Stock & Waterman Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson

Just wanted to pay my respects. I was not such a big Michael Jackson fan, but I had the priviledge to see him live in concert twice.

The first concert took place June 2nd 1988 and is particularly worth remembering for me as I was rather young at the time. I subscribed to a music magazine in order to get a free ticket but didn't have anybody to take me to the concert. So when my mum told it to her colleages they offered to take me to the concert.

It was my first concert in a huge stadium and it was also great to see Kim Wilde, who was supporting Michael Jackson on this tour. I don't remember much of the concert, only that it was very loud and that the screens were not in synch with the music. Never the less it made a big impression. Looking at the ticket, it is also amazing that the tickets were only approx. € 25!

Four years later, on August 26th 1992, I went to see him during his Dangerous tour. By then everything had been perfected. The show, the dancing the screens. Everything was perfect and by then he had set new standards as far as pop concerts are concerned.

17 years later, I had just come back from seeing the Pet Shop Boys live in Berlin, the news arrived that Michael Jackson had passed away. It's hard to believe that the "King of Pop" is no more.
R.I.P.

Some interesting thoughts of Mike Stock and Pete Waterman on the links below.

bit.ly/mike_mjtribute
bit.ly/pete_mjtribute

Pete Waterman also appears in this brand new documentary, created especially for the planned "This Is It" concerts.

bit.ly/michaeljackson_petewaterman

Rare Jason Donovan Tracks On iTunes

Today is a day to celebrate for all Stock, Aitken & Waterman fans. The first batch of PWL gems has hit iTunes and first up it's Jason Donovan's turn.

Check out all his albums and singles and download all the instrumental and backing tracks you've ever dreamt of. There are also some as yet unheard remixes that have stayed in the archives - some of them for over 20 years - only to be unearthed as digital downloads.

Here are some of the highlights:

Nothing Can Divide Us (Dave Ford Dub)
When You Come Back To Me (Original Mix)
When You Come Back To Me (The No Strings Mix)
Rhythm Of The Rain (Kick That... Remix) [Tony King]
Rhythm Of The Rain (Spanish Version)
She’s In Love With You (Extended Version)


As luck would have it, my Jason Donovan autobiography (paperback edition) has arrived in today's mail, 9 months after I initially ordered it. Coincidence? I think not!



As if that wasn't enough, the much sought after All Mixed Up by The Twins from Neighbours a-k-a Gayle & Gillian is also on iTunes now.

All Mixed Up / The Twins
All Mixed Up
All Mixed Up (Extended Version)
All Mixed Up (Fordy's Dub Mix)
All Mixed Up (Organic Dub Mix)
All Mixed Up (New Dub City)
All Mixed Up (Original 7'' Mix) *
All Mixed Up (Original 12'' Mix) *
All Mixed Up (Alternative Dub Vocal) *
All Mixed Up (Instrumental) *
All Mixed Up (Backing Track) *
* previously unreleased

Twitter

Kylie's 2009 US Tour

Cliff Richard's Rare B-Sides 1963-1989

Just a few weeks before the Lonnie / Mandy / Princess re-issues are being released, there's another new CD coming up featuring 2 rare PWL tracks. It's a collection of rare tracks and B-sides by Cliff Richard.

The 2 tracks of interest are
- the Dave Ford remix of I Just Don't Have The Heart and
- the Phil Harding remix of Stronger Than That.

The low budget album Rare B-Sides will be out on 6 April 2009.

Track Listing:

01 Say You're Mine
02 True, True Lovin'
03 Just Another Guy
04 Just A Little Bit Too Late
05 Somebody Loses
06 I Get The Feelin'
07 Our Story Book
08 Sweet Little Jesus Boy
09 Occasional Rain
10 She's Leaving You
11 So Long
12 Monday Comes Too Soon
13 I Was Only Fooling Myself
14 Time Flies
15 Annabella Umbrella
16 Pigeon
17 A Thousand Conversations
18 Mr. Cloud
19 Empty Chairs
20 The Old Accordion
21 Come Back Billie Jo
22 I Only Know I Love You (Na Voce Na Chitarra...)
23 Back In Vaudeville
24 Stronger Than That (Extended Version)
25 I Just Don't Have The Heart (The X Mix) [Dave Ford Remix]

Pre-order The PWL Re-issues NOW!

It's only a few weeks until the re-vamped debut albums by Lonnie Gordon, Mandy Smith and Princess will be re-released and you can now pre-order the CDs from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order Lonnie Gordon | If I Have To Stand Alone

Pre-order Mandy Smith | Mandy

Pre-order Princess | Princess


Here are some exciting details by John Palmer regarding the quality of the CDs:

"To explain a little more about the project and particularly the audio... a team of four of us has been responsible for developing the 3 CD releases - Ian Usher at PWE, Tom Parker, Jeremy Kay and me. Months of discussion and investigation of different material and the best available sources in the PWL archives has taken place. The 50 tracks across the 3 CDs have been digitally remastered - and as part of this process, re-balanced up to 'modern' volume levels.

