A trio of festive album reviews with If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album, Leslie Odom Jr – The Christmas Album and Michael Ball and Alfie Boe – Together at Christmas.
CD REVIEW: Mary Poppins: The Definitive Supercalifragilistic 2020 Cast Recording ★★★★
This new cast recording of the Disney production of Mary Poppins is lively and charming from start to finish.
CD Review: Mazz Murray – Midnight Mazz – Here We Go Again / Mascherato the Musical / Howard Goodall’s Songs from the Musicals Vol 1
This set of album reviews covers Mazz Murray – Midnight Mazz – Here We Go Again, Mascherato the Musical (Original Studio Cast Recording) and Howard Goodall’s Songs from the Musicals Vol. 1.
Album Review: Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi
Covid-19 may have cut her time in Waitress short but Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi is a great reminder of the leading lady she is and will surely continue to be.
CD Review: Amanda Holden – Songs From My Heart
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden releases her debut album Songs From My Heart, full of musical theatre treats and Sheridan Smith.
‘Warm & unique’: CD REVIEW: The Green Fairy – Cast Recording ★★★★
The Green Fairy, the musical created by Jack Sain and Stephen Libby, has released a cast recording.
‘Charmingly quirky’: Amélie The Musical ★★★★★ (Album review)
This charmingly quirky musical is captured wonderfully on this newly released cast recording.
‘A stunning look back at our musical past’: One Voice by Siobhan Dillon ★★★★ (Album review)
Dillon rose to public prominence in 2006, competing in TV’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and from there has gone on to leading roles in musical theatre. Away from the spotlight, recent years have seen the singer win her own very private battle with cancer.
‘There’s a fresh sprightliness to so much of the music that’s hard to resist’: RAGS – The Musical (Album review)
Sometimes a musical just doesn’t grab you, and so it was for me with Rags The Musical. The universe clearly wants me to hear it one way or another though, as Ghostlight Records are now releasing an official London cast recording.
‘A strong debut with a smoky late-night vibe’: One Voice by Siobhan Dillon (Album review)
‘For the first time in my life, I feel truly vulnerable when I am singing these songs. It’s terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.’
West End performer Siobhan Dillon’s new album, One Voice, released earlier this month…
‘They all spent time in Bat Out of Hell’s Obsidian’: The Songsmiths – Tenors of the West End (Album review)
Vocal group The Songsmiths’ Tenors of the West End offers up some fascinating harmonies on some classic pop tunes.
‘The top-notch cast sing as if it’s the first time they’re hearing the music’: Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Online review)
Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is released on digital download, along with a bonus featurette which is highly amusing.
‘An immensely powerful listen’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (Album review) ★★★★
The cast recording of West End musical The Prince of Egypt allows the orchestra and ensemble as well as the leading cast to shine.
‘When You Believe has a choral majesty that is undeniable’: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (Album review)
There was a moment in the last couple of days as I listened to ‘Make It Right’ for the umpteenth time that I wondered whether I’d been a bit harsh to The Prince of Egypt when it opened in late February.
CD REVIEW: Pretty Woman the Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording
Overall the original Broadway cast recording of Pretty Woman the Musical retains the spirit of the original story but also makes it soar higher thanks to the high quality of the music and lyrics.
Broadway Album Reviews: The New Yorkers, Kiss Me, Kate! & Beetlejuice
Ought To Be Clowns tackles a trio of Broadway cast recordings in the shape of Cole Porter’s The New Yorkers, Kiss Me, Kate! and Beetlejuice.
ALBUM REVIEW: Lea Michele – Christmas in the City
Jonathan Groff and Darren Criss elevate Glee star Lea Michele’s first holiday album Christmas in the City.
ALBUM REVIEW: RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow
A musical theatre album with a difference, RE:arrangement – An Album by Nick Barstow is refreshingly bold.
CD REVIEW: Luke Evans – At Last
Luke Evans’ debut album At Last is full of emphatic pop covers and his powerful voice at full stretch, not always a winning combination.
ALBUM REVIEW: Jon Robyns – Musical Direction
I’ve long admired Jon Robyns and his new album Musical Direction reflects on his career so far beautifully, as well as suggesting what fun lies ahead.