THEN JERICO -- The Best Of

THEN JERICO are an English rock band that emerged in the late 1980s with a distinctive sound that combined alternative rock, pop rock, new wave, and sophisti-pop elements. They scored four top 40 hits in the UK and released two successful albums before splitting up in 1990. In 1997, they released a compilation album titled The Best Of, which featured 18 tracks from their previous works, as well as some rare and unreleased songs.

The Band

THEN JERICO were formed in London in 1983 by singer Mark Shaw, bassist Jasper Stainthorpe, drummer Steve Wren, and guitarist Scott Taylor. They played at The Limelight Club in New York in 1983 and signed to London Records in 1984. The band's name was inspired by the biblical city of Jericho and the phrase "then Jericho fell".

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The band's early line-up changed several times, with different guitarists and keyboard players joining and leaving the group. The most stable and successful line-up consisted of Shaw, Stainthorpe, Wren, Taylor, and guitarist Rob Downes. This line-up recorded the band's first album, First (The Sound of Music), which was co-produced by Shaw and Owen Davies and released in 1987. The album reached number 35 in the UK Albums Chart and spawned three singles: "Muscle Deep", "The Motive", and "Let Her Fall".

The band's second album, The Big Area, was released in 1989 and went gold in the UK. It reached number 4 in the UK Albums Chart and featured contributions from producer Rick Nowels and singer Belinda Carlisle. The album's title track was the band's biggest hit, peaking at number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. Other singles from the album included "What Does It Take", "Sugar Box", and "Big Sweep".

The Break-Up and Reunion

The original THEN JERICO line-up split up in early 1990, with Mark Shaw leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He released his only studio album, Almost, for EMI in 1991. It was produced by guitarist Andy Taylor and included two singles, "Love So Bright" and "Under Your Spell". Shaw has also worked off and on with Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley and the SAS Band.

In 1998, Shaw re-activated THEN JERICO, writing the material for Orgasmaphobia, a self-financed album released on Eagle Rock. The album was co-produced by Shaw and Taylor with collaborations from Taylor, Simple Minds' keyboard player Mick MacNeil and author Iain Banks. In 2000, a live album, Alive & Exposed, was released by Yeaah! Records credited to 'Then Jerico... Mark Shaw Etc.'. It was a recording made in the summer of 1992 of a concert at the Grand Theatre, Clapham in London. It contained a new song, "Step into the Light".

Shaw embarked on a new THEN JERICO tour in 2012 with an original line-up of the band, made up of Shaw, Downes, Taylor, Stainthorpe and Wren. A 'Reprise Tour' was launched for 2013 to promote the release of the Reprise compilation album on Warner / Rhino Music with a number of appearances including at Henley's Rewind the 80s Music and at the Let's Rock Bristol festivals.

The Best Of

The Best Of is a compilation album by THEN JERICO that was released in 1997 by London Records. It contains 18 tracks from the band's two studio albums, as well as some rare and unreleased songs. The album covers the band's career from 1985 to 1989 and showcases their diverse musical influences and styles. The track listing is as follows:

Big Area

The Motive

Sugar Box

What Does It Take?

The Word

Blessed Days

Quiet Place (Apathy & Sympathy)

Reeling

Let Her Fall

Muscle Deep [Single Version]

One Life

Electric

Fault

Clank (Countdown To Oblivion)

Darkest Hour

The Big Sweep [Club Mix]

Prairie Rose

You Ought To Know

The album features songs that were originally on the band's two albums, as well as some singles and B-sides. Some of the songs are different versions or mixes from the original releases. For example, "Muscle Deep" is the single version from 1987, not the album version from 1989. "The Big Sweep" is a club mix that was released as a single in 1988, not the album version from 1989. "Prairie Rose" is a cover of a Roxy Music song that was released as a single in 1989, not the album version from 1990. "You Ought To Know" is a previously unreleased song that was recorded in 1989.

The album received positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the band's catchy melodies, powerful vocals, and energetic performances. The album also served as a reminder of the band's potential and influence in the late 1980s rock scene. The album is a must-have for any fan of THEN JERICO or anyone who enjoys classic rock music with a pop twist.

References

Then Jerico â The Best Of (1997, CD) - Discogs

Then Jerico - Wikipedia

THEN JERICO -- The Best Of (download torrent) - TPB

The Best Of Then Jerico: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl

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