HEADS ROLL

BUZZ

Already causing a buzz in New York as a result of their gigs at the famed CBGB club, Talking Heads released their debut album in September 1977. Following the modest success of the twitchy, beguilingly sinister single "Psycho Killer", record company Sire were keen for a follow up album. This was recorded in the first quarter of 1978 and released in July.

SOPHOMORE

The oddly titled More Songs About Buildings And Food did well, thanks in part to the riveting cover of Al Green’s "Take me to the river". The album’s sound explores greater rhythmic complexity than the debut and adds some well-placed sonic experimentation, both components arising directly from the band’s collaboration with producer/non-musician Brian Eno.

TOUR

Talking Heads were on a roll and toured extensively, visiting Europe for the first time and generally spreading the word. Performances were buzzing with the nervous energy radiating from frontman David Byrne, part deranged preacher, part charismatic rock singer. An awkwardness in their presentation was epitomised by Byrne’s lanky, angular physicality and reinforced by the cerebral nature of many of the lyrics. It was a fusion of art-rock* and post-punk.

HELLO CLEVELAND!

Live On Tour ’78 captures Talking Heads’ performance at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland USA on December 18, 1978, during the More Songs About Buildings and Food tour. Originally issued as a promotional LP for radio broadcast in 1979, the 2025 RSD vinyl release marks the first official public offering of the full show. The 2LP album has been fully remastered from the original analogue tapes and sounds clean and crisp. The care taken with the original 'in concert' recording is obvious in the balanced mix, supported by 45RPM mastering.

TRACKS

As expected, this set draws heavily from the recently released LP, with eight of the eleven songs coming from More Songs About Buildings and Food**. The concert opens with "The Big Country", somewhat perversely the final song from the studio album. It’s a mid-paced song that feels like a warm-up, especially as it rolls straight into the art-rocky "Warning sign." Melodic and faintly Eastern-tinged, "The good thing" comes next; a fine example of Byrne’s vocal style. "Girls want to be with the girls" is an upbeat highlight and could have been released as a single.

Throughout the set, you become increasingly drawn to the tight, inventive rhythm section of Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Frantz (drums). Their energetic foundation provides a rock solid base for the songs, especially in the live setting. Encores "Psycho Killer" and "Take me to the river" leave no doubt that this is a band demanding to be noticed. Live On Tour ’78 will enhance the collection of any Talking Heads fan.

NOTES

* Art-rock is a style of rock music that blends experimental, avant-garde, or conceptual ideas with traditional rock forms—often emphasising ambition, sophistication, and a break from pop conventions. Think rock with an art-school mindset. Albums that capture this include Japan’s Quiet Life, Eno’s Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) and Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love.

** "New Feeling" and the perennial favourite "Psycho Killer" are from Talking Heads: 77, while "Electricity (Drugs)" is an early recording of a song which appeared on 1979’s Fear Of Music as "Drugs."

© Bruce Jenkins—June 2025