Printable version of thread

Posted by: awardinary 16th July 2017, 11:33 PM

Images

http://imageshack.com/f/po226Gnij http://imageshack.com/f/poLlEmkQj

http://imageshack.com/f/pmM36CFEj http://imageshack.com/f/poEoTn89j

http://imageshack.com/f/pmv0YZjGj

Advert

Details

Released: 19th November 2001
Origin: United Kingdom
Label: Virgin / EMI / Universal
Format: Double CD, Double Cassette
Duration: 2:35:41 (155 minutes 41 seconds)
Tracks: 44
#1’s: 8
Chart Peak: #1 (7 weeks)
Sales: 1,370,000 (4x Platinum)

Tracklisting

1. Kylie Minogue – Can't Get You Out Of My Head 3:45 {1}
2. Westlife – Uptown Girl 3:06 {1}
3. DJ Otzi – Hey Baby! 3:30 {1}
4. Bob The Builder – Mambo No.5 3:12 {1}
5. Steps – Chain Reaction 3:57 {2}
6. Five – Let's Dance 3:37 {1}
7. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Take Me Home 3:13 {2}
8. Wyclef Jean – Perfect Gentleman 3:18 {4}
9. City High – What Would You Do? 2:54 {3}
10. Blue – If You Come Back 3:23 {1}
11. Nelly Furtado – Turn Off The Light 4:36 {4}
12. OPM – Heaven Is A Halfpipe 4:01 {4}
13. The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You 3:28 {5}
14. Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal 3:11 {3}
15. Sum 41 – Fat Lip 2:59 {8}
16. Wheatus – A Little Respect 3:20 {3}
17. Travis – Sing 3:49 {3}
18. Jennifer Lopez – Ain't It Funny 4:04 {3}
19. Emma Bunton – Take My Breath Away 3:38 {5}
20. Gabrielle – Don't Need The Sun To Shine (To Make Me Smile) 3:24 {9}
21. Lighthouse Family – (I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be) Free/One 3:48 {6}
22. Kate Winslet – What If 4:02 {6}
23. iio – Rapture 3:11 {2}
24. Supermen Lovers – Starlight 3:46 {2}
25. Jamiroquai – Little L 3:57 {5}
26. Destiny's Child – Bootylicious 3:28 {2}
27. D12 – Purple Hills 4:20 {2}
28. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind 3:43 {4}
29. Britney Spears – I'm A Slave 4 U 3:20 {4}
30. Mis-Teeq – One Night Stand 3:25 {5}
31. Mary J. Blige – Family Affair 3:25 {8}
32. Samantha Mumba – Baby Come On Over 3:03 {5}
33. Liberty – Thinking It Over 4:04 {5}
34. Victoria Beckham – Not Such An Innocent Girl 3:19 {6}
35. Louise – Stuck In The Middle With You 3:45 {4}
36. Geri Halliwell – Scream If You Wanna Go Faster 3:24 {8}
37. Allstars – Things That Go Bump In The Night 3:23 {12}
38. N-Trance – Set You Free 4:08 {4}
39. The Ones – Flawless 3:09 {7}
40. Daft Punk – Digital Love 3:58 {14}
41. Groove Armada – Superstylin' 3:44 {12}
42. Jean-Jacques Smoothie – 2 People 2:52 {12}
43. So Solid Crew – 21 Seconds 2:44 {1}
44. Afroman – Because I Got High 3:18 {1}

Key
Tracks highlighted red were official UK #1’s.
Tracks with an asterisk (*) next to their title have also been included in special releases from the series.
The track duration has been highlighted cyan.
Bracketed numbers refer to highest chart position reached.

Miscellaneous Facts

Track Most Weeks At #1: Kylie Minogue – Can't Get You Out Of My Head (4 weeks)
Lowest Charting Track: Daft Punk – Digital Love {14}
Longest Song: Nelly Furtado – Turn Off The Light 4:36
Shortest Song: So Solid Crew – 21 Seconds 2:44
Edited Tracks: Unknown
Unedited Tracks: Unknown
Inlay Mistakes: None
Other Facts: None

On This Day In History

Mick Jagger, of The Rolling Stones, released his new solo album Goddess In The Doorway. First day sales stood at just 954 copies.
Scott Weiland, of The Stone Temple Pilots, was arrested after allegedly fighting with his wife at the Hard Rock hotel in Las Vegas. He was booked on one count of domestic battery and was released 12 hours later. The band had performed at the club that night.

