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Do They Know It? Christmas edition.

Pat Kelly | Here, There & Everywhere | 11/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Twenty years ago a group of most UK based acts got together to record a charity single called "Do They Know It's Christmas". While the singers were all UK based, they were at least as well known in the States. Paul Young, Boy George, Simon LeBon, Sting, George Michael, Bono. This month a similar all-star UK lineup are rerecording that classic track. But while the list of performers this time are wowing the British public, these acts are largely going to leave the US audience shrugging their shoulders. Some, such as Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, and The Darkness are marginally known in America, But Dizzee Rascal? Jamelia? Keane? Busted? Will Young & Ms Dynamite?



A lot has happened to separate the US & UK musically in the 20 years since the original NOW! series began and this this album shows that void.



Here's the tracklisting:



1. Blue - Curtain Falls

- No, that violin riff isn't sampled from Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise". Both borrow from Stevie Wonder's "Pasttime Paradise". Darn good song from an overacheiving boyband.

2. Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved

3. Natasha Bedingfield - These Words

- Sister of Daniel, who had a few medium US successes.

4. Robbie Williams - Radio

- Robbie's so big in the UK that even this melange of nothing much made #1.

5. Busted - Thunderbirds

- Remember that bad "Thunderbirds" kids movie this summer? Or the UK marionette TV series it was based on? No, neither do I.

6. Eric Prydz - Call On Me

- Here's an easier one. Remember Steve Winwood's "Valerie", with the lines "Valerieeeeee, call on me. Call on meeeeeeee, Valerie". Well imagine looping the 2 "Call on me"s ad nauseum over a dancebeat. That wouldn't be LIKE this record. That WOULD BE this record.

7. Girls Aloud - Love Machine

- Nope, not the Miracles mid-70's track covered. Nothing special.

8. McFly - Obviously

- Another boyband, another hit. Sigh...

9. Rachel Stevens - More, More, More

- Yes, a remake of the Andrea True hit, the original of which was sampled in Len's "Steal My Sunshine".

10. Darius - Kinda Love

- Kinda meh.

11. V - Hip To Hip

- There's five members in the group but "Five" was already taken as a band name so, get it?, they use the Roman numeral. If you think that's clever, you'll love the band.

12. JoJo - Leave (Get Out)

- Did you know she was the winner of the brief-lived NBC series "America's Most Talented Kid"? Runner-up? Diana DeGarmo.

13. Jay Sean - Stolen

14. Scissor Sisters - Mary

- Listening to this band is like a compilation album in itself. You never know what they'll sound like next. Ballad, rocker, Pink Floyd dance remake.

15. Keane - Bedshaped

- Radiohead without the angst.

16. The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now

- Like this one a lot. Just can't remember it.

17. Hoobastank - The Reason

- One of the big American radio hits of the year.

18. Embrace - Gravity

19. Lucie Silvas - What You're Made Of

- No opinion on these two.

20. Ronan Keating - I Hope You Dance

- Faithful but cheesy remake of the the LeeAnn Womack classic. Keating, former lead singer of Boyzone, is making a career of mediocre covers of decent US country songs. (She Believes In Me, If Tomorrow Never Comes)

21. Duncan James & Keedie -I Believe My Heart

- A new piece by Andrew Lloyd-Webber from a musical yet to open.



Disc: 2

1. Daniel Bedingfield - Nothing Hurts Like Love

- Nothing to match up to the tracks from his debut.

2. Jamelia - Stop

- Generic UK soul-pop

3. R. Kelly - Happy People

- Apparently not reflective of his tour with Jay-Z

4. Nelly - My Place

- Boring rapper, but a great mid-tempo ballad singer. This is the latter.

5. Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started

- From the album that refuses to die and keeps producing hits.

6. Kelis feat. André 3000 - Millionaire

7. 3 Of A Kind - Baby Cakes

- A UK #1 single that I just. Don't. Get.

8. Khia - My Neck My Back (Lick It) (Kardinal Beats Clean Radio Edit)

- Female rapper talks dirty, with bleeps. Yawn.

9. Ice Cube feat. Mack 10 & Ms. Toi - You Can Do It (2004)

- Male rapper talks even dirtier with even more bleeps. Yaaaawwwn.

10. Joss Stone - You Had Me

- Wickedly talented for her age. Hell, for any age.

11. Christina Milian feat. Joe Budden- Whatever U Want

12. Sugababes - Caught In A Moment

- Nope, not a U2 remake.

13. The Pirates feat. Enya, Shola Ama, Naila Boss & Ishani - You Should Really Know

- Frankee responded to "F*** It (I Don't Want You Back)" with "F.U.R.B." Similarly, this is a reply to Mario's "I Don't Want To Know", using the same sample. Enya is just sitting back in her chair and raking in the royalties.

14. Houston - I Like That

- No, not Whitney. A male US rapper.

15. Mousse T feat. Emma Lanford - Is It Cos I'm Cool?

16. Deep Dish - Flashdance

- No, not the "What a Feeling!" cover.

17. Angel City feat. Lara McAllen - Do You Know (I Go Crazy)

18. Michael Gray - The Weekend

19. Intenso Project feat. Lisa Scott-Lee - Get It On

20. Dannii Minogue vs FlowerPower - You Won't Forget About Me

21. Danzel - Pump It Up

- Above five: Forgetable dance.

22. Eyeopener - Hungry Eyes

- Remake of Eric Carmen's contribution to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, but now you CAN dance dirty to it.



In summary, there are several US-originated hits that are included on this set, but not a single UK-originated track that looks like it will make it in America.

"

BRILLIANT!! 24th december 2004.

Kathryn Pointon | Staffordshire(England) | 12/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love the NOW'S, this is a great one to buy. I love it it's brilliant."