Smoking and Vaping - Just say no!

It's gone through the House of Commons with some controversy, new measures that would see fifteen year olds no longer able to get old enough to smoke as year on year the age limits would rise so no one would be able start smoking.

Presently you have to be eighteen in the UK to buy cigarettes although there is no legal age limit for smoking them which itself was raised from 16 some years ago.

The problem area as I can see is really more around storeholders knowing with that straight off who they can sell too as trading standards could prosecute as it is harder by appearance age and age based ID is not common place although the idea of a smoke free generation  isn't something I disagree with.

Indeed I can remember quite vividly at fifteen being told by the oldest girl of our form and a prefect upon being found hanging out with the school smokers, that if she found me smoking, she'd have no quarms about spanking me as she wasn't prepared to let me get addicted and ruin my health.

In the same bill bill are measures to reduce the marketing of Vapes, especially single use ones to teens with bright packaging and sweet flavours where we have a major addiction problem with children desperate to get out of lessons for their Vape and already some serious incidents of childrens health being ruined.

Vaping appears to have a number of long term issues as more research is showing even if it may play a part in getting existing smokers off cigarettes.

We really do need to act on this.

A Super Audio cd round up.

 I haven't done many classic music super audio cd round ups as the numbers of titles issued of interest every quarter is small as only a handful of labels issue recordings and some of those that do like Chandos don't issue every title in that form although they play on both regular and Super audio cd players.

This cd in their Nielsen cycle, Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra are joined by the flautist Adam Walker in a program that combines the Flute Concerto, the Third Symphony, and the tone poem Pan and Syrinx. 

It was an Easter present.

Work began on the Third Symphony in 1910, some seven years after he had completed his second symphony 'The Four Temperaments', and the work was premiered in Copenhagen in 1912. In his album note, Paul Griffiths describes the work's eventual title, 'Sinfonia espansiva' as a fifth temperament - Joviality. In the second movement, uniquely in his symphonic output, Nielsen calls for (wordless) voices - solo soprano and baritone. 

This was also the first of his symphonies to be commercially released on record.

Composed in 1926, the Flute Concerto is a late work, and demonstrates Nielsen's stylistic evolution towards the new modernism. 

The soloist engages in repeated interactions with other instruments within the orchestra, most notably the clarinet and the bass trombone. Pan and Syrinx dates from 1918, and is based on the ancient legend which tells how the amorous god Pan invented the pan flute whilst pursuing the nymph Syrinx

This is a most useful addition to my small amount of Nielsen works on super audio cd.

This interesting compilation of less popular items by Tchaikovsky performed by the BBC Scottish Orchestra conducted by Alpesh Chauhan came out in 2023 which is useful although I have a good number of discs of Tchaikovsky's orchestral compositions. 

Now 12" 80's -1982

This week we're starting with a double entry in the Now 12" 80's which is different from the two previous issues in that they've decided there so many great 12" mixes that were issued in 1982 they needed two volumes!

Volume One was issued on January 17th 2024.

Disc one showcases some of the bands who were at the forefront of this culture shift, including Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Visage – all having fantastic years with their albums ‘Rio’, ‘Diamond’ and ‘The Anvil’ respectively, plus huge tracks from The Human League with ‘Mirror Man’, Japan with ‘Life In Tokyo’, Gary Numan’s ‘Music For Chameleons’ and ‘Pale Shelter’ from Tears For Fears, all in their extended and remixed versions. 

CD2 presents the best of 82 Disco-Pop from Carly Simon with her Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards produced hit ‘Why’, plus Electro from Rockers Revenge feat. Donnie Calvin with ‘Walking On Sunshine’, and George Clinton’s ‘Loopzilla’. Culture Club had a fantastic year in 1982 with the release of their debut album ‘Kissing To Be Clever’ from which ‘I’m Afraid Of Me’ was the second single, and Bananarama enjoyed early success with their hit single ‘Shy Boy’. This disc closes with Pop classics from The Belle Stars with ‘The Clapping Song’, and the number 1 ‘My Camera Never Lies’ from Bucks Fizz. 

Disco, Funk and Soul lead the way on CD3, featuring massive floor-fillers from Shalamar with ‘A Night To Remember’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ from The Boys Town Gang and an extended remix of ‘Do You Wanna Funk’ from Patrick Cowley feat. Sylvester, plus the smash ‘Just An Illusion’ from Imagination in its 12” version. Latin-tinged Pop from Modern Romance, Funk and Soul infuences from Spandau Ballet, Daryl Hall & John Oates with the extended club mix of ‘I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)’, and the Pure Pop of Haircut 100 complete this disc.

The fourth CD rounds off this volume with Alternative/Rock favourites from New Order, the Associates, Siouxsie & the Banshees and the Cure before moving on to synth driven hits from Simple Minds with the German 12" remix of New Gold Dream, A Flock Of Seagulls Wishing I Had a Photograph Of You, a personal favourite before finishing with Trio and Visage.

It wasn't long before the shape of the Second Volume was announced and on April 12th this much anticipated set was released.

Disc 1 begins with the unforgettable classic ‘Young Guns (Go for It!)’ from Wham!, followed by the ‘Night Version’ of ‘Hungry Like The Wolf’ from Duran Duran’s smash album ‘Rio’. Essential 12” versions from Spandau Ballet and Haircut 100 come next, before brilliant and enhancing 12” mixes of ‘Torch’ from Soft Cell, ‘Night Train’ from Visage and Japan’s ‘European Son’, plus unmissable tracks from Talk Talk, Simple Minds and Heaven 17 bring this first disc to a close.

