When discussing Bill’s early 80s output, I always see people mention tracks like “Flaming Desire” or “Do You Dream In Colour” as highlights of this period (and rightly so). However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone mention “Tender Is The Night” from the Chimera mini-album (or Vistamix here in the US), and in my opinion it’s one of Bill’s best-ever songs. The funky bass line, the way the synths and guitars lock together, and Bill’s expressive vocals all come together to make something extra special. Any other fans of this track?
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It's one of the greatest 80s tracks I've discovered recently. Wish I'd found it earlier though. Although Bill does a great job of playing bass on it, I wish he'd persuaded Mick Karn to play on it instead, like he did on Glow World. As I commented below, I think Bill is trying really hard to sound like Mick, but it's impossible of course. Mick would be more slippery, whereas Bill's playing is very exact, which is good in a way.
In terms of “Glow World”, Mick explained in his book that he stayed at Bill’s place for a bit, listened to the track, and came up with that bass part.
Knew v little about Bill until Chimera, and Mick Karn's involvement as was/am a huge Japan fan! Loved mini album, then investigated Bill's back catalogue plus future work. 😎
who played bass on tender is the night ?
Chimera is such a perfect album that almost any track from it could have been a single (I recall Tony Mitchell in Sounds chiding Mercury Records for not releasing one). But we all have our favourites, and for me the pinnacle is 'Another Day, Another Ray of Hope', an absolute classic. Always a great disappointment to me that UK audiences were never afforded the opportunity to see the Chimera/Vistamix songs played live. What a show that would have been.
Tourist
I agree with your choice of The Comsat Angels. The first 3 albums are near perfect. If I extend my list to include 99.9% items they are in it. I still wonder why albums 4 and 5, Land and 7 Day Weekend have not been remastered and re-packaged.
Fantastic track. The whole album is flawless and in an elite club of 15 albums that I adore that have no faults. The others: The Cars - The Cars | Candy O - The Cars | Beckett - Beckett | Atomos - A Winged Victory For the Sullen | Futurama Be Bop Deluxe | Quit Dreaming and Get on the Beam - Bill Nelson | Warrior on the Edge of Time - Hawkwind | The Colour of Spring - Talk Talk | Crocodiles - Echo and the Bunnymen | Travelogue - The Human League | Penthouse and Pavement - Heaven 17 | Double Negative - Low | Quark, Strangeness and Charm - Hawkwind | The Love That Whirls - Bill Nelson.
All bliss! There are a multitude of others with one so-so track; too many to name!
I've listened to 'Tender Is The Night' many times...mainly in my high school years. It was the soundtrack to some crush I had on a girl. I much preferred 'Glow World' instead...with Mick Karn's bassline it just goes down less tender.
Wholeheartedly agree, Simon - Tender is the Night was (and still is) one of my all-time favourite songs from the 80s era. I think it has been mentioned here before (I know I've posted it as single track of the day or whatever) but maybe hasn't had the full appreciation it surely deserves!
Big yes from me. This followed by Glow World are always playing in rotation here.....
I agree Simon it’s a fabulous track ….. but for me there are hundreds of seemingly overlooked pieces …. I've given up wondering why this amazing music isnt in many more homes and l think Bill is actually making all of this amazing music just for me 😊❤️
The song in question: