Search - Becky Taylor :: By Your Side

An album to Raise You Up!

Roger M (HWI) | UK | 10/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having only recently discovered Becky, I was looking forward to being able to listen to `By Your Side'. I was not disappointed!



Prayer.

The opening notes are full of promise. Becky's voice enters low and with an air of mystery, reminders of which occur throughout the album. It quickly becomes apparent that this is a pop album, a genre in which Becky is more than capable. This fairly up-tempo number certainly grabs the listeners' attention.



Song Of Hope.

This contrasts well with the opening track. The mood is gentle; full of peace..... and hope.



By Your Side.

Although this song enables the listener to hear the clarity and beauty of Becky's voice, it does not have a melody which makes it anything more than an average song. It seems strange, therefore, to have chosen it for the title track.



You Raise Me Up.

This song is simply outstanding and should have given its name to the album. It is this track that persuaded me to order the album in the first place. Becky singing in harmony with herself is just wonderful. The arrangement is perfect for her. If it were released as a single, it would surely be a worldwide smash hit and Becky would become a household name. Becky's performance here transcends all expectations. Simply marvelous.



The Last Words You Said.

Sung as a duet with Richard Oliver, this is lovely too. Their voices compliment one another so well - his is gentle and soothing while hers is strong and mellifluous.



The Bluebird.

This song is incredibly peaceful. Becky provides her own counter-melody and demonstrates her remarkable voice control.



Now We Are Free.

The quiet introduction soon gives way to an up-tempo, full-blown pop song which, in places, almost typifies an entry into the Eurovision Song Contest! That is no criticism for I believe it would do rather well. I have to say I do not care for the brief electronic gimmickry which is presumably intended to enhance the overall sound of her voice. I first heard it "done" to Cher's voice. Once was enough - Becky is above all that.



It Is You (I Have Loved).

This is lovely. The relaxed tempo drifts along majestically. The use of an Irish whistle during the instrumental break sounds delightfully fresh. As ever, Becky's voice is sublime.



From A Distance.

I have admired this song for years but I have never heard it performed by anyone in the way that it deserves. I have now. Becky has the voice that this song has been crying our for since the day it was written. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.



Into White.

I find this song tends to wash over me. Perhaps I am still entranced by the previous track! `Into White' is pleasant enough but nothing about it really grabs me. However, for as long as Becky is prepared to sing, I will listen.



Time.

Why, oh why must we have the techno introduction? It begins with the thud of a needle making contact with an old vinyl record. Then a sustained hiss is interspersed with a nauseating click as that needle meets with a scratch at each revolution. But this is a CD. This sort of thing doesn't happen anymore and so we have to conclude that this sound effect was deliberately added for reasons which somehow escape me. Thankfully, this distraction ceases as soon as the song commences. It is a perfectly good song with which to close a truly delightful album.



I have avoided making comparisons between this and Becky's first album. Suffice it to say, they are very different but both demonstrate her remarkable ability. I believe Becky is a bright shining star of the future. There is only one thing wrong with that - she deserves it NOW.

"

BASICALLY A REWORKING OF "SHINE" [3-1/2 stars]

Cheryl H. Long | 05/10/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I first fell in love with Becky Taylor's voice on her debut album, "A Dream Come True," recorded at the tender age of 12. Many compared her to a young Charlotte Church, although her vocal quality and style reminded me more of a young Julie Andrews. I bought her follow-up album, "Shine," and while her vocal quality was a little darker than on "A Dream Come True," her voice was still crystal clear and her diction impeccable.



Her follow-up album, "By Your Side," is basically a rework of her "Shine" album, less 3 tracks that were on "Shine" but including 3 new tracks, "Prayer," "Song of Hope" and the title track. With the exception of "Now We Are Free," which is a remix, the balance of the songs are the 2003 tracks taken from her "Shine" album.



Becky's vocal quality on the 3 new tracks is even darker and more covered than those on "Shine," singing all 3 of these songs in her lower range. Her diction, however, is still impeccable. "Prayer," "Song of Hope" and "By Your Side" have a spiritual, almost mystical, flavor to them. "Song of Hope" is my favorite of the three.



"You Raise Me Up" is -- by far -- my favorite track on the CD (I enjoyed it even more so than Josh Groban's rendition!). I also enjoyed "Time," "Into White," "The Bluebird" and "From a Distance."



If you like (early) Charlotte Church, Hayley Westenra or Sarah Brightman, then I would recommend this album. However, if you already have "Shine," I would pass on this one."