Please be aware that this is just the midweek chart and only features sales from Sunday and Monday, so the final position will be lower on this Sunday, but it’s still fantastic that once again thousands of people are responding to Kate’s songs!

Update: Kate’s final position in the chart was 51, with sales of 6,011.

“On 9th May 2012 at 18.30 GMT (UK Time) the discs will be exclusively available to purchase in our shop here

We only have a very small number of these discs so purchases will be limited to one per customer on a first come first serve basis.  We apologise in advance if anyone isn’t able to get a copy, but as this release is truly limited we’re lucky to be able to offer this many directly to fans.  Anyone who is found trying to abuse the shop system to purchase more than one copy will have their additional orders cancelled and run the risk of losing out entirely. 

The discs will remain on sale while stocks last.“

The supremely talented poet, author and photographer John Carder Bush writes about photographing his sister Kate all the way from her childhood right through to her most recent album release in The Independent here.  The site features photographs from John’s almost-impossible-to-find  book ‘Cathy’, published in the 1980s, which he sent to me (Seán) a few years ago completely out of the blue. And I’ll always cherish it! Have you got your copy of  John’s brilliant novel ‘The Cellar Gang‘ yet? If not, you’re seriously missing out…more on how to order his must-have book here. (with thanks to Louise) If you’re wondering what Kate’s other exceptionally talented brother, Paddy Bush , has been up to, check out my recent report on his wonderful exhibition in Co. Cavan, Ireland, here.

Dear Bo, Many congratulations on your fantastic performance last night on The Voice. I thought it was really beautiful and very moving. I feel so proud of you. Good luck for tonight and very best wishes to you and your mum. With love, Kate Bush  xx

From Michael Hogan’s Daily Telegraph live blog: “20.26 The final act tonight is Bo Bruce for Team Danny. The aristocratic girl with the quirky indie voice. Her mother is seriously ill at the moment, which was reported in the papers this morning and she admirably doesn’t mention but Danny does. Another great song choice – they’re ending strongly in that sense – with Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush. 20.28 Slightly static staging and hard to compete with La Bush, but she’s got a lovely tone to her voice. 20.29 Nice acapella coda there and an emotional climax. “Art is the only justification for pain,” says Danny. Well-meaning but rather melodramatic. Will calls her an artist. Compliments come no higher on this show, it seems. Jessie’s proud and loves being part of the show. Tom comes over all avuncular, tells her to channel her current experience into her voice and let it all flow. Bless him.”

The Judges comments in full:

JESSIE J: I was ready to stand up before you finished your song. This is a great show to be a part of, what a wonderful ending! WILL.I.AM: This is a great show and you are all singing to represent your country. You Bo are an incredible artist and I know there is a Voice US and a Voice Australia, but singing like you did, the UK has something really special out of all The Voice’s TOM JONES: If there are things that are bothering you or on your mind you should try to use it as a strength and tonight you let it all flow and it was fantastic! DANNY O’DONOGHUE: It’s been very tough, the reason why I came on the show is to find someone like you. Someone who is willing to bare their soul to the whole world. I am proud, your mum is really proud and the whole of the UK is really proud too.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Useless fact: Bo Bruce is daughter of the Earl of Cardigan and a descendant of the Lord Cardigan who led the charge of British cavalry known as “the charge of the Light Brigade” against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War.

“Why do you appear to think that shunning a meaningless existence of celebrity and limelight, makes a person odd?…this woman should be the role model for all young ladies who instead, watching their celebrity obsessed idols, grow up behaving like Divas, falling down drunk, reading magazines about who has just broken up with who and literally aspiring to nothing other than money and fame.” Kyla Clay Fox

Update: Jan Moir, also writing in The Daily Mail, has reacted to the paper’s coverage here.

