Top of the Pops - 8 November 1990

 Words: Chris Arnsby

Gary Davies: “Hello, a very good evening to you. Welcome to Top of the Pops. A special good evening if you're listening to Top of the Pops in stereo on Radio 1FM. Busy show. In the studio we've got the La's, EMF, and Jimmy Somerville, but we start off at number twenty two in the charts. I'm Doing Fine, Jason Donovan.

 [22] JASON DONOVAN: I'm doing Fine. Jason Donovan has rethought his wardrobe. The nasty trousers are concealed by a jacket, which looks a lot better. I'm not keen on his metallic polo-neck shirt. It has a zip up the front, which makes it look like a coat. A jacket on top of a coat is overkill.

[15] PAUL SIMON: The Obvious Child. Promo VT.

CHARTS: 40 TO 31

[25] E M F :Unbelievable. EMF have spurned the special Top of the Pops scaffolding stand for their record decks. Instead they've gone for a precarious looking setup, which seems to be a small cargo trunk balanced on a wider one, in a T-shape.

EMF are “hosting a rave in a cave, somewhere in the Forest of Dean,” according to Gary Davies. For gods sake. Gary Davies really will just repeat any old story people tell him. Suuuurre Gary, EMF are playing in a cave. Is Jimmy Hill going to be there as well is he Gary.... stop the presses! THIS IS IN FACT A TRUE POP FACT!

POP FACT: EMF's rave in a cave took place in Clearwell Caves on 08/11/1990. Typically the great British press didn't give this event the coverage it deserved. The exception being The Western Daily Press who noted on 10/11/1990:

Pop fans were left out in the cold when they turned up at Gloucestershire's Clearwell Caves to see latest chart sensation EMF.

The fans rushed to see their Forest of Dean heroes perform the Rave in a Cave after hearing DJ Gary Davies mention it on TV's Top of the Pops.

Clearwell Caves: "And this is where EMF played"

But the gig was an all ticket affair organised by record company EMI and many were turned away disappointed.

The concert in the former iron ore mine was to celebrate the end of EMF's tour with Adamski.

POP FACT 2: The story ends by noting EMF were the second band to play at Clearwell Caves. The first being Motorhead.

POP FACT 3: Clearwell Caves were used as a location for the Blake's 7 episode Horizon.

(John- EMF's singer James Atkin is a teacher these days. I wonder if he's had to take a class to Clearwell Caves and shown them the spot he raved out at thirty five years ago.)

[30] DEL AMITRI: Spit In The Rain. Promo VT.

TOP 5 OCTOBER ALBUMS. Paul Ciani has forgotten the Top 5 chart format, missing this time is the name of the song being played.

[5] CHARLATANS: Some Friendly. Then, Promo VT.

[4] GEORGE MICHAEL: Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1. Waiting For That Day,  LWT VT, The South Bank Show 02/09/1990

[3] STATUS QUO: Rocking All Over The Years. The Anniversary Waltz Part 1, Promo VT.

[2] CARRERAS/DOMINGO/PAVAROTTI: In Concert. O Sole Mio, Promo VT.

[1] PAUL SIMON: The Rhythm Of The Saints. Born At The Right Time, Promo VT.

[20] THE LA'S: There She Goes. They've flown in from Amsterdam to appear knee deep in dry ice. Take a look at the studio floor in the long shots, that dry ice has got everywhere.

CHARTS: 30 to 11

[11] GAZZA & LINDISFARNE: Fog On The Tyne (Re-visited). Promo VT.

[28] JIMMY SOMERVILLE: To Love Somebody. At one point, there is a very nice shot looking straight down on the drummer from above. I've just spent far too long trying to work out if it was taken from the Crows Nest. I don't know, is my disappointing conclusion. There are a couple of hand held camera operators lurking at the back of the stage and one of them could be standing on tippy toes.

TOP 10

[1] THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: Unchained Melody. NBC VT, The Andy Williams Show 1965.

[29] 808 STATE: Cubik/Olympic. Promo VT. Bruno Brookes next week. You know who wasn't impressed with EMF's Rave In A Cave, 808 State. The 808 State website has an archived Record Mirror interview (16/02/1991) in which they say:
Andrew: "Shit!"

Darren: "Arseholes!"

Martin: "Wow, they had a rave in a cave!"

Graham: "That whole EMF-Jesus Jones kind of 'middle of the road, bit dangerous from the suburbs' thing doesn't interest me."

https://www.808state.com/various/interview/1991-02-16-RecordMirror-Article.html

 Countdown to Year Zero revamp: 47

Performance of the week: EMF, Unbelievable*

*808 State log off, furious.