dylandog

I was surprised by Adele's vocals on her first live performance on a French show. She wasn't great if truth be told and as you've pointed out the sound she makes at the higher register isn't that pleasant. However, her lower register is lovely and she really emotes. Adele may be one of the few who bucks the trend. She waited four years to release and the momentum from 21 stayed with her. TT haven't stayed in tune with the music public. Their music of the BW era would have sold really well into today's music market. If you think of Adele, Sam and Ed they are all middle of the road with an emphasis on vocals. Even ID have produced some ballads not unlike some of TT's output in the past year.

I must be one of the lucky ones as my DVD is fine but I know there have been problems across the board. Shame there wasn't a behind the scenes section like the one they had for BW. It would have been nice to get some insight into the making of the tour and the reasons why they chose some songs over others. I haven't read any updates for sales figures but I understand that Adele's sales are massive, so I'm taking a guess that she'll out sell Progress but I don't know how close she'll come to overtaking Oasis. I must be one of the few not overly impressed with Hello and her follow up. My initial positive impressions haven't stayed with me. I don't think the second single is actually anything special and I don't think her voice is that great on the higher registers, but obviously she's played a blinder in terms of marketing. US sales are huge by all accounts.

To be honest I preferred it when the charts were from Sunday to Sunday with mid week updates on a Wednesday. I've no idea if Sunday is now the mid week update. I went shopping today to a well known supermarket. Adele had a separate stand with her album on show which was really in your face - very good promotion. In the music section TT were no 6 in the supermarket's chart but there were no DVD's to purchase as they hadn't restocked it. For anyone thinking of casually buying some music TT wouldn't have been on their radar. I haven't seen any TV adverts either, but I may have missed them. I've watched the DVD - good but not as good as The Circus or BW. Unfortunately, I don't think the songs from lll, with the exception of These Days, hold up well on the DVD in comparison to their older songs.

Elisabeth, you're right in terms of music moving and I think that's how TT now view their career with an emphasis on live tours but I also think it's important for them to continue to sell well. I am addicted to WYBTFM as well Milly. It's on repeat I simply adore it. It takes me back to the era of BW and I so love that album. Can you imagine how wonderful it would sound live with just dimmed lights and a simple acoustic sound.It's very radio friendly in my view. Reading twitter comments there seems to be a similar love for it.

I get what you're saying Milly. I think the problem is they chose the wrong single for the re-lease. It should never have been Hey Boy - sorry for going on about it so much. I can't understand why they thought that single would be the best one to re launch the album, it simply makes no sense to me. I can't actually listen to HB I have that much of an aversion to it that I'm not sure I'll be able to watch their SCD performance :( WYBTFM actually touches me emotional in some parts, it's lyrically wonderful and Gary sounds superb. If anyone hasn't heard the song try and look up the lyrics they really are fab and the acoustic elements are so lovely. Carry Me Home is also good as is Bird in the Hand but they aren't single worthy in my view.

If they miss the Top 20 then there's no denying it's a poor outcome. However, a lot of TT fans by the physical version from shops. I bought mine that way and never use Amazon or ITunes - so I hold out some hope that sales are better than we think. Sales figures don't really make sense. On the basis that the tour was seen by around 500,000 people, granted some of whom would have gone multiple times , I would have thought that at least 100,000 would be interested in buying the DVD. However, that doesn't seem to be the case? Rather puzzling. Adele had terrific hype even before her album release and she's played a blinder in terms of promotion and marketing. I get the impression that Universal now have bigger fish to fry than TT and this is reflected in the marketing. TT needed to come back with much stronger promo in view of the departure of Jay and the tax issue, and they didn't. They could have set up a one off TV show to promote the re - lease and they didn't. It looks like Hey Boy is the song of choice on SCD tonight - major fail. To some extent the band must take responsibility for this. Their musical output hasn't been up to their standard and this view is from a massive fan Again, they must take responsibility for their musical output - no one else. I think WYBTFM is a wonderful song , I really do, but I don't envisage a Radio 2 gig or any other promo. They are going on a hiatus from December because Howard's baby is due at the beginning of Jan so I don't think we'll see much of them until the Hyde Park show. It's unlikely that we will hear this wonderful song live - it should be a single release but unless they're willing to promote extensively sales would be poor. And to be honest if they aren't willing to market it properly then I don't want to see such a fab song fail.

WYBTFM is so, so lovely. Gary's voice sounds heavenly in some sections of it. I absolutely love it and it somewhat restores my faith in them, and confirms that they still have the ability to produce high quality work. The melody and lyrics are especially strong on WYBTFM. What a shame the new releases probably won't receive a wider audience. A complete waste of two very good songs. They should have been on the main album with a ballad the follow up to These Days, or even the first release with These Days the second release. Mark's song reminds me a little of Flower Bed, although I prefer Jay's vocals to Mark's .

Milly, I agree. I love the song. I am so disappointed that they released Hey Boy and I think this has to be the direction they take from now on. I've read a lot of comments along the lines of .... 'why are TT singing this type of music' (Hey Boy).... 'what happened to TT' 'their new music is sh..' ' preferred their old style of music.' Comments for the new three songs have been far more favourable. Not sure about Mark's song - what is it with him and distorting his voice? It drives me mad!

Just home from work - logged on to find snippets from the three new songs. I have to concur with everyone - Carry Me Home and WYBT sound lovely. Difficult to assess properly from the short sections on line but based on what I've heard, the decision to choose Hey Boy is most certainly a perplexing one.

Well if that's true.... a big, big mistake. Why would they think a single that's flopped is worth performing weeks after its release? A completely puzzling decision in my view, which won't help sell the re vamped album. I sometimes despair at the choices they make!!!!!

