There Goes A Supernova...

12th April sees the release of the long-rumoured 2 CD edition of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Welcome To The Pleasuredome". Track listing is as follows:

Disc One
1. The World Is My Oyster
2. Welcome To The Pleasuredome
3. Relax (Come Fighting)
4. War (And Hide)
5. Two Tribes
6. For The Victims Of Ravishment
7. Ferry (Go)
8. Born To Run
9. San Jose (The Way)
10. Wish The Lads Were Here
11. Including The Ballad of 32
12. Krisco Kisses
13. Black Night White Light
14. The Only Star In Heaven
13. The Power Of Love
14. Bang

Disc Two

1. Relax (Greatest Bits)
2. One September Monday
3. Power Of Love (12" Version)
4. Disneyland
5. Two Tribes (Between Rulers And Ruling)
6. War (Between Hiding & Hidden)
7. Pleasuredome (Cut Rough)
8. One February Friday
9. The Ballad Of 32 - Mix 2
10. Who Then Devised The Torment?
11. Relax (Greek Disco Mix)
12. Watusi Love Juicy
13. The Last Voice

The 2010 edition also contains a 28 page booklet and previously unseen works from Pleasuredome artist Lo Cole.

Now...where can I get a replacement Pleasuredome sweatshirt...?!

Omega

Asia release their new album "Omega" on 23rd April. Full track listing is as follows:

1. Finger On The Trigger
2. Through My Veins
3. Holy War
4. Even Yours
5. Listen Children
6. End Of The World
7. Light The Way
8. Emily
9. Still The Same
10. There Was A Time
11. Still The Same
12. I Believe
13. Don't Wanna Lose You Now.

The full press release, along with a few song samples, can be found here:

http://www.frontiers.it/default.aspx?tabid=73&cond3=where%20ItemID=559

Tell Me Somthing New: Diane Birch

In the continuing quest to stand in the path of the X-Factor juggernaut and imagine a better musical world, here is another new artist to investigate.

I have Jamie from the band Mermaid Kiss to thank for bringing this wonderful artist to my attention. Diane Birch released her self penned debut album "Bible Belt" last year. Thirteen beautifully handcrafted songs an age when songwriting and real musicianship are becoming increasingly marginalised.

Immediate comparisons are the singer/songwriters of the early seventies such as Laura Nyro or Carole King, but Diane has her own sound and a strong gospel vibe running through the vocals and lyrics that only comes through growing up in church.

Her myspace site is well worth investigating & I would recommend starting with the song "Fools" which gives you are good introduction to what she is about:

http://www.myspace.com/dianebirch

Also - and this is something VERY special - here are a couple of clips of Diane performing a couple of songs from the album with the legendary Daryl Hall & his band on the show "Live From Daryl's House". Simply wonderful.

Nothing But A Miracle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9lyrOETXao

Don't Wait Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af6KLZTlsbk&feature=related

If you're interested, here's a link to the "Live From Daryl's House" website, which is well worth investigating:

http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/

And finally respect to Thomas "T-Bone" Wolk, who features in these two clips, who passed away recently aged 58.

Taking Flight

Think classical singers just stand behind a microphone and sing? Think again.

Katherine Jenkins kicked off her Believe 2010 Arena Tour at Birmingham NIA on Wednesday. It is a courageous artistic move; not only in stepping up to play larger venues (she played Birmingham Symphony Hall on her last tour) but also in putting on a show that is radically different both in style and scale from her previous tours.

Whilst undeniably classical at heart, the show has a feel of a pop concert; dancers, acrobats, mime, stage sets, costume changes, back projection, vari-lights and video screens are all present and correct. The show has trace elements of West End Theatre, Madonna and Kylie but is beautifully and inventively staged and never once detracts from the woman at the heart of the show: Katherine Jenkins - a very likeable and very beautiful young woman with a magnificent voice.

The acrobatics during the song "Angel", from which the picture heading this post is taken, drew applause from the audience mid song. All the songs were superbly presented but a special mention has to go to 'La Vie En Rose' and three sections from 'Carmen' that were performed back to back.

The encore was a very dramatic rendition of "Bring Me To Life" and a sumptuous version of "Nella Fantasia", both of which received standing ovations and deservedly so.

A simply wonderful show. Loved it to bits.