10 reasons to be excited about Bananarama's new album 'In Stereo'

There are many obvious reasons to be excited about the new Bananarama album, In Stereo.  However, I've picked just 10 of them.

1. It's Bananarama's first album since 2009

It's been 10 long years since Bananarama's last album.  The follow-up to Viva has been a long time coming and fans were especially eager for new material after a particularly successful run of live shows over the last couple of years, which included the reunion tour of the decade, when Siobhan temporarily came back to the fold.

2. Richard X has produced and co-written a track

Respected songwriter and producer, Richard Philips, otherwise known as Richard X has produced and co-written one of the tracks on 'In Stereo'.  I'm sure that you know that Richard is responsible for some of pops most memorable songs in recent years, having worked with luminaries such as the 'Sugababes', 'Rachel Stevens', 'Liberty X', Annie', 'Pet Shop Boys' and 'Roisin Murphy'. Richard produced and co-wrote the first track on the album, 'Love in Stereo'.  Twitter / Website

3. Hannah Robinson has co-written a track

Like Richard X, Hannah has written for some of the best pop stars on the planet. For example, names such as 'Dannii Minogue', 'Geri Halliwell', 'Jamelia', 'Emma Bunton', 'Sophie Ellis-Bextor' and 'Kylie Minogue'. Hannah co-wrote 'Love in Stereo' with Richard X.  Twitter / Website

4. The track 'Love in Stereo' was previously a demo for MKS (ex of Sugababes)

MKS is short for Mutya Keisha Siobhan, the 3 original Sugababes. Along with other unreleased tracks, the original version of 'Love in Stereo' was leaked onto the internet and became a fan favourite.  When the 'In Stereo' track-list was announced, many fans began to speculate if it was the same song.  Amazingly, they were right.

5. Ian Masterson has worked his magic on the album

Ian has a history of creating some great material with Bananarama.  He worked on Bananarama's last 2 albums, 'Drama' and 'Viva'.  Both albums were re-released this year as expanded editions. Twitter / Website

6. The album previews on iTunes are amazing

The iTunes previews are a whole 90 seconds and you really get a good sense of each of the tracks. From the disco of 'Stuff Like That' to the atmospheric balladry of the final track 'On Your Own', there's lots to be excited about. To listen to them, click here.

7. 'Bright Light, Bright Light' has co-written a song

Singer / songwriter Rod Thomas is the genius behind 'Bright Light, Bright Light'.  Rod has co-written the album track 'Tonight' with Sara and Keren.  Last year, I saw him perform live and he was absolutely amazing... and you really must check out his back catalogue. Twitter / Website

8. Sara and Keren have possibly never sounded better

Ian Masterson's production sounds really fresh.  In my opinion, this could be their best duo album.... that's how good it is!

9. There are so many worthy singles on the album

Aside from 'Love in Stereo', I'm particularly fond of 'I'm on Fire' and 'Intoxicated' but in all honesty they're all worthy of being a single.

10. April is really not very far away

'In Stereo' is released on April 19.  You can preorder it on black vinyl from the LoveBananarama store where it's currently just £12.99 at the time of writing.  Click here.

Pet Shop Boys - Inner Sanctum

Blu-ray/ DVD/ 2CD package of Pet Shop Boys breath-taking show 'Inner Sanctum', filmed at London's Royal Opera House during a sold-out run in 2018 summer.

The iconic duo's acclaimed production, first presented at the Royal Opera House in 2016 over four sold-out shows, was reprised at the venue for a further four nights in July 2018 as part of their 'Super' tour. Staged by long-term PSB designer Es Devlin and choreographer/director Lynne Page, the show was filmed by director David Barnard. Filmed on 27 and 28 July 2018, the full-length film on DVD and Blu-ray is accompanied by two CDs of the complete audio of the live show plus a bonus feature of PSB live at Rock in Rio, which was recorded on 17 September 2017 at the Brazilian festival.

 The 'Inner Sanctum' production won rave reviews for a musical and visual extravaganza which brought lasers, dazzling choreography and immersive visuals and stage design to the ornate surroundings of the Royal Opera House for an electrifying show. The set-list featured contemporary PSB material from their last two albums 'Super' and 'Electric' mixed with many PSB's classic hits from their peerless back catalogue including 'Love comes quickly', 'West End girls', 'It's a sin', 'Go West' and 'Always on my mind'.

Coming Soon: Resources

I'm developing a Resource page.  It's under construction at the moment but it will contain lots of useful information including Record Fair listings, Online Record Stores and other useful links.

