A-Side: The Tide Is High
B-Side: Susie And Jeffrey
Record label: Chrysalis CHS 2465
Producer: Mike Chapman
Released: 07/11/80
Purchased: 1980
Stone me, it must be all of two months without a sniff of Debbie on the horizon. Zammo, now she’s back, ruffling her feathers with a taster for the forthcoming guaranteed multi-million pound epic ‘Auto America’.
When you’re at the crossroads and your creative functions are all but scrambled, reach for the reggae tonic. This is the Duke Reid classic mightily toasted by U Roy and Deb handles it competently while her boys drivel around the ultimate sell out as they move into Boney M land.
But who really cares as the machine moves into overdrive again? Be prepared for Debbie in every national newspaper “I’m not a sex symbol, etc”. Debbie at home. Debbie on holiday. Exclusive nude pictures of Debbie. Roll up, roll up. (Record Mirror, 01/11/80)
The idea of reviving John Holt’s treasure Island label oldie is not without its merits, which is more than can be said for the finished reworking. Blondie are far more conversant with this specific genre than this record illustrates, so I find it hard to believe they’ve unanimously endorsed this Toy Town reggae travesty.
Instead of relying on a simple rhythm track, the song’s strong melody line and their own individuality. Debbie Harry has been lumbered with a key much too low for her to sing with any degree of range and control, whilst the group’s performance has been splattered with some of the most grotesque string and horn arrangements imaginable. This really is nothing more than hurried product and it shows. (NME, 01/11/80)
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