The purpose of this page is to document the errors with Now That’s What I Call Music 1-9 CD releases. While it’s great to see these early albums emerge on CD at last, the quality control has been slipshod with numerous mistakes. It’s clear that the best time to do this would have been in late 1987 or early 1988 – just after Now 10 came out, the first one to have the same number of tracks on LP, cassette and CD. While impossible to know for sure, these releases could have come in a chunky fatbox, there would have been few or no licensing issues & they probably would have exactly matched the originals.
Update 25 July 2021: As you will see below, there has been a significant improvement in quality control for Now 8 and Now 9. I always maintained that nobody expected 100% accuracy with these CD releases but the majority of the previous errors could have avoided with a little more attention to detail. Thankfully it would appear that the advice & general feedback about taking more care with these CDs seems to have been heeded by the Now team. This bodes well for future projects – such as the Now Yearbook where last month’s 1983 edition was really well done. So it is nice to sign off this page on a positive note.
Now 1 CD errors (4 out of 30)
Limahl – Only For Love (20 seconds longer on CD – album version rather than unique edit that was on the original Now 1)
Malcolm McLaren – Double Dutch (They use album version rather than 7″ mix which was on the original Now 1)
New Edition – Candy Girl (Album version instead of 7″ mix)
Simple Minds – Waterfront (Missing sticks intro that’s from the original single)
The 25th anniversary CD and 2018 reissue are identical in content. The former has a cardboard vinyl replica sleeve while the later edition comes in a jewel case.
Now 2 CD errors (8 out of 30)
Madness – Michael Caine (Album version)
Joe Fagin – That’s Livin’ Alright (Different take, not the 45)
Snowy White – Bird Of Paradise (Too long, not the single mix)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax (Come Fighting instead of the original 7″ AKA Move)
Eurythmics – Here Comes The Rain Again (It’s the album edit)
The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make? (Again, album version not the never-on-CD-before 7″ edit)
Re-Flex – The Politics Of Dancing (They use a shorter edit)
Paul McCartney – Pipes Of Peace (This has longer intro and is the album version)
Now 3 CD errors (15 out of 30)
Nik Kershaw – I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 3 LP)
Sister Sledge – Thinking Of You (Closer in length to the album version and slightly longer than the 7″ mix used on original Now 3)
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Locomotion (Original Now 3 was 3:53 in line with the 7″, this fades early here at 3:44)
Ultravox – Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (Original Now 3 was 4:10 in line with the 7″, this fades early here at 4:04)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes (Cowboy & Indians 7″ instead of We Don’t Want To Die 7″ picture disc)
Womack & Womack – Love Wars (Album version used instead of 7″ edit which was on Now 3 LP – nearly 2 minutes longer here)
Style Council – You’re The Best Thing (Slightly longer than the 7″ mix used on original Now 3 but only a few seconds – identical length to video version)
Bob Marley & The Wailers – One Love / People Get Ready (Omitted from CD)
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy (Now 3 LP used the longer version of 5:02 which was also on the 7″ picture disc; the CD has the shorter 7″ mix 3:55)
Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 3 LP)
Bananarama – Robert De Niro’s Waiting (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 3 LP)
Thompson Twins – You Take Me Up (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 3 LP)
Gary Glitter – Dance Me Up (Omitted from CD)
The Art Company – Susanna (Album version which is also on some 7″ copies. However shorter DJ edit 7″ was on Now 3 LP – 46 second difference)
David Sylvian – Red Guitar (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 3 LP. The 7″ mix has never been on CD so another missed opportunity)
Now 4 CD errors (9 out of 32)
Nick Heyward – Warning Sign (Now 4 LP has the 7″ mix which contains two raps – at 2:07 and 2:55. This slightly shorter version doesn’t)
Culture Club – The War Song (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 4 LP & original CD)
Style Council – Shout To The Top (Matches the mix used on The Singular Adventures Of which runs very slightly longer than the one used on Now 4 LP & original CD)
Thompson Twins – Doctor Doctor (Album version used. On the Now 4 LP & original CD it ran about 10 seconds shorter – possibly video version)
The Kane Gang – Respect Yourself (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 4 LP. Very obvious – 1 min 45 secs longer)
Big Country – East Of Eden (7″ mix included here. The version on the original Now 4 remains unique – at 3:35 an extra chorus is sung instead of the instrumental break)
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Tesla Girls (Compilation version used – as on 1988’s Best Of OMD. About 8 seconds longer than 7″ edit on Now 4 LP)
Kim Wilde – The Second Time (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 4 LP. Quite a different beginning)
Eugene Wilde – Gotta Get You Home Tonight (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 4 LP. Very obvious – 1 min 45 secs longer)
It’s good to see that the original CD should remain sought after given that it contains correct versions of three of the above tracks.
