Swing Out Sister: From the Success of "Breakout" to Timeless Pop Elegance
"Swing Out Sister" are a British pop group, known worldwide for their 1986 song "Breakout". Their other hits include "Surrender", "You On My Mind", "Twilight World", "Waiting Game", and a cover of Eugene Record's soul track "Am I the Same Girl".
History:
Although Swing Out Sister are currently a duo, they began as a trio in the United Kingdom. The band was formed by Andy Connell (keyboards) and Martin Jackson (drums), who were later joined by Corinne Drewery (vocals). According to the band's website, "They named themselves after an obscure 1940s B-movie musical starring Billie Burke because it was the only name they could agree on – they all agreed they hated it". Both Connell and Jackson had played in other bands before forming Swing Out Sister, while Drewery was a fashion designer and model before becoming the band's lead singer.
Diane Charlemagne of 52nd Street played an influential role in the period before the band signed with Phonogram Records. Connell and Jackson, outside of their usual roles as Manchester musicians in A Certain Ratio and Magazine, were producing Electro tracks for Morgan Khan's Streetwise label with some underground success. This activity sparked interest from several major record labels, including Phonogram/Mercury Records. Songs with vocals were requested, so Connell, who knew Charlemagne through Factory Records, approached her to sing on demos for Phonogram. These demos helped secure a major label deal for Connell and Jackson. This was during the time 52nd Street moved from Factory Records to Virgin Records, and as a result, Diane Charlemagne's involvement with Swing Out Sister came to an end.
The Beginnings and Debut Album: It's Better to Travel (1985–1987)
Along with their producer, Paul Staveley O'Duffy, they signed with Mercury Records. Before their first album, they released the single "Blue Mood" in the UK in November 1985, which, however, did not chart.
In late 1986, the single "Breakout" was released, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in November 1986 and number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US in November 1987.
When they released their debut album, "It's Better to Travel", on May 11, 1987, it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album blended real horns, synths (subtly arranged to sound like strings), drums, and xylophones, arranged by producer/arranger Richard Niles. The follow-up single to "Breakout" was "Surrender", which featured a trumpet solo performed by John Thirkell. It reached number seven on the UK charts in January 1987. The next single was the more serious and jazzy "Twilight World". The final single, "Fooled By a Smile", returned to the upbeat pop orientation characteristic of "Breakout".
The band was subsequently nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1988: Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("Breakout").
In addition to long-time partner O'Duffy and Thirkell, Swing Out Sister also utilized the talents of saxophonist Gary Barnacle (who, with Thirkell, comprises the Phantom Horns, known for their work with Level 42), percussionist Luis Jardim, guitarist Tim Cansfield, trumpet/flugelhorn master Jerry Hey, and singer-songwriter-arranger Jimmy Webb.
Kaleidoscope World (1989)
Original member Jackson left the group during the making of the second album, "Kaleidoscope World". Although the liner notes give "special thanks to Martin Jackson" and his co-writing credits appear on the songs "Tainted" and "Between Strangers", they also emphasize that "Swing Out Sister are Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell". Drewery and Connell have been the core of all subsequent albums.
"Kaleidoscope World" was released in May 1989, earning critical acclaim and Top 10 success in the UK. Their departure from contemporary styles towards retro musical sources on this album would establish the musical path they would continue to follow with their subsequent albums. The duo found inspiration in Easy Listening music, such as Burt Bacharach, as well as songwriter Jimmy Webb, who arranged two tracks, "Forever Blue" and "Precious Words". The incorporation of an orchestra into their recordings realized their sound in a richer, fuller way than their previous work, which relied more heavily on synthesizers. Consequently, this album featured arrangements and compositions more classical in inclination. The lead single "You on My Mind" featured a more sophisticated blend of musical components (the video was heavily inspired by the 1968 cult film "The Thomas Crown Affair") than their previous efforts, while the upbeat tone of "Breakout" was reflected in the US lead single "Waiting Game". Further singles included "Where in the World" and "Forever Blue", which featured a descending phrase reminiscent to some people of John Barry's theme for the film "Midnight Cowboy".
Get in Touch with Yourself (1992)
Now a duo of Drewery and Connell, Swing Out Sister released their third album, "Get in Touch with Yourself", in June 1992. With strong dance rhythms reverberating throughout the album, the tracks draw influences from 1960s and '70s jazz, pop, soul, and funk. A lighthearted cover of Barbara Acklin's 1968 soul hit "Am I the Same Girl" became Swing Out Sister's last US hit, reaching number 1 on the adult contemporary chart. The album's title track, a blend of '70s soul music and modern pop, earned the duo strong airplay on smooth jazz radio and was a crossover hit, also getting airtime on adult contemporary stations. The musical influences of Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Curtis Mayfield, and others would become evident on this album but would also continue in their subsequent works. In keeping with the album's theme, Drewery also grew out her hair from the signature bob that had become a visual trademark for their early years.
The Living Return (1994)
Numerous changes were underway when the fourth album, "The Living Return", was released in September 1994. The replacement of producer Paul O'Duffy, after initial studio sessions with Ray Hayden, contributed to a looser, rawer feel to the songs that were often the result of studio jam sessions. Although Drewery and Connell still led Swing Out Sister, additional musicians, including former 52nd Street bassist Derick Johnson, Pa'lante percussionist Chris Manis, Jazz Defectors drummer Myke Wilson, and trumpeter John Thirkell, augmented the group to ten members who replicated the live performances that had been captured on the Japan-only release "Live at the Jazz Cafe". The album featured a cover of The Delfonics' song "La-La (Means I Love You)," which was released as a single and was included on the soundtrack of the film "Four Weddings and a Funeral".
Shapes and Patterns (1997)
Few of the band's releases charted high on the pop charts in Western countries after their successful debut album. The band, however, became extremely popular in Japan. Their song "Now You're Not Here" (from their fifth album "Shapes And Patterns", one of many released in Japan before other parts of the world) was used as the theme for the Japanese TV program "Mahiru No Tsuki", and was ranked number 10 on the Japanese chart and received a Japanese 'Grand Prix' (the equivalent of a Grammy Award) for best international single in 1997.
"Shapes and Patterns" was first released in Japan in March 1997, and then in Europe and the US the following year. Producer Paul O'Duffy, who co-wrote half of the songs, was back at the helm. As an orchestra was employed once again (conducted by Gavyn Wright), the lush arrangements characteristic of "Kaleidoscope World" re-emerged. The liner notes, written by composer/songwriter Mary Edwards, point out the influences of Bacharach, Webb, and John Barry that are perceptible in the string arrangements and Latin rhythms, as well as Minnie Riperton, Rotary Connection, and The 5th Dimension.
The album included a cover of Laura Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic" as well as the original version of "Better Make It Better", which appeared in a different mix on their previous album. A pervasive longing marks songs like "Now You're Not Here", "Somewhere in the World" (their last US chart appearance to date), "You Already Know", and "Icy Cold as Winter". This album also marked the beginning of the duo's use of Japanese musicians in their studio sessions.
