I came across Branden & James thanks to the ‘Stay at Home with Crazy Coqs’ series on YouTube, introduced shortly after lockdown – at the time of writing, the recording of their concert at Crazy Coqs is still available to view online. Their repertoire spans many different genres, with some renderings quite removed from their original incarnations, but it works, especially when delivered with such heart and passion. I recall watching the concert earlier this year and thinking, “They should do … [Read more...]
Reviews of Cast Recordings, Soundtracks from Musicals & Music
Reviews of music from performers from the stage, cast recordings, soundtracks from stage productions, albums etc...
London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s debut album GIRLFRIENDS
With such a talented cast, it’s difficult to single out stand-out performances. But the ones that stick in my mind are Bronté Barbé’s rendering of ‘The Chances Are’, a heartfelt number about the sitting and hoping that goes on when one’s partner is out to war, and Rob Houchen’s tenor voice is perfectly suited to the soaring melodies in this musical. It’s not often that a new recording of a musical with an orchestra as large as the LMTO is released these days. Rather longer than most cast recordings, coming in at just under two hours, this is set to be the go-to album for Girlfriends, a hearty and passionate listening experience.
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Siobhan Dillon – One Voice – ‘truly tugs at the heartstrings’
I know we are in strange, cruel, enlightening pandemic times but it is not very often that a grown man can sit in front of his laptop in the morning and have tears streaming down his face. But this album - One Voice - did that to me. And in doing so I discovered a voice, a new voice, with the clarity of pearls gently dropping into the cool, crystal-clear water of mountain streams combined with an endearing passion that truly tugs at the heartstrings. Specifically what did it for me was the … [Read more...]
Harry Shearer and Judith Owen Present… Christmas Without Tears
A few years ago, singer songwriter Judith Owen and husband Harry Shearer (of Spinal Tap and The Simpsons fame) opened their Santa Monica home for an annual gathering at Christmas for family and friends where music would be played, songs sung, and jokes told, and the evenings grew into heart-warming house parties. Then in 2005, the couple decided that they would move them out of their home and turn the occasions into fundraising events for charities and people in need. The first one was in aid of … [Read more...]
Maria Friedman: From the Heart at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
As the audience enters the auditorium of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, a single spotlight shines down from the ceiling highlighting a single microphone stand. The dust and atmosphere drift like smoke up into the rafters; it’s an iconic image - like moonlight in a forest. Then Maria Friedman enters from stage left and a marvellous evening of entertainment begins as the star of stage, screen and cabaret delights the audience with her wit, charm, show business anecdotes and most importantly, her … [Read more...]
Melinda Hughes & Alison Limerick: Diva ll Diva at The Crazy Coqs | Review
Melinda Hughes has found her perfect onstage partner: the soul legend and Hackney gal Alison Limerick (Where Love Lives). Billed as Diva ll Diva they jam, dance and bounce lyrics off each other in a dazzling series of complementary and contrasting styles, genres and tempos. In a whirlwind 90 minutes of duets and solos at the fabulous cabaret venue the Crazy Coqs, (surely the best such intimate space in London?), they contrast Hackney with Harrods, Kingston Jamaica with Kingston Surrey, the … [Read more...]