Documentaries...

Here are a couple of documentaries that I enjoyed watching this weekend - one focuses on the disco movement, while the other one is about producer Nile Rodgers. Check them out:

Careless Memories...

Some more greatest hits releases are on the way, along with the one from Hazell Dean I previously posted about.

A new compilation from Duran Duran comes out on September 10th - it is priced less then 6 pounds and looks like a pretty good package if you are after most of their essential songs from the 80s.

Duran Duran were one of the world s biggest bands during the 1980s and their stature still warrants unprecedented demand and coverage, as seen by their appearance at the sold-out BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert, at London s Hyde Park in July 2012.

This 2CD collection focuses on the period 1981-1990 and features some key album tracks, alongside 20 Top 40 hits, twelve Top 10 hits including the Bond Theme A View To A Kill and their two UK #1s.

Disc 1

1. Planet Earth

2. Girls On Film

3. My Own Way (Single Mix)

4. Hungry Like The Wolf

5. Careless Memories

6. Hold Back The Rain

7. Sound Of Thunder

8. Faith In This Colour

9. New Religion

10. New Moon On Monday

11. Union Of The Snake

12. The Wild Boys

13. Meet El Presidente

14. Burning The Ground

15. Night Boat

16. Tel Aviv

17. The Chauffeur

Disc 2

1. Is There Something I Should Know?

2. The Reflex

3. A View To A Kill

4. Rio

5. Shadows On Your Side

6. Of Crime And Passion

7. Hold Me

8. Notorious

9. I Don t Want Your Love

10. All She Wants Is

11. Big Thing

12. Skin Trade

13. Do You Believe In Shame

14. A Matter Of Feeling

15. Lake Shore Driving

16. The Seventh Stranger

17. Save A Prayer

A week later: this release from Yazoo:

Alison Alf Moyet and Vince Clarke, collectively Yazoo, stood out among Eighties double acts for the classic combination of big, bluesy voice and stark synthesiser backing.

This compilation combines hits like Only You , Don t Go and Nobody s Diary with 12- inch mixes and stunning dance remixes to celebrate their 30th anniversary in floor-filling style!

Disc 1

1. Only You

2. Situation

3. Don t Go

4. Nobody s Diary

5. The Other Side Of Love

6. Didn't I Bring Your Love Down

7. Happy People

8. Bad Connection

9. Good Times

10. Mr. Blue

11. Ode To Boy

12. Tuesday

13. Too Pieces

14. Goodbye 70s

15. Situation (US 12" Mix )

16. Only You (1990 Version)

Disc 2

1. Situation (Hercules And Love Affair Remix)

2. The Other Side Of Love (Remixed Extended Version)

3. Sweet Thing

4. Softly Over

5. Winter Kills

6. Anyone

7. Midnight

8. Nobody s Diary (Extended)

9. State Farm

10. Unmarked

11. Walk Away From Love

12. Ode To Boy (Das Shadow Re-Work)

13. Don t Go (Todd Terry Freeze Mix)

14. Goodbye 70 s (Black Light Odyssey Remix)

15. Winter Kills (Electronic Periodic's Sub/Piano Remix)

16. Situation (Original US Dub Mix)

These are from Music Club Deluxe (who are also releasing the Hazell Dean collection). I already have some of releases from them and they are quite good - especially considering how cheap they are.

(still need to get the one from Sheena Easton).

Synthpop...

A documentary about the birth of the synthpop - a fun watch.

Wild Boys...

An excellent Duran Duran documentary from 2000.

 

60/60...

The Official Charts Company has unveiled the Diamond Dozen - the 12 artists who have sold more than 10m singles in the history of the UK ‘s Official Singles Chart.

This definitive list of chart royalty is published to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee of both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the UK’s Official Singles Chart - both celebrating 60 glorious years of heritage in 2012 - the list forms part of a BBC Radio 2 show running from 2pm till 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4).

In November 1952, five months after Queen Elizabeth II took the throne, the first ever Official Singles Chart was published in the New Musical Express. To mark this joint Jubilee, the Official Charts Company has compiled the definitive list of the biggest singles artists of all time, to be counted down by BBC Radio 2's Tony Blackburn in a special Jubilee Bank Holiday Monday show.

The list reveals The Beatles at the top, having sold the most chart singles over the past 60 years in the UK, followed by Elvis Presley and Sir Cliff Richard - all three have sold more than 20m singles in the UK. Once again Madonna is the first female artist in the list, completing the Top 5 at #4 on 17.6m right before Michael Jackson (15.3m).

Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company, adds, “The Diamond Dozen, from the Beatles to Kylie, with Rihanna, Madonna, Elvis and Bowie in between, is truly the cream of music makers over the past six decades years. Over the past 60 years, the Official Singles Chart has provided the musical soundtrack to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign - and these artists have been her entertainers.”

