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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 13h

Edna The Inebriate Woman. 55 years old & an absolute powerhouse drama. Patricia Hayes is totally convincing in this tale of homelessness & mental health. Runs the full gamut of emotions & you'll see a younger June Brown. A Must Watch on iPlayer. More like this from the archives please BBC!

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 15h

Darling Buds - Pop Said. Feb 89. UK Peak: 23. A strong & consistent set of melodic indie pop tunes with 'Hit The Ground' & 'Burst' hitting the sweet spot. A bit of variety in the arrangements wouldn't have gone amiss though. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 23h

'REACH for the remote and hit fast forward button...' #totpplayback

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Proper football is back tomorrow! 🙌 🎉 ⚽️ #premierleague #championship

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Sheena Easton - The Lover In Me. Feb 89. UK Peak: 30 Hoping this would be Princed up to the max but it's quite a transatlantically bland effort. Sheena's voice has a margarine quality, professional but lacks flavour. Title track & '101' are the highlights 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Nice one! I had to see if we went to the same gig but I went to see them back in Nov 09 & Mar 16 at the O2

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Samantha Fox - I Wanna Have Some Fun. Feb 89. UK Peak: 46 Begins promisingly as a pop house LP before it goes into full S/A/W territory & ending up T'Pau at the end. A pity. 'Love House' is the stand out 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Happy belated (by 2 days) 40th birthday to possibly my favourite album of the 1980s. 'Dawn awaits a sleepless English town of coloured grey' youtu.be/RXQiK56n1-E?...

youtu.be

October

YouTube video by a-ha - Topic

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Shakespear's Sister - Sacred Heart. Sep 89. UK Peak: 9. A trim wouldn't have gone amiss on this inventive 13 track album of electro pop. 1st half really impresses with the likes of the Princey 'Dirty Mind' & 'Run Silent'. 'Your History' is a total pop gem. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Pub quiz facts to remember: Gonzo's chicken love interest was called Camilla....

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Boy Meets Girl - Reel Life Feb 89. UK Peak: 74. 'Waiting For A Star To Fall' is a classic pop romance banger that you can still hear on commercial radio today. However, the melodic eggs are all in one basket as the rest of it is fairly vapid, forgettable pop. 5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Holly Johnson tries not to get distracted by this very busy Smash Hits cover from 22nd Feb - 7 Mar 1989. The notorious Fleetwood Fox Brit Awards gets a headline credit. Not heard of any of these but most looking forward to hearing Shakespear's Sister's debut. #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Absolutely. Much missed. The follow up to Solo In Soho isn't bad either.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Listened to his 'Solo In Soho' at the weekend. I've really warmed to it. So many good tracks.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Nick Heyward - I Love You Avenue. Feb 89. No UK Chart Placing. A striking resemblance to 'Pale Shelter' it may be but 'You're My World is a fine pop single. Ably assisted by 'My Kind Of Wonderful' & 'Tell Me Why'. Generic but listenable late 80s pop 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviewd

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

On the Lea Valley canal today. Not even graffiti, just art stuck down on black plastic. Maybe not AI but still inauthentic. Shouldn't feel annoyed but...

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth. Feb 89. UK Peak: 8. Gibbo (& Tiffany) have my eternal respect for starring in cult movie 'Mega Python v Gatoroid' but due to the appalling Disney Kids production, this is pap. The title track with its zip & verve is fine. 4/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Didn't work sadly. I think I watched it all because nothing else was on

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Ten City - Foundation. Feb 89. UK Peak: 22. Mmm. The review raised my hopes rather too much. The stand out is definitely the superb 'That's The Way Love Is'. The rest treads water & doesn't go deep house like I wanted it to. 5.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Never knew we had a slightly amusing road in the 50 odd years of living here. It's right next to Kickingyour Avenue. #ruislip

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Found these on the floor outside Waitrose. I'm rich 💰!