Even the few bonus tracks that have been released before, since the time of the original albums, (eg. Lonnie Gordon 'How Could He Do This To Me?' (Extended), 'Better Off Without You' (Extended) and Mandy 'Got To Be Certain'), have been improved upon, quality-wise, with additional digital remastering work. This means that all the previously-heard tracks on the CDs are presented here with the best sound quality to date.

All 3 CDs are 79 minutes, so they're absolutely packed full of as much as we could fit on there. Combined with all the research and development of the booklet content (brand new analysis, unseen pictures and photo discographies), we're hoping that as an entire package, they're going to be very positively received, they'll remind everyone just how good these albums are, and sell sufficiently well to pave the way for future re-release projects !"

Check out the PWL Empire website for a few samples from the Lonnie and Mandy CDs.

Lonnie Gordon / Mandy / Princess Re-issues

Great news for all Stock Aitken Waterman fans. 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of S/A/W and to kick off the celebrations the Cherry Red record label will re-release 3 of PWL's albums.

Details where you can pre-order the CDs will follow soon.

More info at the official PWL website.

Meanwhile here are the track listings:


Lonnie Gordon - If I Have To Stand Alone (CRPOP 16)


1. IF I HAVE TO STAND ALONE
2. HAPPENIN' ALL OVER AGAIN
3. BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU
4. BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS
5. I NEED YOU
6. THAT'S NO REASON
7. BEST OF FRIENDS
8. IT'S NOT OVER
9. WATCHING YOU
10. HELPLESS HEARTS

BONUS TRACKS
11. HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME? 7" Mix *
12. HAPPENIN' ALL OVER AGAIN Tony King 1990 Mix *
13. IF I HAVE TO STAND ALONE Original 12" Mix *
14. BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU Extended Version
15. HAPPENIN' ALL OVER AGAIN Dave Ford 1990 Mix *
16. HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME? Extended Version
17. BEST OF FRIENDS Extended Version *
* Previously unreleased



Mandy Smith - Mandy (CRPOP 17)


1. STAY WITH ME TONIGHT
2. I JUST CAN'T WAIT
3. VICTIM OF PLEASURE
4. DUEL
5. BOYS AND GIRLS
6. IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
7. POSITIVE REACTION
8. SAY IT'S LOVE (LOVE HOUSE)
9. HE'S MY BOY
10. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE

BONUS TRACKS
11. DON'T YOU WANT ME BABY?
12. GOT TO BE CERTAIN
13. TERRY 12" Mix *
14. POSITIVE REACTION Our Mandy's Extended Mix †
15. BOYS AND GIRLS Acid Remix *
16. VICTIM OF PLEASURE Daize On Nights Mix †
17. DON'T YOU WANT ME BABY? Original Mix *
18. MANDY'S THEME (I JUST CAN'T WAIT) The Cool And Breezy Jazz Version
* Previously unreleased
† First time on CD



Princess - Princess (CRPOP 18)


1. IN THE HEAT OF A PASSIONATE MOMENT
2. I'LL KEEP ON LOVING YOU
3. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE
4. SAY I'M YOUR NUMBER ONE
5. IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
6. TELL ME TOMORROW
7. ANYTIME'S THE RIGHT TIME
8. JUST A TEAZE

BONUS TRACKS
9. SAY I'M YOUR NUMBER ONE REMIX Number 2 †
10. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE DJ Bad Mix
11. I'LL KEEP ON LOVING YOU US Remix †
12. TELL ME TOMORROW Soundtrack Version †
13. IN THE HEAT OF A PASSIONATE MOMENT Garage Mix
14. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE Promo Version †
15. SAY I'M YOUR NUMBER ONE Demo Version †
† First time on CD

Cherry Red Records Website

Alan Connor :: Dance Away

There's not much happening music wise at the moment so we at Mobius News thought we'd take a short break. But not without telling you about a brand new dance track that's currently creating a buzz on the UK Club Charts and the Euro HiNRG Charts.

It's a cover of an old Roxy Music classic, Dance Away by Alan Connor. Dance Away has been given the remix treatment by all the best UK remixers and it will be available as a digital download from 7digital.com next week.

Mobius' favourite mix is the 7th Heaven remix which has a distinctive 4 to the floor bassline combined with an 80's inspired pop/club sound, which reminds us a bit of Jason Donovan mixed with Newton.