Here is the full list, which also of course includes Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Prince and Diana Ross:

1	THE BEATLES
2	ELVIS PRESLEY
3	CLIFF RICHARD
4	MADONNA
5	MICHAEL JACKSON
6	ELTON JOHN
7	QUEEN
8	ABBA
9	DAVID BOWIE
10	RIHANNA
11	PAUL McCARTNEY
12	KYLIE MINOGUE
13	ROLLING STONES
14	ROD STEWART
15	TAKE THAT
16	STEVIE WONDER
17	OASIS
18	EMINEM
19	WHITNEY HOUSTON
20	SPICE GIRLS
21	GEORGE MICHAEL
22	ROBBIE WILLIAMS
23	THE BEE GEES
24	U2
25	SHAKIN' STEVENS
26	BRITNEY SPEARS
27	STATUS QUO
28	LADY GAGA
29	BOYZONE
30	BLONDIE
31	SLADE
32	THE BLACK EYED PEAS
33	BONEY M
34	WESTLIFE
35	CELINE DION
36	BEYONCE
37	UB40
38	OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN
39	MARIAH CAREY
40	TOM JONES
41	MADNESS
42	THE POLICE
43	WHAM!
44	PHIL COLLINS
45	DIANA ROSS
46	THE JAM
47	BRYAN ADAMS
48	PET SHOP BOYS
49	DAVID GUETTA
50	ADAM ANT
51	DURAN DURAN
52	FRANK SINATRA
53	FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
54	PRINCE
55	KATY PERRY
56	WET WET WET
57	EVERLY BROTHERS
58	SHADOWS
59	PINK
60	COLDPLAY

A Diamond...

Duran Duran are releasing a DVD of their latest tour.

Filmed at the MEN Arena in Manchester on 16 December 2011, this stunning Duran Duran live show is the perfect combination of great music, amazing visuals and iconic style which has been the band’s trademark throughout their career. Following the release of their acclaimed “All You Need Is Now” album, this concert combines new songs from that release with their classic hits. Whether in the studio or the live arena, Duran Duran are masters of their craft and this latest concert bursts with energy and oozes class in the way that only they can.

The Deluxe version contains the following:

*             Live CD

*             Blu-ray

*             DVD

*             Booklet

*             Bonus Features

DVD:

1. Return To Now

2. Before The Rain

3. Planet Earth

4. View To A Kill

5. All You Need Is Now

6. Blame The Machines

7. Safe (In The Heat Of The Moment)

8. The Reflex

9. The Man Who Stole A Leopard

10. Girl Panic!

11. White Lines

12. Careless Memories

13. Ordinary World

14. Notorious

15. Hungry Like The Wolf

16. (Reach Up For The) Sunrise

17. Wild Boys / Relax

18. Rio

19. A Diamond In The Mind

(Credits)

Bonus Features:

Duran Duran 2011 – interviews & behind the scenes.

Bonus tracks: (1) Come Undone (2) Is There Something I Should Know

DVD Format: NTSC Region 0

Screen Format: 16:9

Sound Formats: DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo

Running Time: 119 mins approx

Subtitles: (Bonus Feature Only) English, French, German, Spanish, Italia

Filmed in high definition and simultaneously released on Blu-ray, CD and a Deluxe Edition.

CD:

1. Before The Rain

2. Planet Earth

3. A View To A Kill

4. All You Need Is Now

5. Come Undone

6. Blame The Machines

7. The Reflex

8. Girl Panic !

9. Ordinary World

10. Notorious

11. Hungry Like The Wolf

12. (Reach Up For The) Sunrise

13. Wild Boys

14. Rio

Line-up:

Simon Le Bon (vocals), John Taylor (bass), Roger Taylor (drums), Nick Rhodes (keyboards)

With: Dom Brown (guitars), Anna Ross (backing vocals), Simon Willescroft (saxophone) and Dawne Adams (percussion)

TENTATIVE release date: July, 2012

Diamond...

Duran Duran have announced the name of their forthcoming DVD, A Diamond in the Mind, Duran Duran – A Performance – 2011, which was filmed live in Manchester at the MEN Arena on December 16th, 2011. The film, directed by Gavin Elder, is to be released in early Summer, 2012 - and will quickly be added to my collection!

Albums...

This week, four new albums came out that I need to buy! It seems that the year is off to a wonderful start recordwise, at least for me. In addition to several records released recently that I need, here are the latest additions:



This week saw the release of  the new Ronan Keating album - a collaboration between him and the legendery genious Burt Bacharach. It went straight in at number 5 on the UK album chart. 




At number 10 is the new Chris Brown album - a major improvement chartwise over his last album, which peaked at number 55 in the UK and number 7 in the US (F.A.M.E is said to be going in at number 1 in the US!).