Kaitlin Moran in the 4th May Times says: “All kudos to the Daily Mail this week, whose ongoing mission to make all its female readers self-loathing, self-harming neurotics too scared to leave the house in case they get mugged by a gay Muslim continues apace.
Reporting on the South Bank Show Awards, held on Tuesday, the Mail online greeted a rare appearance from Kate Bush with a barrage of unflattering pictures and snide comments …This is, of course, the correct way to treat a shy genius …”

Suzanne Moore in the 5th May Daily Mail says: “Adele outsells Michael Jackson, but people remain obsessed with her weight. The goddess that is Kate Bush reappears and snide comments are made about her. Bjork reveals her range of influences, which are called, of course, ‘obsessions’. Lily Allen takes some time out. Why do we not accept our great female artists as artists? Bush, having been hothoused, chose to stay out of the limelight and raise a son. Adele  did not sell herself as an emaciated sex machine. Bjork remains at the cutting-edge, forever interesting. Why do we have to pathologise these women as mad, bad or ‘unable to cope’ if they play the game on their own terms?  Actually they are all making, in their individual ways, eminently sensible choices.”

Of course, this all just momentarily distracts from the real story this week; the enormous appreciation and admiration which Kate’s work continues to attract. To that end, here’s a reminder of why Kate’s new album has generated so much critical acclaim: another look at Kate’s recent film, Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe. Seán, Dave, Peter & Krys.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“I am so thrilled and honoured that ’50 Words For Snow’ won the South Bank Sky Arts award yesterday. It was a really wonderful event with the most extraordinary collection of artists. I was absolutely delighted to be a part of it and simply stunned by the incredible welcome. Many, many thanks to Melvyn Bragg for such a special day. I wonder if he knows what a total treasure he is?

I have been sent a great long list of comments from you all and I am just completely overwhelmed. Thank you so much for all your kind words and love. You made me cry!  I feel so touched and grateful to have you there and I am over the moon!
                   With love,
                        A very happy Kate xxxxxxxxx“

Kate has won the prestigious pop award at this year’s South Bank Sky Arts Awards ceremony in London today. Sir Tom Jones presented Kate with her award. From the Irish Independent:

“Reclusive singer Kate Bush pipped Adele to a prestigious prize after her latest album was recognised at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. 50 Words For Snow won the Pop Award at the central London ceremony, beating Adele’s Grammy-winning bestseller 21 and PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake which was also nominated. It is Kate’s first set of completely new songs since 2005 when she released Aerial. The awards at the Dorchester Hotel, on Park Lane, also saw wins for BBC1′s Sherlock, Channel 4′s Fresh Meat and the musical Matilda. The awards were hosted by Melvyn Bragg who said the judges had faced an “impossible decision this year”. He said: “With such a strong and vibrant array of winners, from Kate Bush to Matilda, to the ENO, this is a wonderful opportunity to praise the incredible wealth of artistic brilliance we have in this country.”

Fantastic achievement for Kate! Huge congratulations, we are over-the-moon!! The awards show is televised tonight on Sky Arts HD at 9pm.

Speaking backstage at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards where he presented a gong to Kate Bush, Sir Tom Jones revealed he would like to team up with Kate. He said: “If Kate could come up with a song I would gladly do it with her.”

More coverage: Music Week | Daily Telegraph | BBC News | Independent | Evening Standard | Daily Mail | Daily Mail 2 | Sky News | Daily Express | The Sun | Huffington Post

Click here to view the embedded video.

Zelo Street Blog takes the Mail to task.

In 2012 we reach 30 years since we first decided to put out a Kate Bush fanzine and produced the very first copy with scissors and paste and the office photocopier. We’re feeling the need to celebrate, and this will be a relaxed fun evening in the company of other Kate fans, with music provided by some top London DJs in a stylish Soho venue which comes with a fully stocked bar.

Lo-Profile is situated in the heart of Soho just five minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus Underground Station.

We are currently working on plans for the day and will keep you informed.

Tickets for the party are just £6.00 each and can be ordered via the PayPal buttons at the top and bottom of the HomeGround Page.

Once your payment has been received you will get an email confirmation from us. This will be your ticket and you need to bring it with you to gain access to the party.

See you all there!

Dave Krys Peter

Never for Ever will perform on May 5 at 7.30pm. Details and tickets from the Lichfield Garrick.