2020 - That Was The Year That Was!
Well I think it's fair to say none of us are going to forget 2020. A year that changed most of our lives in ways we never imagined.
It has been, at the very least, challenging!
We hope for better, brighter, sunnier days ahead - let's try and keep positive amongst all the gloom!
To that end we are going to concentrate on what the year gave us musically from Mike Stock Music. By no means are we trying to be flippant about what people have gone through, more trying to just look on the brighter side of life!
So let's take a wee look at the year here at MSM.
Hazell Dean - Heart First (Deluxe Edition)
The first album project for Stock Aitken Waterman, "Heart First" was given the deluxe treatment and released at end of January. Features the classic hits ‘Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)’ (UK #4), ‘Back in My Arms (Once Again)’ and ‘No Fool (For Love)’ (both UK #41)
Given a sparkling new remaster from the original analogue tapes, this definitive edition of the album also features extensive bonus material. Included here is a comprehensive collection of sought-after full-length mixes of all the singles, several of them long out-of-print or previously unissued on CD.
This Deluxe Edition also boasts a expanded 20-page booklet including an brand new track-by-track commentary from Hazell, an illustrated discography, additional photos and lyrics.
The Fizz - Winning Ways
January gave us our first look at 2020 Fizz with the first release from their forthcoming album, Smoke & Mirrors.
Winning Ways was debuted on BBC Radio 2 on 30th January and the video features a tribute to the Making Your Mind Up skirt ripping routine.
The Fizz - T.O.T.P.
The Fizz were back in February with another storming video of a track from the forthcoming Smoke & Mirrors album.
T.O.T.P. is a tongue in cheek nod to the glory days of the BBC's legendary chart show Top Of The Pops.
No strangers to Top of the Pops themselves, having performed on the show numerous times over the years, The Fizz take an affectionate look back at the show's golden era - complete with the voice of BBC and Top Of The Pops legend, Mike Read.
The Fizz Album Launch Party
A special Intimate & live event to launch the amazing new album 'Smoke & Mirrors' from THE FIZZ.
This event featured a live show from Cheryl, Mike and Jay showcasing tracks from the new album plus classic FIZZ HITS, a VIP Meet and Greet and DJ sets from the pop loving boys at Cheer Up!
After the show the CU boys were spinning massive pop hits until 11pm at the Cheer Up after Disco.
Mike Stock attended as did other MPG staff and a fantastic night was had by all.
Kate Beckinsale, Bananarama and her cat!!
Actress Kate Beckinsale uploaded a video to her Instagram of her dancing and lip-synching to Bananarama's Love In The First Degree to her cat who is sitting in a banana bed.
This was before lockdown so we don't know what the excuse was....apart from it being a bloody good song!
The Fizz - Smoke & Mirrors
At last it was out!
Smoke & Mirrors was released on 6th March and by midweek it was #6 in the album chart. The official chart at the end of the week had the album at #29 on main chart, #6 on Physical Chart, #5 on Vinyl Chart and #6 on the Scottish Chart.
A fantastic result all round.
Smoke & Mirrors, the third with Mike Stock, contained 11 new songs that definitely moved The Fizz forward with their own sound. The band are now gearing up for album number 4 to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
The Fizz - From Here To Eternity
The third song released from the new album and a very emotional one.
Jay Aston takes lead on this song and she originally recorded it on the day she received the news that she had mouth cancer. It was a very emotional time for all in the studio that day but, obviously, mostly for Jay who had to contemplate her entire future.
Thankfully she got through it and the song and video are one of our favourites here at MSM.
Jay is a star for sure!
Better The Devil You Know 30th
30 years ago on 12th May 1990, Kylie Minogue entered the UK singles chart at #5 with Better The Devil You Know.
The song would peak at #2 and spend 10 weeks on the chart.
Widely regarded as the best Kylie (and SAW?) song it "re-invented" her with a more mature sound and image.
To celebrate this milestone the video was remastered in HD.
Help comes to streaming sites
Bananarama/Lananneeneenoonoo - Help was released in 1989 for Comic Relief. The single peaked at #3 in the UK.
Featuring the comedic talents of Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Kathy Burke the video is still funny to this day.
At last on 15th May the full single releases appeared on music streaming sites.
Between The Lines 30th
30 years ago on 9th June Jason Donovan entered the UK album chart at #2 with Between The Lines and would spend 27 weeks on the chart.
Singles
When You Come Back To Me
Hang On To Your Love
Another Night
Rhythm Of The Rain
I'm Doing Fine
Mike Stock on Memory Lane 80's Show
The Memory Lane 80's Show
Saturday 27th June
Featuring Mike Stock interview and a whole load of classic Stock Aitken Waterman songs. Hosted by the lovely Hayley Palmer.
The Fizz - The World We Left Behind
The fourth release from the album and a real fan favourite!
The poetic musings of the lyrics sees the group pondering whether the good old days really were that good before settling on a chorus that determines we must keep looking to the future because we can't remake what has been and gone. If this seems a more reflective, melancholic Fizz well you would be right - but it makes the music no less enchanting, the song no less compelling. Set to a shimmering array of percussive grooves, lush piano riffs and elegant string effects, the score is a sumptuous wall of sound that reminds you how glorious pop music can be. It is performed with just the right amount of aching yearning balanced with a determination that sends that radiant chorus into the pop heavens. There is a smidge of a Lonnie Gordon's Happening All Over Again vibe in the melody but it is pure fizzing in the delivery.