I hold in my trembling hands an advance copy of the new tribute double cd made by Sparks fans worldwide.
Carl van Breukelen from Fan Mael was kind enough to send me a test copy.
(He is still working on getting the best quality sound possible for all the tracks)
I would just like to say I am glad it turned out so well. There is not a bum track.
I urge each and every true Sparks fan to order this cd when it is available, you will not be disappointed!
(Am I a salesman or what?)
 

Track by track here are my thoughts so far...
 
 

DISC 1

Propaganda
(Steve Murray)
Multi-layered vocals just like the original!
Sounds good to me!!! Shockingly five seconds longer than the original.
B+
 

Girl From Germany
(Derek Paice)
Derek talks his way through this song in a calm, very assured voice. I love it!
A-
 

Slowboat
(Wednesday Week)
A countrified version of a sadly neglected "should have been a hit" early Sparks/Halfnelson song. Nice vocals.
B
 

Fletcher Honorama
(R. Stevie Moore)
Never one of my favorite Sparks songs but R. Stevie Moore does a splendid job. It's kind of creepy...
A-
 

Beat The Clock
(Steve Murray)
Acoustic version with outstanding vocals by Steve. My God, these people are not amatuers!
A+
 

With All My Might
(The Squirrels)
The Squirrels, in my eyes, can do no wrong (except if they do a new version of "Fingertips" someday...)
Rob Morgan will have all the girl's hearts swaying in unision to the beat of this love song.
A-
 

The Number One Song In Heaven
(Steve Murray)
Tranquil and soothing. (Whatever tranquil means...) Very nice. Lovely vocals once more by Steve.
A+
 

This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
(The Quackle)
Love it! (Just order the damn cd people!) How she reaches that last high note only Russell knows!
(and Carl didn't even have to pay me off for these comments...)
A-
 

La Dolce Vita
(Rafael Wynn)
Didn't care for this one on first listen but this could be the dark horse on Amatuer Hour. It's cool!
A-
 

Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
(Karen J. Walsha)
Another winner in my books. Haunting, beautiful vocals by Karen. I mean BEAUTIFUL!!!
A+
 

Popularity
(Peter Konig)
Very close to the original. (None of these songs suck, my friends!)
B
 

The No. 1 Song In Heaven
(God/Monster)
Another good one!
B
 

Something For The Girl With Everything
(Steve Murray)
Another perfect rating for Steven, things are looking kind of fishy... You'll love it!
A+
 

Those Mysteries
(Egnekn's Daughter)
Very childlike, possibly because there is a child singing it...
This is one the Maels would probably really get a kick out of, just like I did.
B+
 

Pineapple
(Murdoch)
Strange, very strange but in a good way!
B
 
 
 

DISC 2
 

Multimedia Bonustrack
I'd give it a A+++ just for that hidden bonus track!
 
 

A Song That Sings Itself
(Cuban Boys)
Excellent vocals and music. One of the best on the cd(s)
A+
 

A Fun Bunch Of Guys From Outer Space
(The WayOutz)
Rocking!!!!!!!!!!
A
 

Suzie Safety
(John Sunderland)
Very well done.
(The reviews are getting shorter because I'm getting lazy folks!)
B+
 

Reinforcements
(Peter Konig)
Excellent cover of one of my favorite older Sparks songs,
although he did forget to say "go" after the countdown...  :)
A-
 

It's A Knock Off
(Wednesday Week)
Killer guitar work (was The Edge involved in this?)
A-
 

The No. 1 Song In Heaven
(Wonder Boys)
Another version of this song, although this time the guitars are out!
Almost feel like I am being transported back to a Foghat concert.
(No insult to the Foghat fan that is out there somewhere...)
A+
 

I Predict
(Collider)
Could this be the best song on the cd (s)?
Could this be a (gasp) hit again?
A+
 

Happy Hunting Ground
(AAIIEE)
Finally, another song from Indiscreet (after three versions of No. 1 Song In Heaven...)
I'm not complaining, I'm just tired.
When I get tired, I get silly.
When I get silly, I get grouchy.
When I get grouchy I start to complain...
then I notice there are three versions of  No. 1 Song In Heaven but no "fan"
did a song from "Big Beat" and  no one thought of doing "(That's Not) Nastassia"!
My temper tantrum is over now...back to the reviews.
B+
 

So Important
(Peter Konig)
Wow! They've even done a song from "Interior Design"
Of course, they picked the best song from it! Very good.
B
 

At Home, At Work, At Play
(AAIIEE with Rob Morgan)
Love this version!
I know the singer personally!
Well, not personally but sort of...
He e-mailed me a couple of times...
Okay, I don't know the guy and I'm just desperate for friendship!!!
A+
 

When Do I Get To Sing "My Way"
(Wonder Boys)
This reminds me of Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part Two". This song has
cool drums and guitar. Three cheers for The Wonder Boys!
A+
 

Here Comes Bob
(R. Stevie Moore)
This is demented, strange, funny and way beyond excellent.
One of  Ron Mael's best lyrics ever too!
A+
 

Something For The Girl With Everything
(Collider)
Similar to the version Sparks did with Faith No More. It rocks!
A+
A+
Moon Over Kentucky
(Klepto Maniac Zoo)
Scary name for a band. The song is scary too.
A+
 
 

For more information on the Amatuer Hour CD
go here