Michael Ball - Music
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CD Details
Artist: Michael BallEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2005-10-24
Music Label: Universal UK
Soundtracks:
- Music (Prelude)
- Show Must Go On
- Fields Of Gold
- You Raise Me Up
- Everlasting Love
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- And I Love You So
- Desperado
- Life On Mars
- I Am Loved
- Sometimes When We Touch
- Music (Full Version)
Music reviews of Music
Music Review: Ball Makes "Music" Come Alive
Rating: 4 Stars
Prime Cuts: Life on Mars, I Am Loved, And I Love You So
Copious releases of CDs covering the evergreens of pop classics have been released of late, from Rick Astley to Rod Stewart to Westlife, so what makes "Music" essential? Unlike many of his peers, Michael Ball does not approach these chestnuts as clone-copies of the originals. Rather, Ball approaches each of these dozen tunes with a strong esprit de corps. Carving a deep-seated sense of individuality to each song, he approaches each song with just the right dose of emotional intensity. And the years of having his name engraved on the marquee of London's West end has indeed paid off as he sings as if these dozen tunes are his old friends, rather than just mere acquaintances.
Among the better cuts are the less obvious choices: Ball brings in his theatrical influences to David Bowie's cynical "Life on Mars." Transforming this former rock tune into a theatrical cabaret, Ball's expressive tenor is on full display further enhanced by some of the most mellifluous sounding strings. Also, given the same bombastic treatment is the showstopper, Queen's ever powerful "The Show Must Go On." But, Ball does not slavishly approach each song in the same tenor. Abandoning his theatrical aplomb, Ball gives Don McClean's "And I Love You So," a late-night bossa nova feel, demonstrating how versatile Ball is.
Though Westlife has recently turned "You Raise Me Up" into a smash UK pop hit, Ball's take is more ruminative, yet still as strong when it comes to the faith-affirming chorus. Songs like this, with its spiritual overtones, sell regardless of who sings it. But Ball just gives it a more mature added touch. With a nod of acknowledgement to Eva Cassidy's cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold," Ball's version, like Cassidy's, is understated placing the emphasis on the song's lachrymose words. "I Am Loved," on the other hand, is this album's original offering coming from the pens of Ball, Tim Woodcock and Nick Battle. This power love ballad easily ignites with just the right passion giving the assurance that one is truly loved after hearing the song.
Nevertheless, not all of Ball's interpretations work. On the title track, which was John Miles' tribute to the power of music, Ball starts off well-deliberative and heartfelt. However, towards the middle of this gorgeously written ballad, the tempo picks up turning it into a pseudo-disco track, making nonsense of the song's sober demeanor. With its cheesy out of date dance feel, "Everlasting Love" is definitely out of place on this ballad-hued CD. Other than these couple of missteps, "Music" lives up to its title: here we have one of UK's greatest balladeer demonstratively showing us how a dozen tunes, most of which are over decades old, can still bespeak emotions and life today. These are not just 12 songs, but they are music personified.
Description of Music
Michael Ball, Britain's leading musical star and multi-platinum recording artist, releases his new twelve track album, which takes its title from John Miles? seminal mega hit of 1976. Features some of Michael?s favorite pop songs from the last thirty years. David Bowie?s ?Life On Mars?, for instance, is a key number in Michael?s solo shows. ?Fields Of Gold? is a double homage: in part to Sting, one of Michael?s favorite artists and to Eva Cassidy whom Michael feels recorded the definitive version of this beautiful song. Simon & Garfunkel are represented by the classic ?Bridge Over Troubled Water? which benefits from a simple, contemporary arrangement and vocal treatment; and the powerhouse ?The Show Must Go On?, one of Michael?s all-time favorite songs and a smash hit with his live concert audience is also a poignant nod to the memory of the great Freddie Mercury. Ever keen to expand his musical repertoire and to challenge his voice, Michael has diversified on this album with the bossa nova-tinged ?And I Love You So? which features a stripped down arrangement and some cool piano. Michael co-wrote a new song, ?I Am Loved? which appears as the penultimate track on the album before he gives full rein to his superb voice on a magnificent rendering of the title track.Broadway & Vocalists CDs
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