The Tourists - Reality Effect

The 1980 North American version of Reality Effect (for this is what’s on offer this evening) messed about with the running order and included three songs previously released only in the U.K.; the British singles "Blind Among The Flowers", "The Loneliest Man In The World" and the album track "Fool's Paradise" yet removed two songs “Something In The Air Tonight” and “Summers Night” which were released on the U.K. version of the album, released the autumn of 1979. The new songs found the group rocking harder for the most part and incorporating such influences as Jefferson Airplane, with lead singers Annie Lennox and Pete Coombes playing the parts of Grace Slick and Marty Balin. Producer Tom Allom took the band to new heights after a slightly spotty debut. He saddled this album with production gimmicks aplenty, without overdoing it - and with generally better material from Coombes, "Reality Effect" became a classic power pop album. But the standout track was Lennox's reading of Dusty Springfield's 1964 hit "I Only Want To Be With You," which made the U.K. and U.S. singles chart. Also included was the U.K. Top Ten follow-up, the Coombes/Lennox duet "So Good To Be Back Home Again." Actually the singles seem like the least interesting songs offered here, because they're the most commercial.

Ripped from the North American edition to MP3

A1. It Doesn't Have To Be This Way

A2. I Only Want To Be With You

A3. Blind Among The Flowers

A4. In The Morning (When The Madness Has Faded)

A5. All Life's Tragedies

A6. Everywhere You Look

B1.  Nothing To Do

B2.  The Loneliest Man In The World

B3.  So Good To Be Back Home Again

B4.  Circular Fever

B5.  In My Mind (There's Sorrow)

B6.  Fool's Paradise