Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) back issues from December 2007:
Blood on the tracks.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BRAD PITT GOES WILD WEST PAGE 6 comp Win DVDs of Beyonce live PAGE 5 telly ...
showbiz: Scrummy Brummie.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: Anuji Varma & Roz Laws TV chef James Martin has revealed he's a huge fan of Brummie cuisine. The northern cook was at the Good Food Show's Birmingham Bites stand in the NEC when he spoke about the city's food. He said: "Birmingham's food and drink ...
showbiz: Shed in town.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: Anuji Varma & Roz Laws INDIE band Shed Seven will be returning to the Midlands when they perform on stage. The group will play at the ...
Win tickets to see Maximo hit the decks.(Competition/Offers)
Dec 02, 2007 ... ROCKERS Maximo Park will be DJing at Birmingham's Academy venue - and we have 10 pairs of tickets to give away. The band members will be hitting the decks on Friday as part of Virgin Mobile Union's indie night Ramshackles. For your chance to ...
Gym'll fix it for Rhyd.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... A MIDLAND gym where X Factor favourite Rhydian trains is sending secret 'Vote Rhydian' messages to members. TV screens in Fitness First in Bearwood, Smethwick, are flashing up the messages for the classically trained singer in the hope he will win the ITV1 show. The ...
Friends Electric.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... WOLVERHAMPTON singer Andy Taylor will be returning to his home city when he performs with his band The Electric City. The boys will be supporting Orson at the Wulfrun Hall tomorrow and will show off their rock meets dance sound at ...
Out of this world.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... ACTOR Patrick Stewart is normally a stickler for learning his lines and never missing his cue. But he admits to being rather forgetful during his latest job, narrating the big screen version of Earth, based on the hit BBC series Planet Earth. The RSC and Star Trek ...
Hail the all-action Chiefs of Brit-rock; Kaiser Chiefs, NIA, Birmingham.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: LEE GIBSON OASIS' crown as the kings of Brit-rock has been slipping for several years now in the eyes of many an observer. While I am not one of those subscribing to the view that the Gallagher brothers have had their day just yet, the Kaiser Chiefs can ...
books: Perfect gift for a girl like me; SARAH IVENS A Modern Girl's Guide To Getting Organised (Piatkus, pounds 7.99).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Lorne Jackson LET'S start with a confession. I am not, nor ever have been, a woman - and I've got the bristling knuckle hairs to prove it. But being in ownership of a dodgy bisexual name, I'm frequently mistaken for a girlie. "Can I ...
dining: The food was poor and the toddler burnt; eating out PICCOLINO'S, Warwick.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: LORNE JACKSON THERE are several dishes that taste better when cooked well-done. A yummy rump steak, for instance. But what about sizzling toddler? Not so yummy. Unfortunately, that was on the menu when Riki and I - along with ...
dining: Sting in the tail that arrived with the bill; THE SUN, Romsley.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: BOB HAYWOOD IT'S hardly the biggest restaurant rip-off in history but it left a nasty taste in my mouth. Which is sad because otherwise my wife and I had enjoyed the meal. Our destination was The Sun at Romsley, a smart pub in the upmarket village ...
dining: eating in; Each week we bring you a cut-out-and-keep recipe from top chef KEVIN ASHTON, who has cooked for American presidents and Hollywood movie stars.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: KEVIN ASHTON CELERIAC TART WITH ROASTED BABY PLUM TOMATOES THE SUN, Romsley (serves 6-8) IF you've never tried celeriac, you're missing out on a wonderful, versatile vegetable. It has a mild celery flavour and a wonderful creamy texture. It's easy to prepare ...
play: ALO Roses & Clover (Brushfire).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels JACK Johnson's Californian pop pals have just come up with the album The Eagles failed to make on their interminably long road out of Eden. Bursting with warm harmonies, summery hooks and impeccable musicianship, this is an out and out ...
play: pick of the week; REMI NICOLE My Conscience And I (Island).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels LILY Allen and Kate Nash have been hogging the headlines when it comes to sassy streetwise pop. But myspace songbird Remi Nicole does it better. What's more, she does it rock and roll. The latest graduate from the Mike ...
play: Games; Kane & Lynch: Dean Men (Eidos, X-Box 360).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: MARTYN LEEK ONE of the best cinema scenes of the past 20 years is the shoot-out after the failed heist in the Michael Mann film Heat. Surrounded by cops, Robert De Niro and his gang proceed to whip out their M16s and try to blast their way out of a sticky ...
