It had to happen! Nearly 30 years after the release of their debut album, some people have finally taken the time and effort to set up a project that should have been done decades ago: a Sparks tribute album.

Led by the brothers Ron and Russell Mael, Sparks have always been a major inspiration to many of today’s recording artists and musical styles. It was in 1974 that Sparks had their first taste of international success, and although this was for a relatively short period, the brothers Mael were without any doubt the most original and refreshing bearers of New Wave Avant-La-Lettre. Combining catchy, vibrant tunes with witty, peculiar lyrics, which were always good for a grin or a consideration covering subjects like sneezing, prostitution, tits, tropical fruits and environmental conservation (not to mention celebrities such as Albert Einstein and Noah).

Morrissey only recently claimed that he based his decision to persue a life in music upon hearing Sparks’ early Island Records releases. The release of 1979’s "No. 1 In Heaven" created a massive wave of followers and imitators to what is now being labelled as "synth-pop". Groups like Depeche Mode, Bronski Beat, Erasure, Soft Cell, Human League and the Pet Shop Boys eagerly wandered the musical path that had been blazed by the Maels.

It is also no secret to fans of Suede that one of their biggest influences were the early Sparks albums. Bernard Butler, shortly after he left Suede, confirmed that notion by working together with the Maels on various remixes.

Fan Mael, the Dutch Sparks fan club organisation, supporting and promoting the Maels since 1974, decided it was time to initiate and release a tribute album to the Maels. A tribute album by their fans; almost all of the CD's contributors are active members of the fan-to-fan internet "Mael List".

The outcome is amazing as on "Amateur Hour; When Do I Get To Do It My Way?", there is no trace of amateurism. The 29 covers on this double CD - sent in from all over the world - are as refreshing, vibrant and exciting as the originals that were once recorded by the Maels. For the most part, these versions are yet as appealing and catchy.

"Amateur Hour; When Do I Get To Do It My Way?" is more than just a tribute album. It’s a humble but very powerful reflection of 30 years of musical exploration. Of trend setting. Of music that made Sparks what they are now and of Sparks that made music what it is now.

The album also contains a multimedia track, with local browsable copies of all relevant Sparks (fan initiated) websites, so apart from being a tribute only, it also contains large pieces of Sparks history and trivia, conserved for the future.

Sparks themselves are about to release a new album themselves - it will be their 18th official release (Warner Brothers, August 1999). If they do not get the credit that they deserve in their latest quest for recognition today, the music industry will one day look back at them and will realise that they were - and are - one of the most underrated acts of all time.

Maybe this tribute album will help in some small way to get them this recognition. That would be the most rewarding thing of all.

(For the moment, the CD is only available from our website: http://www.fanmael.net … please write us if you have any questions)

Thanks for your time, and enjoy!

Ruud Swart, Carl van Breukelen, Stef Streur

Fan Mael - May 1999.