Now 5 CD errors (11 out of 30)
Scritti Politti – The Word Girl (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP – over 1 min longer)
Stephen TinTin Duffy – Icing On The Cake (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP – over 1 min 20 secs longer)
Kool And The Gang – Cherish (Original Now 5 was very close to album version. This is 3:44 and is shorter than the 7″ mix)
Paul Young – Every Time You Go Away (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP – over 1 min longer)
Marillion – Kayleigh (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP – very obvious as album segues evident)
Bryan Ferry – Slave To Love (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP)
Pat Metheny Group & David Bowie – This Is Not America (Omitted from CD)
Sister Sledge – Frankie (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP)
Simply Red – Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) (Seems to be the 4:28 mix used on the 1996 Greatest Hits – 50 seconds longer than 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP)
Jaki Graham – Round And Around (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP)
Loose Ends – Magic Touch (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 5 LP)
Fine Young Cannibals and Phil Collins tracks appear to have been faded very slightly on the original Now 5 LP – we’re talking a couple of seconds so not including these as errors.
Now 6 errors (10 out of 30)
Nik Kershaw – When A Heart Beats (Album version used instead of mix with earlier fade which was on Now 6 LP)
Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) (Greatest Hits / Ultimate Collection mix which is just a fade of the album version. The 7″ edit was on the Now 6 LP)
Bryan Adams & Tina Turner – It’s Only Love (Omitted from CD)
Marillion – Lavender (Album version used instead of longer single mix which was on Now 6 LP – very obvious and a schoolboy mistake)
Midge Ure – If I Was (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 6 LP)
Madness – Uncle Sam (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 6 LP – difference of over 1 min)
The Communards – You Are My World (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 6 LP)
Paul Hardcastle – Just For Money (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 6 LP – difference of nearly 1 min)
Baltimora – Tarzan Boy (Original version used instead of shorter Summer Remix 7″ which was on Now 6 LP)
Cameo – Single Life (ROW 7″ mix used instead of UK 7″ mix which was on Now 6 LP)
UB40’s Don’t Break My Heart album version appeared on the original Now 6 LP and is also here. The original 7″ mix of it and You Are My World are still MIA on CD.
Now 7 errors (10 out of 33)
Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer (Album version used instead of early fade single mix which was on Now 7 LP)
Pet Shop Boys – Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) (4:37 Full-length original 7″ used instead of Alternative 7″ AKA Matrix mix that was unique to the Now 7 LP. I was expecting the regular & common 1986 7″ version but this is the one that turned up on Please: Further Listening)
David Bowie – Absolute Beginners (Omitted from CD)
Simple Minds – All The Things She Said (7″ promo edit used instead of album version which was on Now 7 LP)
Big Country – Look Away (Sounds more like album version instead of Robin Millar production which was on Now 7 LP – slightly different ending)
Simply Red – Holding Back The Years (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 7 LP)
Billy Ocean – When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Edit version of 3:00 instead of noticeably longer 7″ mix which was on Now 7 LP)
Nu Shooz – I Can’t Wait (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 7 LP – nearly 2 minutes longer)
The Real Roxanne with Hitman Howie Tee – (Bang Zoom) Let’s Go Go (Omitted from CD)
Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – On My Own (Omitted from CD)
In an unwelcome twist, the spine says “NOW MUSIC 7” instead of “NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC 7” – so when lined up with the others on the shelf, it doesn’t match. Sloppy! Yes, all the original LPs said “Now Music” aside from the first. But Now 1-6 on CD have had the full title on the spine so this looks odd.
Now 8 errors (4 out of 32).
Genesis – In Too Deep (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 8 LP and CD)
Grace Jones – I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Perfect For You) (Album version used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 8 LP and CD)
Janet Jackson – What Have You Done For Me Lately? (LP Edit from Design Of Decade used instead of 7″ mix which was on Now 8 LP)
Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush – Don’t Give Up (Shaking The Tree 5:57 version instead of the 5:41 7″ mix that was on Now 8 LP and CD)
If you own the original Now 8 CD and get the West German CD Musikladen Eurotops for the 7″ mix of the Janet Jackson track, then you can fully re-create the original double LP.
Now 9 errors (2 out of 30)
Taffy – I Love My Radio (The version here is 4:07 and matches the one used on Now More Forgotten ’80s. It is listed as Radio Version on Spotify and looks like it dates from 1985. It’s worth noting that the original Now 9 LP did not contain the spring 1987 hit version – you know the one that goes “my DeeJay’s radio” – but instead gave us I Love My Radio (Midnight Radio) (US Remix) which was also released in 1985 and runs for 3:22)
Gary Moore – Over The Hills And Far Away (The original Now 9 LP contained the 7″ mix which was timed at 4:38. Here we get an slightly shorter version – 4:24 in length – that also featured on the CD single of Wild Frontier & subsequent Various compilations)
If you wish to partially re-create the original Now 9 experience, you can get I Love My Radio (Midnight Radio) (US Remix) on the West German CD Super Power Hit Sensation.
In terms of future CD reissues – I expect that Sony probably won’t announce anything until early November. Given the improved quality control on the last two, there’s a fair chance that they could do a good job with Now 10 & beyond. IMHO I don’t think they’re necessary and would urge anybody who wants them to just buy second hand copies – acknowledging that this may not suit all. On that basis, this page is now complete.
