Various – Now That's What I Call Music 3

Can’t seem to find my version, as far as I can read the run outs they are
NOW 31 A1
NOW 31 (something scratched out) B2 penthouse
NOW 32 A1 penthouse
NOW 32 B1

Must be the Ireland I think 🤔

I would track down the original vinyl LP as the re issues on CD are so woke, half of these artists would be omitted anyway if this was the 50s or 60s just because Gary Glitter was guilty of doing something bad, we never knew at that time, people nowadays are so eager to judge, like they're so effing perfect, this place is starting to sound like the echo chambers of social media.

Now 3, released in July 1984

Side One

1. Duran Duran - The Reflex: Another great track from the wild boys.
2. Nik Kershaw - I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me: Great song, originally released in 1983 but failed to chart. It was re-released in 1984, and reached number 2.
3. Sister Sledge - Thinking of You: This song was actually from 1979, but wasn't released as a single until 1984.
4. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Locomotion: Great tune from OMD.
5. Ultravox - Dancing With Tears In My Eyes: Great song from Midge Ure and co.
6. Howard Jones - Pearl in the Shell: Another great song from 'Human's Lib'.
7. Blancmange - Don't Tell Me: Great instrumentation.
8. Phil Collins - Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now): Beautiful song from Phil. Covered many times.

Side Two

9. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes: Great follow up to 'Relax'.
10. Grandmaster and Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Don't Do It): Great chorus and rap verses.
11. The Special AKA - Nelson Mandela: My big sister had the 'In the Studio' album, and this was one of my favourite tracks on there.
12. Womack and Womack - Love Wars: Great song, later covered by the Beautiful South.
13. Style Council - You're the Best Thing: Not the best thing Style Council ever did, but still a nice track.
14. Bob Marley and the Wailers - One Love/People Get Ready: This was not included on the 2019 CD release. It's a great reggae song.
15. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy: Love the intro that starts slow and gets faster.

Side Three

16. Queen - I Want to Break Free: Great tune. Each single from 'The Works' was written by a different member. This is John Deacon's single.
17. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time: Great mellow tune from Cyndi.
18. Alison Moyet - Love Resurrection: Great solo debut from the Yazoo singer.
19. Bluebells - Young at Heart: Great song, will talk more about this as it appears on a later Now album.
20. Bananarama - Robert De Niro's Waiting: Clever sequencing, as 'Young at Heart' was originally recorded by Bananarama.
21. Propaganda - Doctor Mabuse: Creepy intro. great percussion.
22. Tina Turner - What's Love Got to Do With It: Another great song from the late Tina.
23. Flying Pickets - When You're Young and In Love: Great follow up to 'Only You'.

Side Four

24. Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go: Great song from George and Andrew.
25. Thompson Twins - You Take Me Up: Great blues inspired harmonica.
26. The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men: Iconic gay anthem.
27. Gary Glitter - Dance Me Up: Another one not on the CD, due to Gary's conviction. I still like this track; I seeing the video on the 'Glam Rock 3' VHS.
28. The Art Company - Susanna: Great 'live' sounds.
29. Madness - One Better Day: Another great song from 'Keep Moving'.
30. David Sylvian - Red Guitar: Great song from the Japan singer.

Great album, but yet again there are some tracks that missed out:

Marillion - Assassing: Great track.
Shakin' Stevens - A Love Worth Waiting For: Another great track from Shaky.
The Pointer Sisters - Automatic
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody
Hazell Dean - Searchin' (I Gotta Find a Man)
Status Quo - Goin' Down Town Tonight
Alvin Stardust - I Feel Like Buddy Holly
The Smiths - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
Tracey Ullman - Sunglasses
Depeche Mode - People Are People
Michael Jackson - PYT (Pretty Young Thing)
Dead or Alive - That's the Way (I Like It)
Elton John - Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Spandau Ballet - Only When You Leave
Ozzy Osbourne - So Tired
Human League - Life On Your Own

Any two of these tracks could have replaced Bob Marley and Gary Glitter on the CD release.

My Review:
Favorite Song: White Lines (Don't Do It)
Least Favorite Song: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Most of the time the long or full versions are actually improvements if they are the same exact mix just a longer version as it would be the right mix but the version they always wanted to get on it in the limited timeframe of a vinyl.

But the problem is if they opt for remixes in these reissues not original in the full length they are not the ultimate version they are remixed so shoddy and doesn't count as the longer ultimate cut of the correct version.

Get the LP - the CD version is a lazy, hurriedly put together cash-in and doesn't feature the same versions of the songs.
Perhaps a proper CD or digital reissue will appear one day?

It appears the 2CD set of Now 3 has not been added to the Discogs data base.
If anyone who owns it has the time could you add this release tot he data base please.

I compared Two Tribes with the LP this morning, I think the 2019 CD fades the ending sooner - it's the same mix surely?

I have done a comparison with the CD and my original LP. Here are the differences - some more obvious than others. If anybody notices anything else, please feel free to add in the replies.

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)

Hope we keep getting the early nows on reissue seeing as most of the 3-10 copies I'm picking up 2nd hand locally are abysmal. I'm having to cobble together a VG+ from 3 releases lol.