Sophie rarities

Sophie has been around in the music scene for a decade now, and there's tons of new fans that she has now. So i was thinking of sharing some of these rare studio demos and alternate versions with the world, its not going to affect sales in any way, so might as well do it...

Murder On The Dancefloor (Original Demo Version) - I like this version of the song. You can see that Jewel & Stone built their mix around this version of the song. Its not the typical dance track that the original sounds like. Its got a catchy groove, and is very very bassy!! But i'm happy that they changed the song before it made it onto the album. This would sound weird on Read My Lips
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5181748350504a93/

Final Move (Original Demo Version) - After you listen to this, you'll think "is this a demo!?" Well, at least that was my first reaction. I prefer this to the original. This is a bassy power ballad, which is so well produced. I wonder why Sophie didn't like this version and chose the louder album brash version instead. This song has a more emotional appeal than the album version.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/518175318fa2435c/

Love It Is Love (Sampler Version) - This version didn't make it onto the album because of the obvious difference in the sound. Its a whole lot dancier than the original, a foot thomper! The lyrics are different in this version as well. Its got a driving groove, which puts you into a trance and the guitar sampler which is looped in the song catches your attention. Sophie's vocals sound very echo-y. This song was supposed to be a single, if it was, i'm sure this version would have been played on the radios more than the orignal.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5181782167ae0ca5/

Party In My Head (Sampler Version) - I've already given my views about this in the previous psot. Its a charming track!! And i love it!!
http://www.speedyshare.com/988702736.html

Lover (Demo Version) - Its very very rough. I prefer the bassy album version to this.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/51818038728e99ff/

Is It Any Wonder (Produced by Moby) - Or famously known as the "Moby Mix" is just a vocal and background track demo. When RML was still being made, there was a whole lot of hype that Sophie had reeled in Moby to produce one of her tracks. Here's the demo they made together. Its pretty much the same as the album version, except, Sophie sounds like she just woke up and ran to the studio... lol..
http://www.speedyshare.com/680586183.html

Interview with Sophie at Nokia Trends Lab - Lithuania

Transcript thanks to a dear friend (Paul)

In recent interviews you have mentioned that the only thing that you know about Lithuania before coming here was a strange meal called cepelinus?
Yes

You already tried it?
I haven't tried cepelinus but I've had lots of other things, umm... We've been having some really nice meals here, but you're right, I haven't had cepelini. What are they, are they sweet or savoury?


You are here in Vilnius since yesterday evening
Yes

So what have you already seen?
Umm, well... Yesterday we thought when we arrived it was already quite late because we didn't land until about nine or ten o'clock at night. So we had our supper and then I went to bed. But some of the other people I'm with went into the centre and went to a student bar. I had a bit of a good night; because I have to sing tonight I have to be good. To day we went for a walk to the Castle and the Cathedral and had a look round. Very beautiful and very well-kept, like recently cleaned, a lot cleaner than London. And everything really sweet. And I bought some things from some of the stores.

You've mentioned that you're going to perform most of great hits here in this concert. Is a certain song that you like the most, you prefer singing always, like, I don't know, Murder On The Dance Floor? Which one of them?
Oh what, from the singles? Well I guess Murder On The Dance Floor's always fun to do because the crowd know it and it's always a really special moment. We usually put it towards the end of the gig so it's kind of the finale really. But I don't know, when I'm doing the live concert all the songs have something in it that I enjoy really. I think you always have a tendency to like the most recent songs because they're a bit newer, a bit fresher so you're still experimenting with them.

Have you got any rituals before getting up on stage like saying a little prayer, or I don't know... drinking a glass of water, something that you do always before getting on stage?
I don't think so. I mean it's like the normal stuff of life, making sure I've loads of make-up on and that kind of thing [chuckles]. If I need to then I have some hot water with honey and lemon and ginger in it, but nothing exciting, I'm afraid.

