News

October/November 2022

Firstly, apologies for the lateness of this update. I embarked on Celebrity Silhouette in July and came home on 1st October. I opened the front door to find the burglar alarm deactivated and showing a fault and then as I ventured into the bungalow, I realized it was freezing. No hot water, no heating, no internet, no television and the doorbell video was out of batteries so not recording.

My M.S. does not do well in the cold so before I evacuated to a hotel, I rang the boiler people and they agreed to come later that day. Six hours, £540.00 and a new circuit board later, I was finally warm. Financially depressed but warm. When everything around you is not working it is hard to concentrate on priorities but gradually over the next five days, I did get everything working. Having said that I had my flu shot the day after I got home and had a rather bad reaction. In all the years I have had this annual jab, and we’re talking over twenty, I have never had an adverse effect. I am just grateful I declined the covid shot on the same day. Feeling a few degrees under par is not ideal when you are reunited with a dog who hasn’t seen you in a long time, wants 24/7 attention, feeding and walking where all I wanted to do was climb into bed. But I am nearly up to speed now.

I had a wonderful time on Celebrity Silhouette, seeing past passengers and making new friends is always a joy and despite the threat of COVID, I managed to stay safe and enjoy my sea family once again. It was two months short of three years since I’d been on Silhouette and boy had I missed it. I’d completely forgotten that she had completed a refit and everything looked great, save the new addition of large bulbous rocking chairs on Deck 12. I have to say whoever flicked through a brochure and chose them must have been on medication. Apart from the fact there are quite a few older passengers and people with special needs onboard, who puts a moving item on a moving ship? There were several injuries during my time on the ship but most weren’t reported which is a shame as the cruise line are probably not aware these are a health and safety issue. I asked a pool boy when I first got on for a normal chair but the entire open deck didn’t have one, there were either the offending article, loungers or love seats!!!

Anyway, thanks to everyone who made the cruises so much fun and I hope to meet up with many of you again next year.

One very sad piece of news was the loss of my friend Darius Danesh whom you might remember from the first series of Popstars and then went on to have a number-one debut single with Colourblind. He took part in dad’s Friday Night is Music Night and was a great talent. I couldn’t believe that he had left us at only 41 years of age and my thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Would you believe that Richard and I finally had clearance from Warners regarding our collaboration with Cherry Red and then wallop, there is now another delay? I completely despair.

I’ve only been home a few days and suddenly I was offered a cruise on the new Ambassador line so I am off on the 23 October for about 4 weeks. I’m looking forward to exploring this new company and getting a feel for its passengers.

The great news is that it will give me an opportunity of plugging my new book “The Autonomous Cruiser: The Complete Guide to Cruising For and with Disabled Travellers”.

This is the first book to specifically address the needs of the disabled cruiser and their carers so they can ensure a stress-free holiday. Having spent more than 40 years cruising the world and also working as a specialist speaker on a number of cruise lines including Celebrity, P&O, Fred. Olsen and Royal Caribbean, I was shocked to find there was nothing on the marking to address the needs of a disadvantaged traveller and that made me very cross.

In the 1990s I was diagnosed with MS. It was then I began to fully appreciate the absence of advice and information about cruise travel with a special need. I felt strongly that whilst living with a disability presents a lot of obstacles, a cruise holiday shouldn’t have to be one of them and I began what was to become 3 years of painstaking research covering all the possible details a disabled cruise traveller needs to know. Because of the pandemic, the book was put on hold for a further two years and I then had to update it twice, one for Brexit and again for the effects of Covid on the industry. At one point I nearly pulled it but when the industry started going back to sea I decided to persevere.

The Autonomous Cruiser is the result. The most up to date and comprehensive guide available, advising on the whole process of cruising, including: –

  • Cruise and port choices, and the accessibility of cruise terminals. A comprehensive section on fly-cruises including airport guides, car park assistance, wheelchair advice, checked luggage, lounges, and delayed and missed departures

  • Critical pre-planning information including holiday administration, vaccinations, medication, cabin selection, upgrades, pier transfers, luggage services, drinks packages, specialty dining and online check-in

  • Life on board incorporates embarkation, cruise ship etiquette, dining, entertainment, meetings, bridge visits, swimming pools, spa facilities shopping and duty-free, photo gallery, onboard savings, ship visits, port calls, tendering, safety, technology at sea and the travel scams to watch out for

  • Caregivers, chaperones and service dogs

  • A directory outlining the most important disability resources, including accessible shore excursions, dedicated apps, cruise specialists and accessible travel agents

This market first book covers the most common areas of special needs – from those travelling with pre-existing conditions, special dietary considerations, prescriptions and medication, epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities, compromised immune systems, breathing disorders, kidney disease, and visual and hearing impairments to make this the most comprehensive guide to cruising available.

While on Celebrity I was informed that a brand-new consumer travel magazine Accessible Journeys, which showcases accessible travel possibilities and best practices was including an article I wrote for them which was exciting.

I also have a new Author’s website – michelemonro.com and as well as the information on both of my books it will be used in the future for any updates to the book and news of the port guide sequels.

For all new members and for those of you that don’t know Richard and I launched dad’s very own YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/MattMonroOfficial and put together a four-part audio documentary to celebrate dad’s special 90th birthday. The programmes were written and narrated by myself and feature an intimate portrait of the man behind the voice, drawing on previously un-broadcast interviews, extremely rare recordings previously thought lost, interviews with his family and friends and messages from some of his more famous fans.  

I also made a deal with Aviator so every two weeks we feature a rare television performance of dad and the YouTube channel still has all the ones you may have missed by not visiting yet. It’s all totally free and if you register the site will send you a reminder every time something new is added.