Alan has also shot a video for the track, which you can see below.

myspace.com/alanconnor
numberonemusic.com/alanconnor

Kylie Minogue :: Sunrise Interview

Check out this great interview with Kylie on Australia's breakfast TV show Sunrise. Also watch out for Kylie in L.A. as Ms Minogue is currently shooting her new video there.

Download Daruso Debut

The first track of new trance/dance combo Daruso is available to download from indiestore.7digital.com/daruso now. The single is entitled 'Closest Thing To Heaven' and was written and produced by Jewels & Stone.

It's the debut single for singer Jess Russo and producers Julian Gingell and Barry Stone, otherwise known as Jewels & Stone. The track comes in three different mixes: A radio edit, a club mix and as a ballad version.

http://www.myspace.com/daruso

Lucky Kylie's 20th Anniversary

It's hard to believe that it has already been 20 years since Kylie's first single in Europe has been released. 'I Should Be So Lucky' was Stock Aitken Waterman and Kylie's first number one single together in 1988 and it remained at the top spot for 5 weeks.

To mark the occasion, Kylie performed her biggest S/A/W hit at Jools Holland's Hootenanny edition of Later... with Jools Holland. Kylie Minogue OBE also performed a cute duet with Sir Paul McCartney. Check out the performances at the official bbc.co.uk website or on YouTube.


Dance Tonight :: Paul McCartney & Kylie Minogue
I Should Be So Lucky :: Kylie Minogue

It seems that Macca's ex Heather Mills wasn't too impressed with Kylie's performance, as the furious gold digger is all over today's tabloids doing one of her psychic rants.

There's also a funny new TV show in the UK, The One And Only... (presented by Graham Norton) searching for the best tribute act of a superstar. Three hopefuls were competing to become the best Kylie tribute act yesterday night. How the 3 superfans chose this one is beyond me. Granted she looked and moved a bit like Kylie but she sounded nothing like Ms Minogue. Anyway, see for yourselves:
The One And Only... Kylie

Happy Happy New Year!

Pre-Order Closest Thing To Heaven

Jewels & Stone's latest project is waiting to be released next week and here's where you can pre-order the first Daruso single from:
indiestore.com/daruso

'Closest Thing To Heaven' is out January 6th 2008 via digital download. Click on the link above for a preview of the mixes.

Kylie Ann Minogue OBE

Congratulations to Kylie Minogue who will get an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours. And despite media reports concentrating on her return to showbiz after Kylie's battle with cancer, the OBE is to acknowledge Kylie's services to Music over the last 20 years. It will be 20 years in February since Kylie's first UK number one hit with 'I Should Be So Lucky'. Kylie now joins Pete Waterman, who also got an OBE 3 years ago.

OBE (Order of the British Empire)
Awarded for a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community, including notable practitioners known nationally.

Kylie's latest releases are available from Amazon.co.uk:

:: White Diamond / Showgirl Homecoming [DVD]
:: X [Limited Edition feat. bonus DVD]
:: X [Standard Edition]
:: 2 Hearts [CD 1]
:: 2 Hearts [CD 2]

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Jason Donovan live in 2007!

And now, let's step back in time...

A Very Merry X-Mas

Merry Christmas from Mobius!

Gonna Jump Into Santa's Sack

The 'camp as Christmas' Fast Food Rockers!

Bringing Back Band Aid II

2 (or 3 depending where you live) more days until Christmas.

Better The Devil... Kylie Has Got The X-Factor!

We never had a doubt that Kylie has got the X-Factor, but her Mojo must have rubbed off on X-Factor winner Leon Jackson, last night. The Pete Doherty look-a-like and Jamie Cullum sound-a-like came in first despite strong competition from Rhydian Roberts. Same Difference took the third place (unsurprisingly) and they did a cute version of 'Any Dream Will Do' with Jason Donovan.

As mentioned before, Leon (who was part of 'Team Minogue') performed the Stock Aitken Waterman penned 'Better The Devil You Know' with Dannii's sister Kylie, who also introduced her upcoming 2nd single of her album 'X', called 'WOW'. Just one thing, Kylie: What's with the outfit, honey? Forgot your skirt? That was even skimpier than the fishnet stocking costume used in the 'Let's Get To It' tour.

And speaking of touring, watch out for Glenn Ball (formerly of POP! and all the other dancers who appeared on the Showgirl Homecoming Tour) in the Wow performance, which leads us to believe that the rehersals for the upcoming tour are already in full swing. Now, enjoy Kylie at X-Factor.

Kylie's latest releases are available from Amazon.co.uk:

:: White Diamond / Showgirl Homecoming [DVD]
:: X [Limited Edition feat. bonus DVD]
:: X [Standard Edition]
:: 2 Hearts [CD 1]
:: 2 Hearts [CD 2]

Mamma Mia!