You have toured with George Michael, Take That. Is there a certain group, a dream group or dream artist that you would like to tour together - dream tour mates?
I've been very spoilt and I've worked with lovely people. It would be quite nice to work with a woman because I've done a lot with male artists but it would be quite nice to maybe tour with someone like Madonna where you can really see how those productions get put together, and the team of people involved. Wouldn't that be quite an education!

Mandy has mentioned already and I want to ask something about your shoes as well - you have a lot of them...
I do

And I guess at a certain point one or two of your pairs of shoes should have a very fun story how they came into your life; like you found them ten years ago in your Granny's closet and you still wear them, or some such story?
I mean my Granny has different shoe size to me, so not there. But I guess a lot of them are shoes I've had for a long, long time. Some of my favourite shoes are ones I've worn to death, and my favourite shoe shop is this shop in Hamburg where the shoes are meant for girls who are pole dancers, and dancers, that are really hard-wearing. Some of then have been all round the world with me. I've got one pair that are all Gold and Glitter and they're a favourite. They've been on some good nights out, and they were the shoes I was wearing I got together with my husband, and you know... they're quite special.

You're not only a singer, but a song-writer as well. Maybe there was some kind of silly situation during which a song was born, I don't know... like giving birth to Sonny, and during that thinking up the song?
I don't know about that! Um, well, I'm trying to think.... I guess it's more just sometimes you can be having a silly conversation with someone and then something they say you think, "O that's a really good turn of phrase", and you kind of remember it as lyric. And I've definitely had some funny song-writing sessions, but in the ones that are really funny you don't always write the best music, to be honest! I think if you're spending a lot of time working with someone where you're not really gelling and you'll find it quite funny then it probably isn't a very good song... [ha-ha] Exactly!

You have posed for PETA with a dead fox without fur. Are your beliefs really that strong you don't have anything from leather or from fur?
No, I do wear leather, I do wear leather, I don't wear fur. I mean that's part of the reason why I wanted to do it is because I think some people feel that there's an excuse: "I eat meat and I wear leather so it's OK to wear fur". I don't think they're the same thing. Arguably humans need meat in their diet as it has health benefits. Leather is a by-product of the meat industry. But fur is something that's farmed purely for its fur and serves no other purpose than as clothing, and I just can't justify it.

So you use other fluffy things?
Yeah, just don't wear fluffy stuff [ha-ha]. But we have fantastic man-made fur these days, it doesn't need to be real to work.

I wanted to congratulate you because as far as I know you're going to be a mother
That's right, yes. Thank you.

Is there anything that you wouldn't do again whilst raising a child, now you're an experienced mother you know many more things than you knew before? An example - wouldn't give so many candies, or would buy bigger shoes or something?
Well by-and-large I think my little boy's a very happy, content little boy, so there's nothing fundamental I'd change. I guess one of the biggest lessons you learn as a parent is, my job is as his mother to be the person who makes him safe and happy overall. But sometimes you make decisions that he really doesn't like in the short term. So I guess trying to be more relaxed about not needing to be liked all the time. It's more important to be a good mother in the bigger picture rather than to just say "yes" to things because it's the easiest answer. But you know, I don't know if I'll definitely be able to live by that, it's just something I'm aware of. But if your little boy's asking for something its really hard to refuse.

Sophie performed at the last ever G-A-Y

Sophie was one of the performers at the last ever G-A-Y saturday night. Sophie has been performing at G-A-Y ever since her first single came out, and it was her favourite stage. Anyway, Sophie performed her new song Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer (which might suggest that its the new single from the 4th album. Click here and here to watch snippets of the video) and Murder On The Dancefloor (of course, like she would miss this one out. Click here to watch the full video). She also did a duet with The Feeling - Video Killed The Radio Star (Click here to watch the full video).

Except for that tacky outfit, Sophie seemed to perform well on stage and the crowd loved her as usual. Looking forward to more duets with The Feeling...

some news

Apparantly, Sophie had recorded a version of Madonna's Revenge track, but never released it.

