Vivid is the debut album from Living Colour, and it was a commercial and critical success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200 album charts. Vernon Reid formed Living Color in New York in 1984. Reid is from England and used the British spelling of the band. It was known as "Vernon Reid's Living Colour" for the first couple of years, and evolved through a number of band members and genres including jazz, punk, experimental rock, and funk.
The lineup for the debut album was set by 1986, and co...
Vivid is the debut album from Living Colour, and it was a commercial and critical success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200 album charts. Vernon Reid formed Living Color in New York in 1984. Reid is from England and used the British spelling of the band. It was known as "Vernon Reid's Living Colour" for the first couple of years, and evolved through a number of band members and genres including jazz, punk, experimental rock, and funk.
The lineup for the debut album was set by 1986, and consisted of Reid on guitars, Corey Clover on vocals, Muzz Skillings on bass, and Will Calhoun on drums. The group settled on a hard rock to heavy metal approach to their music, though elements of funk and jazz remain. They built their experience playing in New York's CBGB club where they built up a following, eventually including Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger.
Living Colour is an all black band playing hard rock music, which is uncommon. Vernon Reid pushed for acceptance of black musicians in alternative music genres, forming the Black Rock Coalition in 1985 to support development and exposure. During a time when highly produced hair metal bands were common, Living Colour was refreshingly different. The band entered the studios in December 2022 to record their seventh album.
Bruce brings this group and their debut album to the podcast.
Funny Vibe
This track was performed in their earlier days and was reworked for the album with a harder rock sound. It features Chuck D and Flava Flav from Public Enemy. It is about racial stereotyping - something Vernon Reid had to deal with in the music industry when he's bringing an all-black group onto the rock scene.
Cult of Personality
This is the song which really launched Living Colour into a worldwide phenomenon. It hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Reid said it was essentially written in just one rehearsal session, and is the only song on the album written by all the band members. The title comes from a report Nikita Khrushchev wrote in 1956 on Stalin called "On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences."
Open Letter (to a Landlord)
A poet named Tracie Morris was part of the Black Rock Coalition, and Reid got her help on the lyrics for this song. It is inspired by concern over the gentrification of the East Village in New York City, pushing out long term tenants and replacing them with "yuppies."
Glamour Boys
The third single from the album is about men obsessed with high society. Mick Jagger is on backing vocals. Jagger came to know the band through working with bassist Doug Wimbush who would replace Skillings as bassist in 1992 in the band. Jagger produced a couple of their demos.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Hippy Hippy Shake by the Georgia Satellites (from the motion picture "Cocktail")
This cover appeared on the soundtrack to a movie featuring Tom Cruise flipping bottles of rum as a showman bartender in exotic Caribbean locales.
STAFF PICKS:
Tutti Frutti by Little Richard
Wayne does a little double dipping on the Entertainment track. Little Richard's hit made its way back on the charts when it appeared on the "Cocktail" motion picture soundtrack. The line "aw rooty" was a slang expression for "all right!" Many rock and roll staples would be introduced in this song, including the loud volume, powerful vocal style, and distinctive rhythm.
Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison
According to Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, John's staff pick was written during a time the band was living in a downtown LA warehouse with no money, and getting fast food and going to the beach was a good time. The song was written for the everyday person making it through the work week and just looking for a good time at the end of it all.
Peek-a-Boo by Siouxsie & the Banshees
Rob brings us a post-punk group with their breakthrough U.S. hit. Featuring a looping brass part played in reverse and unusual instruments like the accordion, Vocalist Siouxsie Sioux added to the unusual nature of the song by using a different microphone for each line. Peek-a-boo would reach number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
Bruce's staff pick was originally released in April, but Chapman really moved up the charts after appearing at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday tribute concert. Stevie Wonder was supposed to be the surprise guest star, but when his keyboard hard disk went missing, Tracy Chapman was ushered back on stage in prime time with just a microphone and a guitar. The song she performed was a sad, stark tale of a woman trapped in poverty, reminiscing about a time when she felt she could be someone.
NOVELTY TRACK:
Parents Just Don't Understand by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Before becoming a film icon and celebrity, Will Smith got his start as the Fresh Prince. This comedy rap did well on the charts in 1988.
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