BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“Weak in the Presence of Beauty” is a song written and originally recorded by British soul and jazz-influenced pop group Floy Joy.
“Weak in the Presence of Beauty” was the lead single from the the bands debut album Into The Hot. It peaked at #85 in the UK, lasting in the Top 100 for a total of three weeks. It was the group’s highest charting single. The song also saw minor success in Canada, where it peaked at #68 on the Singles Chart and #14 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.
Like the band’s debut album, the song (and the album) was produced by Don Was in Detroit.
In the official American Billboard Magazine of 18 January 1986, “Weak in the Presence of Beauty” was mentioned under the “Dance Trax” section. The article stated: “Floy Joy, much praised but barely charted (like Working Week, another of our undiscovered faves), sound like they have the key to both the U.S. and U.K. charts with “Weak in the Presence of Beauty” (Virgin/U.K.), a Don Was production that’s sort of Shannon-meets-“Every Breath You Take”. Addictive.”
SIDE A:
Weak In The Presence Of Beauty (Extended Remix) 5:14
Mixed By – Chris Lord Alge*
SIDE B:
You And Me 3:08
Mixed By – Frank Filipetti
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASSE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin – VS 833-12
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Don ‘Don’ Was*
Written-By – Michael Ward (3), Rob Clarke*
NOTES:
Manufactured in the U.K.
A: Mixed at Unique Recording
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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 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
Thanks a lot!!
Regards from San Juan, Argentina!
Thank you Paul!
I love this track. I remember it well. It was a minor hit here in Australia. Think it cracked the Oz Top 30
Interesting to hear the original, but I also prefer Alisons version!
Thank you Paul for this rip. It’s good to hear the original version of this song. I also liked “Friday night in this cold city” from this band.
I really love this version Paul. It really reminds me of the electro cover of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” by Otis Liggett. That track was produced by Mark Liggett who worked with Chris Barbosa on a lot of Latin Hip Hop/Freestyle songs. So, I get when they said that it was Shannon meets “Every Breath You Take.” Outstanding stuff Paul, as usual. I do love Alison’s version, but I can say I like them both equally.
Jeff
I think I like the B-side song more than the A-side, actually. 🙂 I may have to see if I can track down the whole album…
I agree Doctor it’s got really great lyrics 🙂
I’m pretty sure i’ve never heard this original version before. I only know of Alison Moyet’s cover.
Thanks Paul for this rare treat 🙂
You’re very welcome Junior 🙂
Think i read about this somewhere but again only know of Alison Moyet’s version!
Hope you like it Neil 🙂
So interested in hearing the original take of this song. Paul, way cool of you to give us another unheralded song that means a lot to you. I love how you steer our musical tastes to tracks that may become new favorites. I’m very excited!!
Jeff
Thank you Jeff. This version in my opinion is just as good as Alison’s. Hope you like it 🙂
Thanks Paul for another rare one. I must say i only knew of Alison Moyet’s version.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
I was going to say the same. Thank you for showing me this version.
And if you ever have any Alison, please, please upload.
With myuch thanks for your hard work,
Aaron.