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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally different, but still fabulous!!, 7 Dec 2008
OK, as a Russell fan, when I first saw the track list for this album I wasn't too impressed. Not a hint of classical music anywhere.
But I've had my copy 4 weeks now, and it's never out of the cd player!
I have my favourite tracks, but you'll find that the musical arrangements are stunning, the sax and bass supberb and most of the album was recorded the 'old fashioned' way, i.e Russell sang with the band/orchestra, not to a backing track. And it shows, IMO that is what makes this album so special. It really sounds as if he's singing live and just for you!!
Me & Mrs Jones - I've always liked this song and Russell doesn't disappoint. Smooth as silk, sexy and rich.
If You Don't know me by Now - The emotion in this song makes me cry, it's so sad. It's all about trust you see.
Papa Was a Rolling Stone - You just have to dance to this one, I defy you to keep your feet still!
Georgia - Beautiful. What more can I say?
New Your State of Mind - Beautiful version, Russell's voice soars.
Louisianna 1927 - This song is based on the floods of 1927 that devisated Louisianna.
House of the Rising Sun - If, like me, you grew up to the Eric Burden and the Animals version, you will be stunned by this version. It is over 8 minutes long and IMO the outstanding track on the album. I don't know how Russell got his voice down soooo low, but this is so emotional, it sends shivers down my spine and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Love it or hate it, amongst his fans it's been christened 'The Marmite Song'!!!!!!!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album, every Watson fan was ready for this., 8 Dec 2008
Named after the 1965 hit of the same name by American soul band The Impressions, this release, his seventh studio album in as many years, is a marked change in musical style by Russell Watson.
So, it's goodbye to the opera arias and classical crossover hits, to be replaced by a collection of soul and easy listening numbers giving him a chance to reveal a different facet of his singing style. This new direction I'm sure doesn't signal the end of performances like Nessun dorma, but is more a result of his recognition that the crossover market has become gradually saturated with new artists in recent years and perhaps starting to wane in terms of album sales.
This album comes at the end of another eventful year in the singers life. Following the operation to remove a second brain tumour came the radiotherapy treatment at the start of 2008, then the physiotherapy to recover from the exhausting effects of that treatment then, incredibly, in June of this year he embarked on a tour of the UK to mark his comeback. The same month saw the release of his autobiography `Finding My Voice', then TV appearances were in abundance, including his judging role on BBC TV's `Last Choir Standing', then his comeback was firmly endorsed when his fans voted him `Nation's Favourite Male Singer' in a poll by Classic FM and Radio Times.
The opening tracks `Me and Mrs Jones' and `If You Don't Know Me By Now' typify the theme of the album and for me, and I imagine many of Russell's long-time fans, reinforce his sheer vocal versatility and admirable desire to return to his roots, for these were the type of songs he was singing in his club days before the Old Trafford Nessun dorma event finally launched him into orbit with the superstars.
`Soul Man' and `In The Midnight Hour' are surely concert certainties, while `Try a Little Tenderness' and `Louisiana 1927' are lovely emotional ballads.
My favourite though is the slow, bluesy version of the classic `House of the Rising Sun' which at 8 minutes long and sung in a beautifuly sultry style with Gospel choir backing is in lovely contrast to the popular 1964 Animals version and a credit to producer and arranger Nick Patrick.
Maybe the best Russell Watson album so far.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
People Get Ready, 15 Nov 2008
My copy of this album was pre-ordered and arrived today (Sat 15th Nov).
The orchestrations on this album are amazing (The Amy Winehouse Band amonst others) and hat's off to the sax players. Russell really shows that he can tackle any type of song, from the upbeat Papa was a rolling stone (I defy you not to get up and dance!) to House of the Rising Sun, which at 8 minutes, is my favourite track. It's stunning, I never realised just how low Russell could sing, WOW.
Add to this the fact that you can hear in his voice that he's really enjoying what he's singing and you have a superb album that proves that he can not only sing operatic arias, but can get on down and rock!
If you'd like to hear previews, go to his website and listen: www.russell-watson.com
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~ Russell Watson
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