Other Resources

http://www.nowmusic.com
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_That%27s_What_I_Call_Music!_50_(UK_series)
http://www.everyhit.com/number6.html
http://www.brandtanim.co.uk/archive/nowhistory.htm
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=166921

Posted by: awardinary 16th July 2017, 11:34 PM

Andrew's Review

Now That's What I Call Music! 50 or Now 50 was the 50th volume from the series, released in the Autumn of 2001. It featured 44 tracks and 8 UK #1 singles and became one of the highest selling volumes made. It marked the first occasion in the series we heard music from some high profile names including Westlife, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, City High, Alien Ant Farm, Sum 41, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Liberty (later renamed Liberty X), Allstars, Daft Punk and Afroman.

A further two #1 singles could have completed the collection which were both from UK boy bands. Too Close from Blue was missing, and so was Queen Of My Heart by Westlife. Both groups did however feature on the volume with other respective #1 singles from that year. Other omissions to mention include Michael Jackson's funky #2 offering You Rock My World, debut single from Alicia Keys – Fallin' and also acoustic single Follow Me by Uncle Kracker. Another one to mention was all-star charity single What's Going On, a cover of a 70's song from Marvin Gaye.

The artists whose only series appearance was on this volume were DJ Otzi, Five, Wyclef Jean, OPM, The Dandy Warhols, Travis, Kate Winslet, iio, Supermen Lovers, D12, The Ones, Jean-Jacques Smoothie and So Solid Crew.

Artwork Rating: 2/10 Awful
This is a very justified rating in my opinion. First and foremost, it is the 50th volume, and that alone should make it an iconic edition. The artwork should have been a celebration of the best of what we have seen from the series up to that point. Instead, we got a replica of the design concept for Now 48 which was just two volumes previous, and the same year at that. Despite the colour scheme being contrastingly different, there's simply no thought or imagination put into this concept, and for a50th volume, I would have expected a better cover. That's certainly what is seen for other 50th Now volumes elsewhere in the world.

Disc 1 Favourite: Kylie Minogue – Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Just iconic. One of the defining pop songs of this century. Kylie really stamped her authority on the music business with this anthem, and complete with a stellar music video. It certainly has to go down as my favourite single from Kylie Minogue ever.

Disc 2 Favourite: Supermen Lovers – Starlight
I recall hearing this for the first time whilst seeing the music video on The Box channel. It was instantly an enjoyable listen and I was hooked. I wish Supermen Lovers had created more songs like this which would have been smash hits.

Disc 3 Tracklist:
(A concept of what a third disc might look like if other hits from the era were used)

1. Blue – Too Close 3:46 {1}
2. Michael Jackson – You Rock My World 4:26 {2}
3. Janet Jackson – Someone To Call My Lover 4:32 {11}
4. Jennifer Lopez – I'm Real 3:10 {4}
5. Artful Dodger feat. Melanie Blatt – Twentyfourseven 3:09 {6}
6. De Nada – Love You Anyway 3:09 {15}
7. Wideboys feat. Dennis G – Sambuca 2:28 {15}
8. Shade Sheist feat. Nate Dogg & Kurupt – Where I Wanna Be 3:20 {14}
9. Shaggy – Luv Me, Luv Me 3:35 {5}
10. Blu Cantrell – Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!) 4:04 {12}
11. Uncle Kracker – Follow Me 3:38 {3}
12. Linkin Park – In The End 3:36 {8}
13. Tall Paul vs. INXS – Precious Heart 2:56 {14}
14. Kosheen – Hide U 3:19 {6}
15. Raven Maize – The Real Life 3:25 {12}
16. Little Trees – Help! I'm A Fish (I'm A Little Yellow Fish) 3:09 {11}
17. Train – Drops Of Jupiter 4:19 {10}
18. O-Town – All Or Nothing 4:10 {4}
19. Usher – U Got It Bad 4:07 {5}
20. Alicia Keys – Fallin' 3:30 {3}
21. Artists Against AIDS Worldwide – What's Going On 4:20 {6}
22. The Streets – Has It Come To This? 3:10 {18}
----------
Total time: 1:19:18

Overall Rating: 5/10 Poor
For a volume with 44 tracks and 8 UK #1's this should have scored much higher, but for me there are a number of frustrating details that let's this volume down. The shoddy artwork is the first thing to let it down. Quite a few tracks are heavily edited, including what I personally consider to be the worse edited track of the entire series in Take Me Home which actually ruins the track. Baby Come On Over is also not the correct version released as a single, and also the resurgence of 90's anthem Set You Free by N-Trance which in fact a remix by Rob Searle but the original 90's edit was included instead. Finally, a few notable omissions should have been made room for. Not the best representation of music people were listening to at the time, bearing in mind the recent tragic events in New York of 9/11 that year.