I know that many of you go to Record Fairs around the country on the look-out for your next big find.  Maybe I can help?

Vinyl Heaven

Each week. I'll update readers on my choice picks of vinyl on my new feature titled 'Vinyl Heaven'.

This week there is a Prince vinyl picture disc for the classic album, Purple Rain.  It's a bit pricey but maybe you're worth it!

Click on the photo for this week choices.

Gary Numan - I, Assassin

Fans of Gary Numan will be pleased that his 1982 album 'I, Assassin' is being reissued on green vinyl in March.

It looks rather lovely doesn't it.

It's currently only £15 here.

Community spirit

Have we lost a bit of old-fashioned community spirit?

I admit it.  I don't pay much attention to my neighbours.  I live in a city and people are generally less chatty to strangers.  However, community spirit does exist in some places if you really look for it.

I'd like to think that there is a bit of community spirit on my LoveBananarama social media accounts.  I'm genuinely interested in other peoples point of views, as long as they are respectful and rational.  

Like most people, I love to see people with their pets or read about the music their listening to - or if they've written something particularly insightful.  I'll even go as far as being happy to see what peoples food choices are too.  It's actually sometimes quite inspirational if I'm low on ideas.

The pages of the Pop Justice forums are quite entertaining too.  There are some names on those pages that have been around for years - and although some people can be a bit Judge Judy, there is a community of mostly like-minded music fans, who are there to dissect every element of a song in an often comedic and entertaining way.  I love a good natter about pop.

But...back to the real world...

So, on 28th April at the Glee Club in Birmingham, I'll be there with my lovely friends - do come over and say hello.  I'll no doubt be wearing a hat, as that's my thing.

Ted. x

The great Sainsburys Vinyl debacle

We were all so excited that Vinyl sales were increasing.  Hurrah, we cried.... to similarly aged people.

Then we, the oldies, wondered where we could purchase more vinyl - perhaps a place where we could feel and touch the sleeves before we gave up our precious money?

Then the supermarkets got on board - Sainsbury's in particular, showed an interest.  They decided to release limited special editions, sometimes in lovely bright colours - and we were so very excited that we all wee'd a bit in our pants.

Then there were problems. Sainsbury’s has a policy of not warning the public of the release dates.  Hence a large number of fans ranting and raving at missing out because Sainsbury's idea to generate purchases was an enormous success - so much so, that literally everything sold out in minutes.

The Sainsbury's releases are a mix of really old music and female pop legends like Madonna and Kylie Minogue.  Both have enormous fanbases.  Those evil bastards.

One wonders if Sainsbury's have got this all wrong.  Perhaps instead of releasing albums in 2000 runs, they should double or treble the numbers and reap even further rewards?

I may scream if I have to spend another early morning in a queue, fighting off some tetchy queen who is probably going to sell it for double value on eBay.  Frankly, it needs to stop.

Nerina Pallot: A secret

I'm quite selfish.

Is it bad that I don't want Nerina Pallot to reach the heady heights of uber stardom?  I like that she does intimate gigs and I feel superior when I can sing along to the lyrics of my favourite obscure Nerina tracks.

Nerina's released 6 albums in total, but my favourite is her most recent, 'Stay Lucky' with its beautiful title track and the stand out song 'Man Didn't Walk on the Moon'.  A song with Fleetwood Mac charm that had me immediately hooked (see video, below).

Nerina's shows are always a fun affair. You get songs, the occasional joke, tales of family life and perhaps bravely, Brexit was even discussed at the last gig I went to.

So, listen to the song, check out Nerina's catalogue covertly and appreciate her fabulous talent - but don't you dare make her a huge star!  I realise that sentiment is fucked up.... *looks for emoji of a man shrugging his shoulders*

R Kelly: Music and ethics

I've just recently watched the R Kelly documentary series and it's every bit as shocking as the promotional material suggested.

It got me thinking about music and ethics.  At the ripe age of 45, I'm much more considered about my musical choices and the artists that I support.  I'm not sure if it's related to my maturity or whether I'm led by the mass outrage on social media which is hard to avoid.

Obviously, I prefer musicians to not be utter complete bastards and I don't expect other people to be completely on my wavelength but I can't work out why anyone would support an alleged child-abuser - even if they have created an amazing album?