One of the most successful musicals all over the world is 'Mamma Mia!', with music by the best pop group ever, ABBA.

Brace yourselves, cos Mamma Mia! The Movie is about to be unleashed on us in 2008! The big budget movie features big name actors such as Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters OBE and 2 time Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep. Despite the American sound, this looks like it's going to become one of the campest musical movies of all time.

It's no secret that PWL and SAW have been inspired by songwriters Benny & Björn from ABBA, as over the years Stock Aitken & Waterman (in all carnations) have used elements of ABBA sounds in their productions.

In the height of Erasure's ABBA-esque success in 1992, Stock & Waterman tried their luck with an ABBA inspired sound which they used on Bananarama's Please Yourself album. The Nanas, who were by then reduced to a duo, had a minor hit in the UK with 'Movin' On', while the even more ABBA sounding 'Last Thing On My Mind' was a major flop. But as luck would have it, this rather good song has come full circle as it was a big hit for Steps a few years later.

There's a rather good performance of Steps doing 'I Know Him So Well' from the ABBAMANIA show. I must admit I wasn't much of a Steps fan, especially their cover of Kylie's 'Better The Devil You Know' put me off them, but I found their 'Chess' cover version rather nice. (BTW, if you would like to see my favourite Kylie perfomance of 'Devil' click HERE.)

Ms Minogue has also admitted to be an ABBA fan from a very early age and she even performed a striking version of Dancing Queen at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Steps rivals Scooch also sounded very ABBA inspired, especially their singles 'More Than I Needed To Know' and 'The Best Is Yet To Come'. There's also a track on their album Four Sure which is called 'One Of These Days' and which is even more ABBA sounding.

But back to Mamma Mia!, the trailer and a website have gone live, so you can have a look here:
mamma-mia-themovie.co.uk

X-specially For You

Thanks to the very attentive J'ason at Chart Rigger we have discovered that both Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan are to appear in the final of talent show X-Factor tonight.

Even though it's highly unlikely that Kylie & Jason will perform their big 80s hit 'Especially For You' together, they both are set to sing with X Factor finalists Leon Jackson and brother and sister duo 'Same Difference'.

Jason will perform with H&Claire look and sound-a-likes 'Same Difference' while Kylie will be signing with cutie Leon Jackson. Rumour has it that Kylie & Leon will be giving a jazzy rendition of 'Better The Devil You Know', the version that was used in a previous Kylie TV show (An Audience With Kylie) where she performed this swing version with Adam Garcia.

It seems that Jason and Same Difference have decided in favour of 'Any Dream Will Do' over one of Jason's Stock Aitken Waterman classics, but we found something else on YouTube that will melt your heart. Check out this version of Especially For You, the way it was intended to be.

Now wouldn't it be a great idea if Stock (Aitken) Waterman worked with one of the X-Factor finalists? Maybe Same Difference would be a great vehicle for a fresh (and we don't mean that in a Happy Happy Casio sort of way) SAW sound.
My money is on Rhydian to win the X-Factor though!

X Factor Rhydian :: Let's Get This Party Started

More Kylie rumours are spreading these days and the latest one is that the KylieX2008 tour will actually start next March in the U.S.A.! And speaking of the US, American based Chart Rigger also has a nice interview with Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne on his music blog. In the interview she mentions how Saint Etienne worked with Kylie at the beginning of Kylie's deConstruction deal.

Some great new Jason interviews from YouTube:

GMTV Part 1 :: GMTV Part 2 :: Loose Women


Jason's live DVD 'All The Hits And More' is out now.

Click on the Kylie & Jason pic above for a vintage clip of Kylie & Jason performing 'Especially For You' at the 1989 Royal Variety Show.

A Very Beary Christmas

Back by popular demand: Bearforce 1 with their video for Christmas Is Here.

Happy Santa Lucia Day

Pete Burns's TV Wedding

Without further ado, here's the final episode of Pete Burns' reality TV show Pete's PA which is all about Pete & Michael's 'Romeo & Juliet' themed wedding and how the new PA is coping with the pressure.

Those wedding cakes look absolutely delicious and the civil ceremony might even bring a tear to your eyes. Don't miss it.

Pete's PA :: Episode 10

Part 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5

Festive Fast Food Fun

Since the Sheilas' single has tanked and there's no festive single by the 3 ladies, we have sifted through the endless archives of YouTube and dug out a catchy little ditty by the Fast Food Rockers to get us SAW fans in a festive mood. Amazing to think that in its original version the Fast Food Song was a number 2 hit in the UK.

Does someone wanna pull my cracker?