![]() ![]() Both tracks were included on the remastered CD version of the Vienna album as bonus tracks. X’ and sung entirely in German by Warren Cann, with the aid of native German producer Conny Plank. The 12″ single also featured ‘Herr X’, a version of the album track ‘Mr. ![]() The B-side to the single was ‘Passionate Reply’, a lighter weight synth-pop song. The gravestone shown in the video and that also appeared on the Vienna single cover is part of the grave of Carl Schweighofer – a famous Austrian piano manufacturer. The ‘Vienna’ video was mostly filmed in Covent Garden, Kilburn Gaumont Theatre and a rented house, in London, while featuring some footage from Vienna itself. Without a doubt, it’s a song that is also inexorably linked to its own iconic video – its moody atmospheric visuals shot on 16mm film, that not only complemented the strong ambience set by the music, but also enhanced the dramatic theatrical aspects of the composition, and gave release to Ultravox’s cinematic leanings.Īmazingly, looking back, these videos appear as sophisticated short films, creating moods and stories that were in perfect sync with the music to which they were designed to complement. The track is of course punctuated with fluent piano throughout, before the strings give it the mark of a dramatic piece. The climax following the orchestral style embellishments leads to a dramatic focal point of lively piano sequences that segue once again into that huge chorus – such an established point of identity with nearly every listener. With a mid-section that exploits classical styled strings, it’s built upon a score that is evidently attractive, soulful and skilful. Its introduction is unmistakable, even today – the CR-78 drum machine and Synare synth pads (drum synthesizer) driving that famous rhythm. Having scored strong hit-making ingredients (certainly in the form of the title track ‘Vienna’), it’s the album that thrust the band into the mainstream – immediately enhancing their visibility, with a title track that was accessible to many. That hit record was the title track and third single release from the Vienna album, and interestingly, was not a track that Chrysalis were originally keen on releasing. Their newfound compass directed them on a whole new course, one that saw them deliver a hit record in January 1981, charting at No.2 in the UK charts, only marginally losing out on the top slot to Joe Dolce’s novelty record, ‘Shaddap You Face’, and going on to sell over half a million copies in the UK alone, while making the Top 10 in seven countries around the world. Midge fit the requirements perfectly, with vocal talents, keyboard skills and not least, some great chops on his guitar, coupled (at the time) with a Vox AC30. It would seem that luck and destiny had changed, however, when Rusty Egan (of the Rich Kids) introduced Midge Ure to Billy Currie – they had of course been working on songs that were to become ‘Visage.’ It’s probably fair to say the rest is history. Today, the music remains amongst the most timeless out there, yet back in 1979, the band having just completed their US tour, it was probably hard to determine which wet and cobbled street Ultravox might set foot upon, once they returned home, and not least, in which direction they might travel, if at all.ĭropped by Island records, and minus a lead vocalist, you’d be forgiven for deeming the band spent, with absolutely no evidence of any kind of pending future. The album features 4 UK charting singles (including 3 which were Top 40) ‘All Stood Still’, ‘Passing Strangers’ and ‘Sleepwalk’ (which was recently reissued as part of Record Store Day 2020), as well as the title track ‘Vienna’.Ĥ0 years on, TEC takes the opportunity to look back and examine the seminal album that not only launched Ultravox into the mainstream, but introduced what we have come to know as the ‘classic’ line-up. Produced by the legendary German producer Conny Plank (Neu!, Kraftwerk), whom had worked with the band previously, (and would work with them again on 1981’s Rage in Eden), it reached No.3 in the UK album chart and the top ten in Australia, New Zealand and several European countries. Ultravox’s Vienna album was originally released on Chrysalis Records on the 11th July 1980. ![]()
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