A Pop Fan's Dream 
Quite shocking that there were so many instances where the versions of the tracks on the CD reissues don’t match the versions contained on the original LP/Cassette versions.
Isnthere any known reason as to why the David Bowie track is ommitted from Now 5?
“Unable to secure rights” is the reason given. Nothing more. Possibly licensing refusal from Pat Metheny or the label that originally issued the soundtrack – The Falcon & The Snowman.
Thanks for advising me of this. Presumably that also accounts for why the Bob Marley track was absent from Now 3?
Two rumours on that:
1 – The label refused to licence it
2 – The label agreed to licence it but the cost was deemed too high
Most likely so they could fit on the record, the vinyl mix/edits being made first then copied to the original CD.
Hi
The original releases were primarily sourced from masters supplied by the respective labels. In the vast majority of instances, the label provided the 7” single master. Now did a couple of edits themselves but these were the exception. For these CD releases, the labels still supply the masters but there are two issues:
1/ Unless specifically requested, the label will supply the first mix that comes to hand. Which may be the album version.
2/ Now staff do not appear to have sufficient knowledge or awareness of what to check for.
The obvious solution is to check against an original copy before pressing up the CDs.
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What is the difference between the 7″ and L{ versions of Nik Kershaw’s I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me? I thought they were the same? Is there a mix difference I’m missing? Thanks.
Hi there. Very little. The 7″ fades earlier – there’s around 9 / 10 second difference. Not really noticeable. It was compiled on the 1984 CD Hot And New.
Thanks for that. Well, a difference is a difference and I’m particular about these kinds of things too. I’ll need to go and check all of my CD copies of this song to see which (if any) contain the true 45 length.
Hi – please check your email.
Did anyone compare later LP to their issued at the time CD? Say Now 20 or whatever, maybe these errors between LP and CD have happened all alone. Shortened mixes would be needed to keep the vinyl groove deep enough, not such an issue for the CD.
I stopped buying the vinyl at the earliest opportunity so unsure. If there are variances, I’d imagine they’re in the later ones maybe 25-35 as they had up to 39 minutes of music per side – shocking quality.
So far I’ve found the following errors on the Now 7 reissue:
Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer is the album mix 5:10 of not the single fade 4:53.
PSB – Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) is the full length original seven-inch mix 4:37 instead of the Matrix mix at 3:20.
Simple Minds – All The Things She Said is the edit of 4:00, instead of the album mix at 4:15, which was on the original Now LP.
Simply Red – Holding Back The Years is the full album mix of 4:28, not the edit at 4:04 that was on the original Now 7.
Billy Ocean – When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going is a very short 3:00 edit, not the 7” Mix 4:07, as originally featured.
Nu Shooz – I Can’t Wait is not the single mix at 3:37 but the full length album mix at 5:25.
Plus of course the three very unfortunate track omissions.
Thanks Warren, just got my CD this afternoon so will update later. Including the full length original 7″ of Opportunities is a nice touch (in a weird sense) as I was expecting the regular 1986 hit version.
I always preferred the Matrix Mix, it’s more powerful sounding and punchier IMO.
To add to the list, Big Country – Look Away has a slightly truncated ending with a slightly reduced track length by 2 seconds.
Album version and single mix are different although similar in length…….
The version on the CD ends with the last snare beat (with reverb and flange added) whereas the original Now 7 version carries on with a guitar screech on the end.
Original Now 7 carries the Robin Millar production credit – the whole album was re-done before its release. This sounds like the album version to me….. ending definitely different.
Has anyone managed to get a copy of Now 7 for £7.99? Amazon are still £10.99 (I expected it to drop on release day), HMV are £12.99. I don’t know if Sainsburys are stocking it but ASDA and Tesco aren’t.
I see on another site that Sainsbury’s are selling it for £8.
Mine cost €14 in Golden Discs. The pressing run can’t be that much. Now 5 seems to have vanished.
Updating the argument that this is mostly down to lack of attention to detail:
I’d certainly cut the Now compilers some slack on these tracks
Limahl – Only For Love (Now 1 fades 20 seconds early – seems to be unique. Never on CD)
Malcolm McLaren – Double Dutch (7″ version never on CD)
The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make (7″ version never on CD – although download was available c 10 years ago)
The Art Company – Susanna (DJ Edit rare if ever on CD)
David Sylvian – Red Guitar (7″ version never on CD)
Nick Heyward – Warning Sign (7″ version never on CD)
Big Country – East Of Eden (Unique edit never on CD)
Jaki Graham – Round & Around (Rare if ever on CD)
Loose Ends – Magic Touch (Rare on CD)
Nik Kershaw – When A Heart Beats (Rare if ever on CD – may be a unique early fade)
The Communards – You Are My World (7″ version never on CD)
Paul Hardcastle – Just For Money (Rare on CD)
Cameo – Single Life (Rare on CD)
Pet Shop Boys – Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money) (Matrix / Alternative 7″ never on CD)
That’s a total of 14.
