James Last – Dance Dance Dance

James Last – Dance Dance Dance

James Last’s Dance Dance Dance captures the German bandleader and arranger putting his unmistakable orchestral treatment on a collection of major pop hits from the 1980s. Originally released in 1988 on Polydor, the album features 21 short, seamlessly arranged interpretations of contemporary chart favourites, transforming everything from Whitney Houston and The Bee Gees to George Michael, Kylie Minogue and The Communards into the polished James Last sound.

The repertoire is very much rooted in the pop landscape of 1987–1988. The album opens with the Bee Gees' “You Win Again” and moves through “Frankie”, “Reet Petite”, “Love Will Save The Day”, “Saving All My Love For You” and “The Power Of Love”. Further highlights include “You Keep Me Hanging On”, “Heaven Is A Place On Earth”, “Respect Yourself”, “Don't Leave Me This Way” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”, creating a fast-moving medley-style collection of familiar melodies rather than presenting the songs as conventional full-length covers.

The second half continues through some of the era's most recognisable hits, including “Chain Reaction”, “Gimme Hope Jo'anna”, “Easy Lover”, “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”, “Doctorin' The Tardis”, “So Macho”, “Always On My Mind”, “Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now”, “La Bamba” and “My Toot Toot”. The deliberately varied selection reflects Last's long-running ability to turn contemporary pop, soul, disco, rock and dance material into accessible orchestral entertainment.

The album was released in the UK in 1988, with the LP issued as JLTV 1 and the CD as 837 453-2. Dance Dance Dance reached No. 38 on the UK Albums Chart, spending several weeks in the Top 75 during late 1988 and early 1989.

Tracklist

1. You Win Again – 1:26
2. Frankie – 1:33
3. Reet Petite – 1:25
4. Love Will Save The Day – 3:02
5. Saving All My Love For You – 2:35
6. The Power Of Love – 2:01
7. You Keep Me Hanging On – 1:42
8. Heaven Is A Place On Earth – 1:35
9. Respect Yourself – 1:43
10. Don't Leave Me This Way – 1:44
11. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – 4:36
12. Chain Reaction – 1:32
13. Gimme Hope Joanna – 1:16
14. Easy Lover – 1:42
15. Rhythm Is Gonna Get You – 3:53
16. Doctorin' The Tardis – 1:36
17. So Macho – 1:29
18. Always On My Mind – 1:27
19. Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now – 4:35
20. La Bamba – 1:24
21. My Toot Toot – 3:15