This weeks big new releases (12-12-11)

Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! Series 5 [3CD Box set] (Komedia)
Description:
The Fifth Series of the SONY Gold Award winning of Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! is finally here. We again follow the one time variety star in his now long running sitcom on Radio 4, for another fun packed series of his hilarious escapades, gaining hilarity from the undue stress and strain he creates in the minutae of everyday life.

‘The best character comedy lies in the chasm of delusion between blinkered self-image and harsh reality, which is why Radio 4 veteran Count Arthur Strong offers such rich potential.’
Steve Bennett, Chortle February 2011

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake: 12 Short Films By Seamus Murphy [DVD] (Universal)
Description:
Let England Shake: 12 Short Fims By Seamus Murphy is the visual accompaniment to the Mercury Prize-winning album Let England Shake, featuring all 12 tracks from the album, each with its own short film shot by award winning photographer and film-maker Seamus Murphy.

The DVD also features a bonus video, a solo live version of the track "England".

Tracklisting
1. Let England Shake Video    
2. The Last Living Rose Video
3. The Glorious Land Video
4. The Words That Maketh Murder Video
5. All And Everyone Video
6. On Battleship Hill Video
7. England Video
8. In The Dark Places Video
9. Bitter Branches Video
10. Hanging On The Wire Video 
11. Written On The Forehead Video
12. The Colour Of The Earth Video
13. England Video

Bill Nelson - The Practice Of Everyday Life ~ Celebrating 40 Years Of Recordings [Box set] (Cocteau)
Description:
An Extensive 8cd Deluxe Boxed Set Career Anthology - Celebrating 40 Years Of Bill Nelson's Recording Career From 1971 - 2011
Featuring Solo Recordings, Be Bop Deluxe & Bill Nelson's Red Noise Including 11 Unreleased Tracks
68 Page Lavishly Illustrated Book With Notes By Bill Nelson & Previously Unseen Photos & Memorabilia

The year 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of BILL NELSON's recording career and to celebrate this Esoteric Recordings announce a new release on their recently launched Cocteau Discs imprint, the lavish boxed set "THE PRACTICE OF EVERYDAY LIFE - Celebrating Forty Years of Recordings." This is the most extensive and detailed anthology of Bill's astoundingly creative career to date. Over the past four decades Bill has consistently proved himself to be one of Britain's most original and creative musicians, exploring an astonishing diversity of musical styles, consistently pushing musical boundaries and earning the admiration of legions of fans throughout the world and enlightened critics alike. As a guitarist, Bill ranks as a great and uniquely gifted figure, but this eclectic selection of tracks also highlights his work as a singer/songwriter and instrumental composer.

The 1971 album "Northern Dream" was the first release of his illustrious career. Although recorded on rudimentary equipment at a small Wakefield recording studio, the record was a fine early example of an independently produced album. "Northern Dream" was championed by the legendary DJ John Peel and paved the way for Bill's future career, beginning with his legendary band Be Bop Deluxe, (a group who recorded five successful studio albums plus a live album for EMI's Harvest label), and the equally innovative Red Noise. His acclaimed solo career continued with the release of the album "Quit Dreaming and Get on the Beam", and a succession of diverse releases for both major labels and his own independent company, Cocteau Records (a venture which saw Bill become a pioneer of the "do-it-yourself" approach to recording and releasing music).

Track listed by Bill himself, this deluxe anthology gathers together more than 150 tracks over eight CDs. The set begins with his earliest recordings and includes previously unreleased material by Be Bop Deluxe, along with examples from Bill's extensive solo catalogue, exploring a wide range of styles. The anthology also includes a selection of material from his more recent albums, self-released by Bill on his Sonoluxe label. The set is rounded off by the inclusion of a bonus CD featuring two previously unreleased BBC Radio One sessions from 1981 and 1983 respectively.

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