TV / Sport: 10 to watch at the Winter Olympics

The emergence of a new generation of talented athletes has raised British hopes of a record medal haul at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Great Britain's current best tally is four, won in Chamonix, France, at the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924.

Here we look at the 10 British contenders pushing for a podium finish in 2014:

Elise Christie - Short track speed skating

Career highlights 
In March 2013, the 5ft 3in skater became the first British woman to win a World Championship medal in short track when she took 1000m bronze in Hungary. That came a month after she clinched the 1,000m World Cup title. Christie is also the reigning European champion over 1,000m and 1,500m. 

When to watch*
Tune in to BBC Two from 18:00 on Friday 21 February to see how she gets on in her favoured 1,000m event.

John Jackson – Bobsleigh

Career highlights 

Jackson, lead pilot for the two-man and four-man bobsleigh, led the latter to a fifth-place finish at the 2013 World Championships, ending just 0.07 seconds adrift of a medal. His four-man crew also secured the first World Cup medal by a British men's team since 1997 when they claimed silver at Lake Placid in December 2013.

When to watch*
Tune in to BBC Two from 11:00 on Sunday 23 February to see how Jackson and his crew perform in the four-man bobsleigh. 

Jenny Jones – Snowboarding

Career highlights 
The Bristol snowboarder will make her Olympic debut in Sochi but has been a British trailblazer for over a decade. Jones is a three-time X Games slopestyle gold medallist (one European title, two global). She finished sixth at last year's World Championships and began the current Olympic season with her first World Cup podium - silver in New Zealand. Lesley McKenna, Great Britain's park and pipe programme manager, says of Jones: "It's not easy to get to the top and stay for one year. To do it for over 10 years is fantastic."

When to watch*
Jenny will be competing in the Women’s Slopestyle, with the Final, live on BBC Two, 09:15, Sunday 9 February.

Billy Morgan – Snowboarding

Career highlights 
Slopestyle snowboarder Morgan finished fourth at the 2013 World Championships and won bronze at the World Cup meeting in Sierra Nevada to end last season second in the world rankings.  In December 2011, he became the first snowboarder ever to land a triple backside rodeo - essentially three flips in mid-air.

When to watch*
Billy will be competing in the Men’s Slopestyle, with the Final live on BBC Two from 08:45, Saturday 8 February.

Eve Muirhead – Curling

Career highlights 
Muirhead led the British women's curling team aged just 19 in Vancouver 2010, having won the three previous world junior titles. She goes into the Sochi Winter Olympics as the reigning senior world champion, having won gold in Riga in March, a year after considering her future in the sport when her funding was halved. Muirhead also won European Championship gold in 2011 and she and her team were the first British athletes selected for Sochi.

When to watch*
The women’s curling medals will be decided on Thursday 20 February. The bronze medal from 08:30 and the gold medal match at 13:30 on BBC Two. 

David Murdoch – Curling

Career highlights 
Murdoch has won two world and three European titles, but is yet to earn an Olympic medal. He was the reigning world champion heading into Vancouver in 2010, and will arrive at his third Winter Games in Sochi having won global bronze in 2013.

When to watch*
The men’s curling medals will be decided on Friday 21 February with the bronze medal at 08:30 on BBC Two and the gold at 13:30.

Shelley Rudman – Skeleton

Career highlights 
Her silver at the 2006 Winter Olympics was Great Britain's only medal of the Games. Rudman earned the World Cup title in the 2011-12 season and goes to Sochi as the reigning world champion after becoming the first British female winner in St Moritz in 2013. She is also a two-time European champion and carried the Great Britain flag at the 2010 Opening Ceremony.

When to watch*
Shelley will compete in the Women’s Skeleton Bob, live on BBC Two, Friday 14 February at 17:10.

Katie Summerhayes – Freestyle Skiing

Career highlights 
Summerhayes began the 2012-13 season recovering from a career-threatening knee injury but ended it as a realistic Sochi slopestyle contender after finishing fourth at both the World Championships and the Euro Winter X Games. The Sheffield athlete also won British female skiing's first World Cup medal in 19 years with silver in Switzerland in February - her first event back after injury.

When to watch*
Tune into BBC Two to see how Katie gets on in the Freestyle Skiing – Slopestyle, 09:45, Tuesday 11 February.

