The Belle Stars, an all-girl band from the 1980s, is making a comeback with a new 3CD, 7-inch-sized box set titled 'The Belle Stars'. This release is a generous expansion of their debut LP, offering a comprehensive look at the band's discography. The Belle Stars emerged from the two-tone/ska revival band The Bodysnatchers, with five of its seven members forming a new style. Guitarists Stella Barker and Sarah-Jane Owen, alto saxophonist Miranda Joyce, keyboardist Penny Leyton, and drummer Judy Parsons joined forces with bassist Lesley Shone and lead singer Jennie Matthias. Stiff Records took notice and signed the band, pairing them with top producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley for early singles like 'Hiawatha' and 'Slick Trick'.
Despite a sound appealing to both pop and ska audiences, the singles failed to chart, and Penny Leyton left the lineup at the end of the year. Clare Hirst replaced her on keyboards and also played tenor saxophone. After a series of unsuccessful singles, The Belle Stars turned to cover versions, finding success with their rendition of The Dixie Cups' 'Iko Iko'. They hit the top twenty with a revival of 'The Clapping Song' and went on to record a rendition of the Inez and Charlie Foxx oldie 'Mockingbird'.
The group's self-written 'Sign of the Times' gave them a long-hoped-for breakthrough, reaching No. 3 on the U.K. Singles Chart and entering the U.S. Hot 100. The dance remix peaked at No. 43 on the U.S. Dance chart. All told, The Belle Stars notched seven top 75 entries on the U.K. Singles Chart, with a further two songs peaking lower, while their lone self-titled studio album was a top 20 success. The group had already broken up when they scored their first U.S. smash with 'Iko Iko', which had been featured in the Tom Cruise/Dustin Hoffman drama 'Rain Man' and climbed to No. 14 on the Hot 100.
Edsel's new release collects the original studio LP mastered by Phil Kinrade, plus eighteen non-LP sides and all nine 12-inch remixes, as well as two remixes of 'Iko Iko' which coincided with the song's 'Rain Man' renaissance. In addition, it boasts 'Live Signs, Live Times', a concert from the Birmingham Odeon recorded on April 29, 1983, and three songs produced by Anne Dudley for an abortive second album. The group was down to just three members by the time of those recording sessions: Sarah-Jane Owen, Lesley Shone, and Miranda Joyce.
The Belle Stars is packaged in seven-inch format, with its three CDs in slots, and a ten-page booklet with photos and credits as well as a brief note. This tribute to the band best known for 'Sign of the Times' and 'Iko Iko' is available now from Edsel. Personally, I think this release is a must-have for any fan of 80s music, offering a comprehensive look at the band's discography and a chance to revisit some classic songs. What makes this particularly fascinating is the band's journey from a two-tone/ska revival band to a pop sensation, and the impact of their music on the 80s music scene. In my opinion, The Belle Stars' music is a testament to the power of cover versions and the importance of self-written songs in shaping a band's identity. From my perspective, this release is a must-have for any fan of 80s music, offering a comprehensive look at the band's discography and a chance to revisit some classic songs.
