You know, when I first got into them in the '80s, I loved them because David Byrne was such an absolute freak, and I loved the artsy-fartsiness of their style of music and performance...

...now, after giving their greatest hits anthology another spin (the old "Sand in the Vaseline", not the new set), it occurs to me that even more important than their freakishness is the fact that they were one of the FUNKIEST bands of the 80s...find me another radio friendly band of the time that could serve up something like I Zimbra, Crosseyed and Painless, or even Burning Down the House...and the drums in Stay Up Late? Yum.

They're a band that dissolved into the past, even though the members seem to be keeping busy...if it's been a while for ya, dig out some old Heads and I betcha you'll hear them in a whole new light...

My 3rd favorite artists of all time(maybe). They were the nerdiest, artiest, weirdest, catchiest, funkiest, and most exciting group of white folks I've had the honor of listening to. They were the soundtrack to my high school life. They were beyond awesome. I've gotta get that boxset soon.

Favorite Song: Once in a Lifetime
Favorite Album: Speaking in Toungues

I love David Byrne 1st (I think) solo album Rei Momo

jn2 said:

His second one, "Uh-Oh", is pretty good too...it's more pop than salsa, but there's a whole lot of that sound in every song. You can find it in cut-out bins worldwide, ha...

I adore them Heads.

"Blind" is straight up James Brown,

"Girlfriend Is Better" kicks my tail,

The Remain In Light album is a MUST HAVE for even any self-respecting casual fans,

"Take Me To The River" even outdoes Rev. Al's original, (sue me)

David Byrne is responsible for re-introducing Shuggie Otis to the public and a new generation,

And even Bernie Worrell has played with the Heads.

If you have never done so, introduce yourself to them Heads that be Talking. One of the great bands to come out of the late '70s new wave/punk scene.

Also...Tom Tom Club (the side project/now current project of Talking Heads' rhythm section) is a vastly underrated group - "Dark Sneak Love Action" is a wonderful album, and of course, "Genius of Love" is a legendary jam.

love Talking Heads. In particular, 2 of their songs rock my world: NOTHING BUT FLOWERS and ROAD TO NOWHERE

i really really want the new Box Set

Here is a pic from one of the many visits of Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth to the "Upper Room with Joe Kelley"

I love the Heads too. But I haven't heard anything about this new box set. Can some please fill me in.

TRON said:

it's 3 remastered discs (hits, album tracks, rarities) and i believe a 4th disc DVD. it came out last week (or the week before...??) i was looking at it today at Best Buy... very unusual packaging... like vertical... the 4 CDs must be laying flat sided by side...

The box set is three DVDs of greatest hits/classics plus the DVD of their video anthology "Storytelling Giants"...that's what I heard, anyway...and I also heard there aren't any exclusive tracks that weren't available on their previous best-of, "Sand in the Vaseline", so if ya got that and "Storytelling Giants", there won't be anything new for you...but you'll have their videos on DVD, which is SOMEthing.

I heard 'Once in a Lifetime ' the other day and I have to say tat I do enjoy the Talking Heads. I remember seeing that video when I was younger and being like, wtf? but the song is awesome. So are 'Burning Down the House' and 'Stay up All Night'. They're definitely a band I want to know more about.

Didn't No Doubt redo 'Burning Down the House'?

It was the favourite band of one of my bests friends who is dead now
edit Mesopotamia, the B52s album produced by David Byrne
*
[This message was edited Sun Nov 23 15:47:05 PST 2003 by jn2]

Supernova said:

I remember seeing them do this one on SNL so long ago

TH are gods

Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est


This aint no party..this aint no disco..this aint no foolin around... I ogt some peanut butter


This is not my beautifl wife etc...

Were On The Road To Nowhere

Thanks Anxiety and JonSnow. I do have Vaseline, but I'm gonna check out this set just to compare.

Anxiety said:

they are one of my favourites...ahead of the curve for sure. Funky & funny and weird & always interesting.

Great band, great music! I metr Tina Weymouth once on a party in Providence, RI, a couple of years ago. She has turned into a sour bitch!

abierman said:

It must have been sumthin you said...

hehehe

And Stop Making Sense in the re-issued version is awesome!

gooeythehamster said:

Tina's always come off as amazingly zen, positive and well spoken. She co-moderates the official Talking Heads website bulletin boards, and always has beautiful things to say. Her "real time" attitude seems much the same, and her Tom Tom Club lyrics are fantastically funny and spiritual. Sorry, but I can't picture her as a sour bitch at all.

Anxiety said:

well, she was that night!

By the way, everyone seems to think Remain in Light is the best choice. I don't think it is. There are some incredible tracks on there (Once in a Lifetime, Seen & Not Seen, The Great Curve, etc.) but then there are some really boring ones (Listening Wind, Overload). So I think the album is inconsistent to be considered a prime choice.

The ones to get are the first 3: 77, More Songs About Buidings & Food, and Fear of Music.

And then if you feel the synth-funk, get Speaking in Toungues.

Then if you wanna hear a post-punk group sound like an excellent pop band, get Little Creatures.

I recentely re-watched Stop Making Sense and it is still one of, if not, the best concert films ever released.
Love the big suit!!

I was very happy to see them get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.

...DANGIT, IM ALWAYS A DAY LATE AN AH DOLLA' SHORT!!!
i LOVE this thread, esp.- david byrne, ive got alot of their concerts on video, they ROCK!

"I was born in a house with the television always on..."