Shout Factory are releasing a DVD box set of The Secret Policeman’s Balls

The Secret Policeman’s Balls
The Secret Policeman’s Ball

Due for release on 27 January 2009

Shout Factory are releasing a DVD box set of The Secret Policeman’s Balls, a legendary series of benefit shows staged to raise funds for Amnesty International. Beginning in 1976, they have featured the cream of Britain’s comedians and musicians, and laid the groundwork for high-profile charity events, including Live Aid.

The 3-DVD set The Secret Policeman’s Balls collects the five biggest and best Balls, featuring John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam of Monty Python, Dudley Moore and Peter Cook of Beyond The Fringe, Billy Connolly, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) and Hugh Laurie (House M.D.).

The shows also feature historic “unplugged” performances by Pete Townshend, Sting, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Peter Gabriel, Donovan, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Kate Bush and Joan Armatrading. Also featured are rare duets from guitar legends Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins.

Buy The Secret Policeman’s Balls [2009] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

EMI SET TO RELEASE REMASTERED EDITION OF DONOVAN’S ‘A GIFT FROM A FLOWER TO A GARDEN’ IN JANUARY 2009

EMI plan to release a brand-new digital remaster of the 1967 Donovan ‘A Gift From A Flower To A Garden’ at the end of January 2009. Originally released as a two-LP box set, the album matched the mood of the summer of 1967 perfectly. Cream’s Jack Bruce is among the many session players. The album represents a folkier and bluesier sound, reminiscent of his early work and will no doubt please many fans.

1. Wear Your Love Like Heaven
2. Mad John’s Escape
3. Skip A Long Sam
4. Sun
5. There Was A Time
6. Oh Gosh
7. Little Boy In Corduroy
8. Under The Greenwood Tree
9. Land Of Doesn’t Have To Be
10. Someone Singing
11. Song Of The Naturalists Wife
12. Enchanted Gypsy
13. Voyage Into The Golden Screen
14. Isle Of Islay
15. Mandolin Man And His Secret
16. Lay Of The Last Tinker
17. Tinker And Crab
18. Widow With Shawl (A Portrait)
19. Lullaby Of Spring
20. Magpie
21. Starfish On The Toast
22. Epistle To Derroll