Thanks, Milly. I will buy the new album primarily for the DVD, although I am interest to hear the other three tracks. Hopefully, SCD will give them some kind of momentum - and I hope they either do a melody with old and new songs (minus Hey Boy) or choose a different song off lll. I don't think they should have gone for a re-release and should just have released the DVD in early December in time for the xmas market. I also question if there's much of an appetite for a re-release of the album, but I hope I'm wrong and it sells really well.

I haven't really kept up with this release. Are they releasing this Monday and does anyone know what other artists are releasing at the same time? I will be buying it for the DVD rather than the four additional songs. I hadn't realised that sales were so low, but it terms of Sam and Ed they have both sold vast amounts, so the capacity for further sales is limited. I would hazard a guess that Adele will buck the trend and sell in huge numbers. I still think there is a buying public out there if the music is right - as both Sam and Ed have proved over the past year. Unfortunately for TT their recent sound has captured the public's imagination.

Positive feedback from the opening night of The Girls. I've read a couple of negative reports re the score but it seems to have been a success overall. Will be interesting to see if it transfers to the WE. I understand that FN has seen a drop in revenue and a lot of the cast have, or are leaving shortly. I'm hoping that it rides out the down turn in sales and moves into a second year. Yes, critics have hated it but it still seems to be loved by most of the public who have seen it. By the way Gary was at the opening night of TG in Leeds, but it now in Manchester performing. Does hr ever sleep??????

My memory must be letting me down. I was sure the BW release , Circus Live and Progressed album all reached No 1 but only for one week?

I knew you'd cave it ... too temping to resist. I bet you have a fantastic time. I'd forgotten have many wonderful hits ELO had. A fantastic songwriter and the sign of a great one is when the songs stand the test of time, which Jeff's certainly have. As for TT - performing in Zurich tonight but rather strange not to see them perform on CIN. I've read some unpleasant comments on line so maybe it was best they kept a low profile - dread to think what would have been written otherwise. The album is getting very little attention - Adele and ID appear to have cornered the market in press coverage. I guess TT may get Top 5 which will be a poor show for them overall. A SCD appearance next week and I hope they showcase one of the other songs and not HB. I would actually like to hear something like Freeze , Into the Wild or Higher Than Higher but I very much doubt any of those three will be chosen.

Hope you're watching on the red button, Kath. Sounding good and I love the fact he hasn't lost his accent in spite of his many years in LA. If he is in his 70's Jeff is ageing very, very well indeed, in fact he's hardly changed. Strange to see Mike, Milton and the rest of the gang backing him. Some great tunes, but by god I suddenly feel very old. Where has the time gone ? :)

Thanks, Kath. I will obviously have to get there early if I go for GA. Only thing is I don't think there's any seating at Hyde Park. I've always gone GA seat at the stadium gigs and you're right the seating and views are great. As for ELO , it could be a once in a life time opportunity - so I say go for it!!!! Worry about the bank balance later.

Does anyone know how easy it is to see the stage? I'm thinking of going for GA tickets but the park looks huge. Wondering if I'm stuck at the back will it mean I'm miles away? I'm also very short so if I'm stuck behind anyone over 5ft 3 I've no chance of seeing anything. Some of the GA tickets look like they're positioned behind the screen. The GA prices are reasonable because I understand there are other performers and it opens early afternoon; however, some of the other tickets are exceedingly expensive.

Kath - could be the last time you get the chance as he doesn't tour much - go for it. I may need to sell a kidney to see TT in Hyde Park :)

Been at work all day - just got back and I've seen the news about Hyde Park. So, Jay, did tickets go on sale today? Read that tickets available from Friday- were they priority tickets today? Also, read a lot of bad press about ticket prices which I guess is nothing to do with TT ( although they're getting the flack ) Will try for tickets on Friday as a very special treat to myself! Last time I went to an outdoor venue of this kind was the Rolling Stones in Leeds and I hated it. Stuck at the back sitting on the floor watching MJ strut his stuff at yet another of their 'farewell tours.' Hoping Hyde Park will be a better experience.

Kath, listened to a couple of ELO songs - can't believe I didn't recall Diary of Horace Wimp. ELO were great in their day and for anyone interested JL is doing a Radio 2 gig which will be on the red button. Gary and Mark have both expressed their admiration of ELO and of course they use MBS as the intro for Shine. Will be interested to hear the rest of the score.

I can't hear Penny Lane in there, but maybe you're right - it's certainly has a Beatle vibe, and undoubtedly ELO. I don't remember Diary of Horace Wimp so I'll look it up. Showing my lack of musical knowledge as I don't know Divine Comedy's National Express - so I'll look that up as well. It is incredibly catchy and as a musical piece it may pack quite a punch in a theatre environment.

After listening again the melody has more than a passing resemblance to elements of ELO and The Beatles Eleanor Rigby ( well I think that's the song I'm thinking of)

I absolutely loved the song - and the end of it gave me goose bumps. Pop but with a musical twist - fantastic. I also thought that Gary sounded really good. Did you not love the song, Milly? I reminded me a little of some of the B sides from around the BW era. You are right though - it's hard to believe that the same person wrote Yorkshire and released Hey Boy!

Afraid I can't, Pippa. In the early days their strategy was quite strong if you consider Patience and Shine. Likewise, it was good for GD and the follow ups SIA and UAN and obviously The Flood. As we've all stated why they've released the Hey Boy video so late is perplexing. This one may have been filmed in NY but the way single releases are handled future budgets won't stretch much further than Slough, or at a push Blackpool!! :)