New Game--Your Tip-Top number 1 "Matt Track"

[mariana44]

Edgar--that is a wonderful foolproof way of betting!! And you get some beer too---can't be bad.

The last time I was in Cardiff was over 10 years ago, and we were staying at a Travellodge, or something similar, right at the side of Cardiff Arms Park, and when I looked out of the window, I could see the river, and some houses, and I know that is the area that my mum lived. Sadly she died a long time ago, so I was not able to check. I think the year we were there was the last year of Cardiff Arms Park, and they ere about to start building The Millennium Stadium.

I think my mum would find it very hard to recognise Cadiff now.

Marian

[Edgar]

I know what you mean, I have difficulty recognising certain parts of Cardiff, in fact in Cardiff Bay I very often get lost!

[mariana44]

I believe that "Tiger Bay" has now been lost . Whatever would Dame Shirley say!!!

Marian

[Edgar]

Exactly. She still has a sister in Cardiff

[Marian]

I too have fond memories of Cardiff Edgar, as I grew up in the Valleys, and a day trip to Cardiff was a big event in those days. Visiting Cardiff Castle and the museum etc.

Marian (1)

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Well we may as well add our bit, we have relatives living in Caerphilly and friends in Bridgend and Swansea, and we love David Hughes music and Harry Secombe and Shirley Bassey and the wonderful composer Ivor Novello. He was buried at Golders Green Cemetary in London, and there was, and we assume still is a tree planted in his memory with a plaque that reads "Till You Are Home Once More" the final line from his beautiful well known ballad, We'll Gather Lilacs.
Mentioning David Hughes, it was nice to see his picture on the songsheet of " My House Is Your House" with Matt, Michael Holliday and Perry Como.
in the memorabillia section sent in by John Higton.
Great stuff John.

[Terence Lee]

I can't believe I flew all the way from Malaysia to UK and then commuted to Cardiff just for a Shirley Bassey concert. The things we do when we are younger......The mere idea of it exhausts me today. What possessed me to do it?

[mariana44]

Terence---that is the sign of a truly devoted fan !

I have been to USA and Canada for concerts, but have to admit , it's has usually been at least half a dozen concerts.

Exhausting---Expensive---but oh so Exciting

Marian

[paul jh]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to fly to Cardiff for a Shirley Bassey concert. In 2000, I flew from Washington to London and then took a coach from Heathrow to Cardiff to see Gabrielle in concert. It was one of the top 5 concerts I've ever experienced. She is a wonderful singer, songwriter, and performer and also a very nice lady.

[ROBERT M.]

Hello Paul and everyone. We don't seem to hear too much of Gabrielle these day's Paul over here. I heard a Gabrielle song on the radio the other day, and I thought that at the time. But I do think a new album is due soon.??

[paul jh]

Hello Robert and everyone -- Gabrielle released a album in 2004 called "Play To Win". There were three songs I liked on it, but I couldn't get into any of the other songs. Only one single from the album made the top 40, "Stay The Same". It had too much of a country sound. I prefer the R & B sound of her album "Rise" which is one of my favourite albums of all time. I wore it out in 2000 and 2001!

The latest I heard is she is focussed on raising her son and two nieces/nephews. She also was a victim of a stalker earlier this year and was secluded in her home for awhile.

I would love to hear new music from her, in the style of "Give Me A Little More Time", "Rise", "Sunshine", "Over You", "Should I Stay", and "When A Woman".

[ROBERT M.]

Hi Paul. Yes the "Rise" album was good, my partner played it many times after release, some very catchy song's on it Paul.

You mentioned a new singer the other day, someone........... Morrison, I caught the end of a track by him on the radio the other day, and my first reaction was that he sounded like Stevie Wonder, is that correct in your opinion Paul. I could be wrong as I only heard a small amount of the song.

[paul jh]

Very good ... his name is James Morrison. I don't hear the Stevie influence in him though. Actually all I can think about is the lead singer of Keane, because they both gasp for air when breathing. It's quite annoying. I really like the James Morrison song (You Give Me Something, played often on Radio 1 and 2), but the gasps bother me. I'm sure they left them in for effect, but I would have editted them out in the studio.

Now ... what do you think about Lily Allen? The song Smile is cute, but I don't like the swear word in its first verse. I also liked LDN, which Jo Whiley often played a few months ago. She's quite outspoken about her background and her music influences. She sang live on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge and Monday and she has a lovely voice. I'm just opposed to the use of bad words in songs. I'm old fashioned.

[ROBERT M.]

Hi again Paul. I agree with you about swearing in song's, but nowaday's anything goes, as the song say's Paul. I haven't heard of Lily Allen before Paul, the radio station I usually listen to during the week is middle of the road type music, they play the odd new tune though.

[paul jh]

Sarah Kennedy had the perfect reaction after she played James Morrison's "You Give Me Something" on her programme this morning.

"He sounds like he's in pain"

How true. They'll give a recording contract to anyone these days.