Tony Banks: “For a While” (1979)
Welcome to the sea of tears, don’t mind the undertow.
Kronomyth 0.9: Beacon, let us end tomorrow.
This is one of the catchiest tunes from Tony Banks’ debut solo album, A Curious Feeling. I remember thinking this would have been a nice addition to Duke, although I’m not entirely sure “Misunderstanding” isn’t just a rewrite of this (in which case Phil Collins owes Tony Banks some money and possibly a nod of the flat cap to Kim Beacon for fashion advice). I’ve called Beacon’s voice “unremarkable” in the past (a pillar of charity, me) and I have to admit that his voice sounds remarkably good on For a While. It’s less remarkable on the title track, A Curious Feeling, which probably has more to do with the song itself that any shortcoming in the singer. Initially, this single was released with the instrumental From the Undertow on the B side, then slightly remixed (you may hear a difference in the keyboards) with a different B side six or so months later. All of which reminds me that a revisit to Banks’ first album may be in order, since I suspect I was too harsh on it in my earlier assessments (not that my putting my weight behind it would shift the scales in any meaningful way).
Original 7-inch single version
A1. For a While (Tony Banks) (3:25)
B1. From the Undertow (Tony Banks) (2:45)
Re-released 7-inch single version
A1. For a While (remixed) (Tony Banks)
B1. A Curious Feeling (Tony Banks)
The Players
Tony Banks (all keyboards & guitars), Kim Beacon (vocals), Chester Thompson (drums). Produced by David Hentschel and Tony Banks; engineered by David Hentschel, assisted by David Bascombe.
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single on November 9, 1979 in the UK (Charisma, CB 344), the US (Charisma, CA 3503), France (Charisma, 6837 591) and Germany (Charisma, 6079 485) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Charisma, CA 3503) feat. A only. Remixed and re-issued on 7-inch single on May 30, 1980 in the UK (Charisma, CB 365) with picture sleeve.
