In the early '80s, Kid Creole and the Coconuts transcended the NYC dance scene to become something of an oddity nation-wide for a time. Here was lead singer August Darnell in a zoot suit, Coati Mundi dancing around behind marimbas, and three very shapely girls (the aforementioned Coconuts) doing choreography and backing vocals. And the music was fun, audacious, eclectic, and universal, although none of their records sold in big enough quantities to chart in the US (aside from the Billboard Dance Club Songs charts).
There was also, in their nascent club-scene incarnation, Lori Eastside on co-lead vocals, but she didn't stick around long enough for the ascension to national fame. But the extant video of the time reveals that she was fantastic. And Carol Coleman was a bass player of noticeable depth, space, and groove. She will get your attention if you see videos of their live shows of the time, even though she barely moves. But her sound reminds me of George Murray, who, as both of you who listen to my show know, is my favorite bass player.
I SUCK at interviewing. But regardless, I interviewed Adriana Kaegi, "Mother Coconut", dancer, singer, songwriter, and an integral part of the band in their original incarnation, up to 1995. I am not saying that KCatC was a big act, but they were influential. Prince was a fan, and as more and more people discover them through YouTube, their performances and original output live on.
I'm A Wonderful Thing Baby (1982)
Coati Mundi - Que Pasa/Me No Pop I (1980)
Table Manners (Live) (1981) From "Fresh Fruit In Foreign Places" - The Musical. Recorded at The Ritz in NYC.
The Sex Of It (1985) Written by Prince, who was white-hot at the time. The record went nowhere.
Stool Pigeon (1982)
Endicott (1985)
The Coconuts - Indiscreet (1983)
The Coconuts - Did You Have To Love Me Like You Did? ( 12" Version ) (1983)
Coati Mundi - I Say Hey (1983)
Boomerang - Boomerang Fanfare/Boomerang (1986)
Aural Exciters - Maladie d'Amour (1979) Between Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band and KCatC, there was this odd disco record. The cover says it was produced by Bob Blank, but August wrote/co-wrote everything with another NYC guy, Ron Rogers, who produced/wrote many disco songs of the time. What a scene it must have been.
Christina - Disco Clone (1980) Written and produced by August Darnell.
Cristina - Jungle Love (1980)
Cristina - Ticket To The Tropics (1984) August Darnell had nothing to do with this, but this particular song was co-written by one Doug Fieger of The Knack. You can sort of hear it. The album was produced by Don Was of Was Not Was who also produced records for (deep breath) Ringo Starr, Elton John, The B-52s, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Carly Simon, Willy Nelson, etc.
Funkapolitan - As The Time Goes By (1982) Produced by August Darnell
Prince - The Sex Of It (198?) Demo version.
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Going Places/In The Jungle (Live) (1981) From "Fresh Fruit In Foreign Places" - The Musical. Recorded at The Ritz in NYC.
D-Sides in Korean.
You, too, can be a Dorothy Moskowitz completist!
Yet MORE First Recordings of Famous Songs.
For my 200th Podcast, I wanted to thank you all. Greatest Hits, Part 1.
The Police, before they were The Police.
Chuck Berry.
Stiff Records, Solo Cream Members, and that ”Sidehackers” Soundtrack You Have Been Begging For.
A Small Eternity In New York City.
One Bad Apple
Chicago and Some Extracurricular Activities
Carpenters. Again.
Music Mrs. Neal Can’t Stand
The Monkees, Bond Street, and Richard Simmons
Tim Curry was Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lance Rentzel...also recorded music.
I‘m gonna Prog you good. Prog you like you know I should. I‘m gonna Prog you until you‘re sore. THEN I‘m gonna Prog you some more!!
The Moody Blues
Chris Dedrick
Some Great Songs From Past D-Sides Episodes!
The DAM Trio with David Bowie.
Hodge Podge of Rarities
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Markus Schulz presents Global DJ Broadcast