A songwriter who moved from new wave wit to sleek, piano-driven sophistication.
For a quick sense of his range, listen to 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' and 'Steppin' Out.' They frame the move from new wave wit to something more sophisticated and melodic.
He caught people's attention with 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' in 1979, a wry, observational song with a sharp pop arrangement. That interest in craft and lyrical precision carried through to 'Steppin' Out' in 1982, a sleek, piano-driven single that became one of his best-known tracks. It's a catalog that rewards listeners who appreciate a writer willing to explore different styles without losing his voice.
He came up in the late 1970s with a debut album called 'Look Sharp!' in 1979, working with a band that included bassist Graham Maby and drummer Dave Houghton. His music shifted away from straightforward new wave by 1982's 'Night and Day,' which leaned into jazz and Latin influences. He kept recording and exploring different styles, putting out albums like 'Body and Soul' in 1984 and 'Rain' in 2008, with a record called 'Fool' as recently as 2019.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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