by Mark Nobes, chief editor
Released in 1987, this cover version of the classic hit by Martha And
The Muffins was Toyah Willcox's last single to chart in the British
Singles Chart, peaking at #54. The track was released as the lead single
from Toyah's second album as a solo artist, Desire, which failed to chart. One more single was released from the album entitled Moonlight Dancing.
The English singer/songwriter's biggest success came in 1981 when she was still with her band, and they achieved success with three consecutive Top Ten singles; Four From Toyah EP, I Want To Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains - the first two tracks were lifted from her most successful album Anthem, which reached #2 and achieved Gold.
Echo Beach was originally a No.10 hit in the UK during 1980 for the Canadian band Martha And The Muffins, and the song featured on their album Metro Music. Toyah's version is now a rare and forgotten gem, and although there are many critics who hate this cover, I think she has given it a quirky edge and I especially like the extended version (below) which comes from a time when the 12 inch reigned supreme.
Toyah on the front cover of ZigZag the music monthly in Feb 1984
Simplyeighties.com