"Supernova Heights To Be Sold"

Noel Gallagher and his wife Meg are selling their legendary London home Supernova Heights to former "Hollyoaks" star Davinia Murphy. The actress has viewed the house. And it's reported that her dad, tycoon Alan, will be funding the purchase as a gift.

News of the sale was broadcast on Channel 4's "The Big Breakfast" on Friday (September 17). Creation Records could not confirm the deal, nor could they verify rumours that the Gallaghers were asking twice the £1 million they reportedly paid for the house early in 1997.

Supernova Heights has long been a place of pilgrimage for Oasis fans who have outraged Noel's posh Belsize Park neighbours by daubing graffiti outside the three-storey pad.

Noel and Meg made the house unmistakeably their own from the moment they moved in, and, famously, had Supernova Heights spelt out in stained glass above the front door. They have since replaced that sign with another, written in the lettering of the Oasis logo.

Among other extravagances, Noel and Meg had a massive fish tank built into a wall, and along with cats Benson and Hedges, looked set for a life of urban luxury with their leopard-print furniture, sunken bath and flamboyant master bedroom. Back in May, Meg invited Hello! magazine into the house for a photo spread, although it was made clear at the time that Noel was not involved in the project.

The couple, with Benson and Hedges, have moved full-time into their country mansion near Chalfont St Giles, Bucks. A close source said: "They were hardly ever at Supernova Heights, anyway. Their country place isn't that far away from London."

It's believed that Noel and Meg have tired of London nightlife, particularly with the birth of their first child due in February. They have, however, confirmed that they have looked around a £2 million villa in Ibiza belonging to "Tubular Bells" maestro Mike Oldfield - but reports that theyareto buy it are said to be premature. The three-year-old, purpose-built villa is said to boast its own studio and a massive swimming pool and to be surrounded by walls and high-tech security.

It's apparently situated on a cliff top, overlooking some magical boulders known as the Es Vedra rocks. Despite suggestions that Noel and Meg would want to spend six months of the year living in Ibiza, close sources have denied that they intend to quit Britain and become tax exiles, pointing out that Noel will be spending six months next year touring the world with Oasis! The world tour begins in March, although not in the UK. Dates are not expected for some time yet. And the band are remaining tight-lipped this week about their search for a new guitarist and bass player.

"Liam Gallagher: The Verdict On His Solo Single"

Liam Gallagher's debut solo single had its first airing last week. And Oasis fans had its first airing last week, and have given it a cautious thumbs-up.

The single "Carnation" is lifted from "Fire And Skill", an album of songs originally recorded by The Jam, and it’s a slight departure from Liam’s usual vocal style. "Carnation" is a shuffling, slightly psychedelic tune and Liam's singing has a more melancholy, low-key sound. Opinion in The Maker office was divided - some writers branded the track dull, others admired the haunting vocals and delicate arrangement.

Liam's single, recorded with Steve Craddock from Ocean Colour Scene, will be released as a double A-side with Buffalo Tom's radical re-working of "Going Underground".

A video has also been filmed for "Carnation" which feature musicians who were in the studio during the recording of the track including Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. The Jam originally recorded the song for their "The Gift" album, but it was never released as a single.

Other artists on the album include Noel Gallagher ("To Be Someone"), Beastie Boys ("Start!"), Reef ("That’s Entertainment"), Garbage ("The Butterfly Collector") and Gene ("Town Called Malice"). Everything But The Girl have recorded a version of "English Rose" and Ben Harper has contributed his take on "The Modern World".

"Carnation" is released on October 11, but it’s not clear how much promotion the Oasis frontman will be able to do. He is due to join Noel in the USA this week to master the new Oasis album. The as-yet untitled follow-up to "Be Here Now" is due to be released on February 7.

An Oasis spokesman confirmed that Liam was planning to go to New York before his son Lennon was horn. But because the birth happened six weeks early he now has to leave his son for a few days.

The Maker got the reaction of some Oasis fans to Liam’s first solo outing, and while Liam's weary vocals went down well, the single itself didn't blow them away.

Paul Barber, 28, from London, commented: "I do like The Jam, but I wouldn’t have put this out as a single. It's more of an album track. It sounds very like The Beatles. I like Liam's voice on this - to me that is Oasis - and at first I thought the track would he OK, but as it went on it got softer. More Lennon than Liam, if you like."

Emily Townsend, 20, from Portsmouth, told The Maker: "It’s not bad - I would give it seven out of 10. I can’t say I would go and buy it, but I prefer this sort of style from Liam, it’s a bit less polished. It's better than B*Witched! But it’s the sort of track I'd listen to but not pay for."

Barnaby Winckler, 23, from London, said: "It’s pretty unremarkable, but I'm not the greatest Weller fan. I'm not sure Liam should have gone for a cover on his first single. It sounds like he's trying to imitate Lennon. I think his voice is all right, it’s the one thing that saves it. But Oasis and Liam are always good for entertainment."

"More Baby Stuff"

Meanwhile, Liam celebrated the birth of his son, Lennon, last week with a quiet drink - at the opening date of the Murphy's Maker Breaker Circuit in London. The Oasis singer was spotted in the Fitz & Firkin in Great Portland Street - right opposite the Portland Hospital where Lennon was horn at 8.48pm on Monday, September 13 - as last orders approached. But none of the drinkers who turned up for the start of the Monk & Canatella tour realised Liam had just become a dad.

The band's spokeswoman told The Maker: "Their manager saw Liam when the gig was finished. He was hunched over a beer biting his nails and looking tense."

Firkin manager Brian Bailey added: "Liam just came in and had a quiet drink with a friend. Liam didn't tell us about his baby and nobody asked him. Nobody hassled him." Noel Gallagher joked that his baby, due in February, will now be called Ringo.

Lennon Gallagher has already been showered with gifts from tabloid newspapers. But The Maker decided to offer something that Gallagher junior and his parents will remember forever - his own astrological chart. The good news is that Lennon, born under the sign of Virgo like his father, is more likely to be a songwriter than a Man City striker.

Rock-friendly astrologer Louisa Livingstone, explained: "With Sun and Mercury conjunct in Virgo, Lennon is a born thinker and communicator, exchanging ideas and information with others and paying attention to detail. He could very well write or use his voice - as an interviewer, writer, or singer/songwriter, with imagination and sensitivity. Words, writing, speaking, singing, all would he very important. Like his dad, Lennon has a wild side and he'll he an attention-seeker. The Moon in Scorpio, intense feelings are hidden, like a smouldering volcano," explained Louisa. "When his temper goes, it will go - most likely in his closest relationships. He has an attention-seeking streak with Venus in Leo, wanting to shine. Good for performing, but not necessarily overtly. Uranus shows he has a tendency to be rebellious or unconventional and to withdraw when constrained. Innately ambitious and driven, he'll work very hard - when he wants to - at reaching the peaks of success which makes it possible for him to get to the top."

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c 1999 Andrew Turner

aturner@interalpha.co.uk

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