Hopefully we'll get 1985 in like October at this rate, but if it turns out to be 1979 instead I'm sure there'll be trouble amongst the fan base.
I really don't think the NOW brand should be doing the 70s. I won't be buying it anyway. I'd much rather get 1985-1989, then ideally they would move into the 90s.
Nothing on the 1980 set to get me excited...I must have all of those songs several times over. Even the design lacks inspiration (plain white? really?). Plus of course the best single of 1980 isn't there. Ashes To Ashes.
Hate to be the one to break it to you, but the first two albums are owned wholly and completely by Parlophone and they can exploit the repertoire as they wish without artist/management sign-off. Everything after is owned by Kate/Fish People under license to Parlophone and it all requires approval (and frequently doesn't get it).
So Fish People have approved the use of singles/tracks from the 3rd album here, which is a start at least.
Or, the more likely explanation, that I meant today first THREE albums instead of first two. My error.
Completely possible. The distinction I'm trying to make is this. As a compiler of compilations at EMI back in the day, if I entered "Wuthering Heights" (for example) into the global clearances system, it was marked as "Approved" the second the request was submitted, because it is owned and controlled completely by the label. Whereas "Running Up That Hill" would sit marked as "Pending" - sometimes for months - because it isn't owned by the label and usually ended up being marked "Denied". One of these requests passes in front of Kate Bush's eyes (or whoever looks after that for her) and she doesn't even get a say in the other.
Pitchfork did a review of the NOW Pride compilations (both US and UK). They gave it a 7.0. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/various-artists-now-thats-what-i-call-pride/
I'm glad NOW 12 is coming out in July, it's such a summery album. My second favourite volume after NOW 11. Disc 2 in particular is poptastic!