I’ll also give the benefit of the doubt on the 7 omitted tracks as licensing can be complicated.
So that’s 21.
67 errors in total which means for 46 of them, they had no excuse for getting it wrong – 69% were avoidable. By avoidable, I mean that the single mixes are previously available on CD on other recent compilations or other releases from the artists. Some a bit trickier to find than others but none impossible.
Trying to rank these Now CDs in terms of “best / worst” comes down to a points system. The lower the score, the better.
Minor error = 1 point
Major error = 2 points
Track omission = 3 points
Now 1 – 4 points
Now 2 – 12 points
Now 3 – 24 points
Now 4 – 12 points
Now 5 – 18 points
Now 6 – 17 points
Now 7 – 19 points
Now 2 and Now 4 are tied but Now 4 is “better” given it has fewer major errors (3 vs 4)
An alternative scoring system is just to rate the CDs on what’s on them, rather than what’s missing i.e.
Minor error = 1 point
Major error = 2 points
The scores now look like this:
Now 1 – 4 points
Now 2 – 12 points
Now 3 – 18 points
Now 4 – 12 points
Now 5 – 15 points
Now 6 – 14 points
Now 7 – 10 points
Can you tell me differences between new reissues vinyl 1 and 2 and originals , that’s if there are any . Thank you
Hi Bry
The vinyl reissues of Now 1 and Now 2 have the same errors as the CD versions – so that’s four on Now 1 and eight on Now 2. While there is some merit in purchasing the CD versions, there is no point in forking out for the vinyl reissues and that – I suspect – is why they stopped after Now 2.
I recommend you seek out NM copies of the originals – there are 26 NM copies of Now 1 on Discogs and 13 of Now 2.
Hi, regarding new NOW vinyl releases, this has just been announced;
NOW-Yearbook-1983-Limited-Edition-Red-Vinyl-3LP;
from https://thesoundofvinyl.com
Release date 25/6/21.
I saw that earlier. 43 tracks vs 80 on the CD version with the vinyl at least twice the price. Nice idea for an annual summary.
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The overall scores AKA how did the CD release match the original double LP?
Now 1 – 87%
Now 2 – 73%
Now 3 – 50%
Now 4 – 72%
Now 5 – 63%
Now 6 – 67%
Now 7 – 70%
Now 8 – 88%
Now 9 – 93%
Hi all, thought it might be nice to suggest where to obtain the 7 missing tracks digitally.
Bob Marley – One Love – I believe the version on Now 3 is the Julian Mendelsohn remix/edit that was on the 7″ single, and I’ve only found this on the original version of Legend released in the 80s. All the remasters of Legend use the album version.
Gary Glitter – Dance Me Up – available to download
David Bowie – This is Not America – available to download (eg from the Nothing Has Changed compilation, and others)
Bryan Adams & Tina Turner – It’s Only Love – I personally have taken this from the So Far So Good compilation CD from 1993, but it’s widely available on download
David Bowie – Absolute Beginners – the single version is on Best Of Bowie from 2002, available on download. Also on the original Now ’86 CD released in 1986.
Real Roxanne – Bang Zoom (Let’s Go Go) – I haven’t been able to find a download or CD version of the single edit on Now 7, only the full length album version. I’ve sourced that from Hip Hop Don’t Stop Vol. 3 from 1998.
Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald – On My Own – I’ve used the version on the original Now ’86 CD released in 1986.
Has anyone found the correct edit of the Real Roxanne track anywhere?
Hi Dazza – thank you, much appreciated.
I have the Real Roxanne track on Hip Hop & Rapping In The House & 100 Dance Hits Of The ’80s but both are slightly longer than the Now 7 version which was possibly a unique edit.
More info on this thread – https://forum.popjustice.com/threads/all-important-single-edits-on-cd.30966/page-126#post-6296499 See post #2518
You are correct re One Love & Legend. I have it on this early pressing of the CD – https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Marley-And-The-Wailers-Legend-The-Best-Of-Bob-Marley-And-The-Wailers/release/5795072
I’m curious to know the version used of Every Time You Go Away by Paul Young on Now 5 as there seems to be a version with drum echo/ reverb and one without. The reverb one seems to be the one used now. I tried to do a Now 5 reconstruct and I used the version without reverb
As far as I know, it’s the 7″ mix on Now 5 LP and the longer album version on the CD. What length is the version with reverb ?
About 4.27
One without reverb about 4.14
Will be interesting to see if they do stop at Now 9, if you have the originals you don’t need anything from Now 10 onwards as they were then double CDs onwards, and the originals won’t be over processed audio and sometimes wrong versions of songs, however Now 10 isn’t too cheap to get hold of. One example £60 on Ebay! so there is probably a market for going on with re-issues for a bit longer. – https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1405375903
I think the Ebay prices are overstated. There are eight copies of Now 10 CD on Discogs – starting from €18 – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1171401 On balance, I prefer to buy from there given that the sellers tend to grade more accurately.
