Walking on Sunshine [Deluxe Edition]

• Artist: Eddy Grant
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1979
• Genre: Rock

Review

After the commercial failure of his debut solo album, Message Man, Eddy Grant returned to the studio to record Walking on Sunshine. The singer self-produced the album, a labor of love and self-confidence, and played all the instruments aside from congas, enlisting help for only one track. But having been burnt once, this time Grant decided to divide the album in half, with the A-side dedicated to the tougher cultural songs and the flip showcasing his pop efforts. Ironically enough, it was the A-side's centerpiece, "Living on the Frontline," that grabbed the world's attention, with its defiant shout against oppression. The song remains one of the most potent hybrids ever composed, with its dance-friendly electro beats, tinkling synth, hints of funk, and fiery lyrics that captured the roiling discontent of the day, all buttressed by a sublime melody. Grant recognized the song's potential and appended an extended instrumental version to it, which keeps the song pumping across two thirds of the side. Coupled with the funky title track, the A-side was a heavy hitter of undeniable power. Yet the flip was just as impressive, and features a clutch of innovative blends of style and moods. Dreamy Motown going calypso in a disco, romantic swayers, Latino-inspired skankers -- the songs may have been lightweight in comparison to their counterparts, but were equally groundbreaking. The album ends with the rootsy, life-affirming "We Are," which segues perfectly back into "Walking on Sunshine," assuming you flip the album over fast enough. Grant's faith in himself and the human race as a whole made this one of the most powerful records of its time, and its message still rings true today. [A two-disc Deluxe Edition was issued in 2008, including bonus tracks and a DVD with live concert footage from Buenos Aires and Milan.] ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Walking on Sunshine (Lyrics)	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(5:23)
Living on the Frontline	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(5:57)
Frontline Symphony	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(7:23)
My Love, My Love	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(4:35)
Just Imagine I'm Loving You	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(6:35)
Dancing in Guyana	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(3:21)
Say I Love You	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(3:55)
We Are	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(4:45)
Walking on Sunshine [American Version][*]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(6:15)
Say I Love You [Eddy Grant Extended Edit][*]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(6:07)
Nobody's Got Time [1978 12" Version, Pts. 1-2][*]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant, The Coach House Rhythm Section	(7:26)
Wipe No Nfe E ['Say I Love You' Yoruba Version][*]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant	(15:37)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Living on the Frontline (Intro) [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Say I Love You [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Jamaican Child [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Neighbour, Neighbour [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Cockney Black [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Do You Feel My Love [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Living on the Frontline [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Jamaican Child [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Curfew [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Walking on Sunshine [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant
Living on the Frontline [DVD][Live]	Eddy Grant	Eddy Grant

Credits

Jackie Robinson (Vocals (Background)), Roy Bedeau (Vocals (Background)), Eddy Grant (Guitar), Conrad Isadore (Drums), Frank Agarrat (Engineer), Conrad Isadore (Vocals (Background)), Quinton Scott (Liner Notes), George Agard (Vocals (Background)), Sonny Akpan (Conga), Sandra Mayers (Vocals (Background)), Eddy Grant (Engineer), Kofi Ayivor (African Drums), Rosemart Hibbert (Vocals (Background)), Winston Henry (Percussion), Jorge Martin (Spanish Translation), Marcus James (Bass), Eddy Grant (Re-Editing), Pete Walters (Assistant Engineer), Eddy Grant (Liner Notes), Jackie Mills (Assistant Engineer), Pamela Robertin (Vocals (Background)), Ron Telemacque (Assistant Engineer), Eddy Grant (Vocals (Background)), Tony Zap Edmunds (Keyboards), Valentine Pascal (Guitar), Tony Zap Edmunds (Piano), Gordon Gaynor (Guitar (Rhythm)), Kofi Ayivor (African Percussion), Colin Young (Photo Scanning), Tony Scantlebury (Drums), Eddy Grant (Producer), Eddy Grant (Arranger), Eddy Grant (Vocals), Eddy Grant (Instrumentation), Kofi Ayivor (Conga)