ThePensmith

It's a really tough one, especially when it still doesn't feel real. The only thing that is springing to my head immediately is Boyzone. Not on a musical level you understand, but more so because they are now the only other pop group apart from GA in recent memory - certainly in my lifetime - who have lost a member so tragically and publicly. Stephen Gately died when he was only 33 and they were just at the beginning of a comeback themselves when that happened. And any time they have performed together since there has always been the inescapable feeling that he is missing, especially as, like Sarah, he was the favourite member for a lot of fans. It is ultimately going to come down to what the remaining four girls think is right or if they even want to do anything together again. What or if that is to happen is too soon to say.

Kh2e9486NqM Lovely first performance on The One Show last night up on the roof of Broadcasting House in London 😊 gNhPZMXVhvU Interesting fact from their interview last night given Ed Sheeran has written this new single: he originally wrote "Lego House" for them - presumably for "Jukebox" which was their album at the time - but for some reason they never got to hear it. I can imagine them singing it actually!

I don't think Ed has a multiweek number one in the bag this time. Looking at the deserved continued positive reaction ABBA have been getting online since their announcement yesterday I think it's safe to say this will be a very big release.

HMV have got what looks to be a silver vinyl up for pre-order: https://store.hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/2-0 I've ordered the yellow one from their store cause when they used to do slipcases for the albums back in the day I always got JB's ones - so maintaining that continuity on vinyl ☺️

Loving the single - It is exactly what you would hope new stuff from them would sound like from them whilst still bringing it up to date. Very glad they worked with Steve Mac again. The album was also confirmed at midnight last night - that's called JLS 2.0 and is out on December 3rd. An array of formats including coloured vinyl and cassettes in each of their colours is up for pre-order on their website now: I believe they're meant to be on The One Show on BBC One this evening?

Oh 😍😍😍😍 I just listened to both now. Just pure class. Those harmonies, that brightness and warmth to the ears... I've got goosebumps listening to this. If you don't love ABBA then you have no soul. That's it. That's the statement.

I listened to the first episode out of curiosity over the weekend - Jay's right, her overall talking time is about 5 minutes to 55 minutes or thereabouts of actual music. I believe it's meant to - unless the BBC do an about turn between then in light of this backlash - be on BBC Sounds first and then start airing weekly on Radio 2 from October time. I must admit even as a Girls Aloud and Cheryl fan, I did raise an eyebrow, not because Cheryl's love of R&B could ever be called into question (anyone who's been a fan from the start knows how much she loves it), but because I had a funny feeling this was the kind of response it was likely to generate on social media. And especially having watched Leigh Anne Pinnock's documentary recently about her experiences with racism in the industry - and others, Alexandra Burke, Keisha Buchanan - I understand what is being said, and it is absolutely true about lack of representation and mistreatment from within the industry and how it needs to change. Equally, I do think some context needs to be drawn here. It's almost as if people have made their minds up and have decided to be angry about it before listening to it and giving it a chance and hearing what it actually is. It's not claiming to be the Bible on R&B. It's just someone expressing their love of the music, something which, surely, crosses all boundaries regardless of backgrounds? People also seem to be forgetting that the BBC does have a long tradition of DJs on their main stations who are curators of R&B and soul music - Trevor Nelson most notably, who stills hosts his Rhythm Nation show on Radio 2, and I remember listening to his R&B show on Sunday nights on Radio 1 when I was growing up in the late 90s/early 00s. DJ Target and Diplo also host equivalent shows for Radio 1 today. Surely it stands to reason that if you are looking for a radio show about R&B and soul music with authority to listen to that you would seek those shows out?

The Sun Bizarre column has confirmed this evening that the first performance of this will be at next Thursday's National Television Awards on ITV! Big slot - I'm right in saying Westlife did their first performance when they came back with Hello My Love on the NTAs didn't they?

Didn't think it'd be long before we were getting it ☺️ This, ABBA and Little Mix new singles all on Friday - lots to look forward to!

They were doing rehearsals at BASE on Thursday (Aston's dance studio he set up) and filming a performance at The O2 today on their Instagram Stories. All signs seems to be pointing to us hearing something in the next week or two!

Out next Friday:

Let's be real here; beyond the Little Mix series, did anyone really care anymore? I know I didn't. I only found myself watching two subsequent series (2012 and 2015) because Olly Murs was co-hosting either Xtra or the main show. There really is no place for it now. The Masked Singer has more than adequately filled its place for ITV and it's a lot more gentler viewing whilst still being entertaining during the winter months.

Ed Sheeran mentioned on Capital this week that he has co-written a song for their new album along with Steve Mac: They were all in the studio together last week as well finishing off some new bits so probably won't be too long before we're hearing it based on this?