Now 10 double CD might not be necessary as Now 8 & 9 were only single CDs originally and the others didn’t even come on CD at all but it might help some who can’t afford £60 or more for the original Now 10, though all the tracks will be compressed and there may be rights issues as there have been with some, it will be interesting if the Now 10 re-issue happens to directly compare it to the original double CD.
Did you not see my response to your previous post? No need to pay £60 for Now 10 on CD when there are still 8 copies on Discogs starting at €18. If you look around, you don’t need to pay a fortune for those remaining ’80s Nows.
Unfortunately now for me I just have the original Now 4 to collect so no way around that.
NOW 10 is being re issued, unfortunately with 2 tracks missing that couldn’t be licenced. Will you continue tracking the errors, maybe setting up a new page dealing with the re issues of 10 onwards, this looks like continuing for the foreseeable future (IMO).
Hi Dave – I saw that. Won’t be updating this page but may consider looking at it separately.
Hi,
Are you going to make a post about the Now Yearbook 1983 and Now Yearbook 1984? Did they do a better job with the Yearbooks, than with the Now 1 – Now 9 reissues?
I might look at at the Now Yearbooks at a later stage – from all accounts, 1983 is a good job and not much wrong with it. But only one out so far and am not sure of the release rate.
Yearbook 1984 is out on 29th October 2021.
I have noticed one glaring error in 1983 and that is a very sudden change of sound quality part way through Ryan Paris’ Dolce Vita, it suddenly goes from sounding great to sounding like a very low bitrate MP3. Absolutely inexcusable. That’s the only major error I have found and as these are original compilations, there are no originals to compare them against so they can’t be held accountable to re-creating the originals as with the original Now series.
Thanks for your reply. I haven’t got the Now Yearbook 1983 yet, but I have ordered the Yearbook 1984.
It is a mystery to me how one track Ryan Paris Dolce Vita can go from sounding great to low bitrate MP3. Have you sent an E-mail to Now about this?
I’ve not written to the Now people, I mean, they must know, just don’t care. Nothing is going to change anyway.
I’ve opened the track up in Adobe Audition and it’s stranger than I first thought..
At 2:12, the change happens but it looks as if a low pass filter is applied at around 13.5kHz and the LF level is reduced as all the life is sucked out of the bass but also, the midrange jumps in level as it seems to be going through some compression, you can visibly see that the part after 2:12 has lost all the punch dynamic range yet the waveform is fuller and much louder in the midrange. They’ve killed the track.
Also a pretty crude fade happens at the end which was not needed as there is a proper 7″ cut out there at 3:21 with a decent ending although the official radio version is 3:55. The maxi single version is 5:15.
I’ve had a search of my music library and there are a load of different edits, cuts, etc which have been used on various compilations over the years and some of them are just awful.
Thanks for that Warren. I note Popjustice comment – “Dolce Vita on the new NOW Yearbook is the UK Single Mix but once again slightly edited at 3 52 with the instrumental break as mentioned above by Stecov coming in at 2 53 through 3 09.”
They also state that this CD contains the proper 7″ mix – https://www.discogs.com/release/2228498-Various-Compact-Hits-Vol-III – one of the few from that era I don’t own yet.
Played back the Now Yearbook version and now notice what you are saying re the 2:12 onwards part. Previously had only played it in car and put it back on the shelf.
Well I finally bit the bullet and bought Now 5 original LP. I wanted to check the Paul Young and Kool and the Gang tracks. Most single versions you hear now for Cherish have the sounds of birds at the start, the version on here doesn’t and I reckon it’s just an edit of the album version.
The Paul Young track is a different mix to the album version and lacks a drum echo. This is the original 7″ Mix and it never shows up on any new compilations or any Paul Young releases as they always put on the edited album version as they did with the Now 5 CD. The big disappointment for me is that the version on the LP has the beginning cut out perhaps only a second or so but it really jars. I thought it might be that the LP is damaged but it isn’t. Wonder if it’s the same with all pressings or just a few
Hi David
Cherish on the Now 5 LP is definitely just an edit of the album version.
For Everytime You Go Away, the original Now 5 cuts off the very start – I think it is like that on all copies. Check your email.
Good news! Now Yearbook ‘84 has the 7” version of Red Guitar.
Thanks; great to read that. Still waiting for my copy to arrive. Due to British Exit, a number of pre-releases on Amazon are geo-blocked to ROI customers. They usually become available at release date but not this time. Had to order from a third party supplier in the end.
The correct 1984 mix of One love/People get ready is also on a 1991 CD single rerelease, if that helps:
https://www.discogs.com/release/9429622-Bob-Marley-The-Wailers-One-Love-People-Get-Ready
Cheers – I see it has 12″ too – must pick it up
NOW 10 REISSUE:
I’ve gone through the NOW 10 reissue, and compared all the tracks to my own music archive (over 157,000 tracks) and the original releases on Discogs.
