The FTTs & Me -Part 1

Now, I know, in all likelihood no one actually reads this blog, or goes on it, or anything -but just in case somebody does stumble upon it at some point, I thought they might be interested to know about my musical journey that made me into the Family Music freak I am today. I'll be going through all the officially released albums (FTT/TCD, LJ, NF, DC, MB etc), telling a little about my first impressions of them when they were released and how I view them now. Hope you enjoy -let the finger-pointing-while-laughing begin!

FTT 01 -Hearts Aflame.
I remember when this was released it was the first modern, produced by young people tape that had come since the DC album "Back on Track". Naturally it took the young people by storm. But sadly, it didn't take me. Actually I hated this album for years. No, not because the songs were bad -but because of the music videos that were released around the same time. What happened was that on happy Family Day, we went hiking in the mountains & then we swam in a man-made reservoir to cool off. I was 7 or 8 years old and I couldn't swim! The consequence was that I nearly drowned because of the steep slope of the reservoir. If my older brother hadn't stopped playing with his buddies and rescued me at the last minute I would not be here today (Thank you Petrus!) After that, we went home & lo & behold, Burn Free 2 was to be played for the home that night. Problem? Yep, watch it! Almost every song had some part filmed by the sea or a large body of water. (The Wave!!) AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH. Not what I wanted to see after nearly filling my lungs with the liquid! Hence I couldn't hear that tape with drowning coming back to haunt me! I only started liking that tape after about the age of 16, when I started broadening my musical tastes & thinking music videos in earnest. Nowadays, "The Wave" is a song I like quite a lot. There are now several songs I think are/were pretty good on that original FTT. Songs like "Hearts Aflame", "The Antenna", "God's Explosions" & "If I Never Saw Your Face." I still don't like Burn Free 2, bad memories (not to mentions hairdos), ha.

FTT 02 -Flying High.
I remember hearing a conversation between my Dad & a VS about the new tapes. The VS was telling Dad that there were 2 new ones (Flying High & Hot or Cold) that he would like to play for the home. He did, but I wasn't invited. (too young) I remember that my Mom bought a copy of this tape for my big brother, and that I was envious of his "personal"copy. I later found out that he didn't like the FTT, ha. I remember liking this one a lot -especially "Psychic Waste" & "Johnny's Shoes". I am also irritated to remember that certain a female teenager (Yes, if you're reading this Stephanie, I'm talking about YOU) would play "Run to You" over, & over, & over again! Nowadays, the only songs I really like from that album are "Heaven Beyond Tomorrow"& "Flying High".

FTT 03 -Hot or Cold.
I have little memory of this tape at its release, besides the song the album is named after, as I think it may have been more of a "headphones tape". Though i do remember hearing a LOT of the old-style RAP songs, which drove the FGA's nuts! A year or two later, my brother JP & I and two other friends all got really into music -we wanted to start a BAND! (Yeah, a group 9-12 year olds! Whoohoo) The guitar works on this tape -especially the still-awesome songs of "Safe in the Arms", "All Hail to the Queen, & "Win the World Together" were often played by my aspiring guitarist brother. Now I add "The Cathars" to that list of great songs from this album.

FTT 04 -Plugged In.
Yep, and the first song on that tape "Tap Into The Power", was memorised & sung by all young OC & Jett rappers. "They Got The Money" was an immediate hit, and still is a very awesome song! At it's release, I was a big fan of "Space City Park" especially the treat-with-the-girls part. Times change, ha. Both of Sylvia's songs ("Jesus, Loving Jesus" & "A Hug & Touch") were always deeply loved by me. And this album would not be complete with out the eternal, all-time hit, first Francesco number "Til the End of Time"! Embarrassingly enough, JP & I actually recorded our own version of that song. Him playing guitar (Did I mention he wanted to be Makoto Nobuka?) & me singing -with all the correct vocal intonations, yet TOTALLY off-key! I pray that recording is at the bottom of the ocean or destroyed by atomic weapons! "Mystery Babylon" & "Your Love Takes Me Higher" are now also loved by me.

FTT 05 -In It Together.
Revolution for Jesus & Godfrey's 1st song! Forever a hit & forever hated by the adults, ha! Once again, Sylvia sang her way into my heart & made me love her. There weren't/aren't too many other ones that I particularly love from there except "When Heaven's on My Mind", though there are quite a few others that I do like. I do not remember the release of this tape at all.

To Be Continued...........