Props to Bucks Fizz owning Easter in the early 80s :lol:

I got my copy of the book delivered Thursday, just finished it before bed last night. So lovely/funny reading about the early Popstars days, and stories like when they played a prank on their manager in Shanghai. Even fired up my old iTunes account and downloaded 'Hear Me Out'. At the same time, as a massive GA fan during my teens, and how much joy they gave me - and so many others judging on all the love that's been sent Sarah's and their way these last few days - it is all so painfully bittersweet. I will always be so grateful for the 10 years and all the bloody brilliant music and tours and pop moments we got out of them. They were truly something special. But I said this when they split, it ended in such a shit way with all the division and stuff. It was shit for the fans and shit that they couldn't put aside issues that in the cold light of 2021 really were not a big deal. Looking back, and especially having read the book, the main thing is probably communication and understanding between them all. I always hoped against hope that they'd reconnect and forgive one day. That's now happened, but the fact that it's happened under the circumstances that have been dealt to Sarah and the fact that her illness is more serious than anyone realised which I am finding hardest to swallow. It's so heart breaking.

The girls have now started a new podcast series called "Starting Over With B*Witched". It's a really interesting first episode, look forward to hearing the other episodes.

I agree BMG have had really good success bringing more 'heritage' acts as it were to present day achievements. Excited to hear what a new single could sound like too!

Tour confirmed for reschedule to October and November this morning. They have also confirmed today that they have signed a new record deal with BMG: It's so weird, I was thinking that'd be the ideal label for them just the other day! Especially with the success they've had with Steps, Kylie and McFly in recent months. Bring on the bops kings!

Aston gave an update on the tour when he guested on the 'Greatest Music of All Time' podcast: ZJMpzCj6OKI Basically they're none the wiser re: if it'll happen at the time it's meant to given their rescheduled dates start before June 21st and it's all just proposed dates of easing lockdown atm. I imagine (and hope) they'll reschedule it for next year because it'd be nigh on impossible to put on the tours they do in such a short space of time, nor am I confident it'll be safe enough for gigs of that size to go ahead so soon in the piece but I guess we'll know when we know!

None of B*Witched's number ones made it to a Now (or indeed, any of their singles outside of that) but they were on the BRITS Abba tribute 'Thank Abba for the Music' that was on Now 42.

Not unexpected news, but very sad all the same. I suppose one thing we should take comfort from is that this seems to have happened amicably, which is rare for any pop group when a member leaves. The other thing that's to be applauded here is that Jesy was obviously not happy or at peace with herself staying, and after seeing what's happened this year with poor Caroline Flack, I think we can all unanimously agree that finding peace with ourselves and our mental well-being has never been more important. I just hope more than anything she finds the peace and happiness that she deserves, whatever form that may take. I do think Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne will soldier on just for this last tour (providing it still goes ahead) then call it a day. They did well getting to 9 years with a full lineup.

Looked at objectively, from the minute it became clear Mariah was more or less locked on for number one tomorrow, this sort of thinkpiece was always going to rear its head (and probably the wider media at large this next week coming). It's slightly amusing though because 20 years ago, people used to moan about how the December charts was just full of slushy ballads and/or novelty party hits that were guaranteed sales for that month but which took the proverbial nose dive in January. Now they're wall to wall Christmas oldies until Boxing Day (give or take what date the Christmas chart falls on in a given year). I do believe they'll probably establish a 'Catalogue Singles Chart' off the back of this now, yes.

Ah yes, B side to 'Never Had A Dream Come True', only performed on TV a couple of times! A true lost gem. I came so close to buying a rare promo single of it at a record fair a few years back but I couldn't justify paying £10 for it. Beautiful red and gold cover it had too as I recall!

09.5 5 Colours In Her Hair 11.0 Obviously 09.0 That Girl 09.5 Room On the 3rd Floor 10.0 All About You 07.5 You've Got A Friend 09.0 I'll Be OK 08.5 I Wanna Hold You 02.5 The Ballad Of Paul K 08.0 Ultraviolet 08.0 Don't Stop Me Now 06.5 Please Please 10.0 Star Girl 08.5 Sorry's Not Good Enough 09.0 Friday Night 04.5 Baby's Coming Back 10.0 Transylvania 08.5 The Heart Never Lies 09.0 One For the Radio 08.0 Lies 07.5 Do Ya 01.5 Stay With Me -1 Party Girl 10.0 Shine A Light (feat. Taio Cruz) 08.0 That's the Truth 09.5 Love Is Easy 09.0 Love Is On the Radio 08.5 Air Guitar (McBusted) 07.0 Get Over It (McBusted) 10.0 Happiness 09.5 Tonight Is the Night

Andrea has just casually dropped a four song Christmas EP on streaming and download this morning: 'Begin Again' is a brand new song - that also happens to sample that most celebrated of carol bops 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'. Wouldn't have sounded out of place on the last Corrs album musically speaking. Her version of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' is a bit gorgeous/haunting. *adds to Christmas Spotify playlist* EDIT: According to her Insta post just now royalties from the streams and downloads will be donated to the Our Lady's Hospices and Care Services in Dublin.