Today’s post was inspired by Twitter conversation that I saw last night from G.W.T.T.M. (G.irls W.ho T.alk T.o M.e,) talking about tonight’s New Kids on the Block show happening at Quicken Loans Arena here in Cleveland.
Check out the Twitter conversation search results for NKOTB – kids are stokin like it’s 1991 all over again.
So you’re going tonight, and you’d like to get some scoop on what to expect?
Plain Dealer pop music critic John Soeder got some tour bus time with Jordan Knight to talk about the current reunion tour.
It’s only been a few years since Knight was on the road pimping a disc of re-recorded New Kids hits, and playing shows at local venues like Peabody’s. And now he’s back in arenas with the expected yet completely unexpected NKOTB reunion tour.
I was skeptical of NKOTB’s sudden leap back to arenas when the tour was announced in May, but I guess from where I’m sitting, they’ve done okay, and the shows are either sold out, or selling decently.
My buddy Corey says to me that as a single guy, I should be going to see NKOTB. I’ll clean up on chicks at a show like that, he tells me.
I can’t disagree, which is why I will instead be going to see the Indigo Girls in Columbus, with Kathleen Edwards, amidst a crowd where I’ll be almost certainly safe from any possibility of meeting women with interest in me.
Back to the New Kids: When we last left our heroes, they had ventured down a road to change their image to better reflect their newly grown up status. Their 1994 album Face The Music followed in the footsteps of image modifying releases like Against The Law from Stryper, and Run DMC’s Back From Hell.
Like those albums, Face The Music failed miserably.
So the boys put NKOTB on the shelf, and focused on individual projects.
Jordan Knight’s 1999 solo debut came out at a time that I was helping to assist with the newly launched KISS station here in Cleveland. Being a cover song junkie, I really dug Knight’s cover of “I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man” that KISS was spinning at the time.
I got my hands on a copy of Knight’s solo disc, and a couple of years later, when I actually went to play it, I discovered that the cover version that I liked, was a remix. A remix, not on the CD.
The album version?
Sucks.
Jordan Knight – I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man (cover of the Prince original)
On paper, the above looks like a can’t miss idea for single #2. But as you’ll hear, they had to do some severe remix surgery to make it cool. And kids, I’ll submit this sucker below, as one of the best remixes of all time.
Maybe not, but I wanted to be really dramatic.
It’s damn good.
Jordan Knight – I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man (Uptempo Remix Radio Edit)
So ya’ll have fun at the NKOTB – I’ll be gazing longingly at my beloved Kathleen Edwards, hoping that she doesn’t subsequently get mauled by the Indigo Girls crowd when she leaves the stage.
New Kids on the Block – Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind) (live)
Relevant Links:
New Kids on the Block official website
Bullz-Eye review of The Block, the new studio album from New Kids on the Block by Jeff Giles
Purchase The Block from Amazon – CD or MP3
New Kids on the Block – Greatest Hits – CD or MP3
New Kids on the Block – Hangin’ Tough – VHS Video
Topps New Kids on the Blocks collectors cards
Green Jelly played last night at Peabody’s.
Now THERE is a reunion show worth talking about.
Is it weird that my *much* younger self was never really into New Kids? All of my friends had everything from sleeping bags to lunch boxes with their faces plastered on it. . .As for this eight year old, I was content listening to my Stevie Nicks and Heart cassettes 🙂 Oooh, and I mustn’t forget my favorite cassette at the time, Madonna’s Like A Prayer
So, is that hot show coming to Cleveland?
I think I would have a good chance of getting lucky, with or without Kathleen Edwards in the audience.
But seriously, rawr!
I never much cared for The New Kids. I hated Donnie’s ugly ass rat tail. I remember one of my sister’s having their Christmas album and it was beyond horrible. I also remember several times being subjected to watching A New Kids On The Black special concert that was taped from the disney channel. my sisters and my girl cousins loved this… ugh
Brian – were you there? No you weren’t. Shut up.
Just kidding, I love you man *cries*
Mel – no, not coming to Cleve – but I’ll keep you posted for the next go-around. Although, Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls IS coming to the Beachland at the end of the month. Dunno how much of the IG fanbase go out to her solo shows…
Kelly – LOVED the Like A Prayer album…I was a big Madonna fan growing up (and I still am) – the Like A Prayer vid was one of the coolest Madonna vids ever.
Jose – I cringe just thinking about that Xmas album. There are certain Xmas albums that stick with you for decades, burned into your memory in a most uncomfortable way. That one is one of them.
No reason you can’t feature a track from it during Retro Wednesday for the holidays though…haha
Dude, even *I* hate the NKOTB Christmas album.
…and that’s saying quite a bit.
Funky Funky Xmas.
That’s all I have to say.
Actually, here’s video too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jf-GVIxy9c
No . Et tu, Brute?
I’ve been fighting for my life sticking up for these clowns and my own friend pulls the ‘ace’?
Here comes another 5 years of revisionist history to push that back away.
haha — that’s a really good idea to do that song for a Retro Wednesday around the Holidays 😉
go Kelly go!
CFR – had to do it, buddy, had to do it!!