Category: Laura Branigan

Laura Branigan – Hold Me (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985

“Hold Me” is a song by the American pop singer Laura Branigan, which was released in 1985 as the second single from her fourth studio album Hold Me. It was written by Bill Bodine and Beth Andersen, and produced by Jack White and Harold Faltermeyer.

Following the Top 40 success of the first single from Hold Me, “Spanish Eddie”, “Hold Me” was released as the follow-up single. It reached No. 82 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart.

**”Spanish Eddie” is mislabeled on the label it is actually the LP Version.

SIDE A:
Hold Me (Vocal/New Extended Remix) 5:20
Arranged By – Harold Faltermeyer
Producer – Harold FaltermeyerJack White
Remix – Beau Hill
Written-By – Beth AndersenBill Bodine

SIDE B:
Tenderness (Vocal/Extended Remix Version) 5:52
Arranged By – Ed ArkinMark Spiro
Arranged By [Horns Arrangement] – Jerry Hey
Producer – Jack White
Producer [Associate] – Mark Spiro
Written-By – Jack WhiteLaura BraniganMark Spiro

Spanish Eddie (Vocal/Extended Remix Version) 4:09
Arranged By – Harold Faltermeyer
Producer – Jack White
Written-By – Chuck Cochran (2)David Palmer (4)

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1985 Hold Me U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #82
1985 Hold Me U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #39

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – 0-86845
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop

NOTES:
Special Remix of Atlantic LP “HOLD ME”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning
: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans
: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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Laura Branigan – Self Control (Full Length Version) (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

American singer Laura Branigan covered “Self Control” in 1984. It was released as the lead single from her third studio album of the same name, released the same year.

Branigan’s first major hit had also been co-written by Bigazzi: “Gloria” (1982) was an English cover of the 1979 original Italian song recorded by Umberto Tozzi. The following year Branigan recorded another English song written over a Tozzi and Bigazzi song, “Mama”, which was part of the 1983 album Branigan 2. Branigan chose two more Italian songs for her third album: the first one, “Ti Amo” with lyrics by Diane Warren once again based on the original by Tozzi and Bigazzi that had been a 1977 single for Tozzi. The second one, “Self Control” became the title track to the album and her biggest international hit. “Self Control” was the only one of the four Italian songs recorded by Branigan that was originally composed in English, and Branigan chose to record the song as written. Also unlike the other songs, Branigan’s version was contemporaneous with that of its co-writer.

The Branigan recording was arranged by Giorgio Moroder’s protégé Harold Faltermeyer with Robbie Buchanan and produced by Buchanan with Jack White in Germany and Los Angeles. A keyboard hook in Raf’s version was changed to a guitar riff for Branigan’s version and a vocal break was paired with a sharper and repeated percussive element.

Branigan was one of the first artists of the video era to work with an Academy Award-winning film director on a music video when William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) directed the clip. Filmed in New Jersey and New York City, the video was produced by Fred Caruso and first aired in April 1984.

The video depicts Branigan, sitting in her bedroom while her lover sleeps. Tempted by the allure of the city at night, she gets dressed up and goes out. Brief encounters with a mysterious man in a full-face white mask lead Branigan from the dance floor of a nightclub to an underground room where the masked man stands in the midst of an orgiastic gathering that he beckons her to join. Branigan allows herself to be led into the group but ultimately flees in fright. Returning home, Branigan finds that the masked man and some of his throng are, somehow, now in her bedroom. The masked man lowers Branigan to her couch and she surrenders herself to him. The masked man, standing over Branigan, now lying unconscious on the floor, turns and walks towards the bedroom window, fading away in the morning light. Branigan, consumed by guilt, gets up and turns out the light. The final scene shows Branigan lying awake in bed when her lover turns to face her, his face hidden behind a familiar white mask.