You also revealed information about another cover of an unreleased Madonna song - Sophie Ellis Bextor's cover of 'Revenge' from the Ray of Light sessions.

Peter: Yeah, that's right. I was surprised to hear about that. Greg Fitzgerald who co-wrote 'Revenge' told me about that and by the way, he's as nice a guy as he is talented and you must check out his Black Fras project at his website here at www.freeconstruction.org.uk/blackfras.com
Greg had worked with the equally talented Rick Nowells, who as fans will know worked with Madonna on some tracks that made it on to Ray of Light, albeit re-recorded with William Orbit. 'Revenge' was one of just a number of songs that Madonna recorded with Rick that she didn't release and some of them were offered to other artists to record, however, only Laura Pausini's version of Madonna's unreleased 'Like a Flower', re-titled 'Mi Abbandono a Te', would get an official release.

Many fans already know about Kylie recording another Madonna/Nowells track from the Ray of Light sessions, 'Alone Again', because it was so well publicised, even making the cover of The Sun. But unfortunately, someone (not Madonna or Kylie) had a change of heart at the last minute and the song didn't make it onto the B-side of Kylie's 'Come Into My World' as planned. At least we finally go to hear Kylie's version of the song on the soundtrack to her White Diamond documentary last year.

The same thing more-or-less happened with Sophie, which is a shame because her version of 'Revenge' is amazing and in my humble opinion it could easily have been a single. Greg even went to the trouble of recording a live orchestra for the song that really adds a new depth not heard on Madonna's version of the song. Sophie has often mentioned in interviews how she admires Madonna's stage persona and, like Madonna, Sophie also assumes a character when she is performing, albeit in a less theatrical way. So, I think she was a great artist to record a Madonna track.

Sophie is also featuring on Junior Caldera's debut album

Inspired by different music styles, Junior Caldera, after 5 years of music conservatory, made his first steps in rock music before falling into house music in 2002. At the time he was working as a stage designer for several clubs, and met a lot of DJs, like Master Seb who gave him a residency at D! Club in Lausanne. The following year, he won a mix contest on FG Radio and get the opportunity to achieve the warm up for David Guetta at Circus club. Then he mixed in several Parisien clubs, like le Milliardaire, le Rex, le Queen or le Cat Corner during the Festival de Cannes, with Groove Armada, Marshall Jefferson, Jérôme Pacman, Eddie Flashin' Fowlkes. From the turntables to the studio, there is only one step and he started producing several remixes (for Paul Van Dyk, Janet Jackson, Magic System...), so as his own tracks (“Push” in 2006). In 2007, "Sexy" came to life and became a perfect Electro anthem. Playlisted on all major dance radios, the track reached the Top 5 of the French Clubs Charts. Thanks to this success, Junior spent the last past months putting the final touch on some tracks, for his first album "Debut". By listening to them, you should be surprised by Junior's capacity to surf from underground productions to pop songs, made in collaboration with a lot of different artists. You'll recognize powerful or sophisticated vocals of Sophie Ellis Bextor, Elan (signed on No Doubt's label by Tony Kanal and Wailers’ new voice), Lizzy Pattinson (Milk & Sugar, Aurora) or the incredible Vika Kova. Cozi Costi and Carl Ryden (at the origin of the biggest hits from David Guetta and Booty Luv) so as the star DJ Jesse Garcia (lot of remixes, at the origin of "The Underground" by Celeda) participated in the writing or production of some tracks included in "Debut".

Sophie's acting debut - The Town That Boars Me

God knows what its all about but its Sophie's first movie. And its really exciting! Sophie proved that she can be a good actress in her Today The Sun's On Us video. Maybe this will be a good start for her. She should star in a bond movie. There would be noone more perfect than her for it..