James Woods – Freestyle Skiing

Career highlights 
In 2013, Woods became Britain's first freestyle skiing World Championship medallist for 20 years when he won slopestyle silver in Norway (Richard Cobbing won aerials silver in 1993). He also cantered to the overall World Cup slopestyle title last season and took Winter X Games bronze.

When to watch*
James will be in the Freestyle Skiing – Slopestyle event,  Thursday 13 February, 09:30, live on BBC Two. 

Lizzy Yarnold – Skeleton

Career highlights 
The 2012 world junior champion won bronze in the senior event the following month, and was fourth in 2013. She also finished fourth overall in the 2012-13 World Cup in her first full season at senior level. Yarnold competed in all nine World Cup races, finishing outside the top 10 just once. This current season, Lizzie has gone up a level - she’s currently ranked number one in the world having won three golds, a silver and a bronze in the five World Cup events so far.

When to watch*
Lizzie’s women’s Skeleton event takes place on Friday 14 February, 17:10 on BBC Two.

All when to watch times are as per schedules we currently have, these can and do change.

We wish all our sports men and women the very best of luck!!

Kebe set to sign for the mighty whites

Update: 9 Jan 9.44am
Tony Pulis has confirmed Kebe joins Leeds on loan to the end of the season.

Leeds United are close to a deal to signing on loan (at least initially) the highly rated winger Jimmy Kebe who is just six months into a three year deal at Crystal Palace.

Leeds are thought to be one of several Championship sides chasing the Mali international. Leeds boss McDermott managed Kebe at Reading during which time they reached a play-off final and won the Championship title.

More news expected on this and the signing of Stewart over the next few hours, check back for updates.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - 30 Years On

Its 30 Years since Relax topped the charts and shocked the pop world. Never one to miss a trick, their label ZTT have announced several anniversary releases. For a change rather than just reissuing they are offering something to collectors.

The first of those releases is a new to vinyl 12''

Out on Feb 14th, 2014 – 30 years after the record was banned by the BBC and still sitting at No.1 in the charts – Frankie Goes To Hollywood‘s ‘Relax’ gets revisited.

As a collector of Frankie, its mind boggling the different mixes and tags these releases were / are given, so for those with an eye for detail.

This time it’s ‘The Sex Mix’ (Edition 3) – this is aka the ‘Sex Mix Ed

Its an undiscovered mix that first surfaced on a Japanese compilation called ‘Return To The Pleasuredome’ a couple of years ago. The original ‘Sex Mix Edit’ (or Edition 2) is a little known 8 minute edit of the original 16 minute ‘Sex Mix’ in late ’83 before being replaced by a 7.20 minute ‘US Remix / New York Night mix’ which many consider as the definitive and is the most common 12″ of ‘Relax’.

This new mix (Edition 3) had been created by Trevor Horn session man and renowned percussionist Luis Jardim in December ’84 – who knows what for? It was then filed away, forgotten, later mislabeled and then extracted over 25 years later to end up on a compilation on the other side of the world. Hardcore fans from The Alternate ZTT Board soon spotted the difference and this sent the reissue curator, Ian Peel, back into the ZTT archives to search for more info and tapes that would lead to this previously unheard remix being given a proper vinyl release nearly 30 years after it was created.

Confused? This isn’t even half the ‘Relax’ mix story..  For this release the original XLZTT artwork and Anne Yvonne Gilbert illustration have been tweaked by Element Series designer Philip Marshall to mirror the colour scheme for the 2012 Frankie rarities compilation, ‘Sex Mix’. 

You can pre-order it from Amazon here

Released on the same day, Frankie Said is a new CD and DVD deluxe edition

This expanded version of the 2011 hits compilation maintains the 16-track CD of the first release but adds a DVD packed full of promo videos some which have never since been released before, a host of TV appearances again previously unreleased. Its great to see the Oxford Road Show footage again. There are even some old TV commercials. 

