NOW! That's What I Call A Tune! 47

And so with NOW! 47 - released in November 2000 - we reach the last of the 20th Century NOW! albums - and next week we'll enter a shiny new decade, century and millenium. There's lots of bubblegum pop to choose from... But that's all for next week!

There are a number of tracks I could have chosen this week too - including In Demand from Texas' Greatest Hits album (I struggle to believe that was 12 years ago but that's growing old for you!) I've chosen LeAnn Rimes instead though. She has a truly amazing voice - particularly on "How Do I Live?" which she sang as a mere 15 year old. On that song, her voice was mature beyond her years even if it's arguable if she had the life-experience to really appreciate the lyrics. 

For now, though, this is Can't Fight The Moonlight:

Andrew

36 hours... and counting...

It may only have been just over two weeks, but the Olympics seems to have been ages ago. A fortnight of sporting brilliance, in which Britain proved it could both efficiently organise and host the world's largest sporting festival and win bucket-loads of medals. Ah, the Games of the XXX Olympiad were truly Britain's Golden Fortnight...

Should you still be suffering from the post-Olympic blues, fear not, it's just two days until elite sport returns to the East-End of London and just 18 hours to the Opening Ceremony of the XIV Paralympic Games. It's another chance for Britain to shine on the international stage - and for us to bask in the reflected glory of our Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners - and all the others who perform to and beyond their expectations.

If, like me, you forgot there were other broadcasters than the BBC whilst the Olympics were on, you need to check that "4" button on your remote still works... It's time to meet the Superhumans on Channel 4. 

(aside: I'm really annoyed that that video has embedding disabled - I have no idea why Channel 4 wouldn't want to facilitate it's dissemination as wide as possible and can only imagine it's to do with licencing restrictions in relation to the backing track.)

In case you haven't seen them, Channel 4 have compiled a range of videos introducing both Paralympians and Paralympic Sports.

Here, for example, are some of our Wheelchair Rugby athletes describing the full-on nature of the sport and the injuries it can cause. Like it's able-bodied counterpart, it's not a game for the feint-hearted but as Kylie Grimes says "I've broken my neck, what more can I do?":

And here's (the rather cute) Jonnie Peacock speaking about Oscar Pistorius:

You can find these videos and many more on Channel 4 Paralympics You Tube Channel - go have a browse! And remember, the Opening Ceremony kicks off at 1930hrs tomorrow.

Andrew

K25 Part 8 - Tightrope

The tardiness of my posting is getting worse and worse... not only was my Saturday Six two days late but I very nearly forgot the latest offering from Kylie as part of her K25 monthly treats.

I say offering, but this month there were two... The first is advertised at the start of the video - a special Kylie edition of an iPhone app - Beat the Intro. It's duly been added and - whilst perhaps not as much fun as SongPop - it has kept me somewhat amused.

The second treat follows on and is a version of Tightrope (a B-Side for In Your Eyes) from one of the Melbourne "Anti-Tour" shows.

Enjoy!

Andrew

Saturday Six 2 - The Bank Holiday Monday Edition

Well it's only the second Saturday Six and I'm afraid I've already let it slip by a couple of days... I do have half an excuse, though, having spent all Saturday out delivering! That said, I don't have a great excuse for yesterday - I did start blogging but other things just took over...

Anyway, here are this week's six:

First up, another two Assange related posts; The Blog That Peter Wrote analyses his Evita-like balcony speech whilst David Allen Green bursts some of the myths which supporters of Assange have been keen to perpetrate.

Caron has news of the book launch of Paddy Ashdown's new book on the inaugural mission of the Special Boat Service.

Lib Dem Voice's Stephen Tall discusses the imminent cabinet reshuffle and proposes a way forward that could see the raising of the profile of Liberal Democrat achievements in the government.

Jae Kay thinks the Campaign for Marriage isn't just missing a trick but employing Americanised tactics doomed not to work in the UK. Not that he's complaining...

And finally, the esteemed Mo Farah has been photographed running away from things. Lots of things.

Andrew

Sunday Sounds 50

I'm not a particular fan of Queen - them having been somewhat before my time (or at least before I listened to pop), although I can remember seeing at least some of the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert as we did have a telly by that point.

I'm also one of those people who hears the opening bars of Under Pressure and can't help but think of Vanilla Ice. Not Good.

Putting all that to one side, though, I found these videos while trawling You Tube for Annie Lennox performances. First up, Lennox, David Bowie and Queen in rehearsal with, amongst others, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley also around.

And here is the actual performance:

Andrew