This God Like Genius is one of this country's most under-rated songwriters. He has - recorded one of the best early 80s pop singles - formed a folk band -been in a britpop supergroup - written and toured with an ex member of one of the Uk's biggest boy bands - released an lp with Nigel Kennedy - been an early singer with a bunch of New Romantics Most people know that Stephen Duffy was one of the original members of Duran Duran before he left and was replaced by Simon Le Bon. He then went on to form a group called Tin Tin and kept the Tin Tin name as well as one of the songs ' Kiss Me' when the band broke up. Kiss me, released in 1985 became one of those singles that everyone probably knows without really knowing much about who recorded it.

Rather than post this which I'm sure you can get on 100 80s compilations or 80s blogs I've gone for the other great single from the first lp 'Ups and Downs' (which was strangely part produced by Smiths and Blur producer Stephen Street). After a second failed lp (this time without the Tin Tin in his name) and a one off lp under the name Dr Calculus (with Roger Freeman ex of Pigbag) he resurfaced in 1987 in the Lilac Time a band formed with his brother Nick Duffy. The lp was first released on an indie label before being re-released on a major. I've posted the first single.

'This train is free wheelin'/there is love on board,' exclaims Chris Thompson (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) on 'Lullaby No. 2,' one of the most electrifying numbers on Friends Again's debut album, Trapped and Unwrapped. The unbridled glee in which those lyrics are sung.

I remember it being played on radio one in a you'll never guess who this is type section. Against the rush of dance music and rave a gentle folk pop song didn't stand a chance.

The single is one of those catchy songs that you think must be a cover as you cant believe that no-one else has come up the tune. After supporting Dr and the Medics and appearing on TV with Roland Rat (boy did the record company know what to do with this band) Stephen Duffy started on the second lp 'Paradise Circus' released in 1989. In his own words 'I was obsessed with Crosby Stills and Nash, Neil Young and Iris Murdoch and thought myself an amalgam of all five' whilst 'I would get on the train to Phonogram to meetings that confirmed our belief that they had signed us by mistake. They wanted a hit. On the way home a girl waved. You are the girl that waved at trains through the cool September rain. It didn't even make the top 100'.

Much to everyone's surprise the band weren't dropped and the option of another lp was taken up by Phonogram. This time they called in Andy Partridge of XTC to produce.

Again the resulting lp has an element of conflict. There are 6 tracks produced with Andy Partridge who layered harmony on top of harmony. The remainder were rushed out in a week with John Leckie after Phonogram cut the budget half way through recording.

The Andy Partridge tracks show a glimpse of what might have been. 'And Love for All' was released in 1990 and needless to say none of the singles charted. The final incarnation for Stephen Duffy is the one off Devils lp. The story goes that he found an old tape of songs he'd written with the early version of Duran Duran and after a chance meeting and reminisce with Nick Rhodes the two of them got together and recorded the songs ( not changing the lyrics and using only early synths) and released them on the 'Dark Circles' lp in 2002. If you are thinking Rio or Planet Earth then think again. These are more like the early synth bands such as pre Dare Human League, Cabaret Voltaire etc. A glimpse of what might have been and not a whiff of a beach in Sri Lanka.

14 Comments: said. Thank you.This and 'Gyrate'. You have made my year. Thank you so much. You will have the Comsat Angels CD's no later than Saturday. Thank's again. Anonymous said.

Thanks saltyka, i saw the band´s concert in Munich and was very impressed by their sheer musicality. Salty - Track two on Swoon skips. Are you having that probelem too? Thanks for checking it out. Anonymous said.

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Any chance of posting FRIENDS AGAIN-trapped and unwrapped album? Jess from vacaville,ca.

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