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Product Description
Album Description
`Onward', offers a rousing collection of uplifting songs. "I wanted to create a musical experience that the listener would be inspired by. I feel the arias we've chosen are all anthems in their own right and reflect a true spirit," explains Alfie. The album was recorded with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Owen Edwards. Alfie continues, "The whole creative process has been amazing. Being able to perform works by John Rutter and Karl Jenkins, two of Britain's finest composers, is an honour in itself, but to have them writing arrangements for `Onward' is just beyond my wildest dreams. Their styles are so different but what they produce is equally magical." The incomparable Howard Goodall, who recently won an award for his fascinating Channel 4 documentary, `Howard Goodall's 20th Century Greats' and most recently appointed as `ambassador' for singing in England, has also put a special arrangement together for Alfie's recording of `The Lord Is My Shepherd'. The album has been produced by Stephen Johns and Simon Rhodes. Special arrangements have also come courtesy of Chris Elliott (Baz Luhrmann's film `Moulin Rouge', Josh Groban, David Gray), Nick Ingham (`Shakespeare In Love', `The Passion', `Captain Corelli's Mandolin', Radiohead, Oasis and Sinead O'Connor) and Craig Leon (production and arrangements for Joshua Bell and Andreas Scholl). The album title, `Onward', holds a special importance for Alfie. Proud of his Lancashire roots `onward' is the motto for Fleetwood, his hometown. "There are obviously sentimental reasons for using the title, but it's also a word that perfectly describes my approach to life. It suggests movement, moving to the next stage, always striving to do your best," explains Alfie with a smile.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Onward is Alfie Boe's third studio album, the first was in association with Classic FM who kicked off his recording career, the following two were made after signing to the EMI Classics label. Born in 1973 in Lancashire his humble upbringing in a largely non-musical environment make his progression from apprentice worker in a TVR car factor to leading tenor in the Broadway production of `La Boheme' all the more remarkable.
The album is mostly a collection of well known pieces which will be familiar to those unaccustomed to classical music or opera, giving it broad appeal to a wide listening audience.
The sleeve notes provide a one or two line commentary on each track explaining the reason for choosing them, and some background to their appeal to the singer. The album is dedicated to his mother, who painted a special version of the Fleetwood Marine Hall's crest which is reproduced on the rear of the album booklet - it's entitled `Onward' hence the origin of the album's title.
For me the entire album is enjoyable, but if I were to pick a few stand out favourites they would be `Be Still My Soul' (from Sibelius Finlandia) for its subtlety, `I Vow To Thee My Country' for its patriotism, and `You'll Never Walk Alone' performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic which the singer reveals was sung while wearing a Liverpool scarf on the day Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-0. Now that's a star singer with his feet on the ground!
I saw Alfie Boe raise the roof and prompt a standing ovation following his emotional performance of `Nessun Dorma' (which he dedicated to the recently departed Pavarotti) at The Royal Albert Hall in 2007. His talent is unquestioned and he has deservedly become a firmly established and a respected name in the world of opera, where his future surely lies.
The album is mostly a collection of well known pieces which will be familiar to those unaccustomed to classical music or opera, giving it broad appeal to a wide listening audience.
The sleeve notes provide a one or two line commentary on each track explaining the reason for choosing them, and some background to their appeal to the singer. The album is dedicated to his mother, who painted a special version of the Fleetwood Marine Hall's crest which is reproduced on the rear of the album booklet - it's entitled `Onward' hence the origin of the album's title.
For me the entire album is enjoyable, but if I were to pick a few stand out favourites they would be `Be Still My Soul' (from Sibelius Finlandia) for its subtlety, `I Vow To Thee My Country' for its patriotism, and `You'll Never Walk Alone' performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic which the singer reveals was sung while wearing a Liverpool scarf on the day Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-0. Now that's a star singer with his feet on the ground!
I saw Alfie Boe raise the roof and prompt a standing ovation following his emotional performance of `Nessun Dorma' (which he dedicated to the recently departed Pavarotti) at The Royal Albert Hall in 2007. His talent is unquestioned and he has deservedly become a firmly established and a respected name in the world of opera, where his future surely lies.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Alfie's voice is a pleasure to listen to; on this album, his others and live. I have heard him sing many times over the past 15 years (I heard him before he became famous when he played Fleetwood Marine Hall) and honestly believe him to be one of the best operatic singers in the world at the moment. Definitely someone to keep an eye on in the future.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was lucky enough to see Alfie perform at the Bridgewater Hall on Sunday night and was totally blown away. I had gone to see the Fron Choir but to be honest, Alfie was the star of the show to me. He sang some tracks from this new album including 'Living Prayer' which gave me goosebumps. Can't wait to get a copy as soon as it's out, he has an amazing voice and seems like a really good laugh.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Inspiring and beautiful
Alfie never disappoints. His voice is such rare gift. This cd is comprised of religious material. I was familiar with some of the songs and glad to have been introduced to some new... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Inspired
great
Was a bit sneaky - this was given as a Christmas present but I had a listen before I wrapped it up - usual very high Alfie Boe standard
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. JOAN MCCALLUM
Soothing and uplifting
This is the first Alfie Boe CD that I have ever bought, and I have loved listening to it. This particular album has a very soothing and uplifting choice of songs - some might think... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. P. James
Bought for Mother
Mum likes it but I was a little disappointed that 5 or 6 songs were the same as the other CD I bougt for her. Bit of a swiz really! Best check song titles before buying any more. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Julie
The most amazing voice!
After seeing Alfie Boe performing as Jean Val Jean in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Miserables at the O2, I just had to purchase this CD and listen to more of his amazing... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tracy A. Williams
Inspiring
I cannot express how much joy this album has given me. I plan to give copies of it to friends and family this Christmas.
Published 13 months ago by Eleanor Jordan
Alfie Boe
a Pleasure to listen to but not as good as his other album bring him home.
a must for opera buffs!
a must for opera buffs!
Published 15 months ago by eamonn moore
Alfie Boe at his best - highly recommended
Just discovered Alfie after his performance in the 25th Anniversary performance of 'Les Miserables' bought his recent album 'Bring Him Home' and following on bought this and it is... Read more
Published 15 months ago by K. Hawkes
Inspirational and Motivational!
Another glorious CD from the charismatic Alfie Boe! You will want to read what Alfie has written about each selection because they are not idly thrown together. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mayree
Absolutely Fabulous!
My wife and I saw Alfie Boe playing the lead in the O2 staging of Les Miserables and thought we'd look at his back catalogue of cd releases and among them we saw Onward. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Peter J. Regelous
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