Duran Duran must be thrilled! "All You Need Is Now" comes in at number 11! Without the financial support of a mjor label (they are releasing the album themselves) and without another intro single (the title track was released in December), this has to be considered a very good comeback - and a major improvement over their last effort, which peaked at number 44 on the UK charts! In addition, their "Greatest" album re-enters the chart at number 37.



And finally, we have The Human League. They debut in the exact same place with "Credo" as their last album did 10 years ago: number 44. While it would have been nice to see a higher chart placing, it is not unexpected - and still quite respectable for a project that has had no real exposure (no TV performances, little airplay etc).

Next week sees the release of the new Britney Spears album, which has actually been getting very good reviews!

SOTD...

Duran Duran are releasing their new album "All You Need Is Now" this week - 30 years after their debut album came out. They have been doing loads of TV promo, including an ITV special, various TV performances in the US and an internet gig directed by David Lynch! The album is set to be on course for a UK Top 20 debut, and their "Greatest" album is set to return to the UK top 40 as well.



All this of course means that I am in full on DD mode these days, and so the song of the day is a song by my favourite childhood group.



"All She Wants Is" may not be the most obvious choice perhaps - but I have always loved the singles from the 1988 "Big Thing" album. By that time, the band had lost two members and were struggling to find their place in a musical landscape that seemed to change almost overnight in the mid 80´s.

This was the biggest of the three singles released from the album in the UK, charting at number 9 (and number 22 in the US). It was the second single released from the album, following "I Dont Want Your Love" (UK #14, US#4).

Before the song though: to celebrate the release of the new album, here is a look at the records that came before. Some are fantastic, some are good, and some are not so good - but I have every single one of them in my collection.

Bits...

Britney Spears has thanked Kylie Minogue for comments she made about her new material.

The Australian singer tweeted Spears to reveal her excitement at hearing her forthcoming seventh allbum, Femme Fatale.

"I am READY for the @britneyspears album," Minogue wrote on her Twitter page. "Love what I have heard!!! WhooOoOoOPP!!!! (sic)"

After retweeting the message Britney replied: "Awww! Thanks @kylieminogue. Means the world to me. What's your favourite song?"

Minogue answered, revealing that her current favourites are Spears's latest single "Till The World Ends" and one of the LP's bonus tracks "He About To Lose Me".



Duran Duran have finally made some comments their 2007 album Red Carpet Massacre, which bombed on release. It was their 12th studio album, produced by the group with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Danja.

Speaking to The Quietus, drummer Roger Taylor admitted that the decision to bring in the R'n'B stars might look like the band were trying too hard to chase modern trends.

Bassist John Taylor said: "That whole project was a f**king nightmare. We delivered an album to Sony that was a natural-sounding, almost rock album, and they were like 'We need something a bit pop, do you fancy doing a couple of tracks with Timbaland?'"

Keyboard player Nick Rhodes laughed that the experience of making album was "embarrassing" and "awful".

"The thing was, we got an opportunity to work with Timbaland, so we thought 'Great, let's go for it'," he explained. "When Timbaland saw the guitar and the bass and the drums come in to the studio, I think he was mortified, because everything's in a box for those guys. But I'm really glad we made that album, because in time I think it will stand up."

Singer Simon Le Bon said: "When you compare it to where we're at now, I do think Red Carpet Massacre was a bit of a personality issue. We thought we could make an urban album and our fans would like it… but our fans left us in noooo doubt about their response to that album."



Dannii Minogue is said to be plotting her return to music later this year.

The X Factor judge has been eyeing up possible collaborations for the record and is currently in discussions to work with DJ Roger Sanchez.

"Dannii is very professional in the studio, she's very sweet and always open to new ideas," Sanchez told the News of the World.

"I was very impressed at how dedicated she is - she's a great pop writer and we're talking about new projects."

Boys On TV...

Duran Duran are coming to US TV! They are set to perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 22nd, the Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 25th, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 30th and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on March 31st. In the UK, ITV will screen a special devoted to the band. in the coming weeks.

The band will release their new album, "All You Need Is Now" later this month. A must have for moi!

30 Years?...

Duran Duran will celebrate their 30th year in the music industry in a one-off ITV special, it has been announced.

The group will take to the stage in ITV's London Studios in front of a live audience in Duran Duran: One Night Only. Hosted by Christine Bleakley, the show promises to offer a rare insight into the 80's icons when it airs later this month.

"We are very excited to be a part of the One Night Only series - as we really like the format of the programme," singer Simon Le Bon said. "We always enjoy performing in front of a live audience and this show will be the first opportunity for us to play a number of songs from the new album.

"We've spent the last couple of weeks in our rehearsal room working on the arrangements for all the new material and we are looking forward to the show very much."

John Kaye Cooper, Controller of Entertainment for the broadcaster, added: "It will be a real treat for ITV viewers to see one of Britain's most iconic and successful bands of the 80's celebrating their musical milestone."

Duran Duran, who begin a UK arena tour in May, will release an expanded edition of their latest album All You Need Is Now on March 21.