Classic Pop – May 2023

Includes ‘pioneers’ like Cock Sparrer, Slaughter & The Dogs and Menace via flag bearers like Angelic Upstarts and Cockney Rejects through to Oi! legends The Business, 4- Skins, Last Resort and Infa-Riot and not forgetting lesser known bands like Criminal Class, Subculture and Case. It’s all killer and no filler!

After the Beatles had conquered America in 1964, many other British groups found the transatlantic path to fame and fortune. The first song of this’ British invasion’ to top the American charts was Peter and Gordon's A World Without Love, composed by Paul McCartney. The duo was Peter Asher (brother of Jane Asher, the actress) and Gordon Waller. While American success would bring them fame and fortune overseas, their British profile remained relatively fertile, thanks in part to Asher’s sister dating a certain Mr. McCartney. Numerous radio sessions provide a valuable account of their growth as artists in their own right whose exploratory journey reveals a determination to stand on their own four feet! London Calling proudly presents the untold story of Peter and Gordon, live in session from 1965‐1969. Charting their rise to fame, career highs and solo ventures. Professionally re‐mastered original broadcasts with background liners and rare archival memorabilia.

Catch a Fire was the major label debut for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and it was an international success upon its release in 1973. Although Bob Marley may have been the main voice, every member of the Wailers made valuable contributions and they were never more united in their vision and sound. All the songs were originals, and the instrumentation was minimalistic in order to bring out the passionate, often politically charged lyrics.

Judy Garland remains one of the enduring icons of show business, retaining a mystique and a huge fan following more than half a century after her death in 1969. reats.

Sadly it's not often we get to feature a musician who is still alive and performing and recording today and who actually fought in the second world war 'a front row seat in hell' as he would later describe it. Born in 1926, Anthony Benedetto, would later become Tony Bennett, courtesy of a name change instigated by Bob Hope while Bennett was touring with him following a performance by Bennett that Bob had witnessed with Pearl Bailey who 'discovered' him in 1949 and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village. By age 10, Tony was already performing in public and he would go on to become somewhat of a pop star of his generation alongside another crooner of the era Frank Sinatra. We are focusing on the later years of the 1950s when Tony Bennett who had been signed as a pop singer to Columbia Records in 1950 by legendary producer and A&R man Mitch Miller, decided to make a musical adjustment towards a more jazz influenced style.

AVID Pop presents the latest release in our Five Classic Albums Plus series with a remastered 2CD release from Wanda Jackson, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details.
"Lovin' Country Style'; "Wanda Jackson'; "There's A Party Going On'; "Right Or Wrong'; "Wonderful Wanda' and four bonus tracks.

Following the huge success of NOW That’s What I Call Timeless in 2022, NOW Music are pleased to announce the follow up, NOW That’s What I Call Legendary – Out 26th May – more legendary songs from legendary artists! Kicking off this hit-packed album with ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ from one of the greatest bands of all time – Queen, followed by the massively popular ‘Sweet Caroline’ from Neil Diamond and the superb vocals on ‘There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)’ from Eurythmics, indicating how truly legendary this line up is. Blondie, The Police and Elton John follow, before ‘Maggie May’ from Rod Stewart and smash hits from Electric Light Orchestra, Paul McCartney & Wings and The Beach Boys. Paul Simon’s most popular solo hit ‘You Can Call Me Al’ features, as does the timeless ‘Suspicious Minds’ from Elvis Presley… and there’s still time for more icons – Christina Aguilera, Sade, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner and Lionel Richie, before ending this disc with mesmerising vocals from Céline Dion and Whitney Houston.

NOW is proud to present 60 more essential gems from the stellar Pop year of 1986 – NOW – Yearbook Extra 1986.
CD1 kicks off with a huge Queen classic ‘A Kind Of Magic’, Eurythmics’ ‘When Tomorrow Comes’, the lead single from their ‘Revenge’ album, and smash hits from The Bangles and a-ha. Sophisticated Pop from Sade, Bryan Ferry, and Sting follows and some of the greatest vocalists of the era are up next including Patti Labelle, Tina Turner, and Anita Baker with the timeless ‘Sweet Love’. Hits from Five Star, Paul Young, and Stan Ridgway are joined by movie tracks from The Style Council, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and ‘Left Of Center’ - the collaboration between Suzanne Vega and Joe Jackson, plus the title track ‘Graceland’ from Paul Simon’s 1986 best-seller.