FDF Volume 2 Issue 109: Terence Trent D'Arby - Introducing the Hardline According to

Album - Introducing the Hardline According to...
Artist - Terence Trent D'Arby
Key Players - Terence Trent D'Arby - lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards, baritone saxophone. All other tracks had various players.
Produced By - Martyn Ware, D'Arby and Howard Grey

Release Date - October 5, 1987 (US release)

What caused me to blow off the dust? I had the tape of this since high school and it got a lot of play time back then. I never had bought it on cd for some reason and recently saw it in a used cd bin for 3.00, so I snatched it up. The dust was not too thick on the cd..but the tape was pretty dusty.

Overview - The album would be his most well known release. Upon its release in the UK it sold over 1 million copies in 3 days and would go on to sell over 12 million copies world wide. D'Arby would win a Grammy for the record as well as a Soul Train award.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) - Sounding like a needle on a record a simple few drum clicks before the chorus comes up on "If You All Get To Heaven". We are suddenly in church and mass in underway. D'Arby has a few lines coming off a echo chamber like device. The lead vocals are deep and warm but once the verse begins D'Arby brings it up many and ocative. The song sort of has the same feel throughout and sets somewhat of a tone, albeit a false one to these ears, as to what is to come. A quick piano run and D'Arby speaks the first few lines of "If You Let Me Stay" before the whole thing falls in to a wonderful soul groove. This is a great track and it mashes so well with "Wishing Well". "Wishing Well" has a simple drum line before D'Arby comes in with a growly, yet playful sounding vocal portion. The quirky keyboard line will bring a smile your 80's loving music face but the strong backing work of the bass keeps this song well in focus. Towards the end there are some "Prince like" wails and you can hear the baritone saxophone line pushed up a little more in the mix. "I'll Never Turn My Back On You (Father's Words)" has punchier guitar intro with a strong bass line underneath. The vocal track at times feels a little "forced" but remains consistent. It almost feels like two different songs as well. There is a full horn section later in the track that ads a nice touch. A tapping snare drum brings up "Dance Little Sister" to which D'Arby screams "Get up outta your rocking chair grandma!" A lot of smooth "ohhs and ahhs" and the horn section again ads a nice touch. The song has a very strong Stevie Wonder/soul feel to it. The chorus is sung in an aggressive, yet suitable for the track. The more laid back and piano led "Seven More Days" follows and keeping with the smooth track "Let's Go Forward" is up next. There is a short spoken vocal intro and he repeats the track names a few times before going in vocally on a high note. The track is sort of an easy listening track. The shortest track on the record "Rain" follows and is really just a re-vamped take on the children's "rain rain go away come again another day" song/rhyme. There is also a ripped off riff from the theme to "Green Acres" at the start of the track. The very "Smooth Operator" (Sade) sounding "Sign Your Name" comes up. A staple D'Arby track that was played at more than a fair share of weddings at the time I am sure. The totally acapella "As Yet Untitled" is a welcome change. The entire track is done acapllea and after many tracks that sound good but a little overdone musically, this is a great track. The album wraps up with the very do-wop feeling "Who's Loving You".


Where are they now? - If you have read this far (thank you) you are probably wondering the same thing. After a series of dreams he adopted the name Sananda Maitreya in the fall of 2001. In interviews he has gone on to say that Terence Trent D'Arby was dead. Maitreya currently lives in Italy and has continued to work in music, both as a performer and label founder. His latest release is called Nigor Mortis and it was released in 2008.

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - I have never seem him live.

FDF Overall Take - After a lot of years there are still a lot of real gems on this record. D'Arby had the ego and charisma to take this record to the masses. He may have been a little ahead of his time since his follow up records didn't do as well with fans and critics. Still, if you can track this record down, or blow the dust off your copy you'll again see that tucked in there are a few great gems.

Links -
Official page for Sanandama here a very outdated blogspot and myspace may garner your attention.

Curious? Check out some MUSIC!
***mp3s have been removed. They were, If you let me Stay, Wishing Well and Dance Little Sister

All tracks taken from Hardline..which you can buy here.

Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.