The video ultimately drew controversy, as it was considered so shockingly sexy that MTV required some edits before it could air. Entertainment Tonight aired a segment on the network’s reaction to the clip, which was being played in late-night slots on other networks. Though Branigan resisted at first, her record company convinced her to allow a minor alteration and the video was aired on MTV, though by this time the single had peaked on the charts. Branigan would go on to be nominated for a 1985 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Video Artist. Branigan’s fellow nominees were Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper, who won the award.

Branigan’s recording was a worldwide multi-format hit. In the US, the song became Branigan’s fourth consecutive top 10 hit on a Billboard chart in a year and a half, following “Gloria”, “Solitaire” and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”. “Self Control” peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, no. 4 on the Hot 100 and no. 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the track hit no. 1 on both the pop and AC charts. Both the Raf original and the Branigan version of “Self Control” entered the German Top 20 in May 1984: on June 25, the Branigan single assumed the no. 1 position, where it remained for six weeks, while the Raf version occupied the no. 2 spot. Branigan’s “Self Control” also entered the Italian charts although the dominance of the Raf version in his native Italy predicated a comparatively low peak Italian chart peak of no. 29 for Branigan’s version.

“Self Control” afforded Laura Branigan a no. 1 hit in Austria, Canada, Sweden and South Africa and was also a smash hit for Branigan in Norway (no. 2), Ireland (no. 3), Australia (no. 3) and the UK (no. 5). Branigan’s album Self Control went Silver, Gold or Platinum in several countries and yielded subsequent charting singles, though not of the title track’s magnitude, in “The Lucky One”, “Ti Amo” and “Satisfaction”.

SIDE A:
Self Control (Extended Version) 5:02
Arranged By – Harold Faltermeyer
Lyrics By [English Lyrics] – Steve Piccolo
Music By [Original Music] – Giancarlo Bigazzi, Raffaele Riefoli

SIDE B:
Silent Partners (Extended Version) 4:07
Arranged By – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – Diane Warren, The Doctor (10)

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 Self Control U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #4
1984 Self Control U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary #2
1984 Self Control U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #5

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic ‎– A9676T, Atlantic ‎– A 9676 T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Executive-Producer – Jack White
Producer –  Jack White, Robbie Buchanan

NOTES:
‘Full Length Version’ on cover, ‘Extended Version’ on label
Original versions appears on the LP “SELF CONTROL”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Laura Branigan – Moonlight On Water (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1990

A. Front

“Moonlight on Water”, also known as “Moonlight on Water (Sex on the Beach)”, is a song written by Steve Kipner, best known for writing Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical”, and Andy Goldmark.

The song was originally recorded by Kevin Raleigh for his 1989 album Delusions of Grandeur and was released as a single. It reached #60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 24 June 1989.

The song was covered by American singer Laura Branigan and was the first single taken from her self-titled album released in 1990. The song was only a minor hit in the U.S peaking at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #44 Hot Dance/Club Play charts.

SIDE A:
Moonlight On Water (Sex On The Beach) (12″ Mix) 7:55

SIDE B:
Moonlight On Water (Sex On The Beach) (Sex On The Beach Dub) 5:52
Moonlight On Water (Radio Remix) 4:05

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1990 Moonlight On Water U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #59
1990 Moonlight On Water U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play #44

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic ‎– 0-86195
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Electro, Garage House

CREDITS:
Engineer – Frank Heller
Producer – Richard Perry
Remix – David Frank, Mojo Nicosia*
Written-By – Andy Goldmark, Stephen Kipner*

NOTES:
Tracks subtitled ‘Sex On The Beach’ on the label, but not on the sleeve.
From the Atlantic album “LAURA BRANIGAN”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Laura Branigan – Shattered Glass (US 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

A. Front

Remembering Laura Branigan.

Ten years ago today we lost one of the brightest lights in popular music Laura Branigan.  Branigan’s powerful voice and her countless contributions to the music world are deeply missed. She was truly one of the greats.

