Released in April 1985, ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ was CHINA CRISIS’ most successful album, spawning two UK Top20 singles in ‘Black Man Ray’ as well as being certified Gold.

The duo of Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon had already achieved chart success with their melodic synth-flavoured singles ‘Christian’ and ‘Wishful ‘Thinking’ while their respective parent albums ‘Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms – Some People Think It’s Fun To Entertain’ and ‘Working With Fire & Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume 2’ were also well received. But ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ was a different musical beast compared to its predecessors. Produced by Walter Becker of STEELY DAN, the influence of his band was more than obvious with a more live soulful feel making its presence felt.

It would be fair to say that if ‘Working With Fire & Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume 2’ was their English album, then ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ is their American one. With the prominent use of noted session players such as PINK FLOYD live guitarist Tim Renwick and keyboardist Nick Magnus who played with former GENESIS guitarist Steve Hackett, it broadened CHINA CRISIS’ musicality while retaining their all-important melodic sensibilities.

Something of a shaky live act in their earlier days, the original ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ tour saw CHINA CRISIS improving on stage with Gazza Johnson (bass), the late Kevin Wilkinson (drums) and Brian McNeil (keyboards) successfully translating the Trans-Atlantic FM friendly vibe of the album to the concert environment. This ultimately was the birth of the entertainers that CHINA CRISIS have morphed into today and 2025 sees 40 years of Imperfection being celebrated.

The location for the London leg is Cadogan Hall, a former church at the heart of Sloane Square in Chelsea and luckily bar prices were not unreasonable inside while nearby establishments were charging £27.50 for two drinks and two packets of crisps!! Eschewing the traditional support act, as an expanded 7 piece including regular sidemen Jack Hymers on keys and Eric Animan on sax plus ‘What Price Paradise’ era guitarist Stuart Nisbet, CHINA CRISIS’ opening set comprised the first side of ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ in order. From the opening bars of ‘The Highest High’ joyously celebrating their hometown of Kirkby, this was an evening of fun and entertainment.

Anyone who has ever been to see CHINA CRISIS in recent years knows that the comical banter between songs is as much part of the show as the songs themselves. Daly was as ever the witty raconteur, explaining that ‘Strength Of Character’ was a rare reggae excursion for the band as the form was extremely difficult for Caucasians from Merseyside to pull off authentically! Meanwhile with a projection of Walter Becker and George Michael on screen, Lundon remembered that on ‘You Did Cut Me’, the sax was played by Steve Gregory who had also performed the same task on ‘Careless Whisper’.

It was unusual to hear ‘Black Man Ray’ so early in the show before the interlude but Daly took the opportunity to plug merch. But as well as this, there were more pressing midlife concerns discussed such as the benefits of trousers with elasticated waists, the onset of baldness and comparing meds while under the care of consultants!

Opening the second section of the show with the second side, ‘Gift Of Freedom’, ‘King In A Catholic Style’ and ‘Bigger The Punch I’m Feeling’ all displayed that rhythmic bounce which characterised ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’, while there was a rare outing for ‘The World Spins, I’m Part of It’ which Daly jokingly remarked was far too wordy in an affectionate dig at Lundon who had written the majority of the lyrics.

After the ‘Flaunt’ showcase ended with the moody ‘Blue Sea’, there was an extended encore of other hits and tales. After renditions of ‘African & White’, the fabulous ‘Arizona Sky’ and the CHIC influenced ‘Tragedy & Mystery’, there was a story about how Alice Cooper played ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ on his tour bus! Of course, there was ‘Wishful Thinking’ and ‘Christian’ plus more anecdotes from Daly, the most amusing of which was him still being irked by CHINA CRISIS always being billed below GO WEST at retro festivals!

Closing with ‘Sweet Delight’ from the most recent CHINA CRISIS album ‘Autumn In The Neighourhood’ which will be reissued later in the year, Daly dedicated the song written about his wife Jean to one of his daughters who was due to give birth to what would be his fifth grandchild 😊

Fellow Liverpudlian Ken Dodd once sang about ‘Happiness’ and that is what CHINA CRISIS provided tonight. In what Daly has said will be their busiest year for live work since their ‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ heyday, if you’ve never seen them live before, now might be a good time to try and buy to get ‘The Highest High’ and “join in the fun”.

‘Flaunt The Imperfection’ is still available as a 2CD set via Caroline from selected retailers.

The 40 Years of Imperfection tour continues:

Edinburgh Queen’s Hall (8th May), Gateshead Sage (9th May), Leeds City Varieties Music Hall (10th May), Manchester Salford Quays Theatre (16th May), Airdrie Town Hall (17th May), Liverpool Philharmonic (24th May), Carlisle Old Fire Station (14th June), Holmfirth Picturedome (4th October)

For information on other CHINA CRISIS live dates in the UK and internationally throughout 2025, please go to https://linktr.ee/chinacrisismusic

https://www.facebook.com/chinacrisisofficial

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https://www.threads.net/@chinacrisismusic

Text and Photos by Chi Ming Lai
5th May 2025