Monday, March 25, 2024

Now Millennium series revisited Pt.II

The Now Millennium series continues advancing from the original 1999 volume issued in 2000 and in most respects this series continues on from that and on March 1st the next volume was issued following on from 2002/3.



As with all of this series each volume covers two years with one year per two discs and in the book form version I bought you get some background notes on each song and act included not that in the passing years I've forgotten Crazy Frog!



CD1 is the first of two taht cover 2004 and begins with George Michael's top-5 smash ‘Amazing’, before Pop queens Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue feature with the sensational ‘Toxic’ and ‘I Believe In You’. As well as co-writing the Kylie smash, Jake Shears along with his band The Scissor Sisters had a fantastic year in 2004 with their self-titled album, showcased on this release with their massive hit ‘Laura’. Robbie Williams continued to enjoy massive success, Duran Duran returned and further cemented their legacy with ‘(Reach Up For The) Sunrise’, plus Anastacia and Natasha Beddingfield both enjoyed huge hits with ‘Left Outside Alone’ and ‘These Words’. Will Young’s phenomenal achievements in 2003 spilled over into 2004 with the release of ‘Your Game’ and Maroon 5’s ‘This Love’ ended up at number 3 after their 2002 sleeper-hit album ‘Songs About Jane’ was re-released. Dancefloor favourites come in the form of legendary Hip-Hop / Pop from Outkast and Kelis, plus the Pop-Dance of The Shapeshifters, ‘Call On Me’ from Eric Prydz, and the fusion of LMC and U2. The disc cools down with the #1 from Eamon and the soulful vocals of Lemar.

CD2 kicks off with the undisputed classic ‘Mr. Brightside’ from The Killers before featuring other fantastic bands; Keane, Snow Patrol, R.E.M. and The Streets - all here. 2004 was a stellar year for Pop singles, and included here - Sugababes, Girls Aloud, band rivals Busted and McFly, plus Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne all experienced Chart success.

CD3 begins by highlighting amazing song writing, including ‘Speed Of Sound’ from Coldplay, James Blunt’s ‘You're Beautiful’, ‘Bad Day’ from Daniel Powter and the electrifying ‘Dakota’ from Stereophonics. New singles from New Order and Eurythmics come before Duran Duran, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams all make their second appearance. KT Tunstall’s massive ‘Suddenly I See’ leads to Chart favourites from Natalie Imbruglia and Simon Webbe. The huge ‘Caught Up’ from Usher and ‘1 Thing’ from Amerie come before the heavy beat of The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘Don't Phunk With My Heart’, and the disc closes with Akon’s flagship  number one smash ‘Lonely’.

CD4 leads with the irresistible ‘I Predict A Riot’ from the Kaiser Chiefs, followed by more great bands – The Bravery, Doves, Oasis and Bon Jovi all released unforgettable tracks in 2005. It was also the year that Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone’ dominated the Charts, as did the R&B / Hip-Hop / Pop hits of ‘Don't Cha’ from The Pussycat Dolls and ‘Candy Shop’ from 50 Cent and Olivia. Mario and John Legend proved that romance wasn’t dead, and Elton John and Westlife released uplifting songs ‘Electricity’ and ‘You Raise Me Up’. ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ from Tony Christie charted in 2005 as the years Comic Relief track and the album ends with an early viral sensation – the undeniably catchy ‘Axel F’ from Crazy Frog.

This era was one i bought albums by artists I liked so a general resume of this period is really helpful in putting titles to songs heard on the radio or being played in HMV when buying Oasis albums.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Getting set to nip out edition

It's Sunday as I'm typing this after much rain that woke me up twice as it landed on the window so I'm a bit low on spoons today so will deal with that with emergency rations before setting off to the park where it was warm enough yesterday not to bother with any coat.


We're a bench or two short  and one situated to the side of area for football and netball so if it is in use you're likely to have the ball come near you and our juniors can kick a ball quite high!

I'd love to set up a candid camera thing and see just how people would react to seeing a life sized dressed teddy on a bench.

Would they engage with it, talking and playing with it, would they leave it alone, that's what interests me.

I had to redress the bunny at the top of the stairs where the Grump seems to have caught it, knocked it over flat and somehow pulled its skirt down!

Easter isn't far off which with me is something I'd associate with school Easter Bonnet making, egg decorating and yes a certain type of bunny who brings gifts.

Well he managed it last year all right!