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

If there is such a thing, this is my 'Saturday Mug'

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Blow Monkeys - Whoops! There Goes The Neighbourhood. Feb 89. UK Peak: 46. When the creativity levels go up on the likes of 'Bombed Into The Stone Age' & 'Let's Emigrate' it shines but there's too many makeweights on here. 'Wait' is a classic. More Kym please! 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Gladdens the heart to see a bland red brick corporate building being levelled by a digger. Extra kudos to the Mist Cannon for blowing the dust away from the road.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Then Jericho - The Big Area. Mar 89. UK Peak: 4. You'll have to eat your hat, Richard! Contains the wondrous U2ish 'Big Area' & the heartfelt 'Sugar Box'. The muscular 'Under Fire' rounds it off well but other tracks are a bit windy. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I'm done with The Traitors. It's just Big Brother with a few games. I've seen the best this series could possibly deliver so it's diminishing returns from now on.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Jason Donovan waves a titfer & Mark Shaw rides a vintage car, I think, on the cover of Smash Hits dated February 8-21 1989. I've got 'A New Flame' & heard 'Technique'. Also, in RSVP, Jane sounds nice. Especially as she doesn't begin with 'Yo' like 3 others on this page #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Joe Smooth - Promised Land. Jan 89. No UK Chart Placing. A sketchy attempt to bring 'Purple Haze' up to date, some religious toadying sits amongst the rest of the reasonable house pop efforts. The title track is by far the most alluring thing on here. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Random quiz knowledge gained this evening: The Speakers Chair is called The Woolsack because it's literally a large, square cushion stuffed with wool & covered in red cloth, serving as a symbol of the immense wealth and economic importance of the English wool trade in the 14th century. So there.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Ah go on. You've twisted my arm!

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - American Dream. Jan 89. No UK Chart Placing. Songwriting prowess on display without too much syrup with decent polished production. Neil Young in the form of his life (see Harvest Moon) & 'Name Of Love' is lovely 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It's Yazz on the cover of Smash Hits dated 25 Jan to 7 Feb 1989 on this sparse page of albums. I've got 'The Raw & The Cooked' but not 'American Dream' or 'Promised Land' Of course you'll all want to be David's friend, right? Right?! #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Come in 1979, your time is up! Here are the albums going into the collection. Albums from 1983-1979 are done. Now leaping forward 10 years to 1989 to a very different musical landscape & working backwards. Hang on. 1st album is by Crosby, Stills & Nash? Maybe we've gone 10 years backwards?

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Mike Oldfield - Platinum. Dec 79. UK Peak: 24. A pleasingly diverse album with regular changes in style which means songs don't outstay their welcome. A few knowing & cheeky 'Oi''s & choppy guitar thrown in for good measure. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Charlie Dore - Where To Now? Dec 79. No UK Chart Placing. If you're looking for a radio friendly American early 1980s Sheena Easton, then Charlie's your woman. Songs like the title track & Pilot of the Airwaves work well 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

My latest show is published ! Take a dive into the best sounds of 1971 courtesy of the Now Yearbook along with some Placebo & Suede. Enjoy! www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9...

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Public Image Ltd - The Metal Box. Dec 79. UK Peak: 18. An LP to work out your existential angst with ambling funky basslines. Contrarian & formless with chorus & verse given short shrift. Lydon goes a bit demented dalek on 'Chant'. A critic's choice 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

One of my most favourite album covers. Love the album too

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This is a fantastic book. The one I wanted to write myself but Stuart Maconie got their first. Damn him. Even though there are 100 people profiled in here who had to a greater or lesser extent influenced the band and their work, there could be a volume 2 of this.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I came late to this one. Only a few years ago in fact. Other artists overtook him in my tastes at the time. This is great and inventive as the Symbol album from 92.

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

1. Suede 2. Beatles - Please Please Me 3. Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks 4. De La Soul - 3ft High & Rising 5. Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction

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James Cooke @dodgydiscs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Ian Gomm - Gomm With The Wind. Dec 79. No UK Chart Placing. Good pop tune '24 Hour Service' is suspiciously like 'Hot Child In The City' by Nick Gilder. 2 covers in the form of 'Come On' & 'You Can't Do That' are impressive. Decent melodic pop 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews

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