Arcadia (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Arcadia
Background = group_or_band
Img_capt = (L-R): Taylor, Rhodes, Le Bon
Origin = United Kingdom
Years_active = 1985 - 1986
Genre = New Wave
Label = Capitol
Associated_acts = Duran Duran
Current_members = Simon Le Bon Nick Rhodes Roger Taylor

Arcadia were the pop group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, during a break in that band's schedule. However, Roger Taylor appeared in only a few band photographs and in none of the music videos, and stated he was only to be involved in the recording side of the project (he also had minor involvement in The Power Station, the other Duran Duran splinter group). The name of the band was reportedly inspired by the Nicolas Poussin painting "Et in Arcadia ego" (also known as "The Arcadian Shepherds").

The group recorded just one album, the platinum-selling "So Red the Rose". It peaked at no.30 in the UK and no.23 in the US, and featured the UK/US top 10 single "Election Day," as well as "The Flame," "The Promise," and "Goodbye Is Forever". Simon Le Bon described "So Red the Rose" as "the most pretentious album ever made" [ [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,4412319,00.html Album Picks: Freezepop - ARTISTdirect News ] ] , while Allmusic called it "the best album Duran Duran never made" [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:4e881v7jzzba~T00 All Music] ] . Musicians who contributed to the album included guitarists David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Carlos Alomar, pianist Herbie Hancock, Sting (who provided backing vocals on "The Promise"), Grace Jones (who provided brief but dramatic spoken-word interludes on "The Flame" and "Election Day"), bass player Mark Egan of the Pat Metheny Group (whose very distinctive fretless sound can be recognised in "The Promise", "El Diablo" and "Lady Ice") and David Van Tieghem, a percussionist from New York.

The band also recorded the single "Say the Word" for the "Playing for Keeps" movie soundtrack.

Arcadia continued the Duran Duran tradition of a slick image, tasteful fashions and hair-dos. For the Arcadia incarnation of their ever-changing band aesthetic, Rhodes, Le Bon, and Roger Taylor donned an upmarket 'gothic' look of black tuxedos, vintage formal wear, and bow ties. The three also dyed their hair black, as seen when they performed (as Duran Duran, with Andy and John Taylor) at the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia.

The group did a variety of promotional appearances on television, but never toured, and dissolved a year later in 1986 when Duran Duran re-formed with Le Bon, Rhodes, and bassist John Taylor to record their next album "Notorious". During the tour to support Notorious, Duran Duran played the Arcadia single "Election Day" as well as "Some Like it Hot" from the Power Station record. Drummer Roger Taylor retired from the music business for 15 years after the release of the Arcadia album, but returned to rejoin the original Duran Duran line-up in 2001.

Discography

Album

* "So Red The Rose" (November 1985) - #23 US, #30 UK

Singles

References