Ten Out of 10
Encyclopedia
Ten Out of 10 is the eighth studio album by 10cc
and was released in 1981. It failed to chart in the US or UK. The album marked the first involvement with the band by American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold
, who was also invited to join the band, but declined because of other commitments.
Gouldman said the band's label in the U.S., Warner Bros. Records
wanted more of an American flavour to the album. "They were keen for us to work with an American producer or writer. Well, we hadn't had any big success since '78, and we wanted to get hot again. When they suggested Andrew Gold, I was over the moon. I'd always adored his work, and I reckoned he would be a kindred spirit ... I felt really we needed some new blood, but it didn't work out. Andrew was doing so much stuff in America that it just wasn't practical, although he really wanted to do it."
Gouldman later admitted greater involvement by Gold might have lifted the band's early 1980s output from its mediocrity. "We should either have tried to change direction, which we didn't, or got someone else in the band, which we almost did. The albums weren't really bad, there was always the integrity, and the production values, but in retrospect, I find them rather dour, rather lacklustre. That's why I thought we should have got someone else in, to kick us up the arse. We didn't see what was going on around us, maybe we should have got a producer at that point."
Gold was invited to record with the band by Lenny Waronker
, head of A&R
at Warners. He explained: "He was of the opinion that, although the album was very strong, it might benefit the US audience to have a few additional cuts tailored more for the American ear. As he knew I was an Anglophile, we might hit it off well.
"Soon I was in the UK, co-writing and co-producing three tracks for the album, which was a blast to do and turned out very well. During the course of my three-week stay, Eric, Graham and I fell in love, as it were, and soon they asked me to join the band, which was an extremely exciting offer. For various reasons, which now seem dumb to me, and after great consideration, I demurred in favour of pursuing my own career and returned to America."
Although the album featured two of the musicians used on 1980s' Look Hear?
– drummer Paul Burgess on all but two tracks, guitarist and singer Rick Fenn
on two tracks – Ten Out of 10 was clearly a return to the core duo of Graham Gouldman
and Eric Stewart
. A variety of session musicians, including pianist Vic Emerson of Sad Cafe
, were employed for the album, but unlike its predecessor, they were not acknowledged on the album as part of "the group". Instead they were credited by name after the contributions of Gouldman and Stewart, who were identified only as "Graham" and "Eric". The only band member photos on the album were those of Gouldman and Stewart.
The album yielded the following singles: "Les Nouveaux Riches"/"I Hate To Eat Alone" (UK release); "Don't Turn Me Away"/Tomorrow's World Today"; "The Power Of Love"/You're Coming Home Again" (released with "Action Man In A Motown Suit" as the B-side in some countries); "Memories/"Overdraft In Overdrive" (Holland only); "Run Away"/"Action Man In A Motown Suit"; "We've Heard It All Before"/"Overdraft In Overdrive" (UK only). "Memories" was also scheduled for UK release in February 1982 but substituted with "The Power Of Love" a month later.
Recording was split between the band's two studios, Strawberry Studios
South at Dorking
, Surrey, and Strawberry Studios
North at Stockport
, Greater Manchester.
Cover design for the album was by Visible Ink Ltd, which also created the cover for ABC
's The Lexicon of Love
(1982).
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
and was released in 1981. It failed to chart in the US or UK. The album marked the first involvement with the band by American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold
Andrew Gold
Andrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
, who was also invited to join the band, but declined because of other commitments.
Gouldman said the band's label in the U.S., Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
wanted more of an American flavour to the album. "They were keen for us to work with an American producer or writer. Well, we hadn't had any big success since '78, and we wanted to get hot again. When they suggested Andrew Gold, I was over the moon. I'd always adored his work, and I reckoned he would be a kindred spirit ... I felt really we needed some new blood, but it didn't work out. Andrew was doing so much stuff in America that it just wasn't practical, although he really wanted to do it."
Gouldman later admitted greater involvement by Gold might have lifted the band's early 1980s output from its mediocrity. "We should either have tried to change direction, which we didn't, or got someone else in the band, which we almost did. The albums weren't really bad, there was always the integrity, and the production values, but in retrospect, I find them rather dour, rather lacklustre. That's why I thought we should have got someone else in, to kick us up the arse. We didn't see what was going on around us, maybe we should have got a producer at that point."
Gold was invited to record with the band by Lenny Waronker
Lenny Waronker
Lenny Waronker is a record producer for Warner Bros. Records.-Career:He produced recording sessions for Nancy Sinatra, The Everly Brothers, Van Dyke Parks, The Beau Brummels, Harpers Bizarre, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Arlo Guthrie, Maria Muldaur, Gordon Lightfoot, Rickie Lee Jones, James Taylor, ...
, head of A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
at Warners. He explained: "He was of the opinion that, although the album was very strong, it might benefit the US audience to have a few additional cuts tailored more for the American ear. As he knew I was an Anglophile, we might hit it off well.
"Soon I was in the UK, co-writing and co-producing three tracks for the album, which was a blast to do and turned out very well. During the course of my three-week stay, Eric, Graham and I fell in love, as it were, and soon they asked me to join the band, which was an extremely exciting offer. For various reasons, which now seem dumb to me, and after great consideration, I demurred in favour of pursuing my own career and returned to America."
Although the album featured two of the musicians used on 1980s' Look Hear?
Look Hear?
Look Hear? is the seventh studio album by 10cc, released in 1980. It reached No.35 in the UK and No.180 in the United States. The album, recorded at the band's Strawberry Studios South in Dorking, Surrey, was the first by 10cc since its 1976 split to include songs written by neither Graham Gouldman...
