BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“Never Can Say Goodbye” is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5.
In 1987, British band The Communards had a hit with a Hi-NRG cover of the song, which was featured on their second album, Red.
Their version reached number one in Spain and number two in Ireland, number four number the UK Singles Chart, 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart in the U.S. The group had reached number one on those charts covering another 1970s classic, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, in 1986. The cover was also a top 10 hit in several European countries and New Zealand.
A music video was produced for this version of the song, directed by Andy Morahan.
SIDE A:
Never Can Say Goodbye (San Paulo Mix) 7:02
Remix – Freddy Bastone
SIDE B:
Never Can Say Goodbye (Dub) 6:22
Remix – Freddy Bastone
’77 The Great Escape 2:16
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Never Can Say Goodbye | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #51 |
| 1988 | Never Can Say Goodbye | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – LONXR 158
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – David Jacob
Producer [Assistant] – Avril MacKintosh
Written-By – Clifton Davis (tracks: A, B1), Somerville* (tracks: B2), Coles* (tracks: B2)
NOTES:
From the LP “RED”
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
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: 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 USED:
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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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It is curious that this version is called San Paulo (as the brazilian state and the city/capital São Paulo) and uses instruments from here:Percussion and Cuíca (are well highlighted). 😀
Thank you
Multitudes of thank yous as always!
~Queertone
One of my favorite songs!! Thanks for this, DJPaul!
Very nice rip, Paul! I never heard these mixes but also was never impressed much with Shep’s mixes: the volume of the vocals fluctuated all over his mixes and I can easily hear where edits weren’t quite as clean.
My favorite memory of this song was in the 1988 Ultimix Flashback Medley Part 2…at 13:51 in comes the Communards with some extra special effects! It transitions to The Locomotion but then at 15:00 it goes into Supersonic which sounds so cool and then ends the megamix. 🙂
Ufffff Gracias Pault.
Thanks Paul This is an amazing cover from an amazing duo that really ought to reform! I hope you have more Communards and Jimmy solo stuff to come. I can’t get enough!
The San Paulo mix! I spent forever looking for this 12″. Thanks for posting!
I love that mix think I like it better than the Pettibone mix. Hope you are staying safe Conner 🙂
Never mind the Freddie Bastone remixes – I cannot get enough of the flipside track. Wonderful, just wonderful. I just put it on loop and keep listening to it. What a treat, Paulito. I love it.
It’s great isn’t it so campy 🙂
Thank you Paul for another favorite of mine. I love Jimmy’s voice and how it soars and expresses so much emotion. I’m not familiar with this remix but I do like Freddy Bastone so I’m looking forward to checking it out.
Have a great Paul!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff 🙂