Monday, March 11, 2024

At rest edition

It's a week after the birthday, a cooler weekend as I type this out sat waiting for a few things to arrive before venturing out to the park after just dealing with the washing.
First off, I'd like to thank everyone at FA, GT and EBS for their birthday wishes and friends elsewhere for theirs including my BFF's Moonpig unicorn card which was very much appreciated.

Arrangements for Easter and Summer are underway with discussions being finalized and talk around next year too with all that may bring.

Unfortunately I hadn't been too good with a really bad bout of migraine that's still hanging over the left side of my brain, affecting things like remembering day to day details even the other day looking for switch on a kettle near the base forgetting ours is like many a cordless one.

Thus to a large extent I've be mainly resting this week, somewhat dazed, just keeping things tidy and sorting through anything arriving although one immediate family member hasn't realized that there was a birthday hence no card and the other despite calling round never knocked and even wished me a happy birthday in person!

Families,eh?

Monday, March 4, 2024

Birthday edition

Officially we're slightly ahead of time but what's worse, being behind it and maybe you have an idea of what it will be like given that's so relevant.

There will be cards as much as cards got crowded out last year with the events of just under three weeks before everything was on pause so the small number cards wee just in a bit of a corner rather than a central position.

That one fills the girl of the family slot doesn't surprise most given the craziness of our family, doing stuff and trying to smooth things over.


While I don't know about any other presents and they can always be added as an update I do the know the Super Audio cd of Genesis's Selling England By The Pound by Analogue Productions as part of the Atlantic 75 years anniversary delayed from last November is here.

Given the record version was acclaimed, I'm looking forward to spinning this disc.





There will be a fuller write up around the 2004-2005 installment of Now Millennium but this gathering of notable tracks from those two years will help bringing back the sounds of that era coupled with a book about the artists and times.

I'm sure there will be some money to put towards a few other purchases looking towards Easter and Summer get together and unlike last year we'll have a small meal together at a local pub, something we always did when Mom was alive and something that didn't happen last time as that's been booked.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Updating The Now's - Now Eighties Dancefloor Soul & Disco

A return to the series we commented upon on January 29th so near enough a month on we have another lp only selection that looks at Soul and Disco which was popular and with a number not on original now albums although these aren't the extended version these have some tracks that weren't on original now albums.

Released on Friday, as with the others we get two well packed discs on coloured vinyl at a discounted price the sleeve is nothing special lacking any kind of liner notes.


The first disc in this set kicks off with Tina Turner's iconic remake of 'Let's Stay Together' - a testament to her timeless vocal prowess. 

Jocelyn Brown's 'Somebody Else's Guy', brings a fabulous fusion of Funk and Soul that I originally bought on a 45, followed by Gwen Guthrie's anthem 'Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent' from 1986.

Womack & Womack's 'Teardrops' blend of captivating lyrics and rhythm, leads into Joyce Sims' 'Come Into My Life' from 1989 before the Stock Aitken Waterman written & produced 'Say I'm Your Number One' from Princess leads us to Loose Ends' 'Hangin' On A String' offering a smooth, jazz-infused sound, echoed by Will Downing's very first hit, 'A Love Supreme', which concludes that side.

The second side takes you on a whirlwind trip around the dancefloor with Whitney Houston's 'How Will I Know from 1985, Alexander O'Neal's 'Criticize' and Aretha Franklin's 'Who's Zoomin' Who?' bring a blend of irresistible beats. 

Lionel Richie's 'Dancing On The Ceiling' takes us to Laura Branigan's 'Self Control', alongside Imagination's debut single, 'Body Talk', offers a cross of Hi-NRG Disco with a sensual groove while Hi-Gloss's 'You'll Never Know' is a gem of smooth, elegant Soul to finish the first LP. 

The first side of the second disc begins with the iconic duo Ashford & Simpson's 'Solid,' a celebration of enduring love I originally bought the extended version of on 12" single.

This is followed by #1 Disco anthem 'Fame' from Irene Cara featured in the Tv show and Diana Ross's 'My Old Piano' that showcases her unique ability to blend Pop with Soul on this Chic-produced classic before we move on to Donna Summer's Grammy-nominated single 'Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)' fusing Disco with a Funk edge, while Odyssey's 'Inside Out' provides a smooth, and melody filled dance. 

Terri Wells's 'I'll Be Around' is a soulful delight, and Hall & Oates' 'I Can't Go For That (No Can't Do)' mixes Rock with Soul and was sampled ands  the side closes on a romantic note with Fat Larry's Band's 'Zoom' a personal favourite from 1982.