– drummer Paul Burgess on all but two tracks, guitarist and singer Rick Fenn
Rick Fenn
Richard 'Rick' Fenn is an English rock guitarist. He is best known for being a member of the band 10cc since 1976. He has also collaborated with Mike Oldfield, Rick Wakeman, Hollies singer Peter Howarth and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason....
on two tracks – Ten Out of 10 was clearly a return to the core duo of Graham Gouldman
Graham Gouldman
Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
and Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
. A variety of session musicians, including pianist Vic Emerson of Sad Cafe
Sad Café
Sad Café can refer to:* "Sad Café", a song by The Eagles, featured on their 1979 album The Long Run* Sad Café , a band featuring Paul Young - see also Mike + The Mechanics...
, were employed for the album, but unlike its predecessor, they were not acknowledged on the album as part of "the group". Instead they were credited by name after the contributions of Gouldman and Stewart, who were identified only as "Graham" and "Eric". The only band member photos on the album were those of Gouldman and Stewart.
The album yielded the following singles: "Les Nouveaux Riches"/"I Hate To Eat Alone" (UK release); "Don't Turn Me Away"/Tomorrow's World Today"; "The Power Of Love"/You're Coming Home Again" (released with "Action Man In A Motown Suit" as the B-side in some countries); "Memories/"Overdraft In Overdrive" (Holland only); "Run Away"/"Action Man In A Motown Suit"; "We've Heard It All Before"/"Overdraft In Overdrive" (UK only). "Memories" was also scheduled for UK release in February 1982 but substituted with "The Power Of Love" a month later.
Recording was split between the band's two studios, Strawberry Studios
Strawberry Studios
-Formation:The facility was originally called Inner City Studios and located above a music store in the town centre. In early 1968 it was bought by Peter Tattersall, a former road manager for Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. Tattersall invited Eric Stewart – then lead guitarist and singer of...
South at Dorking
Dorking
Dorking is a historic market town at the foot of the North Downs approximately south of London, in Surrey, England.- History and development :...
, Surrey, and Strawberry Studios
Strawberry Studios
-Formation:The facility was originally called Inner City Studios and located above a music store in the town centre. In early 1968 it was bought by Peter Tattersall, a former road manager for Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. Tattersall invited Eric Stewart – then lead guitarist and singer of...
North at Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
, Greater Manchester.
Cover design for the album was by Visible Ink Ltd, which also created the cover for ABC
ABC (band)
ABC are an English band, that charted ten UK and five US Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. The band continues to tour and released a new album, Traffic, in 2008.-Formation:...
's The Lexicon of Love
The Lexicon of Love
The Lexicon of Love is the critically acclaimed chart-topping debut album by British pop band ABC, released in 1982. It is a concept album in which the singer experiences heartache as he tries and fails to have a meaningful relationship....
(1982).
UK track listing
- "Don't Ask" (Graham GouldmanGraham GouldmanGraham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
) – 4:02 - "Overdraft In Overdrive" (Gouldman, Eric StewartEric StewartEric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
) – 3:26 - "Don't Turn Me Away" (Stewart) – 5:07
- "Memories" (Gouldman, Stewart) – 4:34
- "Notell Hotel" (Gouldman, Stewart) – 4:58
- "Les Nouveaux Riches" (Stewart) – 5:14
- "Action Man in a Motown Suit" (Gouldman, Stewart) – 4:46
- "Listen With Your Eyes" (Gouldman, Stewart) – 3:15
- "Lying Here With You" (Gouldman) – 3:24
- "Survivor" (Gouldman, Stewart) – 5:48
US track listing
- "Don't Ask"
- "The Power Of Love" (Andrew GoldAndrew GoldAndrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
, Gouldman, Stewart) – 4:15 - "Les Nouveaux Riches"
- "Memories" [US Mix] – 4.28
- "We've Heard It All Before" (Gold, Gouldman, Stewart) – 3:37
- "Don't Turn Me Away"
- "Notell Hotel"
- "Overdraft In Overdrive"
- "Tomorrow's World Today" (Gouldman) – 3:16
- "Run Away" (Gold, Gouldman, Stewart) – 4:04
Personnel
- Eric StewartEric StewartEric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
— vocals, synthesiser, guitars, bass, slide guitar, pianos, percussion, synthesiser strings, rock snare - Graham GouldmanGraham GouldmanGraham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
— vocals, bass, guitars, percussion, double bass, sitar - Paul Burgess — drums, percussion
- Rick FennRick FennRichard 'Rick' Fenn is an English rock guitarist. He is best known for being a member of the band 10cc since 1976. He has also collaborated with Mike Oldfield, Rick Wakeman, Hollies singer Peter Howarth and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason....
— guitars, fretless bass, backing vocals ("Don't Ask", "Action Man in Motown Suit") - Marc JordanMarc JordanMarc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
— organ, piano, backing vocals, electric piano - Vic Emerson — synclavier, string synthesiser, piano, electric piano, bass
- Lenni Crookes — sax on "Don't Turn Me Away"
- Simon PhillipsSimon PhillipsSimon Phillips is an English jazz, pop and rock drummer.-Career:Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar...
— drums on "Survivor" and "Tomorrow's World Today" - Keith Bessey — maracas on "Survivor"
- Andrew GoldAndrew GoldAndrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
— vocals, bass, guitar, piano, electric piano, synthesiser, vocoder, percussion