Welcome to the Tenners!

Yes, Happy New Year to you all! We hope you had a fantastically festive break and are now doing your best to beat the January back-to-work blues. We've not taken our crimbo tree down just yet, but it's end is nigh (just like the batteries in the kids' new toys!).

So, what will the Tenners be like? How will they compare to our beloved 70s, 80s and 90s? They won't we suspect. However, there are some pretty special highlights on the agenda this year - The A-Team film and Wall Street 2, to name just a couple! So let's sit back and enjoy the ride that is 2010...

Merry Christmas From DYR!

On the eve of what many of us are hoping will be a snow day, DYR would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year!

Whether you'll be tucking into turkey and and trimmings with the family, or maybe jetting off to warmer climes, take a moment to hark back to memories of Christmases past... From finding your first-ever BMX under the tree, or learning that your sister's A La Carte Kitchen isn't just for girls. Maybe, instead, it's the thought of stomaching that entire chocolate selection box or sitting down to watch yet another Morecambe And Wise special that makes the festive season special for you. Do let us know at DYR!

Can I get a rewind?

Yes, yes you can! Why's that? Because forget about your CDs, and instead experience that rush of winding tape once more, as the cassette finally makes its comeback.

Apparently, after a flood of interest and in a bid to cash in on the 'grey pound', Island Records is releasing a run of cassette tapes to rival that there new-fangled technology we're calling 'downloads' or 'CDs'. But hold your horses, as this limited-edition release only extends so far to 'Words For You', an album of poetry recitals over classical music, read by the likes of Joanna Lumley. The planned run of 4000 tapes has sold out already, so more are now being produced for sale on Amazon. And it looks like others could follow... maybe a mix tape in time for Valentine's Day, who knows...

Would you welcome the cassette back? And can you remember the first-ever cassette you owned? Who still owns a Walkman? We want to know!

The Muppets' Bohemian Rhapsody

Having just been to see Queen-inspired show We Will Rock You at London's Dominion Theatre this week, I'll admit I'm now Freddie convert! So, I couldn't resist sharing this video with you - it's been doing the rounds and if you haven't already laughed along to it, be sure to click 'Play' this time here!

Bee Gees 50th anniversary

No Christmas party would rock without some Bee Gees classics to get people on the dancefloor. Guaranteed to have even the non-dancers swaying to their feet-friendly tunes, those legends of the 70s are most definitely Stayin' Alive for the Noughties and beyond. Get your hands on the Brothers Gibbs best hits to date in their 50th anniversary boxset CD and DVD set, available through Amazon. Also, why not check out this link for the chance to hear and watch the Bee Gees do what they do best! From Islands In The Stream to Words and Still Waters (Run Deep), you won't be disappointed.

Nostalgic fun at the A-ha concert

DYR took their seats at the O2 Arena this week for A-ha’s Foot of the Mountain Tour, named after this year's album, which reached the UK top five.

Fans were quickly on their feet as the now suited and booted Viking pop icons began their set with 'The Sun Always Shines On TV', followed by a combination of the classics - which included 'Hunting High And Low' and 'The Living Daylights', 'I Dream Myself Alive', the beautifully poignant 'And You Tell Me' (from their first album) and 'The Blood That Moves The Body' (from 1988's Stay On These Roads).

For DYR the rendition of the song 'Velvet' (from Minor Earth Major Sky), was the highlight performance, with Pal and Morten playing acoustic guitars and Mags playing a handheld mini electronic synth, demonstrating their craft and talent as musicians and timeless performers.

Two encores beckoned the band back on stage and to the audience’s delight A-ha finally ended the night with the mid-80s defining classic, 'Take On Me': something fans were still singing as they moved toward the Jubilee Line tube station!

If you missed this year’s tour and you’ve heard rumours that this was A-ha’s last, then Mags put the record straight during the concert. They will be back in the UK for one final goodbye tour in 2010, so keep your eyes peeled for concert dates and make sure not to miss out on this piece of pop history.

DYR’s other top tip for A-ha fans visiting London between now and 21st November is to take a trip to the Paul Stopler Gallery (http://www.paulstolper.com) in Museum Street just opposite the British Museum, where Mag’s has an art exhibition called ‘alpha beta’. If you’re in the mood for a purchase and want to get your hands on some A-ha memorabilia, then the first 500 prints sold will be accompanied by a limited edition 12" vinyl disc signed and numbered with a new Magne F composition, titled ‘Word Symphony’. ‘Word Symphony’ is a unique project that takes as its foundation the vocals from A-ha's "Foot of the Mountain" album.

Chocs away!

There are certain things that without which Christmas just wouldn't be the same. Crackers that don't bang, the forgotten bread sauce, and that piece of Brussels sprout hanging onto your nan's chin for dear life. Not to mention games of Trivial Pursuit, Only Fools And Horses on the TV and neverending tins of Cadbury's Roses...mmmm! But as of this year, the latter will never be the same again..

Yes, the iconic round Cadbury's Roses tin is to be replaced in a trial run by a square box made from cardboard in a bid to make it more eco-friendly. It's predicted over 200 tons of steel a year will be saved. I suppose these are good intentions, but it'll be a shame to see the tin fade away. What, for example, will we put our leftover mince pies in?

One thing that won't be changing, sadly, is the price point. Catch the new Cadbury's Roses in Tesco stores in the run-up to Christmas and be sure to give your feedback on whether you want the tin to stay!