See full track listing of the DVD below




1. Relax (promo video)
2. Relax (live version) (promo video)
3. Relax (laser version) (promo video)
4. Two Tribes (promo video)
5. Two Tribes (video destructo) (promo video)
6. The Power of Love (promo video)
7. The Power of Love (version 2) (promo video)
8. Welcome to the Pleasuredome (an alternative to reality) (promo video)
9. Welcome to the Pleasuredome (the escape act) (promo video)
10. Rage Hard (promo video)
11. Warriors of the Wasteland (promo video)
12. Watching the Wildlife (promo video)
13. Relax (5/1/84) (Top Of The Pops)
14. Two Tribes (9/8/84) (Top Of The Pops)
15. Welcome to the Pleasuredome (28/3/85) (Top Of The Pops)
16. Rage Hard (4/9/86) (Top Of The Pops)
17. Two Tribes (25/12/84) (Top Of The Pops)
18. The Power of Love (25/12/84) (Top Of The Pops)
19. Relax (25/12/84) (Top Of The Pops)
20. Wish (The Lads Were Here) (The Oxford Road Show)
21. War! (The Oxford Road Show)
22. “Relax – No.1 and Guiltless” version 1 (Commercial)
23. “Relax – No.1 and Guiltless” version 2 (Commercial)
24. “The Power of Love – Win Hearts and Minds” (Commercial)
25. “Welcome to the Pleasuredome – The Event of the Decade” (Commercial)
26. “and meanwhile… backstage”

Frankie Said is available to pre order Here

Leeds confirm Investment partner - UPDATE

The club has tonight confirmed that the group which will acquire a majority shareholding in Leeds United later this month includes lifelong Leeds United fan, and current managing director of the club’s main sponsor, Enterprise Insurance, Andrew Flowers.

Sport Capital, a consortium involving current Leeds United managing director David Haigh, Mr Flowers, and others, are close to completing a transaction that will see them acquire a minimum 75% stakeholding in the club.

Andrew Flowers said: “I’m delighted to confirm that I am part of the consortium that will be acquiring the major shareholding in the club. As a lifelong Leeds United fan and as a buisinessman, I can assure other fans, that while the process is being finalised, we have been working hard to ensure that our due diligence was completed as quickly as possible and that there are funds in place ahead of completion to support the manager during the opening weeks of the January transfer window.”

Sport Capital have been funding the club during the transactional period and will continue to do so ahead of completion.

David Haigh said: “Completion is something we have been working very hard to achieve. We’re now past the holiday periods of Christmas and New Year and we’re looking forward to completing shortly. We are working closely with the Football League regarding the necessary documentation, and we will do our best to keep fans fully informed.
“In the meantime, as Andrew has said, we have ensured that there are funds in place for the January transfer window and we are working closely with Brian McDermott regarding his plans. Hopefully, we will all see some of this work come to fruition in the coming days.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the fans for their continued support.”

TV: Capaldi begins filming as Dr Who

The new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, stepped on set today for his first full day of filming as production begins on series eight of the hit BBC show.

Capaldi on set, we've been asked to point out
 this is not the DRs costume

10.2 million tuned in on Christmas Day to get their first glimpse of Capaldi in one of TV’s most iconic roles in the festive special The Time Of The Doctor, which saw Matt Smith hang up his bow tie after four years in the role.

Capaldi was revealed as the Doctor in a live BBC One show in August, after months of speculation about the next Doctor’s identity.

Arriving on set in Cardiff to begin filming, Peter Capaldi, said: “New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I'm emerging from the TARDIS into a whole other world.”

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, added: “First the eyebrows! Then, at Christmas, the face! Coming soon, the whole Doctor. In the Cardiff studios, the Capaldi era begins.”

Accompanying The Doctor on his adventures will be companion Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman.

The first episode of series eight has been written by Steven Moffat, with the second episode penned by Phil Ford. These are the first episodes that Peter will shoot and they are directed by Ben Wheatley.

Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, said: "Excitement and anticipation fills the air as Peter Capaldi’s Doctor takes control of the TARDIS for the very first time today. It’s going to be one hell of a ride and I can't wait for the journey to start."

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One, commented: "A new year, a new face, a new Doctor! 2014 has arrived and it's Peter Capaldi's time so let the adventures begin!"

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until August 2014.

How EMI made a mess of The Beatles

The Beatles music is closely controlled these days, soon to be highlighted by the new American albums box set which bans the fake stereo version that actually featured on those albums at the time.

Time and EMI haven’t though always been as kind to The Beatles as (thanks to our friends at superdeluxeediton) we take a look at our favorite Beatles releases that weren’t handled with quite as much care.

With The Beatles (above) and Revolver (below)
with their tampered tracklists.

Those 1970s cassette releases.

Most bands take great care in assembling their album, what tracks open and close the album. Back in the day, you had to add into the mix what songs would close Side 1 of the vinyl LP , and of course open side 2. You would think that with a band of The Beatles stature that such things would be sacrosanct.  Oh no, in the 1970s, EMI issued all the studio albums on cassette and rejigged the running order so as to make the tape lengths roughly equal on both sides.