Watch the trailer here

The Rimmel Ad Is Finally Here

Sophie who was signed on to Rimmel a few months back finally started shooting her ad for the cosmetics house. The ad so far is Sophie getting off a red bus in a yellow dress and a black overcoat, and she's also doing a catwalk. You can also see Sophie in a blue dress at the shooting area (to the left). Her new hairstyle is just FANTASTIC, and her long legs are sexier than ever. Look at her showing them off by lifting her dress...lol..

Looking forward to the ad....

Here's the making of the ad

New Song Title Surfaced

Sophie had recorded songs with Richard X, Groove Armada, Calvin Harris and Freemasons for her GH which was planned for last year. She loved all the songs so much that she decided to go with an album instead. Sophie is also planning on working with Liam from Sneaker Pimps, Dimitri and Greg Alexander again.

The track she recorded with Richard X is called I Still Believe In Magic. There's also another track title that surfaced recently - In The Name Of Lust. This isn't confirmed at all. It surfaced on Wikipedia. It sounds like something that she has recorded with Liam or Dimitri. There is another Calvin collaboration called Calling It Love. So now we hopefully have 5 song titles. The album should be out by September. Fingers crossed that we're going to get a mixture of Read My Lips & Trip The Light Fantastic...

Sophie Ellis Bextor is officially a DJ now!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor goes under an alter ego once again, this time to remix a song. Sophie and husband, Richard Jones (from The Feeling) are all set to release their first remix of The Feeling's new single - Turn It Up. The remix will feature on the band's CD Single.

CD - Digipack - 7th July
1. Turn it up
2. Make me pay
3. Femme Fatale
4. Turn it up - Alex Gaudino remix
5. Turn it up - Me And Mrs Jones remix

You can get a sneak peak of the song on the PopJustice homepage.

The Pet Shop Boys Track Release Petition

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition. We now have 26 signatures. Hopefully we'll be able to get some more.

Here's the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/SEBPSP01/petition.html

If you want Sophie to release that Pet Shop Boys track which was given to her during the Shoot From The Hip era, please sign the petition.

Sophie's secret gig

SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR made her live return with a secret gig on top of a building in West London the other night.

The sexy songstress ran through a short eight-song set in front of an invited audience at Kensington Roof Gardens - a plush venue above an office block.

The cocktail-loving posh girl bigged up sponsors Martini, and other stars at the event included LILY COLE, NICK MORAN, and The Kills' ALISON MOSSHART - minus her boyfriend NOEL FIELDING.

JAY KAY, Page 3 girl KEELEY HAZEL and NATALIE IMBRUGLIA stood at the frontsinging along like real fans.

Sophie sang several songs from her forthcoming fourth album due out later this summer - plunging straight into new track If I Can't Dance, a revved-up electro-pop offering that could well become a chart-botherer.

Ellis Bextor has roped in CALVIN HARRIS, RICHARD X and GROOVE ARMADA to help her write songs.

But the biggest cheers of the evening were reserved for the SEB hits collection. Take Me Home, Yes Sir I Can Boogie, Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) and Murder On The Dancefloor were all well received by the small audience.

Sophie looked anything but mumsy wearing an almostly indecently see-through dress and precipitous heels which required her husband - The Feeling's RICHARD JONES - to stand on a step when the couple posed for pics after the gig.

Sophie wants another baby

Pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor says that she is desperate to have more children, but is concentrating on her career for the time being. Sophie, who has a four-year-old son called Sonny, is married to Richard Jones - the bassist from pop band The Feeling.

She told a showbiz website: "I'd love to have more children but I'm just really tied up with work at the moment so now's not really a good time. My album's out in September so maybe after that."

The Take Me Home singer says that when Sonny starts school in September, she'll have more free time for her work, and maybe motherhood.

Sophie was talking at the launch party for the new Martini Rosato drink, at London's plush Kensington Roof Gardens, where she performed a show for the celebrity-filled audience.

The night was hosted by Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia, who introduced Sophie to the crowd.