It's not like it's his death anniversary or anything, but I've just thought "Shit, the dude's been gone for 19 years now"... That's a long time...

I love his David Gamson-produced album, the little we know about him indicates that he was a very talented, very hard-working character, and I can't help but wonder where this guy would be now if he'd stayed with us.

Rest in peace Tony wherever u r now, this one's 4 u

I have his cd but actually never really listened to it. Picked it up used for completist reasons. Will have to finally check it out though I rmemeber one song semi reminiscent of TTD style. Not sure which came first, him or Darby.

Hard to say because though D'Arby's first was released in 87 and Tony's album in 89, both have been composing and developping their musical style since the early 80's.

Tony's album actually sounds like a funk version of Scritti Politti, thanks to Gamson's wonderful synths arrangements. In more than a way it could be considered a follow up to Cupid & Psyche 85 and Provision (even though Green Gartside had nothing to do with it ^^).

he sounded more like a poppy version of Sly Stone to me

Excellent album - Tony was a very talented dude. Cool too. Such a shame we never got a chance to hear him grow as an artist. "Forevermore" on the album is a classic song as is "Higher Than High". RIP Tony you are not forgotten.

What did he die from? I didn't even know he was dead

dandeeland said:

What did he die from? I didn't even know he was dead

motor accident

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ony_LeMans

I really enjoyed the album, and we'll never know if he would have become the big star he was being touted at the time.

But a solid album nevertheless.

"Paradise" is a belting ballad IMO.

Nice thread. Tony gave us a solid album before he passed. Very sad that his life and a promising career as a solo artust were cut short.

Just saw this and thought it was pretty cool.

jazzz said:

he sounded more like a poppy version of Sly Stone to me

Great description.

Lammastide said:

jazzz said:

he sounded more like a poppy version of Sly Stone to me

Great description.

Thanks (-;

Actually "a poppy Sly Stone" is almost a Contradictio in terminis....

Great album, great artist, he is missed ...

LOVED "Forever More" & "Paradise" from this album. "Higher Than High" was great also, though SLy Stone should've been given a co-write for that one.

BlackSweat86 said:

LOVED "Forever More" & "Paradise" from this album. "Higher Than High" was great also, though SLy Stone should've been given a co-write for that one.

I'm with you. "Forever More" is an incredible song.

xlr8r said:

I have his cd but actually never really listened to it. Picked it up used for completist reasons. Will have to finally check it out though I rmemeber one song semi reminiscent of TTD style. Not sure which came first, him or Darby.

TTD was lead vocalist with a little known group called the Touch, which released their first and only Album in 1984. TTD's breakthrough came in the UK in May 1987, with the "If You Let Me Stay," single. TTD's debut album was released in July 1987 in the UK, and was a smash there. The single did nothing in the US, but "Wishing Well" did, and the album was finally released in the US in Oct 1987.

Based on this, if any of LeMans work sounds like TTD, it was likely well after TTD had at least one solo, and maybe two solo albums, not counting his one with the Touch.

LeMans wasnt even in the same class as Darby - who is still doing genius work in Europe. TTD is still the closet thing to Prince as far as being the complete artist (composing, singing, performing) is concerned in my book.

[Edited 6/16/11 5:53am]

That album just always made me feel good to listen to it...he was definitely talented and sad that we didn't get more.