The track listing on the cover does not denote the specific mixes for the following tracks:
1-02, 1-03, 1-04, 1-05, 1-06, 1-09, 1-11, 1-12, 2-01, 2-04, 2-10, 2-12 and 2-13
Below is the track listing that I have found to be correct:
CD1:
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé – Barcelona
Pet Shop Boys – Rent (7″ Version)
The Communards – Never Can Say Goodbye (7″ Mix By Shep Pettibone)
M|A|R|R|S – Pump Up The Volume (7″ Version)
Hue & Cry – Labour Of Love (7″ Version)
Jellybean – The Real Thing (7″ Version) (Feat. Steven Dante)
Johnny Hates Jazz – I Don’t Want To Be A Hero
The Style Council – Wanted
T’Pau – China In Your Hand (Single Version)
KISS – Crazy Crazy Nights
Billy Idol – Mony Mony (Live)
The Alarm – Rain In The Summertime (7″ Version)
Marillion – Sugar Mice
CD2:
Wet Wet Wet – Sweet Little Mystery (Single Version) [WITH CHANGES TO SECOND VERSE]
Curiosity Killed The Cat – Misfit
Los Lobos – La Bamba
Fat Boys & The Beach Boys – Wipeout! (7″ Version)
Bananarama – Love In The First Degree
Cliff Richard – My Pretty One
Karel Fialka – Hey Matthew
Jan Hammer – Crockett’s Theme
Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me
Erasure – The Circus (Remix By Flood)
The Housemartins – Build
Level 42 – It’s Over (Remix)
ABC – When Smokey Sings (7″ Version) [WITH THE VERBAL COUNT-IN]
Squeeze – Hourglass
The Pogues – Fairytale Of New York (Feat. Kirsty MacColl)
Thanks – I just got this, from a cursory glance re the timings they seem to match the original double CD albeit with the changes you have outlined. Pity about the missing tracks.
Hi Paul, one bizarre aspect of the missing tracks is that they are both licensed to EMI in the original Now 10 booklet. Alone by Heart appeared in both Now 1987s as did Whitesname, albeit it was “Is This Love”.
Why would a band decide against including an old track on a re-issued Now? I appreciate royalties wouldn’t amount to much but still better than nothing. Odd.
It’s unlikely to be the bands themselves deciding not to license tracks, they would rarely be consulted in these matters as they normally don’t hold the mechanical rights for their music. It could be as simple as the fees requested by the rights holder are too much, there is most likely a cap per track, or an overall budget cap for the compilations to make them financially viable and if a track costs too much, they simply omit it and move on.
There are a plethora of other reasons a track might not be included but again, all unlikely to be the artists themselves involved at any stage.
Will more than likely impact Now 11 (Whitesnake) and Now 12 (Heart) if they continue. I was surprised to see the omissions but agree with Warren – probably came down to money. Not sure if Now 10 CD sold that well – came down to £4.99 pretty quickly.
How bizarre. As i read this i have 157,012 tracks on my iTunes at 1.57tb.
Thanks for this super useful list about the NOW reissues! I just have a few comments/corrections on your notes:
NOW 1:
* Simple Minds – Waterfront:
Actually this is just the normal album version.
NOW 3:
* Nik Kershaw – I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me:
AFAIK there is no 7″ version – I just checked with a rip of the 7″ single, and it’s identical to the version on NOW and the 2012 reissue of his album “Human Racing”. You mention the compilation “Hot And New” from 1984, but I think it’s a possibility that the version for that CD was simply the album version with an early fade?
* Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time:
AFAIK, there is no 7″ mix. I just checked a rip of the 7″ single (catalogue number 37-04432), and it’s identical to the NOW reissue.
* Ultravox – Dancing With Tears In My Eyes:
The original 7″ version actually fades at 4m4s – I checked this against a vinyl rip of the 7″ (catalogue number UV 1) and the original vinyl issue of NOW 3. All three versions look identical to me.
* Nick Heyward – Warning Sign:
The version on the NOW 4 reissue has the first rap at 2m7s, but then there’s a quite bad edit at 2m52s that removes the second rap. This edited version is also used on e.g. all of Nick Heyward’s CD compilations, and is likely the only version NOW was offered to use.
NOW 5:
* Bryan Ferry – Slave To Love:
This is the album version, but it has been edited down and fades out eight seconds earlier, at 4m15s.
Hi there, thanks very much for the comments / analysis
Waterfront – the sticks intro differentiates between the two versions used as far as I can see
I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – I think the 7″ mix may have been speeded up on Hot and New?
Time After Time – my Now 3 LP plays around 3:53/3:54 so always thought there was slight difference. Maybe not.
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes – fair point
Warning Sign – correct. Possibly missing master as it’s never featured digitally.
Slave To Love – interesting – I didn’t spot that.