The final side opens by showcasing Rufus and Chaka Khan's 'Ain't Nobody,' a masterpiece of Funk and Soul synergy while Womack & Womack make their second appearance with 'Love Wars', followed by Steve Arrington's 'Feel So Real' - a true example of the era's crossover with Disco and Soul. 

Miami Sound Machine's 'Dr. Beat' injects Latin-infused Pop rhythms at the core of a cool sound , while Jermaine Stewart's biggest hit 'We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off' became a global dance-floor smash hit. 

Billy Ocean's Grammy award winner, 'Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)', blends Soul, Disco and Pop which I remember buying a special four mix cassette single of while Sister Sledge's 'Thinking Of You' is the perfect closer, uplifting and full of joy.

This is a great fun packed compilation that'll bring back many memories.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Little Camp Winter 2024

I was away last week at Littles Camp Tm which for me involved a train journey to Miss Green's where then we picked up Katie enroute before arriving at base camp in East Anglia which would of been quicker had we'd not of had delays going through Wednesbury, South Staffs but given there was bigger trouble involving the M5 and 6 we probably had the least imperfect route arriving before four in the afternoon.

For me it was the first time since the Pandemic I had returned to this venue missing the first opportunity two years ago when I was seriously unwell so I was interested to see what the new operators had done (or not).

So after getting a room I got changed in one for skirts I had with me as I don't like having my legs encased apart from bad memories associated with trousers that can trigger negative responses that may require attention.

While most people had various curries we opted to have a chicken salad that just required said chicken breast cooking as people started to arrive and rooms were being allocated  with Barbie themed room signs.


Sunday saw the morning Arts and Crafts session where in teams we made Viking boards from card, dowlling and sticky tape which were sailed on Tuesday with Mine and Jennifer's second from right managing to stay up well.



There was a Barbie themed Colour Game in the afternoon with well hidden clues as in on the ceiling before the legendary "all purrpuss nekomimi music quiz" took place covering a variety of genres and eras after the pie evening meal which went down well.


Monday saw Miss Green's cake making class where things for the party the next day were made and I made some with Alice  that turned quite well given measurements were estimated on the fly while in the afternoon Samantha run a Hair Band making session.

After Mary and Iris's mouth-watering Beef Stew with dumplings evening meal, Miss Green read a story from the farm.

Across the week various jigsaw's were made, some easier than others.



Tuesday saw the indoor sports which being somewhat unco-ordinated I didn't do too well at including Magnetic Darts, Skittles and making and flying model airplanes from paper which was more me being the sort of thing I did back in the day and the Barbie party was held with sausage rolls, cakes and games such as pass the parcel and musical chairs.

After the delightful fish and chip evening meal that had to be picked up, we were treated to the Barbie Movie after Jillian's rather good general knowledge quiz.

We did change the midday meals compared to previous years to deal with a few interconnected things like them that stepped up to make food did lose time from taking part in activities, there tended to be a fair bit of waste as people didn't need a substantial midday meal and in the current climate of increasing food costs we could save some money.

This did work out pretty well and we tried to keep evening meals relatively simple rather than things that require lots of supervision.

Some people left first thing Wednesday but a number of us went to a Castle in Suffolk which wasn't far away which was very enjoyable, exploring before making our way back which was a bit late due to two road incidents and major traffic issues that were to delay Miss Green's, Katie's and my return home which rather tried our patience.

I stayed overnight given we were back late before Miss Green went with me into town, seeing me off before I caught the train back home which had some fun such as person who refused to give up a seat for wheelchair user leaving her parked by the very side of the train I needed to get off!

Not her fault, just an atom of humanity that wasn't being considerate so I had to make my way down the corridor to another set of doors to get out but thankfully there was cab on the Taxi rank waiting for me so I was at home in time for midday meal.

Thanks to every one who ran an activity, provided food and otherwise contributed to making our little gathering a great success.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Getting set to go

Actually as you read this entry I'm not really here just with other girls and given for one thing I can't carry the proverbial kitchen sink with me and that I don't wish to be distracted by the infernal net tm the Chromebook isn't with me.

I mean even if I wanted a million dresses with me there's no way I carry them with me on the train as we're doing well I'm carrying anything given how things panned out back in 1994 and that diagnosis.


The whole point is really being together enjoying each others company playing, having fun than anything really competitive or being a how many dresses you put on in a day challenge never mind staring into the monitor every spare moment.
With me play is a bit less traditional being more in tune with modern girlhood so the idea of say informal all girl kickabout is very much me in way somethings may not although outdoor stuff is at the mercy of the elements of which there's much speculation as I type this.

However that goes, it'll be good to be away with friends.