Arts & Culture

Duran Duran “Notorious” “Big Thing” Albums Remastered and Expanded for New Limited Special Editions CD/DVD on EMI/Capitol Records

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Written by Susie Salva
Duran Duran English pop rock band that originally formed in 1978 were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” of the United States. The band’s controversial videos featured on these remastered and expanded new limited special editions included partial nudity and suggestions of sexuality, became popular in the early 1980s on the then-new music video channel MTV. Duran Duran were among the first bands to have their videos shot by professional directors with 35mm film movie cameras, which gave their videos a much more polished look. The band is comprised of Simon Le Bon, vocals, John Taylor, bass, Andy Taylor, guitar, Nick Rhodes, keyboards, and Roger Taylor, drums.

From the very beginning of their career together, all the band members had a keen sense of visual style. They have continued to present fashion as part of their package throughout their career. Following the recent release of expanded editions of Duran Duran’s first three albums, Capitol/EMI records is pleased to announce the September release of expanded Limited Special Editions of the band’s fourth and fifth albums, Notorious and Big Thing. Both 2CD/DVD packages feature the remastered original albums and extensive bonus materials in lift-top boxes with an eight-page booklet, five postcards, and a folded poster. On the same date, the full audio from each set’s two CD’s will also be available for download purchase from all major digital service providers.

Disc one of Notorious (Ltd. Special Edition) includes the original album plus three single remixes. Disc two adds seven mixes and the “Duran Goes Dutch,” EP, recorded at the Ahoy, Rotterdam on May 7, 1987. The DVD includes the music videos for “Notorious”, “Skin Trade,” and “Meet El Presidente,” a November 1986 “Top of the Pops,” U.K. TV performance of “Notorious,” and for the first time on DVD, “Working for the Skin Trade,” a concert film shot in Rio de Janeiro during the band’s 1987-’88 “Strange Behavior Tour.” The DVD of Notorious is preformed in front of thousands of Duran Duran fans and has all of the excitement of the band which is captured on this disc. The intro features Brazilian dancers and dives into “A View to A Kill.” Simon Le Bon is featured with John Taylor and Nick Rhodes as a horn section is prominently featured on “The Chauffeur,” with the MTV video screened on a wall of monitors. Le Bon dawns a captains hat and sings with enthusiasm. “Save A Prayer,” follows after again with a video montage. The band plays the blues and Le Bon plays the harmonica as he explains how he never followed his mothers advice delving into “Skin Trade,” and then a very different version of “Hungry Like The Wolf” plays out.  The band obviously wanted to change it up. The encore featured “Wild Boys,” capping of a fantastic  evening at the concert.

Disc one of Big Thing (Ltd. Special Edition) restores the album to what the band originally wanted, with the inclusion of the original mix of “Drug”(It’s Just A State of Mind),” rather than the remix that made the final album (this original version has previously been released only once before on CD, on a Japanese reissue). Disc two features singles, B-sides and mixes including the album remix version of “Drug (It’s Just a State of Mind).” The Special Edition’s DVDE includes Big Thing recorded live at the Palatrussardi in Milan, Italy December 12, 1988, plus the music video for “I Don’t Want Your Love,” “All She Wants Is,” and “Do You Believe in Shame?”

Duran Duran’s platinum-certified Notorious was produced by Nile Rodgers; its release in 1986 followed the Grammy-winning band’s third album. Seven and the Ragges Tiger, by three years. The title track reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and was revisited by the Notorious B.I. G. in 1999 as the sampled foundation of his single.

Big Thing was recorded at Devout Studios in Paris, and co-produced by Jonathan Elias and Daniel Abraham was released 1988. The album’s title track and lead single “I Don’t Want Your Love,” reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on the Dance Play/Club singles chart, and its second single “All She Wants Is,” also took the top spot on Billboard’s Dance Play/Club singles chart, peaking at #22 on Billboard Hot 100. The album’s cover was designed by Swiss illustrator and artist Hans Arnold.

These two CD/DVD’s are a must for Duran Duran fans. For all things Duran Duran please go to www.duranduran.com

About the author

Susie Salva