Reveal (Fischer-Z album)

Reveal is an album by the new wave rock band Fischer-Z. In the summer of 1981 John Watts split up with his group, Fischer-Z, on the grounds that his art could not evolve within the context of the band. Prompted by the encouragement of the well-received Fischer-Z album, Red Skies Over Paradise, Watts soon embarked on a solo career, releasing his first solo album, One More Twist (1982), followed quickly by his second, The Iceberg Model (1983). Watts toured extensively and even produced a mini-album for Zulu artist Busi Mhlongo. He released an album entitled Quick Quick Slow under the name The Cry in 1984.

Reveal
Studio album by
Released1987
GenreNew wave
Length45:00
LabelArista
ProducerJohn Watts
Fischer-Z chronology
Red Skies over Paradise
(1981)
Reveal
(1987)
Fish's Head
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

After touring and releasing an album every year until 1985, John Watts tried to balance his constant touring with his responsibilities of being a father of two children. Over the next few years, he began writing and recording new material with multi-talented musician Ian Porter. In 1987, John Watts again began to record material under the Fischer-Z name — but, with one twist — Watts was now the only original member of the group and it was his "musical vision". Original Fischer-Z keyboardist, Steve Skolnik, did, however, make a minor contribution to the album.

Track listing

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All songs written by John Watts.

  1. "The Perfect Day" - 4:18
  2. "Leave It to the Businessmen to Die Young" - 4:58
  3. "I Can't Wait That Long" - 4:42
  4. "Tallulah Tomorrow" - 4:37
  5. "Realistic Man" - 3:23
  6. "Fighting Back the Tears" - 4:56
  7. "Big Drum" - 3:44
  8. "Heartbeat" - 3:07
  9. "It Takes Love" - 4:07
  10. "So Far" - 4:00
  11. "Marguerite" - 3:18 (appears only on CD releases)

Charts

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Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report) 95[2]

Personnel

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Fischer-Z
  • John Watts - lead vocals, guitar
  • Ian Porter - bass, keyboards, percussion programming
  • Steve Kellner - drums
  • Jennie Cruse - vocals
  • Alan Morrison - guitar
  • Denis Haines - keyboards
Additional musicians
  • Pete Sinden - bass on "Fighting Back the Tears" and "Big Drum"
  • Geoff Dugmore - drums on "Big Drum" and "Heartbeat"
  • Tim Moore - keyboards on "Big Drum", "Heartbeat" and "It Takes Love"
  • Steve Greetham - bass on "Heartbeat"
  • Lorenza Johnson - backing vocals
  • Judy La Rose - backing vocals on "Heartbeat" and "It Takes Love"
  • The Sapphires - backing vocals on "It Takes Love"
  • Marc Fox - percussion on "Heartbeat"
  • Mike Benn - keyboards on "It Takes Love"
  • Steve Skolnik - keyboards on "I Can't Wait That Long"
  • Mickey Donnelly - saxophone on "So Far"
Technical
  • Kenny Jones, Richard Manwaring, Steve Forward - engineer
  • Gary Goodman - cover design, artwork

Notes

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The album features the singles, "Big Drum" and "The Perfect Day", the latter being one of the most successful singles by Fischer-Z and another single to have a video made for it.

Perfect Day peaked at number 12 on the Australian Charts in 1988.

References

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  1. ^ Schnee, Steve =Spaz". Reveal at AllMusic
  2. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 112. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.