~ DjPaulT

Re-Rip Newly Remastered!

Originally I posted this one on November 10, 2010. But for those who may have missed it or if you are a new reader just discovering BTG. I decided to give this one a new rip with my newer Ortofon Super 30 stylus. This 12″ is also being posted in 24 bit flac for the very first time!

“Shattered Glass” is a song written by Bob Mitchell and Steve Coe which was recorded by Laura Branigan with the Stock/Aitken/Waterman production team to serve as the first single released from Branigan’s fifth album, the 1987 releaseTouch.

The song had originally been produced by Mitchell and Coe for Scottish singer Ellie Warren in 1980; Warren recalls “all the [radio] stations and media were totally behind [“Shattered Glass”], but the record wasn’t serviced properly. When the radio was playing it to death, you couldn’t buy it in the shops – a ludicrous situation.”

“Shattered Glass” was one of two tracks Branigan cut with the Stock/Aitken/Waterman team. Originally the Touch album was to totally be a collaboration with producer David Kershenbaum but after completing her recording with Kershenbaum, Branigan, who had an especial interest in scoring a strong hit single as her previous album release Hold Me had only produced a mild hit in “Spanish Eddie” (#40), made an overnight foray to the UK to record at the PWL Studios in London with Stock/Aitken/Waterman, that team currently enjoying massive chart success with releases by such acts as Rick Astley, Bananarama, Dead or Alive, Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. Besides “Shattered Glass”, the PWL session produced Branigan’s recording of “Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)” a Stock/Aitken/Watrman original previously recorded (1984) by Hazell Dean.

“Shattered Glass” was issued as a single in the US in June of 1987 with “Statue in the Rain”, a track recorded for Touch with David Kershenbaum and omitted from the album to accommodate the inclusion of the Stock/Aitken/Waterman tracks, serving as the B-side; the 12″ single version of the track was remixed by Pete Hammond. A music video was made to promote “Shattered Glass”, featuring Afa Anoa’i, a wrestler known, with his brother, as one of The Wild Samoans. A performance by Branigan on the 9/5/1987 broadcast of American Bandstand gave “Shattered Glass” the distinction of being the final track to be promoted by a guest star on the major network edition of American Bandstand but by the time of Branigan’s American Bandstand appearance the failure of “Shattered Glass” as a comeback vehicle for Branigan was evident, the single having stalled at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 that August.

Billboard did afford “Shattered Glass” hit status on its dance charts: #13 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and #15 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales, and also on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart (#27). “Shattered Glass” was also the last Laura Branigan single to register in several international markets, although it only attained significant chart impact in Switzerland at #26 and Denmark at #6, the last-named being the final evident Top Ten placing by Branigan on a national chart.

Bryan Buss of AllMusic would later write that, from an album that contained “so many…successfully evocative cuts…lead single ‘Shattered Glass’…stand(s) out; you can hardly hold back from caroling along” – “[Branigan’s] big, boomy voice…has never sounded better”.

SIDE A:
Shattered Glass (12″ Vocal Mix)  7:14
Engineer – Mark McGuire
Mixed By – Mixmaster Pete Hammond*
Producer – Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Written-By – Bob Mitchell , Steve Coe

SIDE B:
Shattered Glass (LP Vocal Version)  3:40
Engineer – Mark McGuire
Mixed By – Mixmaster Pete Hammond*
Producer – Stock, Aitken & Waterman
Written-By – Bob Mitchell , Steve Coe

Statue In The Rain (Vocal)  4:16
Engineer, Mixed By – David Holman*
Producer – David Kershenbaum
Written-By – Mathew Garey* , Rick Palombi

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Cover: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 Shattered Glass U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #48
1987 Shattered Glass U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #27
1987 Shattered Glass U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play #13

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: 0-86699
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Artwork By [Art Direction/design] – Janis Wilkins
Photography – Victoria Pearson

NOTES:
From The Atlantic Album “TOUCH”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi