Images (Brotherhood of Man album)
Encyclopedia
Images is the fourth album by pop group Brotherhood of Man
. It was released in 1977 and featured the UK No.1 hit, "Angelo"
.
". The single was released in June 1977 and became one of the group's biggest hits, reaching No.1 in the UK and spending 10 weeks in the top 10.
The album was released on Pye Records
in late October 1977 and also featured the follow-up single, "Highwayman". The second single failed to enter the UK charts, but did feature on the "breakers" section for two weeks in November 1977. In this month, the group appeared on TV's Royal Variety Performance
before the Queen
, but rather than promote their latest single, they elected to perform "Angelo". "Highwayman" fared better however in Holland and Belgium where it reached #15 and #18 respectively. Unlike previous albums where different songs were released in different countries, these were the only two singles released from this album anywhere. Images failed to chart in the UK despite its release being surrounded by No.1 singles "Angelo" and "Figaro
". In some European countries, another song "Circus" had been featured as the B-side to "Angelo" and was included on the album, replacing "The Night of My Life". The B-side to "Highwayman", "Star" (also included on the album), was retitled in some territories as "Superstar". As well as the two singles from this album, three songs; "All Night", "Star" and "You Can Say That Again" were issued as B-sides.
This album saw the group adopt a more pop and in particular, ABBA
-like sound, which was often commented on in the media at the time. Contemporary reviews of the album drew on the comparison, with Brotherhood of Man usually being seen as inferior. Unlike previous albums, all lead vocals were handled by female members Sandra Stevens
and Nicky Stevens
. This was a definite shift away from the more soul-like productions of earlier albums such as Love and Kisses
. The album, like the others was produced by manager and co-songwriter, Tony Hiller
. The front cover image was taken by Royal photographer Patrick Lichfield
.
Images was released on Compact disc for the first time in a double-pack with Oh Boy!
in May 2009 by Cherry Red Records.
Side Two
CD Bonus track:
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. It was released in 1977 and featured the UK No.1 hit, "Angelo"
Angelo (song)
"Angelo" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK number one hit.- Background :...
.
Background
This was the group's second album release in 1977 (although the previous album had been recorded in 1976) and was led by the single, "AngeloAngelo (song)
"Angelo" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK number one hit.- Background :...
". The single was released in June 1977 and became one of the group's biggest hits, reaching No.1 in the UK and spending 10 weeks in the top 10.
The album was released on Pye Records
Pye Records
Pye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
in late October 1977 and also featured the follow-up single, "Highwayman". The second single failed to enter the UK charts, but did feature on the "breakers" section for two weeks in November 1977. In this month, the group appeared on TV's Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
before the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, but rather than promote their latest single, they elected to perform "Angelo". "Highwayman" fared better however in Holland and Belgium where it reached #15 and #18 respectively. Unlike previous albums where different songs were released in different countries, these were the only two singles released from this album anywhere. Images failed to chart in the UK despite its release being surrounded by No.1 singles "Angelo" and "Figaro
Figaro (song)
"Figaro" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released as a single in January 1978 and became the group's third and final number one hit in the UK.- Background :...
". In some European countries, another song "Circus" had been featured as the B-side to "Angelo" and was included on the album, replacing "The Night of My Life". The B-side to "Highwayman", "Star" (also included on the album), was retitled in some territories as "Superstar". As well as the two singles from this album, three songs; "All Night", "Star" and "You Can Say That Again" were issued as B-sides.
This album saw the group adopt a more pop and in particular, ABBA
ABBA
ABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
-like sound, which was often commented on in the media at the time. Contemporary reviews of the album drew on the comparison, with Brotherhood of Man usually being seen as inferior. Unlike previous albums, all lead vocals were handled by female members Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens
Sandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
and Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens
Nicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
. This was a definite shift away from the more soul-like productions of earlier albums such as Love and Kisses
Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man
Love and Kisses from Brotherhood of Man is the second album released by the new line-up of British pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released in the UK the day before their 1976 Eurovision win with "Save Your Kisses for Me", which the album contained...
. The album, like the others was produced by manager and co-songwriter, Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
. The front cover image was taken by Royal photographer Patrick Lichfield
Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield
Thomas Patrick John Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield was an English photographer. He inherited the Earldom of Lichfield in 1960 from his paternal grandfather. In his professional practice he was known as Patrick Lichfield.- Career :Lord Lichfield was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, and joined the...
.
Images was released on Compact disc for the first time in a double-pack with Oh Boy!
Oh Boy! (album)
Oh Boy! is the third album released by pop group Brotherhood of Man. It was released in 1977 and featured the UK top 10 hit, "Oh Boy "...
in May 2009 by Cherry Red Records.
Track listing
Side One- "AngeloAngelo (song)"Angelo" is a song by British pop group Brotherhood of Man. Released as a single in June 1977, it became the group's second UK number one hit.- Background :...
" (3.15) - "Images" (2.30)
- "Safety First" (2.53)
- "Two Can Live as Cheap Babe" (2.27)
- "You Can Say That Again" (3.30)
- "Lullaby" (2.42)
Side Two
- "Highwayman" (2.35)
- "Star" (2.30)
- "All Night" (2.59)
- "Sparky" (2.58)
- "To-night's the Night" (2.46)
- "The Night of My Life" (3.28)
CD Bonus track:
- "Circus" (3.20)
- All tracks written by Hiller / Sheriden / Lee
Personnel
- Tony HillerTony HillerTony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
: Producer - Martin LeeMartin Lee (singer)Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
: Lead vocals on "Circus" - Lee SheridenLee SheridenLee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
: Musical Director, Vocals (no lead vocals) - Nicky StevensNicky StevensNicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
: Lead vocals on "Lullaby", "Star". Joint lead vocals on "Images", "Highwayman", "All Night" - Sandra StevensSandra StevensSandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
: Lead vocals on "Angelo", "The Night of My Life". Joint lead vocals on "Images", "Highwayman", "All Night" - Simon Skolfield: Recording engineer
- Paul Chave: Sleeve design
Chart performance
| Release date | Single | UK Chart position |
|---|---|---|
| June 1977 | "Angelo" | 1 |
| October 1977 | "Highwayman" | breaker |
| Release date | Album | UK Chart position |
| October 1977 | Images | - |