Thanks again
About “Waterfront”, below you can play the track on the full album via two of the music streaming services. Meaning that the album was supplied by the label, and that the track is definitely the official album version:
From the original album:
– Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fuGLrZ4Ju22UpWqGg5cDW?highlight=spotify:track:3Mw3lZoplwJrVE5Qz7XRUx
– YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=88buGM-MnOo&list=OLAK5uy_lXoMeaceL0OqpQJ1gjfLvlKfGnPOxuxo4
From the Super Deluxe Edition of the album:
– Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3s8kcuJmjYTpPe8OmaQnOO?highlight=spotify:track:0OCy3E9gKlGgyPd1eowVCg
– YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-JJgo2zW5FAcDrYQSdmqseDmP9XmCGqw
Now compare that album version to the one on the NOW 1 reissue, and you’ll hear that they are identical.
There are indeed more versions, but none of these were used for this reissue:
– Waterfront (7″ Version) (4m47s) [WITH THE COUNT-IN]
– Waterfront (12″ Version) (5m53s)
– Waterfront (89 Remix) (5m24s)
Hope that clears up any confusion! 🙂
Hi there – yes, I am aware that the album version is on the reissue but the original Now 1 LP used the 7″ version with the count-in – so that is a genuine error on the CD releases.
Ah OK, then I understand you. Yes indeed, they messed up also on that track.
On Time After Time, found a note “edited on the 7″ single, cutting out 7 seconds from 1:37-1:44”
And I always thought the Now releases were unedited!
Well as pop compilations focusing on the last 3 or 4 months of chart action, they should have included single mixes. And to be fair, the original releases got it mostly right. The reissues are a different story. Album versions don’t belong & really stand out when incorrectly included.
It looks to me that the recent NOW 1984 Yearbook has the “correct” versions of Pipes of Peace (NOW2), Love Wars, Smalltown Boy and Red Guitar (NOW3) – can anyone confirm?
According to my ears – yes to all four.
It really depends what you mean by “correct”. Outside of the the original Now LPs/CDs, it’s not relevant. Who defines a “correct” version? The obvious starting point is the version which appeared on the official 7″ single but what about “radio” versions, album versions, variant mixes and custom edits? A variety of these appeared on the original Now albums.
The Yearbook series are a different body of work to the original Now albums so there is no real benchmark for them to be held against.
I would like to think that as much as possible, they will aim for all official 7″ mixes but it’s not easy as the knowledge is mostly lost in those who are compiling the albums to know how specific they need to be when asking for masters and the same goes for the record companies supplying the masters, the expertise which would have existed back in the 80s, just does not exist anymore, and for that matter, many of the masters may not exist, or their location be known.
Agree; the Yearbooks are a new concept so there is nothing to measure them against. Nor is there an obligation. However it is significant that it would appear that more care is being taken with these releases compared to the reissues of the early Now albums – as proved by the inclusion of the four single mixes mentioned by RichardB. Although including the re-recording of I Should Have Known Better (like Forgotten ’80s) is sloppy. I am not sure if Jim Diamond did this out of necessity but if the 1984 original could not be licensed then the track should have been dropped.
My guess is it’s just that some lad in his 20s at the compiling company asked (or searched their own archive) for a master of the track, got the version he got and would not know if he’s got the right version or not as he was not alive until 15 years after the track charted.
As I said, I think it’s a combination of lack of knowledge at both ends and also a certain amount of time and effort being allowed to knock the compilations up. A sad indictment of the world we live in.
Hi can anyone confirm that 2 tracks on Now Yearbook 1983 Extra are rerecordings. Michael Sembello Maniac and When We Were Young by Bucks Fizz. I know for sure Bucks Fizz redid this track with the new girl Kelly replacing Jay Aston’s vocals and I think they’ve included the re done version here
Hi David, I am not sure – have asked on PopJustice forum and will post back if I get an answer.
Both songs sound like the original versions to me.
The vocals on the Bucks Fizz track sound like Jay Aston to me, and not Shelley Preston who replaced her.
Thanks. I actually think I got the Bucks Fizz track the wrong way round. The original version is on the Now album, the version I had was a rubbish rerecording done in the late 90s when David Van Day was running a version of Bucks Fizz, with Mike Nolan and 2 female vocalists, one I believe was called Sally Jacks. They recorded a best of album which still appears on the streaming sites. These recordings were apparently derided by fans
The comments on PopJustice back that up. I’ve also played it again and checked out the re-recording – not great.
Now 11 CD reissue due 8 April
Missing Eddy Grant and Whitesnake tracks
I see the latest reissue (Now 13) is missing the Phil Collins track “Groovy Kind Of Love”. Any other deviations from the original that anyone is aware of?
Hi Martin, I have stopped doing my comparisons after Now 9. Somebody else may know. I did buy the reissue and gave it one play – nothing immediately stood out.
I bought Now 5 over the weekend via Amazon and have noticed that some of the tracks are album versions or fade out early, etc., but I’ve heard some of the album versions being played on the radio in recent years, in particular, Scritti Politti’s The Word Girl and really like the album version. Being a David Bowie fan, I was really disappointed he isn’t on this album and really like this track, apart from that, I’m fine with these extended / album versions, some of which I haven’t heard before.
Hi Alastair,
Thank you for your comment.
