SHOES: Present Tense/Tongue Twister

Shoes

Present Tense/Tongue Twister

© 1988 Black Vinyl Records (048621988826) (format: CD-R)

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This DOUBLE ALBUM, single CD contains Shoes' first 2 major-label releases; 1979's Present Tense and 1981's Tongue Twister. 24 tracks of melodic, guitar-oriented, harmony rich power pop of the first order.

notes

Present Tense was Shoes' first major label release on Elektra Records in the fall of 1979. Recorded in Oxfordshire, England at Richard Branson's The Manor recording studio in the summer of 1979 and mixed in London at Trident Studios working with producer Mike Stone (Queen, Asia, T. Rex). Present Tense garnered very positive reviews both in the U.S. and in England and set the tone for Shoes' reputations as "critic's darlings" everywhere from New York's Village Voice to England's New Musical Express. The 12 songs included here spawned 4 single releases (Tomorrow Night, Too Late and I Don't Miss You on 7" and I Don't Wanna Hear It on 12") as well as 4 videos (Tomorrow Night, Too Late, Cruel You and In My Arms Again) that would later become early staples at MTV. The layered vocal harmonies and guitar-based songs became a trademark of all of Shoes' discs.

Tongue Twister was recorded during the summer of 1980 but wasn't released until January of 1981. Working with Fleetwood Mac's production team of Richard Dashut and engineer Hernan Rojas, basic recording was done at United Western Studios in Hollywood, CA and was mixed at The Village Recorder in Santa Monica, CA. The production approach was for a more stripped down sound giving the overall disc a more basic feel but still grounded by melodic, guitar-driven songs. The initial single release was to be She Satisfies b/w The Things You Do and copies were pressed and ready to ship (with full-color picture sleeve) when a noted radio programmer declared that Karen would be a "top 40 smash" if it were released as a single. So Elektra destroyed the original pressing (collectable picture sleeves of the intended single still exist) and pressed up singles designed to be a "double A-side" release of She Satisfies and Karen. A video of In Her Shadow was compiled from an appearance as musical guests on a Madison, WI television show and released to MTV in late 1981, who were by this time clamoring for more Shoes videos. The video was pulled from MTV by Elektra after a few showings due to the fact that the band didn't go through proper channels at the label before it was issued.

For more info and a behind the scenes peek at the recording of Present Tense, check out Jeff Murphy's book, "Birth of A Band, The Record Deal and the Making of Present Tense" here;
http://www.blackvinyl.com/ptbook.htm

reviews

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  • I can't believe my ears!
    author: dawn

    I never thought I would find these albums again, They sound even better now than I remembered. Thanks, CD Baby!

  • Present Tense/Tongue Twister
    author: Angel Sieg

    omg!!!It is sooooo awesome to find this band again. I have the LPs but no turntable right now.Can't wait to get the cd in the mail:)

  • Great CD!!!
    author: Renee

    I have looked for this album for years. Glad to finally find it. Even better than I remembered!

  • A blast from the past.....................
    author: Jude

    I have tried to get this CD for ages now and at last........... I have found it. The band is brilliant the service first class and listening to the cd has brought back memories !!

  • The search is finally over!
    author: Randy & Sue

    We looked for this CD for a long time (already bought it on 8-track & cassette). If you put Cheap Trick, Boston, and the Cars in a blender - you'd get the Shoes. These guys should have made it big!

  • Awesome!
    author: 8AA2YM

    I have this actual album. I bought if for 39 cents back in 1980 at a used record store in Hollywood. I am glad to finally have the CD.

  • Present Tense - the best Shoes CD
    author: Nick Bavaro

    Like all the other reviews, I've been looking for these two CDs for years. I've worn out three cassettes of Present Tense and my origional Tongue Twister squeakes so bad it hurts to listen to it, but I did because I loved the music! You can't go wrong with this double set. Thanks to CD Baby my search is over!

  • Present Tense - the best Shoes CD
    author: Nick Bavaro

    Like all the other reviews, I've been looking for these two CDs for years. I've worn out three cassettes of Present Tense and my origional Tongue Twister squeakes so bad it hurts to listen to it, but I did because I loved the music! You can't go wrong with this double set. Thanks to CD Baby my search is over!

  • It was great to finally find the album
    author: evan

    I have looked for this music for years. To find it as a cd was wonderful. The music still sounds as great now as it did when it first came out.

  • sweet perfect pop
    author: M.HUNTER

    lightweight guitarpop perfectly played. if you like the first BOSTON-cd maybe you like this.

  • beautiful!
    author: kelley

    I've been looking for this cd for a long time. My Ex stole my other copy. I have loved this band and their music for 27 years. It still sounds great to me today. Lots of talent!

  • incredible power pop
    author: marko

    I am not worthy of reviewing this disc...it's some of the best power pop ever recorded.

  • great cd needs more liner notes
    author: bill w

    This is a two cd set of some of the best power pop ever. The only sad thing about it is the lack of liner notes and the lack of lyrics which were included with the original LP's.

  • found an old favorite
    author: vinblack

    I have been looking for Shoes Present Tense for many years and found it at CD Baby. I loved the pure pop harmonies and jingly guitars when it first came out and I still do. It is a classic!

  • Shoes cd is Grrrrreat !!
    author: Charles Taylor

    Shoes Present Tense/Tongue Twister is a great combination. If you enjoy the music of the 60's/Early 70's then this one is for you.

  • These two albums included on one cd is just too good to be true
    author: Scott White

    I bought both of these albums on Vinyl when they first came out. In the past I thought about recording them to digital but I no longer have to go through all that work. Great idea for two great works in music!

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