NOW – Yearbook 1973 (Special Edition 4CD)

NOW is proud to present the next instalment in our ongoing ‘Yearbook’ series – and taking our longest trip back in pop history so far – 50 Years – with 83 tracks on 4 CDs, to celebrate a landmark year of Pop singles… NOW – Yearbook 1973. This special edition CD is housed in ‘hard-back-book’ packaging, including a 28-page booklet featuring a summary of the year, a track-by-track guide, a quiz, and original singles artwork.

Opening with the iconic ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ from Elton John and followed by Paul McCartney & Wings’ Bond theme ‘Live And Let Die’, this epic beginning to this journey back to 1973 continues with a run of massive Glam-Rock infused hits from T. Rex, Mud and Alvin Stardust, and #1s from Suzi Quatro, Wizzard, 10cc, ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’ from Slade and Sweet with ‘Blockbuster’. Pop classics from Gilbert O’Sullivan with the #1 ‘Get Down’, and from Jackson 5, The Osmonds and the re-issued ‘The Laughing Gnome’ from David Bowie lead into some soulful vocalists including Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart and Gladys Knight & The Pips to complete this first disc.

Disc Two opens with an awe-inspiring run of legendary artists: John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon, plus the debut single from Bruce Springsteen with ‘Blinded By The Light’ and timeless signature releases from Billy Joel with ‘Piano Man’ and ‘You’re So Vain’ from Carly Simon. Defining tracks from Ike & Tina Turner, Thin Lizzy and Stealers Wheel lead into Rock classics from Faces, Free, Electric Light Orchestra, Status Quo, Joe Walsh, Alice Cooper and Nazareth… and the disc closes with ‘Albatross’ from Fleetwood Mac – a #1 in 1969 and a #2 when re-released in 1973.

A run of stunning ballads kicks off the third disc; Paul McCartney & Wings with ‘My Love’, Roberta Flack with the peerless ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’, and ‘Always On My Mind’ from Elvis Presley before Diana Ross ushers in an incredible line-up of Soul smashes including from, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes feat. Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, Barry White, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and ‘Let’s Get It On’ from Marvin Gaye.

The final disc is all about more huge Pop smashes, opening with the era-defining ‘The Ballroom Blitz’ from Sweet, second inclusions for Suzi Quatro and Mud, plus Mott The Hoople, Roxy Music, Barry Blue and the debut hit from David Essex, ‘Rock On’. Donny Osmond’s #1 ‘Young Love’ and 1973’s biggest seller - Dawn feat. Tony Orlando’s ‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon...’ lead an Easy-Pop run including massive hits from Shirley Bassey, Perry Como, Olivia Newton-John, Eurovision singles; winner Anne-Marie David, Cliff Richard’s second contest entry, and #1s from Peters & Lee, plus ‘Eye Level’ - the theme to one of the year’s most popular TV shows by the Simon Park Orchestra. Yearbook 1973 closes in magnificent style with two of the biggest and most loved Christmas classics of all time – Wizzard with ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ and ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ from Slade.

NOW – Yearbook 1973 – A celebration of the diversity and wonderful creativity of a truly stellar year in Pop.