I was amazed to find over the last few months while doing the radio promotion on the new book that several people were not aware of dad’s brand-new album that we brought on in 2020 especially as Stranger in Paradise: The Lost New York Sessions went straight to the No8 spot in the official album charts and stayed in the charts for six months. The first CD is brand new material recorded with just a five-piece band but `I decided to combine it was a second disc with all of dad’s more familiar titles, remastered of course by the fabulous Richard Moore, for any new fans of dad’s music.

Nearly two years ago I found out that a few albums available to upload were inferior in quality compared to what is available in sound today so after airing my complaints Universal gave the go-ahead. Richard mastered them within weeks, and now at last someone has finally pushed a button which has made them live.

The remastered downloads of 8 of his 9 original Capitol albums now appear on all good download and streaming sites. The last album “We’re Gonna Change The World” and three brand-new compilations together with the rest of dad’s Capitol catalogue will be made available at a later date.

This is The Life (1966) – Available in Stereo for the first time digitally. Brand new re-master from original US master tape.

  1. This is the Life –

  2. I’m Glad There Is You

  3. This Is The Life

  4. You’re Gonna Hear From Me

  5. I’ll Take Romance

  6. Strangers In The Night

  7. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)   

  8. Sweet Lorraine

  9. My Best Girl

  10. On A Wonderful Day Like Today  

  11. Merci Cherie

  12. Honey On The Vine

Here’s To My Lady (1966) – Available in Stereo for the first time digitally. Brand new re-master from original US master tape.

  1. When Joanna Loved Me

  2. Real Live Girl

  3. When Sunny Gets Blue

  4. Laura

  5. People

  6. Here’s To My Lady

  7. The Good Life

  8. You’ve Got Possibilities

  9. Rain Sometimes

  10. Sweet Talkin’ Hannah

  11. Nina Never Knew

Invitation To The Movies (1967) – Brand new remaster from UK and US Stereo master tapes

  1. Alfie

  2. Georgy Girl

  3. Theme From “The Sand Pebbles”

  4. A Time For Love

  5. I Will Wait For You

  6. Moment To Moment

  7. Born Free

  8. In The Arms Of Love

  9. Wednesday’s Child

  10. A Man And A Woman

  11. Strangers In The Night

These Years (1967) –  Brand new remaster from Stereo US master tapes

  1. There’s A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)

  2. Release Me

  3. Don’t Sleep In The Subway

  4. What To Do?

  5. The Happening

  6. These Years

  7. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me

  8. Music To Watch Girls By

  9. Here, There And Everywhere

  10. Spanish Eyes

  11. Nobody Cares For Me

Invitation to Broadway (1968) –  Brand new remaster from Stereo US master tapes

  1. Look For Small Pleasures

  2. Stranger In Paradise

  3. The Impossible Dream

  4. The Apple Tree

  5. I’ll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her

  6. Come Back To Me

  7. Hello Dolly!

  8. Sunrise Sunset

  9. Walking Happy

  10. If She Walked Into My Life

  11. Put On A Happy Face

The Late Late Show (1968) –  Brand new remaster from Stereo US master tapes

  1. If She Should Come To You

  2. When I Fall In Love

  3. Maria

  4. Hello Young Lovers

  5. September Song

  6. Time After Time

  7. This Is All I Ask

  8. I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face

  9. Days Of Wine And Roses

  10. The Shadow Of Your Smile

  11. Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)

  12. The Party’s Over

Todo Pasara (1968) – Brand new remaster taken from the 1st generation mixdown masters for the first time ever.

  1. Alguien Canto (The Music Played)

  2. Que Tiempo Tan Feliz (Those Were The Days)

  3. Lo Que Quedo (All That Remains)

  4. No Puedo Quitar Mis Ojos De Ti (Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)

  5. Todo Pasara (Everything Will Happen)

  6. Vete Por Favor (Walk Away)

  7. Nacida Libre (Born Free)

  8. La Montaña

  9. No Me Dejes (If You Go Away)

  10. Amandote Otra Vez (Lovin’ You Again)

  11. Si Tu Te Vas (If You Go)

  12. La Perla Y El Rubi (The Ruby And The Pearl)

En Espana (1970) – Brand new remaster taken from the 1st generation mixdown masters for the first time ever.  La Estrella Del Sur Mixed to Stereo for the first time and Dónde Hallarse? Has been re-mixed due to damage to the master tape. Newly added bonus track ”Ven Mi Amor” also receives it’s first time Stereo mixes

  1. Sueño Imposible (The Impossible Dream)

  2. No Me Pesa, Es Mi Hermano (He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother)

  3. Te Esperaré (I Will Wait For You)

  4. Jean

  5. Si Yo Fuera Carpintero (If I Were A Carpenter)

  6. La Sombra De Tu Sonrisa (The Shadow Of Your Smile)

  7. Dónde Hallarse? (Where In The World)

  8. En Días Como Estos (On Days Like These)

  9. Los Dos (Two People)

  10. Puedo Ser Feliz (You’ve Made Me So Very Happy)

  11. Qué Tonto Fui

  12. La Estrella Del Sur (The Southern Star)

All eight albums were re-mastered completely in high resolution audio by Monro archivist Richard Moore.

We’ll post more information on the remaining 4 sets as soon as the release date is confirmed.

Because of the imminent cruise which will mean I am away when the November updates would normally be due, I will be back in December, so in the meantime, take care of yourselves and keep spreading the MM legacy.

Much love

Michele xx

Past News
August to September 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
December 2020 – March 2021