Lost Masters 2

Well here it is - the cover of Bucks Fizz "Lost Masters 2" - put together by Dean Murphy from Andy Hill's original master tapes. No track listing yet but we're still on course for a release date around late May 2008.

On the subject of Bucks Fizz it's my sad duty to inform you of the death of songwriter Warren Harry (a.k.a Warren Bacall) who died in his sleep earlier this month, aged just 54.

Warren contributed the excellent "I'd Like To Say I Love You" to the "Hand Cut" album in 1983 and also wrote two of Bucks Fizz singles released later that year: "When We Were Young" and "Rules Of The Game". In collaboration with Andy Hill he also wrote "Thief In The Night", "Indebted To You", "In Your Eyes" and the deliciously mad "Oh Suzanne" - which is arguably my favourite Fizz track of them all.

Thanks for everything Warren. R.I.P mate...

http://billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i9f2d02205fc84b5050a2b022b2cf33d1?imw=Y

Close To The Edge...And Back!

To celebrate their 40th anniversary Yes are heading out on tour, although only US dates have been announced so far. Further details can be found on the press release here:

http://www.yesworld.com/ywtour-pressrelease.html

Once again there is a line-up change with Rick Wakeman unable to commit to a lengthy tour for health reasons. His place will be taken by his son Oliver Wakeman. A statement from Rick can be found here:

http://www.rwcc.com/notice_yes.asp

And an interview with Jon Anderson about the tour and the future of Yes can be found here:

http://nfte.org/current-issue.html

By the way, the wonderful cartoon at the top of this entry is the work of a talented 19 year old Yes fan from Germany by the name of Nina Mayerhofer. She has her own myspace site which is well worth checking out:

http://www.myspace.com/proganimewakey

Something Leppard This Way Comes...

Def Leppard's "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" is released on April 29th and above these words is a picture of the album cover - very Sgt Pepper eh?!

The lead single "Nine Lives" - which features a contribution from country singer Tim McGraw (!!) - is previewed on their myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/defleppard

On The Run

On Sunday 16th March a Bloxwich Dolphins Team of Tony Mac, Dave Jarvis and myself took part in the Sport Relief Mile Run. Two years ago it was in blazing hot sunshine in Centenary Square in Birmingham, this year it was on a very cold day in West Park in Wolverhampton.

Not sure how much we've raised exactly but I know it's in excess of £150 - so thanks to everyone who sponsored us.

Just one thing - in 2010 can we make it in the Summertime please...?!

Movin' On Up

It's been a strange, occasionally stressful and convoluted week. I could bore you silly with what I think I've learned (or re-learned) over the last few days but in a nutshell it's not to procrastinate, to choose my battles carefully and to live simply and more mindfully. To do away with the physical, emotional and mental clutter. A bit of spring cleaning you could say...

On the positive side over the last couple of weeks I've passed my Business Administration NVQ Level 2. Go me!

Anyway - music news....

Madonna - Maddy releases a new album "Hard Candy" in April. This is her final album for Warner Brothers before signing a ten year album and publishing deal with concert promoter Live Nation.

Bucks Fizz - Sony BMG have agreed to release "The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut" with a tentative release date of late May.

Def Leppard - Release their new album "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" on April 29th preceded by a single entitled "Nine Lives"

Mostly Autumn - Release a new album entitled "Glass Shadows" in May. A pre-ordered limited edition can be ordered from their website containing bonus tracks and a 90 minute "Making Of..." DVD

http://www.mostly-autumn.com/

Asia - Asia's new album "Phoenix" now has a release date of 11th April with a track list as follows:

01. Never Again

02. Nothing's Forever

03. Heroine

04. Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise

05. Alibis

06. I Will Remember You

07. Shadow of a Doubt

08. Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya

09. Wish I'd Known All Along

10. Orchard of Mines

11. Over and Over

12. An Extraordinary Life

A sample of "Never Again" can be heard here:

http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/asiasample%20-%2001.mp3

Meanwhile the Wetton/Downes Icon Tour resumes in September with support coming from a promising new band called The Reasoning. See you there guys!

http://www.thereasoning.com/

Music Videos

Marillion - Hooks In You (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FjYmpGM4VA

"Many people are unfamiliar with the Steve Rothery era Marillion. That's a shame as they produced many fine tracks. This is a good example. A concise, punchy pop/rock track. A coded message to a friend once upon a time... "

The Audience - A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0cuGn0F_-s

"Nice little indie-pop song with a young Sophie Ellis-Bextor being photogenic for England. The campaign for playing this before Wolves games starts here..."

Status Quo - Who Asked You (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOsK4KoCq1Q

"I only discovered the existence of this video this week. An album track from 1979's "Whatever You Want". I've always liked this one"

Saint Etienne - You're In A Bad Way (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7CyUSaZgwA

"Cool as you like!"

And Introducing...

The Modern - Jane Falls Down (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTNciMGA23k

"It's 1982 all over again! This lot are now known as The Matinee Club and released their debut album on i-tunes last week."