CD2 begins with timeless Pop from Madness with ‘Our House’, and ‘The Telephone Always Rings’ from Fun Boy Three, before British Pop-Reggae from UB40 with ‘So Here I Am’ and Musical Youth with ‘Youth Of Today’. Funk favourites from Junior and Shakatak feature next, plus innovative style fusions from Monsoon and David Christie…and as if to emphasise how stylistically diverse the charts of 1982 were, Disc 2 closes with the number 1 Euro Disco 12” of ‘Seven Tears’ from the Goombay Dance Band.

CD3 kicks off with the 80s Disco of ‘Get Down On It’ from Kool & The Gang, leading to floor-fillers from Shalamar with ‘There It Is’ and ‘Love Come Down’ from Evelyn "Champagne" King. The Associates and Thomas Dolby head up a run of lesser-compiled Synth-Pop hits from Classix Nouveaux, Blue Zoo, The Mood, Blancmange and Visage… with Simple Minds’ second appearance ‘Glittering Prize’ to conclude the disc.

The final CD is all about 1982’s polished pop and leads with the Jazz Mix of ‘Poison Arrow’ from ABC, and fan favourites from Haircut 100 and Culture Club with ‘Nobody's Fool’ and ‘White Boy’. 12” gems from Bananarama with Fun Boy Three, Bow Wow Wow and Altered Images follow next. 1982 would see ‘Maneater’ become a global smash for Daryl Hall & John Oates – here as it’s 12” remix, and see the release of ‘War Child’ as the last new Blondie single for 17 years. China Crisis debut ‘African And White’ is included in a closing run that features second tracks on this collection from Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and Soft Cell who get the final word with the aptly titled ‘Say Hello Wave Goodbye’ in its sumptuous 12” version.

1982 was an amazing year for music, specifically British music and these two volumes do full justice to it in its twelve inch form.

Easter edition

 Okay it is Good Friday although yesterday I was having issues with bigger old windows that corrupted the usual browser to the point it had to be totally reinstalled eating up time and paw movement.

I want that costume!

Continuing briefly from last week, one wishes the Princess of Wales all the best with her chemotherapy and hopes she can can be granted the space she needs to work through everything.

Here I was out earlier in the week enjoying myself, seeing a few people before Easter in different areas some are off on school holidays and others will be doing so next week like here.

Easter can affect post so I tried to get things ordered so all being well they should not be delayed much and indeed some ankle socks and a record came in very good time.

There's an Egg for consumption here, white cos I prefer white chocolate as it doesn't trouble my head as much compared to diary or especially dark which tends to last days on end.

Anyway enjoy Easter folks!

That Photo and what's at the core of the discussion

Heading towards yet another wet weekend here.

One thing probably worth remarking upon this week is the whole issue of trust, media speculation and after image processing that the Wales's appear to have got themselves into with the release last week of a picture of them and their children for Mothering Sunday (the British Mother's Day) to the World's media after her period of being in hospital.

It didn't last twenty-four hours before being picked apart for showing some less than subtle editing which seems to be norm with many today but this ignores one important requirement which is Newspapers require an image to be an accurate indication of the event taken even if they may crop a picture themselves having received so it was retracted.

A picture has to be of the event not a composite even of many images taken at the time or in effect a photo montage upon a theme.

But then it appears they *may* be issues with a picture issued in 2022 of the late Queen and her family.

An explanation proffered was as an amateur photographer, the Princess of Wales enjoys dabbling in photo editing which is probably true - and has reflected in the controversies from time to time about rules in digital photographic competitions generally - but you need to give the press the picture "as is".

As it stands the attempt at the "perfect" picture seems to have fuelled speculation on the extent of the Princess's condition, if we're having anything held back, even bizarrely if the royal are using a body double, all of which is a long way from her intent in having and issuing that picture. 

Sometimes you just have to present the picture as taken, warts and all.

Phil Collins recut

This week we're looking at a couple of things that came for my birthday which are a bit special.

As part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Atlantic Records, some 75 albums are being re-issued in special audiophile versions by Kansas based Analogue Productions in association with Atlantic records.

They are in every sense premium editions from the high quality jacket printing and finish, the use of acclaimed mastering engineers to cut the grooves and that they are 45 rpm allowing more room for all the notes to be fully accommodated with less of the compromises required especially with long albums.

I have always liked Phil Collin's solo albums but they were bought straight to compact disc so I decided to pick up two titles of his in the series starting with Face Value, his first album from early 1981 issued after Genesis's Duke which saw the use of horns and use of intricate drum sounds on songs like In The Air Tonight and I Missed Again.

It also has an interesting version of Tomorrow Never Knows, originally written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for their Revolver album of 1966. 

In late 1982 having issued Abacab and Three Sides Live for Genesis Phil returned to his solo material and issued this, Hello, I Go Again, the follow up.

This had a massive smash cover version of the supremes song You Can't Hurry Love that keeps much of its soulful qualities and is beautifully recorded and Don't Let Him Steal Your Heart Away, a hit on early 1983.

The sound quality of both these albums is absolutely stunning with lots of detail, atmosphere and dynamics coupled with excellent tuneful bass.

It is unfortunate that each is restricted to just 2,000 copies each with no ability in the license to repress because already the first one is very hard to find despite being issued in October last year.

 

Birthday edition

Normally I do a kind of special day post on here but as it's similar to that of the other blog it's just an altered version really as any individual items will have their own one of posts  and I certainly wasn't gonna be talking about the budget today. 

There were 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 is a copy of the special 45 rpm 75 years anniversary issue of the first Crosby, Stills and Nash album that alongside Abbey Road and Let It Bleed heralded the new and in many ways more modern sound of rock than the more sophisticated pop of just a few years back.

I'm rebuilding a bit of the collection so a few new to me original lps came too ready to clean up and resleeve.

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.