guitar was in there, just not what they new vibe was so they buried it and he was half way out the door at this point. Niles was probably filling in the guitars. Steve Ferrone drums sound AMAZING. This is actually my FAV album of all time.
An album I’d love you to cover is Pink Floyd’s - Animals album
Love that album. I agree!!!
"Hold me" wacu. "Matter of feeling" and "american science" AT
Best album in History of music (with Wedding album, Be here now of Oasis and Please, of Pet shop boys).
Best song: very difficult to choice......i think Vertigo. It makes my mind relax. Second best....too difficult, i don't.
Although I don't think Skin Trade sounds like Prince I think he influenced Duran's change of sound on Notorious. They wrote the Bside to Skin Trade -We Need You as a tribute to him. I also think Prince wardrobe department inspired the colourful outfits the band wore on The Big Thing tour as they are very similar to what Prince was wearing around Sign Of The Times/Lovesexy.
I do like notorious but a lot of the songs sound unfinished with a few gaps that should have been filled. Andy laid down a lot of stuff but some of it was unusable for the sound they were after, I think he just turned up cus he was forced to by emi.
Totally agree, it's a good album but always sounded a little unfinished to me too, some very good songs on it too though. I personally find later albums outshine it.
The Joshua Tree U2
Great idea
or Van Halen's 1984
I love this album but I was surprised at the time when I heard it as it was such a departure in style for Duran Duran. I came across a version of A Matter Of Feeling that Andy Taylor sings on. It's a rockier version than the one on the album. Here's the link for it: ua-cam.com/video/gUzsYvwha7A/v-deo.html
This is the album I was most disappointed with from Duran Duran. Having come after 3 epic singles The Reflex, Wild Boys and A View to a Kill I was probably expecting more of the same (I was 16) The first single Notorious was decent, I bought the 12" and was shocked at how lame it was, later the Latin Rascals remix made up for it. I hated Skin Trade. Meet El Presidente I like, and the remix of that was good, but overall at the time this just didn't work for me. I would put it above Pop Trash and maybe Medazzaland
Lol