The Week Usa October 03, 2020

NOW Music is proud to present NOW That’s What I Call USA: The 80s – 4CDs packed with 79 massive U.S. hits – Whilst some were big hits on both sides of the Atlantic, we shine a spotlight on huge hits from America at the time, that have gone on to be as legendary in the UK as they were in the US.

"Live Concert At The Forum" is the 2nd live album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released physically on October 1, 1972 by Columbia Records. Produced by long-time collaborator Richard Perry, it was recorded at The Forum in Inglewood, part of Greater Los Angeles, on April 15, 1972, during Four for McGovern, a concert held in benefit for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. In the United States, the album debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200 for the week ending November 18, 1972. On January 6 of the following year, "Live Concert At The Forum" peaked at #19. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the live album Gold for shipments upwards of 500,000 sales on February 13, 1973 and upgraded the certification to Platinum for shipments of one million on November 21, 1986.

It's been a long time since that late May, 2013 week in Luleå, Sweden, where pianist Django Bates and his Belovèd Trio first collaborated with the renowned Norrbotten Big Band. Fully documented in the All About Jazz article Django Bates: From Zero to Sixty in Five Days, Bates, bassist Petter Eldh and drummer Peter Bruun, along with other non-Norrbotteners, including guitarist Markus Pesonen, tubaist Daniel Herskedal and trombonist/vocalist Ashley Slater, made the lengthy trek to this small coastal town, located just 100 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle (and already experiencing 22 hours of daylight), to collaborate with Norrbotten for an appearance at the first edition of Luleå's New Music Festival. The objective was for Bates and his band mates to bring a brand new book of music to life, the pianist largely expanding arrangements of Belovèd's existing repertoire, but also including a commissioned new work from the festival.

Paul Desmond was an artist who stood alone on the alto saxophone. His tone was light, but full. His improvisations were complex but always lyrical and direct. If Johnny Hodges was the seducer on alto, Desmond was the cool intellect always willing to engage all of your senses.

"Thelma Houston" is the 2nd album by American Soul and R&B singer Thelma Houston, recorded in 1972. The album includes the single, "Me and Bobby McGee". This is her first album recorded with Motown Records under the Mowest label. The album was arranged by Artie Butler, Michael Omartian, Gene Page, James Anthony Carmichael and John Myles. Two versions of the album were issued, a ten track version in the US in 1972 and a fourteen track version in the UK and Germany in 1973. The album was later reissued on CD in an expanded edition by Soulmusic Records in 2012.

In 1973, Fancy came together around producer Mike Hurst - alongside guitarist Ray Fenwick and bassist Mo Foster - to record a glam rock cover version of The Troggs' hit 'Wild Thing'. Issued on Atlantic, the single was a U.S. hit, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 (it also reached #31 in Australia). Prompted by the success, a touring band was assembled with new singer Annie Kavanagh. And an album, Wild Thing, yielded a second American hit, 'Touch Me'.In summer 1974, Fancy signed to Arista, and embarked on a U.S. tour, supporting Kiss, Wishbone Ash and Steppenwolf (in early 1975, they also supported 10cc at the Hammersmith Odeon). The new deal led to a second album Something To Remember (re-titled Turns You On in the States), promoted by two singles, 'She's Ridin' The Rock Machine' and a cover of Steve Wonder's 'I Was Made To Love Her'. In late 1975, Fancy bowed out with a non-album single, 'Music Maker'.With input from original band members, this welcome triple-CD set offers up all of Fancy's studio recordings - both albums plus non-LP tracks - plus a previously unheard live recording from legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott's. As a bonus, Disc 3 closes with a fascinating US radio interview. Also included are two brand new tracks, Ray Fenwick's 'Sidewinder' and Mo Foster's 'Driving Home'.

"The Third Album" was the 3rd album that Mike Berniker produced for Barbra Streisand at Columbia Records. He explained to the press how, in just a few short years, Streisand had grown as a vocalist: “There used to be an edge on the top of her voice,” he said, “but now that edge is gone. She's still pushing just as hard, but it's not as evident as it used to be. In her third album, her new one, there's a real serenity - at least, for Streisand it's serenity.” After marrying Elliott Gould and finishing up a series of West Coast concerts, Barbra Streisand returned to New York City in the Fall of 1963 where she began to record songs for her third album. Barbra attended two recording sessions, working on songs with arrangements by Peter Matz and Ray Ellis.

"Release Me 2" is a compilation album of ten rare and previously unreleased recordings by American singer Barbra Streisand. Released on CD, vinyl and digital formats on August 6, 2021, it is a follow-up to her 2012 compilation "Release Me". The album debuted at #10 on the Rolling Stone Top 200 Albums Chart, selling 23,700 units (19.7k pure) in the United States and became the 3rd highest debut of the week. It also debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200 with 22,000 units sold and became the third top-selling album of the week (second by a female artist). Streisand also re-entered Billboard's Artist 100 at #15. On Billboard's Top Current Albums Sales, the album debuted at #2, while on Billboard's Vinyl Album Chart, the album debuted at #5. Sales of "Release Me 2" extended Streisand's successful chart history in the U.S., making her the only woman with a Top-20 album in each decade since the 1960s.