play: WIN WIN Beyonce live DVD.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels WIN the new Beyonce live DVD! That's the top pop prize offer from the Preview team today. We have FIVE copies of The Beyonce Experience LIVE! up for grabs. Out now from Music World Music and Columbia Records, ...
play: SQUEEZE Five Live (Love).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels THEY'RE touring the UK again, and call in at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall this Saturday. Cue a live album recorded during the summer tour of the States when Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook finally got back up onstage together. The ...
play: Dev's pick.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: Dev CLEO LAINE & JOHN DANKWORTH Hear Music (Salvo) THERE are no musicians in British jazz better known and more respected than Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth. They have both recently celebrated their 80th birthdays and this beautifully ...
play: THE HOUSEMARTINS/ THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH Soup (Go! Discs).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels THEY'VE both been collected before but now Paul Heaton's laidback pop bands rub shoulders on a greatest hits set shamelessly aimed at the Christmas market. From The Housemartins there's the chance to hear again Happy Hour, Caravan Of Love and ...
play: jazz & blues; ERIN McKEOWN Lafayette (Signature).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels SINCE she emerged from the New England folk circuit, songbird McKeown has played her way through pop, swing and electronica before settling on the jazz stage. This live set, a no frills recording at the legendary Joe's Pub in New York City, is ...
play: folk & roots; BOB COLLUM & THE WELFARE MOTHERS Get The Stupid Free (APR).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels TULSA troubadour Bob Collum steps off the Stateside alt.country circuit to wade out into the mainstream with British band Welfare Mothers, and serves up summery soft rock. The opening title track boasts veteran session man B J ...
play: DEAN OWENS Whisky Hearts (Vermillion Road).(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Paul Cole & Jack Daniels THEY call him the Scottish Springsteen, and indeed there are moments during soul punch opener Years Ago that you might imagine he's the new McBoss. His Whisky Hearts band powers through the anthem, Jeff Coffin's sax wailing like Big Man ...
cinema: Slow on the draw; THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (15) ***.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws WINNING a prize for the year's longest film title, the running time of this epic is equally lengthy. Coming in at 160 minutes, it's doubtful whether today's cinema audiences, who seem to require toilet breaks during a 90-minute movie, will have ...
cinema: Cooking up a Christmas turkey; FRED CLAUS (PG) **.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws VINCE Vaughn, Kevin Spacey, Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz, Miranda Richardson and Kathy Bates. Even Trevor Peacock from The Vicar Of Dibley. I can't remember when I've seen such a good cast so wasted. Vaughn is Fred Claus, who resents ...
Cinema: Take a trip on the weird side; THE NINES (15) ***.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws THIS intriguing film is split into three parts, each featuring Ryan Reynolds as a different character. He starts off as Gary, a TV actor who accidentally burns down his house then gets drunk and crashes his car. He's put under house ...
Cinema: Slick flick is hit and miss; HITMAN (15) ***.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws AGENT 47 (Timothy Olyphant) has no name. An orphan, he was selected at birth and trained to be a killer by The Organisation - an agency which is, ridiculously, "so secret no-one knows it exists". An assassin trying to keep a low profile might want ...
Cinema: Dvd.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws THERE'S only one new DVD release of note this week, but it's a massive one. Transformers (12) is one of the year's most thrilling films. Entertaining, funny, fast and furious, with incredible CGI effects, director Michael Bay brings us the clash ...
pub quiz: POT LUCK.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... 1. A silver fern is the emblem of which nation's rugby union team? 2. What did Howard Carter discover in 1922? 3. Of which African country is Addis Ababa the capital? 4. In which year was the British colony of Hong Kong returned to China? 5 ....
pub quiz: SUPERHEROES.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... THESE are the real names of which superheroes? 1. Diana Prince 2. Bruce Wayne 3. Eric Twinge 4. Matt Murdock ...
pub quiz: CELEBRITY RELATIVES.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... HOW are these stars related? 1. Francis Ford Coppola and Nicolas Cage 2. Ginger Rogers and Rita Hayworth ...
home & away; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws SALLY is surprised but delighted when Brad returns to the Bay, but when she declares her love for him, he turns her down. Understandable after being left at the altar, really. But she comforts him after ...
hollyoaks; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws IT seems the McQueen girls can't keep their hands off each other's men. After Mercedes' dalliance with Jacqui's boyfriend Tony, Tina cheats on Dom with her sister's ex, Russ. He comes to the rescue ...
