Red Skies over Paradise

Red Skies over Paradise
Studio album by
Fischer-Z
ReleasedMarch 1981
RecordedDecember 5–15, 1980
StudioThe Manor Studios, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxfordshire
GenreNew wave
Length46:00
LabelLiberty
ProducerJohn Watts, Richard Manwaring
Fischer-Z chronology
Going Deaf for a Living
(1980) 		Red Skies over Paradise
(1981) 		Reveal
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Red Skies over Paradise is a 1981 album by Fischer-Z. This was the last album released under the classic line-up, despite the departure of keyboardist Steve Skolnik. This album featured many songs about politics and several references to the Cold War, the album title and cover in particular. The album received positive reviews from fans and encouraged band leader John Watts to pursue a solo career, thus ending Fischer-Z until its revival in 1987. Two of these songs were used in Deutschland 83. The sleeve stated: "This record owes a lot to Brighton."[2]

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by John Watts

Side A

  1. "Berlin" - 4:32
  2. "Marliese" - 3:52
  3. "Red Skies over Paradise (A Brighton Dream)" - 4:32
  4. "In England" - 2:43
  5. "You'll Never Find Brian Here" - 2:08
  6. "Battalions of Strangers" - 5:03

Side B

  1. "Song and Dance Brigade" - 3:02
  2. "The Writer" - 3:20
  3. "Bathroom Scenario" - 3:47
  4. "Wristcutter's Lullaby" - 2:46
  5. "Cruise Missiles" - 4:15
  6. "Luton to Lisbon/Multinationals Bite" - 5:34

Charts

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report) 70[3]

Personnel

Fischer-Z
  • John Watts - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • David Graham - bass, bass pedals, backing vocals
  • Steve Liddle - drums, backing vocals
Technical
  • Steve Parker - mix engineer
  • John Pasche - art direction
  • Philip Dunn - artwork, painting

Sales and certifications

Certifications for Red Skies over Paradise
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Netherlands (NVPI)[4] Gold 50,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

The album features the singles, "Marliese", "Wristcutter's Lullaby" (b/w "You'll Never Find Brian Here") and "The Writer".

References

  1. ^ Schnee, Steve "Spaz". Red Skies over Paradise at AllMusic
  2. ^ "Fischer-Z - Red Skies over Paradise". Discogs.
  3. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 112. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Fischer Z – Red Skies over Paradise" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 16 July 2022. Enter Red Skies over Paradise in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1982 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".