Crossroads Wedding Party Album tops ‘Amazon TV Soundtracks’ sales

The re-release of the 1975 Crossroads music album follows the release last year of all surviving ATV episodes released on a bumper DVD box set, which also proved a hit with soap fans.

Stage Door Records recently announced the re-release of the ‘Crossroads Wedding Party Album,’ Due on sale in January 2024 it is the first time the album has been released on CD. The pre-orders of the album have seen the re-release head swiftly up the Amazon TV Soundtracks chart landing for the final week of December in at number one.

“Wow! We’re absolutely thrilled to see the ‘Crossroads Wedding Party’ album is currently #1 on Amazon’s TV Soundtracks chart!! The album is also #1 on the “Classical Wedding” chart. Meg would be proud!“ – Stage Door Records

A merchandise tie-in to the popular daily daytime soap opera, Crossroads, the release was one of several items issued to celebrate the moment viewers had been waiting over a decade to see – Motel owner Meg tie the knot with her on-off businessman lover Hugh. Originally issued by PYE Records, then part of the ATV empire, to mark the on-screen wedding of Meg Richardson played by Noele Gordon and Hugh Mortimer portrayed by John Bentley, it has only ever been available on vinyl record or cassette audio tape.

The Crossroads cast performs tracks along with guest performers such as Larry Grayson and Stephanie De Sykes while Noele and John also get to duet. Numbers include We’ll Find Our Day which features in the wedding party episode of Crossroads where the married couple celebrate with friends at the Droitwich Hotel (Chateau Impney, Droitwich) and It’s Been A Long Long Day.

It is also the only release which contains the Tony Hatch Crossroads Theme in stereo. The album also contains ‘highlights’ from episode 2301 recorded at Birmingham Cathedral where Meg and Hugh are blessed to a packed St Phillips while 10,000 fans outside bring the city to a standstill.

There are also a couple of new to the album ‘bonus tracks’ from 1977, with Paul Henry’s ‘Benny’s Theme‘ added with both the vocal and instrumental versions included. Written by Simon May (EastEnders Theme) the song was part of the storyline which saw Benny’s girlfriend knocked down by a car and killed just before their wedding. Licensed from BMG Rights Management (UK), the album has been digitally remastered from the original master tapes. The CD release is a limited edition pressing of 500 units only. The CD is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

The re-release of the Crossroads Wedding Party Album not only caters to the nostalgia of those who cherished it in the ’70s but arrives at a time when Noele Gordon has undergone reappraisal and resurgence thanks to Russell T Davies’ three-part drama on the life of the performer in Nolly. Starring Helena Bonham Carter the series aired over Christmas from the 27th to the 29th at 9pm on ITV1 and STV in the UK and Virgin One in Ireland.

Last year a near 100 disc release of all the surviving ATV episodes was issued on DVD as a box set, this also proved popular with fans of the soap with the Crossroads: Noele Gordon Collection selling out of stock.