Neighbours; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws I THINK you've just proved their point, Kirsten. When a child psychologist says Mickey would be better off with his father, Kirsten abducts the lad and puts his life in danger. Tim begs her to return ...
Street's all of a flutter; tv & soaps coronation street.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws WILL two new arrivals make their presence felt on the Street? You bet! The new faces belong to Weather-field bookies Harry Mason and his son Dan, played by Bad Girls star Jack Ellis and Matthew Crompton from The Bill. Like ...
eastenders; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws GO on then, set fire to yourself! I hate to agree with Ian Beale about anything, but Stephen has been a pain ever since he arrived back in Walford. He's nasty to Dot and trashes Stacey's stock. And when Ian smashes his precious snow globe, he heads to the ...
emmerdale; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws DAVID shows off his nipple ring this week when he succumbs to Nicola's flirting, and Jasmine walks in to find them rolling around on the rug. She's more disgusted than upset, as she thinks they deserve one another after their dastardly behaviour in seeing off ...
Heroes head for an explosive showdown; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws WE don't need another hero ... actually we need at least half a dozen superheroes, to stop a cataclysmic explosion wiping out New York. Step forward Peter Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia, pictured), who luckily can absorb the powers of all his new ...
Journeys into the unknown; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws LOOK out for a couple of good films receiving their terrestrial premieres this week. Steve Carell shot to fame in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (ITV1, Wednesday), playing shy electronics shop assistant Andy, who has lived four decades without having ...
mass wedding; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws DO you remember when 4,000 people married total strangers in a mass wedding in 1982? They were all members of the Unification Church, otherwise known as Moonies because of their allegiance to ...
When baby love fails; tv & soaps.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws MOST new mums instantly fall in love with their babies the minute they set eyes on them. But that's not always the case, so imagine what an ordeal it must be when you harbour bad feelings towards your child. Zoe, one of the women taking ...
tv & radio: Woof justice.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws KEVIN Whately might be about to lose thousands of fans at a stroke ... by having a go at lawyers. The actor, famous for upholding the law as police detective Lewis, says: "I think solicitors are overpaid and, like a lot of our professional jobs, ...
tv & radio: Soap bitch still up to her neck in murder.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws IF you're best known for playing a killer, it might not be the best idea to then star in a drama called Blue Murder. But Kate Ford says her new role is nothing like that of bitchy Tracy Barlow in Coronation Street. In her first TV ...
radio: Gardeners' Question Time Goes Back-To-Basics, Radio 4 Sunday 2pm.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws FOR the next 12 weeks, Gardeners' Question Time goes back to basics with a new series on gardening fundamentals. Anne Swithinbank, Bob Flowerdew and Pippa Greenwood cover all the essentials in this series, recorded at the show's own garden at ...
radio: I Wish I'd Thought Of That, Radio 2 Tuesday 10.30pm.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws KATE Thornton (pictured) brings her series about businesses which have revolutionised the world to a close with a look at YouTube. Now one of the most visited sites on the internet, the online advertising revenues which support YouTube are ...
radio: Where Do I Begin?: The Andy Williams Story, Radio 2 Thursday 11pm.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: by Roz Laws ANDY Williams, the crooner behind such hits as Can't Get Used To Losing You and Music To Watch Girls By, is 80 on 3 December this year, and is still performing regularly. To celebrate, Donny Osmond presents a four-part series featuring a new interview with ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 Cramford (5.30) The town's residents prepare for Lady Ludlow's garden party, but the occasion is marred by rumours the railway line will come right into Cranford. BBC2 Long Way Down (9pm) The duo briefly go their sepatate ways ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 The ONE Show (7.00pm) Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley present reports about issues affecting people across the UK. BBC2 Dragons' Den (9.00pm) More budding entrepreneurs pitch for investment from the dragons, with ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 Spooks (9.00pm) Ros's membership of Yalta is revealed after the organisation informs her I of its plan to overthrow I the American government, and working for both sides I becomes her only options. BBC2 Earth: The Power of the Planet ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 The Nature of Britain (9.00pm) Demonstrating how rare species of plants and animals continue to thrive in the most unexpected places. Last in series. BBC2 Heroes (9.00pm) Hint receives information regarding his family as he ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 The Street (9.00pm) Mark Benton stars as depressed postman Wayne, who is desperate to make a new start even if it means resorting to theft. With Melanie Hill and Michael Taylor. BBC2 Arrange Me a Marriage (8.00pm) Aneela Rahman ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 The Armstrong & Miller Show (9.30pm) Vegetarian cafe owners Pru and Miranda get into an argument ovcf quichGSi BBC2 The Tudors (9.00pm) Anne Boleyn persuades Henry to take Martin I Luther's writings seriously, but it's rumours ...
