Silver Convention – Get Up & Boogie – The Worldwide Singles
This Munich, Germany vocal trio initiated by songwriters/producers Sylvester Levay & Michael Kunze ran successfully as a Euro-disco outfit between 1974 & 1979. Three 3 session vocalists in the beginning — Ingrid, Wilma & Monica. They recorded the U.K. #30 hit “Save Me.” However, other vocalists for the first LP were assembled: Gitta Walther, Lucy Neale, Betsy Allen, Roberta Kelly, Rhonda Heath & Jackie Carter.
The producers knew the group needed a “face” & went on to recruit a public trio consisting of Penny McLean, Ramona Wulf & Linda G. Thompson. This 17-song compilation of single edits Get Up & Boogie – The Worldwide Singles (Drops May 31/Ru Jac Records/Good Time Records/Omnivore/61:00) was produced for release by Cheryl Pawelski. It’s made up primarily of 45s released by the Euro-pop “trio” over 5 years (1975-81) with session musicians.
In the U.S. & Canada, they scored 2 smooth hits & won a Grammy Award with the international hit “Fly, Robin, Fly” (1975). “Get Up & Boogie (That’s Right),” followed in 1976. Success continued when the group became Suzie McClosky aka Zenda Jacks, Rhonda Heath & Ramona Wulf.
This method of creating a musical entity has been done before. The Monkees in the 60s didn’t start as the musicians who played until later. The Drifters & The Temptations had personnel changes that netted various lead vocalists. Silver Convention wasn’t a creation like Milli Vanilli (a German duo). These women sang the songs. There were different inceptions of the trio which maintained the same simple song quality that lent itself to its dance floor excitement.
Abba started in 1972 & they had the jump on this sound, but Silver Convention was more soulful, though their “Telegram” & “Hotshot” were quite close to the Swedish group. In spots, Silver Convention was funkier & their unified vocals did ignite clubs. The musicians laid down deep basslines, clever percussion, vivid piano & tight melodies saturated with strings. The music was consistent yet, very Euro. The competition squeezed (Abba, Chic, Andrea True Connection, etc.) while others imitated.
For today’s younger ears, this music may be dated, lyrically simplistic & repetitive, with homogenized strings. But for ears that appreciated the combustion of their well-arranged musical expression, including funky tunes (“Fancy Party” & the double entendre loaded “Get It Up”) — feet will still move & fingers will snap…snap…snap. There was luster to the beats & silky voices. It’s still there.
Highlights – “Save Me,” “Fly, Robin, Fly,” “(There’s) Always Another Girl,” “Fancy Party,” “I Like It,” “Get Up & Boogie (That’s Right),” “No, No Joe” & “Get It Up.”
12pp stitched color insert with liner notes included. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/get-up-and-boogie/