Yoko Ono is a huge Take That fan.

The widow of Beatles singer John Lennon has praised the British foursome - consisting of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange - and revealed she is in awe of their pop sound.

She said: "I love 'Shine'. I know most of their greatest hits. They're a great British band."

The band were thrilled as the 76-year-old artist handed them the Band of the Year prize at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London's Royal Opera House last night (08.09.09).

Mark said: "It's amazing that Yoko thinks that about our music. It is an honour to accept an award from her."

This week, the men began working on a secret project at London's Abbey Road Studios - where The Beatles recorded most of their music - following a three-month break.

Gary says working in the famous studio has given them inspiration for their next LP.

He explained: "It's been absolutely amazing in Abbey Road. The place just has an aura about it. There's so much history about it. I'd love to record our next album there."

I love 'Shine'. I know most of their greatest hits. They're a great British band.

Jason added: "We've had a great holiday and now we're back to work.

"I did some DJing in Ibiza so I haven't had as long a holiday as the other guys but it's good to be back. I've played a bit of golf."

Meanwhile, Gary has revealed he has listened to an early version of their former bandmate Robbie Williams' new album 'Reality Killed the Video Star'.

He said: "I've heard Robbie's album. I think it's great.

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/Yoko+Ono-28423.html

what will it be?? now just curious... something about the children in need concert.

No idea... but their stylish wrote yesterday "Deadline looming, filming with Take That.. not a lot going on " on twitter.

They are filming something... it's TOP SECRET at the moment.

I have just read this on another forum "the secret project is only the acoustic cd for the DVD" Nice

Source: QtheMusic
On Monday, 26th October 2009 Q will once again honour the biggest and best stars in music at The Awards.

Take That are up for Best Live Act, competing against The Prodigy, U2, Oasis, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Blur! The Award will be presented by Marshall Amplification.

Commenting on the nominees Q Magazine Editor-In-Chief Paul Rees highlighted the breadth of Q reader's taste, "The Q Awards prides itself on honouring the best popular music of the year and the 2009 vintage is no exception. Once again the nominations prove that great music continues to be made across a broad range of styles. The nominations are compiled from votes cast in their thousands by Q's readers, listeners, viewers and online users, so they reflect the choice of the nation's music fans."

WIN TICKETS
Two tickets to the most prestigious music awards of the year are up for grabs. Everyone who votes online will be entered into a prize draw, with one winner chosen at random. Travel and accommodation are not included. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. The judges' decision is final and the closing date for all entries is 9 October 2009. The lucky winner will be notified within a couple of days.

Voting is now open! http://awards. qthemusic. com/

Take That expected to return to the UK tomorrow.
1 Oct 2009

(1) IF Robbie Williams re-unites with his old mates after a decade spent mocking them, will they change the group's name to Take That Grin Off Your Face And Get Down And Grovel You Smug Has-Been?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news....1713593

TT are in New York putting the finishing touches to new album Circus Live due out on November 30. Westlife have spent a year working on their surprise new venture.

A Westlife insider told me: "Instead of ballads there will be a rockier feel. They are confident they can beat Take That."

Last time the bands went head to head was in December 2006 when Westlife's The Love Album was knocked off No.1 by Take That's comeback album Beautiful World.

At the time TT's Gary Barlow said the Irish lads, including Kian Egan, right, wouldn't exist without them.

A music industry insider told me: "This could get messy."

May the best band win . . .
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz....ar.html

The 'We Are Golden' singer, who released new album The Boy Who Knew Too Much last month, confirmed that a "big budget" has been put forward for the 2010 live shows.

"There is a big tour planned in February which will be a show and a half," he told the Daily Star.

"We have a big budget because the venues are bigger. However, that doesn't mean the show will be the same, just further away.

"I hate it when artists change the venue but nothing else changes. I have always tried to make my shows theatrical. I don't know how to do anything by half."
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music....at.html

The late singer's manager Louis Walsh has vowed to give his friend - who died of natural causes aged 33 at his holiday home in Majorca, Spain, last weekend - "the best send-off ever" at the service, which is being carefully planned by his bandmates Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham.