Pick of the day.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... BBC1 Robin Hood (7.10pm) The Sheriff sleepwalks into Sherwood Forest and is aiscoverea missing me same day Prince John's messenger arrives to check all is well. Jonas Armstrong stars. BBC2 The Company (9.40pm) A Russian diplomat who ...
homes & gardens.(News)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Wildlife winter GRAND ...
GO WILD this winter.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: BY TOBY MUSGRAVE The TV Gardener CARING for wildlife is really about getting your head together as much as doing practical things. So why not start now while it's 'down season'? Bu the time we get to the spring, you'll be fully wildlife aware! ...
SALON lifestyle.(Features)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: BY KATE WOLFE WESTWOOD House, near Droitwich, was a convent before the Reformation turned it into a Tudor hearthrob's hunting lodge. In the 19th century, the twin-turreted Jacobean mansion spurred salt magnate John Corbett's ultimate attempt to upstage ...
KING HENRY.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Karl strikes to keep Wolves' impressive run going CAPTION(S): OUR HERO: Karl Henry ...
Scharner to rescue for Bruce; BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... PAUL Scharner spared Titus Bramble's blushes as Premier League strugglers Wigan held high-flying Manchester City to a draw in Steve Bruce's first game in charge. Bruce's reign got off to the worst possible start at the JJB Stadium as Bramble's clanger inside the first minute ...
BRAVE VILLA OUT-GUNNED; Brits outflanked by Foreign Legion.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: MAT KENDRICK at Villa Park ASTON VILLA 1 Gardner 14 mins ARSENAL 2 Flamini 23 mins, Adebayor 36 mins VILLA'S Premier League bandwagon was brought to a halt as Arsenal's foreign legion proved just too strong for Martin ...
Jewell misery at Black Cats Ram-raid...(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: Damian Spellman at The Stadium of Light SUNDERLAND 1 DERBY COUNTY 0 NEW boss Paul Jewell said he felt like he'd been 'kicked in the teeth' as Derby were denied a deserved share of the spoils by a late, late goal from Sunderland. Anthony ...
Holloway's unhappy to pay penalty.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: SAM LEE at the Walkers Stadium LEICESTER 1 SOUTHAMPTON 2 IAN Holloway was left fuming after a penalty award which condemned Leicester to their first defeat under his charge. Andrew Surman struck from the spot in the 56th minute as Southampton ...
ISHMAEL LANDS OCTOBER AWARD.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... ALBION'S Ishmael Miller has won the BRMB/Sunday Mercury/West Bromwich Building Society Midlands Player of the Month award for October. The striker, on loan at The Hawthorns from Manchester City, recieved his trophy, right, from organiser Gary Newbon and the Society's Brian ...
BAGGIES RUNNING ON EMPTY; Hectic week finally takes toll.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: SARAH GWYNN at Selhurst Park CRYSTAL PALACE 1 Morrison 21 mins WEST BROM 1 Hudson og 8 ALBION missed out on the chance to take the Championship top spot - prompting a jubilant reaction from Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock. ...
Pardew anger at Addicks; Coca Cola ROUND-UP.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... ADDICKS boss Alan Pardew has demanded Charlton prove they have the bottle for a promotion challenge after the end of a humiliating week saw them beaten 3-1 by Burnley in the Coca-Cola Championship at the Valley. Pardew was stunned to see his troops crash to their second home ...
Stylish Shrews on song.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... SHREWSBURY 2 MACCLESFIELD 0 SHREWSBURY'S best home performance of the season was enough to earn only a third win in 13 games in a week where manager Gary Peters labelled his under-achievers the 'England of League Two'. A goal in each half was enough to see ...
'ONE-NIL' WOLVES ON CLIMB; More of same from McCarthy's men.(Sport)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Byline: HARRY NOBLE at Molineux WOLVES 1 Henry 55 mins PRESTON 0 IT might be premature to start making comparisons between Wolves and vintage Arsenal, but '1-0 to the Wanderers' is suddenly becoming a familiar and successful refrain. ...