The purpose of the Now albums was to reflect the charts over the preceding few months. Accordingly, they usually featured radio edits / 7″ mixes which is what you should have on a compilation of pop singles. It is not unreasonable to expect the eventual CD release to reflect the original double LP – in as much as possible. Nobody expects perfection given the passage of time, and the relative scarcity of *some* (a minority) of the tracks in their single format.
However, the Stephen TinTin Duffy and Paul Young album versions really drag in comparison to their single mixes and are very noticeable. As for Marillion’s Kayleigh (and Lavender on Now 6 CD), the album versions are part of a continuous side-long sequence so the use of both (instead of the very commonly available single mixes) was a shocking display of ignorance and downright laziness – given that it’s impossible to get a clean fade in / out and as a result, you can hear the end of the previous track and the beginning of the next.
The Now 11 CD reissue – just compared timings (no listening done) with original CD as listed on Discogs.
No major deviations aside from Tower Of Strength (listed as 4:34 on Discogs original CD – not checked my copy) while the new release clocks in at 4:24 (time taken from CD player).
Seems to me everything is as it should be except Candle in the Wind (Live) which is a totally different live version – the Live in australia original has almost all of the crowd noise drowned out.
Thanks very much Jim, appreciate that
We’ll soon be getting Now Yearbook 1981 and there are 4 tracks on there that interest me as to what versions/ mixes they will use.
Wordy Rappinghood. The original single came in at under 4 minutes and doesn’t appear to be readily available. Someone has put it up on YT and it’s the version I remember as a young teenager in 81.
Quiet Life by Japan. There’s about 3 single mixes of this.
Memory by Elaine Paige. She recorded a few versions of this so I hope we get her original 81 recording
Tears are Not Enough by ABC. The original 1981 mix is different to the mix on the 1982 Lexicon of Love album
Thanks David
The ABC should be most straightfoward to obtain / include
Elaine Paige will be tricky
Tom Tom Club is on this – https://www.discogs.com/release/2869666-Various-Les-Ann%C3%A9es-New-Wave-2
Quiet Life will be interesting…..
A few people suggesting Can Can by Bad Manners is a rerecording on Yearbook ’81. I always thought the version on the streaming sites was original but it’s a rerecording. I’ve discovered this by watching old Totp’s and I’ve sourced their original album with it on and it is different. You can tell by his first exclamation which is a shout rather than a bleh sound!!
Yes, it feels off…. I think Elaine Paige Memory is a 1998 re-recording too.
I’ve been trying to work which is the original Memory single. On streaming sites I’m sure it’s on the Andrew Lloyd Webber album Gold. According to Wikipedia the original single was incorporated into the original cast recording of Cats and it sounds exactly the same.
We had single and album in the house growing up. From er, memory, the 7″ is about a minute shorter than the soundtrack album take (4:14 vs 5:15)
NOW 12 out on July 29th.
Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight ’88 is missing.
Even more baffling – Heart and The Timelords (aka The KLF) aren’t!
Phil Collins also absent from the Yearbooks too
Surprised to see Heart back
Well, I thought it was odd because PC licensed his songs for the re-releases of NOWs 1, 3, 5 and 6. He hasn’t licensed to any new compilations since 2015’s NOW That’s What I Call Power Ballads.
All in order except Heart Of Gold, some versions of the single (including this reissue) cut out the opening half a second strum on the intro, the orignal CD is intact.
Thanks Jim, will be playing mine over weekend
Any idea if the single version of This Is It by Dan Hartman was ever released on CD. Curious to know what version they will use on the Yearbook 79 extra
Check out this – https://www.discogs.com/release/14918777-Various-The-Hits-Album-The-70s-Pop-Album-Strikes-Back – runs for 3:30 which matches the 7″ length
Just worked out that I can re-create the 7″ mix of Malcolm McLaren’s Double Dutch (which was included on NOW1 but has never, I think, had a digital release) by using a copy of the 12″ version (available on the recent Now That’s What I Call 12″ 80s: Extended) and just fading it at around 3:38… In fact, if you listen carefully to the 12″, there’s a not-so-great splice at that point where they’ve obviously decided they’ll extend the 7″ by ‘sticking some stuff on the end’…
Great stuff- thanks Richard. Might try myself on Audacity.
This is an excellent summary of the early now re issues.
can L ask.
1. Are there plans to update with 10-15.
2. The Now Yearbooks which started with Now 83 a couple of years back. Do you have any plans to summarise these, ie are the songs listed the same as the original singles releases back in the day?
great article though.
Hi David
Thank you
1 – No. Reason being that I think any reissues beyond Now 9 are unnecessary as Now 10 onwards were fully released on CD
2 – Technically the Yearbooks don’t have anything to compare themselves with so are not obliged to measure up in terms of right / wrong versions. I may look at some sort of analysis or summary in future. If so, it’ll might be on my Now Yearbook Extra Plus page – https://apopfansdream.wordpress.com/words/now-yearbook-extra-plus/ The attention to detail is far better with the Yearbooks than the numbered reissues.