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Pick at the pops: 28 January 2008

Our weekly round-up of the weird and wonderful world of pop music...

Good news, people: Mick Hucknall has resolved his dispute with Warner. Yes, in these days of bloody showdowns between artist and record label, isn’t it heartening to see that Simply Red’s flame-haired gnome can be the bigger man (figuratively) and agree to compromise over this long-standing quarrel? What? You didn’t know about it? Oh, apparently Warner released a compilation against the Huckster’s wishes in 2000 and ever since he’s been releasing records no one’s bought on his own imprint in protest. Now we can look forward to a remastered catalogue re-release programme, but no new stuff because the ‘Red have split up after 25 years “together”. Go on, name another member who’s been with Mick for the last quarter-century.

It’s not the only devastating split we’re having to deal with, for UB40’s bleating goat of a frontman Ali Campbell has announced he’s leaving the band after 28 years (beat that, Huckers). The band have vowed to carry on. Phew. How would we cope otherwise?

As is the natural way, as one band that had its biggest hit 25 years ago breaks up, another must reform – and so it is that we welcome the return of Yazoo, the collective name of former Depeche Mode/current Erasure synth-prodder Vince Clarke and statuesque bellower Alison Moyet, who will tour this year. Says Moyet: “It’s like going home.” To Basildon, isn’t it? Woo!

It’s not all has-beens here. Well, not yet. Still-just-about Amy Winehouse has narrowly avoided being sectioned by her family (bless them) because, in official parlance, she’s “not a danger to herself”. She must be pretty bloody resilient then. Actually, yes, seems so. And yank-talking, mad-haired, walking-nightmare-stuck-in-a-lift-with scenario Joss Stone says she doesn’t “give a f***” about the British press suggesting she has a fake American accent, mad hair and would be a nightmare to be stuck in a lift with. That’s ok then.

Matthew Horton

• 21/01/2008: Annie Lennox and The Verve won't pave streets >>
• 14/01/2008: Robbie and Coldplay turn on EMI >>
• 07/01/2008: Out with the old, in with the new >>
• 2007 archive >>
• 2006 archive >>