Louis said: "In Ireland we've a tradition of funerals where we can be sad and happy. We'll give him the best send-off ever.

"The boys go to Majorca and bring him to Dublin. They'll stay with him all night. His mother said he would not to be alone.

"I think the boys are going to be in charge of everything. They're his best friends."

The group - who will carry Stephen's coffin along with two family members - are currently considering what to sing at the service, which will be attended by stars including Westlife, members of Take That, Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.

Family spokesperson Gerald Kean said: "We expect it to be a very musical affair in tribute to his talent."

A source close to the band added: "They know it's going to be the hardest thing they've ever done but this is their last chance to sing alongside Stephen.

"They're working on a tribute now."

Thousands of fans and well-wishers are expected to line the route from Stephen's home to the church, but have been asked not to bring flowers for the star.

Instead, Stephen's parents, Margaret and Martin, have asked for donations to be made to Caudwell Children - the charity Stephen was a goodwill ambassador for.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "Stephen could never do enough for us."

Louis confirmed a memorial service is being planned in London, but admitted he, Boyzone, Stephen's husband Andy Cowles and the rest of his loved ones are "too upset" to focus on details yet.

He said: "The family are devastated. In a few weeks we'll have a celebration in London. Everyone is welcome to that but for now we are all still in shock."

© BANG Media International

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/35....e7.html

Signs that the girl band are history look more ominous after Coyle revealed on the internet that she will use Take That's Back For Good classic to help her become a solo success in the charts.

LISTEN TO NADINE COYLE'S EFFORTS BELOW

The track fuels speculation the competition between the pair is set to get serious, with Nadine skipping Cheryl's X-Factor performance, unlike the other bandmates.

Adding extra ammunition, in what looks like a clear sign she is targeting the US, the Irish beauty has teamed up with American superstars Boyz II Men to record the rival boy band classic.
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame....ge_id=7

Оуэн собирается сыграть в следующем месяце свадьбу с Эммой Фергюсон (Emma Ferguson) в Шотландии. И теперь главной проблемой ночного сочинительства является не нарушить сон будущей жены, так как ночью он не только пишет песни, но и напевает их на диктофон.

«Я написал таким образом несколько отличных песен.- рассказывает певец в интервью для альбома Take That Present: The Circus Live DVD, релиз которого состоится 23 ноября.- Когда просыпаешься утром, слышится невнятное бормотание и хочется спать. Но зато во сне я ясно слышу и струнную аранжировку, и всё остальное».

Между тем, еще один участник группы Ховард Дональд (Howard Donald) утверждает, что после реформирования Take That в 2005 году сочинительство песен стало общей заботой.

«Теснее дружбы, чем сейчас у нас никогда не было,- говорит Дональд.- Обычно песни писал Гари (Гари Барлоу, Gary Barlow), а мы их подхватывали. Теперь всё иначе, и песни мы сочиняем вместе».

http://www.ixbt.com/news/all/index.shtml?12/56/16

Jason Orange said: “I’m the most negative in the band, asking, ‘Can we do it better?’ all the time. I always question if what we are doing is good enough.”

His bandmate Mark Owen added: “Sometimes one of us has to go down a certain path with an idea before we all decide it’s s**t.”

However, Howard Donald says the group perform better as a unit now as Gary Barlow is no longer the sole songwriter.

He explained in the ‘Take That Presents: The Circus Live’ DVD: “We’ve got a much bigger friendship now that we ever did.

“Gary used to write everything at such a rate we were always catching up.”

Mark - who had two top 10 singles in the UK chart after the band split in 1996 – admits his own input in the band would be better if he could remember his dreams.

He explained: “I write great songs in my sleep. I sing lyrics into my phone.

“When I wake up in the morning it’s just me mumbling and falling asleep - but when I’m dreaming I hear all the string arrangements.”
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/enterta....77.html