So for example, instead the first track on the Please Please Me being I Saw Her Standing There (with Paul’s memorable “1,2,3,4..” count-in) it’s Misery on the tape! Only Sgt Pepper’s Hearts Club Band went unbutchered; Rubber Soul doesn’t begin with Drive My Car, The White Album (incredibly) doesn’t end with Goodnight, and Abbey Road kicks off with Here Comes The Sun not Come Together. 
Incredible.

It wasn’t until the reissue in 1987 that the running orders were corrected. Imagine The Stone Roses debut opening with Elizabeth My Dear…

Rock ‘n’ Roll Music compilation(s)

Now this is one I remember from my childhood. As the Beatles contract with EMI ended in 1976, the label sought to exploit their product. Fifties music was staging a bit of a comeback at the time and so EMI hit on the idea of Rock N Roll Music, a double album in June of that year. The artwork was the first thing to take exception to, a mish mash of iconic 50’s images, doubly odd for a band that were such icons of the 60’s. This  prompted Ringo Starr to complain to Rolling Stone: "It made us look cheap and we never were cheap. All that Coca-Cola and cars with big fins was the Fifties!" Lennon was also critical of the artwork and wrote an angry letter to Capitol Records saying it "looks like a Monkees reject" and instead suggested the use of photos by Astrid Kirchherr or Jürgen Vollmer, both of whom had photographed the band during their Hamburg days.  Lennon even offered to design the cover himself.

The gatefold sleeve

Undeniably much of the Beatles early work up to the release of Please Please Me and Beatles For Sale had its heart in the 50’s. Many of those cover versions made up sides 1 and 2 of this new compilation. Sides 3 and  4 picked up what were, however tenuously deemed as being Rock n Roll derived, hence Birthday and Drive My Car

The artwork was improved when this double was split into two albums. As a final insult these ended up on EMI’s budget ‘Music For Pleasure’ label. Beatles don’t do ‘budget’!

The Beatles’ Movie Medley

In the early 80’s the Stars on 45 was in full flow.  A medley of Beatles songs sung by a Lennon sound-alike had been a big hit. An official Beatles medley of snippets from various Beatles songs was produced. It remains the only Beatles single not released on CD, to be honest it works but does it qualify as treating the Beatles material with respect by Jive Bunny-ing it?

Parlophone Records initially refused to issue the single in the UK, regarding the medley as "tacky". But after the import demand for the U.S. release grew, it was finally issued and reached No.10 on the British charts in 1982. The original flip side was an interview with the Beatles about the making of the movie A Hard Day's Night and is considered quite rare. 
Listen below..


Sessions album (unreleased)

EMI had milked their assets relentlessly.  They reissued all the singles in the mid-seventies and were constantly putting out compilations such a Love Songs (1977), Rarities (1978), The Beatles Ballads (1980) and 20 Greatest Hits (1982). There were also a number of box sets including The Beatles Collection (vinyl ‘blue’ box) and The Beatles Box. What they hadn’t done at any point during the 1970s was issue any previously unreleased studio material. The truth was 12 years after the band split they were still not exactly sure what they had, so in 1982 engineer John Barrett was tasked with listening to all the session recordings.

Not the actual sleeve, it was never designed,
this is the bootleg

This eventually lead to The Beatles Live At Abbey Road, a tour of the famous recording studio open to the public for a couple of months in the summer of 1983. This tour was accompanied by a soundtrack featuring outtakes and alternate mixes. Ironically the preparation and reproduction of these tapes meant they fell into the hands of Bootleggers, for many years the John Barrett tapes were a fantastic collection.

Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick eventually prepared a 13-track Sessions album planned for release by EMI in 1985, but never issued due to stong objections by the surviving Beatles. The album consisted of thirteen finished, but unreleased, Beatles songs. A single—"Leave My Kitten Alone", with an alternative version of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", which was not to appear on the album, as its B-side—was also planned, but it too was left unissued.

Versions of all the songs planned for Sessions would eventually see official release as part of The Beatles Anthology series in 1995–96, with the exception of "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)", which was concurrently released on the "Free as a Bird" single.


Love Me Do 50th Anniversary reissue

Just to bring things right up to date and show the lack of care and consideration for The Beatles remain… On the 5th October 2012 EMI proudly re-issued the seven-inch single of The Beatles debut single Love Me Do to celebrate 50 years since the original release.