It seems that a portion of the buying public don't always agree when it comes to moral choices and supporting artists.  News stories, no matter how hideous, are simply promotion for artists and the record companies sometimes take advantage of that.  Sales often increase in those scenarios and readers, this is where I struggle.  A record company paying for an front page advert on iTunes during an artists ongoing court case is pretty fucked up.  Yes, they invest a lot of money and time on artists but there really is no excuse.  Suck it up and do the right thing.

Love to shop! Store preview.

LoveBananarama Amazon Store: Vinyl Heaven

Great vinyl picks for all budgets

I've picked out some of the best retro vinyl reissues and you can browse here: VINYL HEAVEN  There's vinyl for all budgets - and you may even find a few that you weren't aware were available!

Whilst compiling this, I realised that there are still some major icons that don't have very much new vinyl out, if not any at all. Due to the relatively recent resurgence of the format, I can only imagine that they are on the cards - or at least I hope so anyway. Enjoy!

Bananarama: Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo

Seeing the original Bananarama line-up deliver a tour was such an unexpected and incredible moment.  

Having lived and breathed Bananarama since my youth and experiencing the dramatic devastation of the split (I blame my hormones), nobody ever thought this would happen - but it did and it was one of the single most joyful moments of my life.

I bought the merch.  I stood shaking with excitement with my friends.  I danced until my legs fell off.  I looked in awe at the incredible screen graphics.  I was blown away by the new production and the makeover of those hits.  It ticked all of the boxes.

This tour didn't just live up to our expectations, it blew them away.  To look around the venues and see the faces of happy audience members was unexpectedly emotional.  It wasn't just middle aged gay men and wives.  There was a diverse collection of people of all ages and most importantly, they knew the songs ...and many of them also knew all of the camp arm movements too.  It was a genuinely endearing moment to see so many people experiencing utterly, blissful, unabashed pure joy. 

We were all so thankful that we got to experience that joy again with the Live album in various versions, including a DVD and bluray.  Many people don't realise that it's also available on iTunes, see link below.  It was Blue Monday yesterday and I can't think of a better way to wash those blues away than watch one of the worlds greatest pop groups back together again.

Chaka Khan - Hello Happiness

The Queen of Funk Chaka Khan made a phenomenal return with her latest single ‘Like Sugar’. Initially launched as a limited edition release for Record Store Day, it earned airplay from Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Pete Tong, Benji B, Danny Howard and Gilles Peterson before receiving a full release in the summer. Now the 10-time Grammy Award winner continues the reemergence with her new album Hello Happiness via Diary Records / Island Records, the new label formed by Major Lazer founder and Grammy-nominated producer Switch with artist / songwriter Sara Ruba Taylor.

Hello Happiness is an album which sets Chaka Khan’s timeless vocal to an empowering collection of songs with cutting-edge production. With an eye on the future and a respect for the past, Chaka Khan has delivered an album with the contemporary edge to entice newcomers to her world class talent and the quality to excite long-term fans. Chaka Khan first collaborated with Switch and Ruba Taylor as a potential featured artist on a different project. Inspired by the power of both her voice and personality, the duo suggested working on an original Chaka Khan album - something which she didn’t have in mind. But she was soon convinced when she heard some of Switch and Ruba Taylor’s songs, which coincidentally were influenced by Chaka Khan but written for their own project. Chaka chose her favourites and stamped her identity all over them, with her inimitable vocal gift and dynamic energy taking each track to new heights. Switch and Ruba Taylor also provided the groundwork so that Chaka Khan could concentrate on making her first set since 2007’s Funk This.

Tracy Thorn - A Teenager in Suburbia - SIGNED COPIES

In a 1970s commuter town, Tracey Thorn's teenage life was forged from what failed to happen. Her diaries were packed with entries about not buying things, not going to the disco, the school coach not arriving.

Before she became an acclaimed musician and writer, Tracey Thorn was a typical teenager: bored and cynical, despairing of her aspirational parents. Her only comfort came from house parties, Meaningful Conversations and the female pop icons who hinted at a new kind of living.

Returning more than three decades later to Brookmans Park, scene of her childhood, Thorn takes us beyond the bus shelters and pub car parks, the utopian cul-de-sacs, the train to Potters Bar and the weekly discos, to the parents who wanted so much for their children, the children who wanted none of it. With endearing wit and great insight, Thorn reconsiders the Green Belt post-war dream so many artists have mocked, and yet so many artists have come from.

You can order a limited edition signed copy of the book here.

Bananarama Live album on vinyl on sale!

Just shy of £16. Be quick! Link: Click here