T’Pau release remastered expanded edition of Bridge Of Spies
Album release: 'Bridge Of Spies' by T'Pau
Release date: November 2015
Label: UMC / Virgin EMI
More info: Band website
One of the undoubted success stories of the ‘80s, T’Pau, see their 1987 multi-platinum debut album 'Bridge Of Spies' reissued as a 2CD / 1DVD deluxe edition by UMC / Virgin EMI on November 6th.
'Bridge Of Spies' would spawn the chart hit 'Heart & Soul' - originally a top 5 Billboard hit on the USA chart and then Top 5 in the UK after being used in a Pepe Jeans advert - and the seminal No 1 hit power ballad 'China In Your Hand'. Also included are the other hit singles 'Valentine', 'Sex Talk (live)' and 'I Will Be With You'. A further release, the title track 'Bridge of Spies', was also released in the US, Australia and Germany.
The album reached the UK No.1 spot and spent six months on the US Billboard chart. The 80s classic, “China In Your Hand” spent five weeks as UK number 1. This multi million-plus selling debut album started a journey that would further generate Top 10 Platinum selling albums ”Rage” and “The Promise” and a raft of hit singles.
The expanded edition of 'Bridge of Spies' will feature a remastered version of the original album, singles, B-sides, hard-to-find remixes, live tracks and demo sessions including the previously unreleased fan favourite ‘Maggie’. It will also include a DVD featuring a T’Pau live concert from London, recorded in 1988 and all six promotional videos, superbly digitised.
- In July 2015 the single was voted the 11th best Number One of the decade, ahead of entries by Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Wham!
- In 1987 T’Pau were officially BIGGER than The Beatles, keeping George Harrison and Paul McCartney at No.2 in the UK singles and album charts respectively'
- T’Pau hold the exclusive title of holding three No.1 slots at once. ‘China’ No.1 in the singles charts, ‘Bridge of Spies’ No.1 in the album charts and the ‘China Remix’ at No.1 in the dance charts!'
- T’Pau were nominated for 5 BPI’s (Brit Awards of the time), an Ivor Novello Award for ‘China In Your Hand’, and RECEIVED A PRESTIGIOUS ASCAP Award from the USA for ‘Heart & Soul’.'
The band formed in 1986 in Shropshire by charismatic flame-haired frontwoman Carol Decker and her co-writer Ronnie Rogers (her boyfriend at the time), taking their name from a Vulcan elder of the same name in the sci-fi series Star Trek. They enjoyed success for several years in Europe and America, touring the world at one time for 17 months non-stop. The original line-up called it a day in 1991. Ronnie & Carol continue to write, record and tour as T’Pau.