[A Silver Tone] -- I don't know what your first memory of Chris Isaak was, but mine was his 1989 breakout hit, "Wicked Game," from his album of the same year, Heart Shaped World, and then featured in David Lynch's 1990 film, Wild at Heart. But here's the thing: That Isaak-Lynch collab got started here, with a 1985 album.
Released on January 10, 1985, Silvertone was Chris Isaak's debut studio album. The album was titled after Isaak's first band, which he had formed with guitarist James Calvin Wilsey right out of college in 1981. This rockabilly band took their moniker from a Sears-branded line of consumer electronics (radios, batteries, etc.) and musical instruments (some popular guitars in the 1950s). Silvertone – the band, not the brand – had performed together a few years prior to getting considered for a recording contract. But when the time came to record an album, the producer pretty much envisioned Chris Isaak as a solo performer, and he relegated Silvertone to backing band status.
Adding insult to injury, the record company wanted to downplay the Silvertone name so Sears wouldn't potentially get lawsuit happy over their copyright. And the aforementioned James Calvin Wilsey was the only original member of Silvertone to be credited on this debut album, and he continued to work with Isaak through 1993. The band is remembered in the album title, but most of tracks were recorded using session musicians, so the band isn't even preserved in recorded memory.
Anyway, Silvertone (the album, not the band or brand) was a critical success ... but not a commercial one. Well, it did reach #77 ... in Australia. Still, there's a bit of a silver(tone) lining: Two of Silvertone's tracks – "Gone Ridin'" and "Livin' for Your Lover" – did get new life when they were featured in David Lynch's 1986 film, Blue Velvet. And that's what launched an ongoing collaboration between Isaak and Lynch.
The rise of Chris Isaak as an artist begins here, in an oft-forgotten debut album. And it's actually quite good. I guess it just couldn't cut through to an audience when it was released.
Flashback: Silvertone (January 10, 1985)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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