Andrew's Best 5 (as of July 2017)
1. Kylie Minogue – Can't Get You Out Of My Head
2. Steps – Chain Reaction
3. Supermen Lovers – Starlight
4. iio – Rapture
5. Daft Punk – Digital Love

Andrew's Worst 5 (as of July 2017)
1. Jean-Jacques Smoothie – 2 People
2. Gabrielle – Don't Need The Sun To Shine (To Make Me Smile)
3. Liberty – Thinking It Over
4. OPM – Heaven Is A Halfpipe
5. Lighthouse Family – (I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be) Free/One

Posted by: ThePensmith 17th July 2017, 09:36 AM

Thinking about it the other day, knowing this volume was coming up...I have to say this is probably one of my least favourite Winter Now volumes. TBH this marked the start of a pretty shoddy run of Nows that would carry on all through 2002, where any tracks that were on Sony and Warner were verboten (I'll touch on this more in the coming weeks), leaving the resultant Nows looking decidedly pathetic next to the 'Hits' brand of compilations which enjoyed a renaissance in fortunes that year.

In fact this was the first Christmas where I didn't get a Now. I instead got Smash Hits 2001 - which had the majority of the best tracks from this Now, plus some then newer hits like S Club 7 - 'Have You Ever'. If I'd been in the compilers' shoes I'd have insisted on waiting one more week to ensure that was on there, because by the time they got it on Now 51, the next S Club 7 single 'You' was already out and it would've made more sense to have that on there I think.

Anyway, an OK volume but not one I'd return to frequently. My top 5 from each:

CD1
1. Kylie Minogue (solid gold pop classic from Ms Minogue. Even now it's lost none of its charm)
2. Five (why it took them A) until this volume and B) until after they split to get Five on a Now is beyond me. But a well deserved number one for them regardless)
3. Sophie Ellis-Bextor (I only recently found out this was a Cher cover. Really makes it her own though)
4. Travis (again, why it took so long to get Travis on a Now is beyond me. One of the first 'proper' bands I got into along with Coldplay. I loved the video for this with the food fight!)
5. Gabrielle (just a really feel good, uplifting soul pop number this)

CD2
1. iiO (I'm biased in my love of this one because back when I used to play keyboards at school I had this in my repertoire of dance music covers - I came second in a talent show doing this)
2. Supermen Lovers (simply stunning French house this. With the best will in the world I can't justify Bob the Builder getting #1 over this. Westlife, yes. Supermen Lovers, nooo)
3. Jamiroquai (long been one of my favourite bands have Jamiroquai. The 'A Funk Odyssey' album had a flawless run of singles)
4. Eve and Gwen Stefani (aka the point where people saw Gwen as a potential solo star. Really great single this, loved the video as well)
5. Destiny's Child (this was robbed of number one in my opinion. One of their better singles, great Stevie Nicks sample too)

About the best of that time for disc 3 I'd say awardinary. 2001 was quite top heavy when you think about it, many of the better singles of that year came in the first half rather than the second. Some others that would've been good shouts for disc 3:

- Five - Closer to Me
- Travis - Side
- Starsailor - Alcoholic
- Elton John - I Want Love
- Natalie Imbruglia - That Day
- The Corrs - Would You Be Happier
- Cher - The Music's No Good Without You

Posted by: No Sleeep 17th July 2017, 05:26 PM

Disc 1 faves:
1. Nelly Furtado - Turn Off the Light
2. City High - What Would You Do? (So close to being #1!)
3. Kate Winslet - What If
4. Jennifer Lopez - Ain't It Funny
5. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head

Disc 2 faves:
1. Britney Spears - I'm A Slave 4 U
2. Destiny's Child - Bootylicious
3. Mary J. Life - Family Affair
4. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Blow Ya Mind
5. Mis-Teeq - One Night Stand

Posted by: Faller 18th July 2017, 02:48 AM

Artwork: 6/10, I like the green/purple color combo (Barney teas though) but it doesn't look too great in that pic, I'd have to see it in person.

Disc one faves:
1. Jennifer Lopez – Ain't It Funny
2. City High – What Would You Do?
3. Nelly Furtado – Turn Off The Light
4. Kylie Minogue – Can't Get You Out Of My Head
5. Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal

Disc two faves:
1. Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind
2. Mary J. Blige – Family Affair
3. Destiny's Child – Bootylicious
4. Liberty – Thinking It Over
5. Samantha Mumba – Baby Come On Over

Overall rating: 8/10 Extremely good!

