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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
"Can you feel the lo-o-o-o-ve tonight?" Michael Ball asks in the song of the same name. One thing's for sure: we can definitely feel the full impact of his vibrato. And maybe that's what makes him one of Britain's most popular musical-theatre singers. Packed with ballads, Centre Stage features songs pulled mostly from contemporary blockbusters such as Aida, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and Riverdance. Ball isn’t the best Sondheim interpreter (eg: "Not While I'm Around"), but his relatively low-key take on ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" is surprisingly effective.
Like Linda Eder and Sarah Brightman, he's a crossover artist, equally at ease in the West End, on Broadway and in Las Vegas. "Seasons of Love" is the best example of this strategy. The synth-heavy arrangements get close to the cheese zone at times, but Ball's power-pipes mostly manage to overcome them. The album's centerpiece is the delirious title song from Phantom of the Opera, a duet with Lesley Garrett; it comes across like old-school Queen trying its damnedest to write a Broadway hit. It's so over the top, so flamboyantly bombastic, that only a terminal snob wouldn't love it. Or at least crack a smile. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a second musicals CD, you wonder if the songs may be a bit thin, but there is such a varied content with songs from so many different shows. My favourites are from Blood Brothers, Mama Mia and Rent. He has such a nack of mixing both old and new songs, and has such a strong voice. I could listen for hours!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Over the years Michael Ball has released a number of albums and they have all been terriffic -- if it's possible, I think this one may be even better than his previous. Every track is a delight; he has chosen his material carefully and finally recorded some Broadway classics that fans have long waited to hear him sing (Music of the Night and Bring Him Home). Michael also chose to record a few lesser-known songs (The Boy From Nowhere and Lift the Wings) which will now become standards I'm sure. Whether familiar with Michael's work or one of those who have yet to experience his music you will LOVE this album!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Michael has come out with another superb album of songs from the musical theatre. The choice of songs is eclectic, from the signature songs of the mega-musicals ( Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Sondheim classics) and newer songs from contemporary musicals, which Mr. Ball interprets in his inimitable, wonderful musical style. There are even surprise numbers, like A Boy from Nowhere and Lift the Wings, which are particularly delightful. I highly recommend this album -- Michael's stunning voice and wonderful songs from the musical theatre make an excellent combination!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Probably the best musical album from Ball
I do get tired of Michael Ball's albums. He basically spews out about three a year with the same songs over and over. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2009 by Nicola Jarvis
Micheal Ball's best collection of show tunes to date
Michael Ball created the role of Alex Dillingham in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Aspects of Love," which meant he was the first to record "Love Changes Everything. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2004 by Lawrance M. Bernabo
Incapable of dissappointing !
I have to say that I am a bit of a Michael fan and had some preconceptions about this album. However I have to say that this is what he does the best. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2001
super cd
yet another brilliant rendition from this talented performer, are there no limits to this mans talents? yet another classic off the production line.
Published on 15 Sep 2001
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