However, EMI had accidentally released the version of the song with session drummer Andy White rather than Ringo behind the kit. Andy played on the album version of Love Me Do, but not the version issued as a single back in 1962 which featured Ringo.

In September 1962 The Beatles had recorded "Love Me Do" twice already: at an EMI audition on 6 June 1962 with Pete Best on drums when he was still a member of the group; and again on 4 September 1962 with Ringo Starr on drums. Producer Geroge Martin had disapproved of Best's drumming and was now also unhappy with newcomer Starr's drumming.  On 11 September 1962 EMI wanted the song recorded again, and The Beatles played "Love Me Do" a third time, this time with White replacing Starr on drums. White was known to to Martins assistant and so was called in to  have a go!

EMI withdraw the incorrect version on the eve of release but not early enough to stop some fans getting deliveries from online sites. A number of copies escaped and a corrected release was made on 22 October.

So there you have it, how a band as huge as The Beatles can still be treat by the label as mere fodder!

Interview with Ricky Wilson on the set of The Voice UK

We talk to new judge Ricky Wilson as he joins The Voice UK

Ricky Wilson is the frontman of British band Kaiser Chiefs, who have topped the charts with “Ruby” and held Top 10 chart positions with songs including “I Predict A Riot”, “Every Day I Love You Less and Less” and “Oh My God”. Among their many achievements, Kaiser Chiefs have won three Brit Awards, been nominated for a Mercury Prize, an Ivor Novello Award and have had four Top 10 albums. In 2012 they performed at the Olympic Closing Ceremony in London.

What was your reaction when you were first offered the role of coach on The Voice UK?

It happened pretty late in the day, as it was only a few weeks before we went to film. But I threw myself into it all. I have spent the last ten years of my life not making any decisions at all. And then suddenly this thing came along and it felt like a big decision. I am really enjoying it.

So what are you enjoying?

It is incredible watching the contestants’ development. They make each other learn. It’s good to learn stuff and I didn’t think I wanted to learn more but Kylie, Will and Tom have all taught me loads. It has been really inspiring.

What have you learned from them then?

They work really hard. They are all really famous and massive stars but they work long hours. Tom has been great and he has really helped me a lot. He has given me a lot of advice. We went out for a Chinese the other night and it was lovely. It doesn’t feel like there is any competition (between us all). It feels like you want the best for the whole thing.

What kind of coach are you?

As head coach - Tom, Will and Kylie will all agree that I hold the team together. Without me, it would fall apart! I am just kidding!

Do the contestants pull at your heartstrings?

At the time, no they didn’t. It is only when I got back to the hotel and started thinking about everything that you realise it is tough. When you get to know them, learn about their story and you see stuff in them that you recognise in yourself, it can get tough. I had my big break 10 years ago but I still recognise their drive and determination.

Are you pleased with your team?

Of course - I think I can win! I know them now and I have a connection with them. Even if they weren’t any good, I would feel the same - but they are good.

Would you have done a show like this?

It is an impossible question to answer. I would have done everything. Times have changed and so I don’t know. There was nothing like this back then. But maybe I would have if there were.

Why do you think The Voice UK is a good show?

It is different. Each stage has got a part to play. I am learning as I go along. I have been a fan of Saturday night TV since I was a kid. You realise how important it all is. It’s a real launch pad for the contestants. At first it is all about the best voice, but then other things start to creep in once you get to the next stage.

Does image play a part?

Yes it does. Image and personality both do. Some people who don’t have as good voices as others can trounce them in their personality. They look scared and think ‘how can we beat them?’ but they light up the room with their personality. Barbara Streisand has got one of the greatest voices in the world but her personality is so important too.

You have had an incredible career...

I don’t think I have had yet. Ambition does not stop. You can’t turn it off. You just want to get bigger and bigger - there's no off switch as far as ambition is concerned.

What advice have you been giving your team?

To try to be in the right place at the right time. To do that, you have to be in as many places as many times as you can. You should never sit around waiting for it to bite you.

What has surprised you the most about doing The Voice UK?

How emotionally attached you get to the people. I thought it was just TV. But it’s real. You do care about them, you care about everybody else’s team and you care about all the coaches.

Summing up, it sounds like it is an interesting experience for you?

Yes definitely. I will look back on it and think it has been crazy and surreal. But that’s what life is about. Everything has to change. I don’t like staying still.

Many thanks to Ricky and the BBC