Posted by: Jester 18th July 2017, 11:24 AM

Such a step down from now 49. Went with Kylie and Daft Punk.

Posted by: gooddelta 18th July 2017, 01:23 PM

Not a vintage edition at all, but it does have my favourite song ever on (Set You Free) so there's that. I'm mystified as to why the original version was included then when, as has been stated, it was the Rob Searle trance remake that took the track back to the top five. That mix appeared on the equivalent Now Dance out at the time too so it's not as if the compilers didn't have access to it.

I voted for A Little Respect by Wheatus on Disc 1 - adore this cover and still listen to it a lot now - with Take Me Home by Sophie Ellis-Bextor close behind. Set You Free was my Disc 2 pick, naturally.

This was an interesting edition with the appearances of Westlife, J.Lo, Five, Travis and Daft Punk. Presumably the compilers got one-off licensing permission for the landmark 50th edition because certainly all of those aside from Daft Punk were 'Hits' artists, owing to record label politics. I think Blue were probably worthy of a double feature on here too as Too Close was on the aforementioned Now Dance album too, so they had the rights to it.

Posted by: danG 18th July 2017, 01:58 PM

Disc 1: Kylie - Can't Get You Out of My Head
Disc 2: Groove Armada - Superstylin' (just edging out a few good other dance hits)

(and here's the https://open.spotify.com/user/11887295/playlist/6BozSBha5AkUifDKNk3uIf)

Posted by: deepinside 19th July 2017, 03:39 AM

I would like to hear the UK record label politics during 90s to 2000s before 2004/2005 Sony and BMG merge.

Posted by: UltraRedLight 19th July 2017, 06:34 AM

What If / Slave are my favourites <3

Posted by: HarryEzra 19th July 2017, 12:49 PM

So many favourites on this album

Posted by: Jade 19th July 2017, 10:21 PM

Great edition. So many cheesy school disco classics on disc 1 *.* The first half peaks immediately with 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' as my favourite, what a Kylie classic. The only song she has that pips it for me is sultry, synthy 'Slow'. <3 Then my disc 2 favourite is 'Set You Free' by N-Trance. What an insanely euphoric chorus.

Posted by: Hissmeister 19th July 2017, 11:13 PM

I like the colours of the artwork. 7/10

My favourite in disc 1 is Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal, which I didn't like much at the time as I wasn't into metal but now I really like the Alien Ant Farm version.

My favourite in disc 2 is Set You Free, the Set You Free version is the Rob Searle remix that charted in late 2001 btw



Which I don't remember from the time sadly but I wouldn't have liked it much as it was hard dance, love it now though! Way better than the original I think, adds much more energy to it and makes the euphoric chorus Jade was talking about stand out more!

EDIT: Just saw gooddelta's earlier post it is the original on the Now album, ah well I voted for it anyway.

Posted by: Liаm 19th July 2017, 11:23 PM

What If is my Disc 1 fave but I'd put it below Family Affair, One Night Stand and Bootylicious for sure from Disc 2 and maybe a few others. My fave if I had to pick one is probably Bootylicious

Posted by: awardinary 21st July 2017, 12:56 PM

In light of recent tragic death of Linkin Park's lead singer Chester Bennington, I wish that In The End was featured on this volume, it was at this time period and very deserving.

Posted by: danG 21st July 2017, 01:00 PM

perhaps 'In The End' can be used as an interlude for the listen through of Now! 51.

Posted by: ThePensmith 21st July 2017, 07:40 PM

Good idea, I agree with this. Terribly sad news

Posted by: dandy* 30th July 2017, 12:38 AM

Family Affair! One of my all time favourite R&B tracks.

Dandys have to get my vote for disc one!

Posted by: Roba. 4th July 2023, 07:35 PM

As alluded to in the purchase thread I bought this one again as my original copy seems to have had a disappearing act.

Awful artwork oops.

Voted Kylie and N-Trance for their respective discs.

Extremely good for the track listing. Some real tunes on both!

Posted by: Yobnedor 4th July 2023, 09:39 PM

Such a good album! One of my favourites I would say!

Posted by: Mike Sugafan 6th July 2023, 11:20 PM

9/10. Amazing choice of colours
Disc 1 favourite: Emma Bunton - Take My Breath Away
Disc 2 favourite: iio - Rapture
7/10.
Disc 2 >> Disc 1