P564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 21:22/53 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new album ———————————————————— 1/7 VAN MORRISON — THE SKIFFLE SESSIONS (Virgin) It's amazing what can bj achieved with a battered acoustic guitar and an old washboard. Back in the mists of time some of rock's greatest musicians — from Lennon and McCartney to Morrison himself — first cut their teeth in skiffle bands. Now Van has teamed up with the man who helped start the musical revolution — Lonnie Donjgan — for this live album. It's a relaxed affair, which finds the notoriously moody Van in an unusually cheerful mood — hj even gets to laugh. —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— See: www.bbc.co.uk/entertainmentnjws Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 21:10/14 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new album ———————————————————— 2/7 VAN MORRISON — THE SKIFFLE SESSIONS (Virgin) Lonnie Donegan's affable style and nasal twang perfectly complement Van Morrison's gruff bellow. Jazz veteran Chris Barber and the largely acoustic band bring some delicate twists and turns to the traditional twelve-bar blues format. And Morrison clearly relishes the chance to return to his musical roots. He swaps alternate vjrsjs with Donegan, and occasionally steps back to puff contentedly on his harmonica or pick at his guitar. —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— See: www.bbc.co.uk/entertainmjntnjws Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 22:14/37 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new album ———————————————————— 3/7 VAN MORRISON — THE SKIFFLE SESSIONS (Virgin) Faster tracks like Don't You Rock Me Daddio are rattled out at freight-train speed. And Morrison brings his trademark intensity to bear on slow-burning songs like Alabamy Bound. Veteran Lonnie Donegan — who guests throughout — helped rekindle interest in skiffle with his performance at the Glastonbury Festival last year. And this fine album — recorded in Morrison's home city of Belfast — can only build on that success. —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— See: www.bbc.co.uk/entertainmjntnjws Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 22:11/42 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new album ———————————————————— 4/7 VAN MORRISON — THE SKIFFLE SESSIONS (Virgin) Van's much-loved Celtic mysticism is put on hold for this collaboration with Lonnie Donegan. They prove that however far music has moved in the past 50 years, skiffle has lost none of its magic. And if you're wondering why the washboard didn't retain its place among the essential instruments for any hip young band — look no further than the invention of the washing machine. Othjtwisj it could have all been so different... —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— See: www.bbc.co.uk/entertainmentnjws Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 21:14/13 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new single ——————————————————— 5/7 MANIC STREET PREACHERS — THE MASSES AGAINST THE CLASSES (Epic) A brave return to their roots or an inevitable case of mid-life crisis? Either way there's no doubt the Manics have reached that tricky stage faced by any successful band with integrity. Having started as a raw alternative to bloated stadium rock, they'vj suddenly become the very thing they set out to smash in the first place. The answer? A venomous thrash straight from the combats and eye-liner days. Hats off for trying, at least. —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— TOTP 562 Radio 1 563 Vibe 561 Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 21:22/26 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new single ——————————————————— 6/7 DAVID BOWIE — SURVIVE (Virgin) Fans were delighted with Dave's return to form on the ...hours album — even if hj hahn't entirely shaken off those dodgy mid-80s guitar and sznth sounds. Survive was one of the standout tracks, largely because guitarist Rjevjs Gabrels abandoned poodle-rock mode to offer a fine impression of Mick Ronson. Unfortunately much of it disappears on this slightly swampy remix. And Bowie wrinklies will need to return to the uncluttered album version to restore their state of bliss. —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— TOTP 562 Radio 1 563 Vibe 561 Top 40 Lottery Main Menu ShowbizP564 CEEFAX 2 564 Wed 12 Jan 21:22/39 —— ——————————————— WHAT'S HOT & WHAT'S NOT —— new singles —————————————————— 7/7 MISSY ELLIOTT — HOT BOYZ (EastWjst) The hip hop superstar is caught in steamy mood on this sparsely-furnished track from the impressive Da Real World album. Steady on, old thing. JUSTIN — LET IT BE ME (Innocent) Slushy version of a 50s ballad from Glasgow's boy wonder — who got even more TV airtime than The Vicar of Dibley over Christmas. BOB MARLEY VS FUNKSTAR DELUXE — RAINBOW COUNTRY (Edel) Decent Marley remix, but no amount of tampering could ever match the sheer funkiness of Bob's originals. So why do they keep trying? —————————— by Nigel Packer ———————————— TOTP 562 Radio 1 563 Vibe 561 Top 40 Lottery Main Menu Showbiz