Search - Michael Ball :: Music

Ball Makes "Music" Come Alive

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 12/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Life on Mars, I Am Loved, And I Love You So



Copious releases of CDs covering the evergreens of pop classics have been released of late, from Rick Astley to Rod Stewart to Westlife, so what makes "Music" essential? Unlike many of his peers, Michael Ball does not approach these chestnuts as clone-copies of the originals. Rather, Ball approaches each of these dozen tunes with a strong esprit de corps. Carving a deep-seated sense of individuality to each song, he approaches each song with just the right dose of emotional intensity. And the years of having his name engraved on the marquee of London's West end has indeed paid off as he sings as if these dozen tunes are his old friends, rather than just mere acquaintances.



Among the better cuts are the less obvious choices: Ball brings in his theatrical influences to David Bowie's cynical "Life on Mars." Transforming this former rock tune into a theatrical cabaret, Ball's expressive tenor is on full display further enhanced by some of the most mellifluous sounding strings. Also, given the same bombastic treatment is the showstopper, Queen's ever powerful "The Show Must Go On." But, Ball does not slavishly approach each song in the same tenor. Abandoning his theatrical aplomb, Ball gives Don McClean's "And I Love You So," a late-night bossa nova feel, demonstrating how versatile Ball is.



Though Westlife has recently turned "You Raise Me Up" into a smash UK pop hit, Ball's take is more ruminative, yet still as strong when it comes to the faith-affirming chorus. Songs like this, with its spiritual overtones, sell regardless of who sings it. But Ball just gives it a more mature added touch. With a nod of acknowledgement to Eva Cassidy's cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold," Ball's version, like Cassidy's, is understated placing the emphasis on the song's lachrymose words. "I Am Loved," on the other hand, is this album's original offering coming from the pens of Ball, Tim Woodcock and Nick Battle. This power love ballad easily ignites with just the right passion giving the assurance that one is truly loved after hearing the song.



Nevertheless, not all of Ball's interpretations work. On the title track, which was John Miles' tribute to the power of music, Ball starts off well-deliberative and heartfelt. However, towards the middle of this gorgeously written ballad, the tempo picks up turning it into a pseudo-disco track, making nonsense of the song's sober demeanor. With its cheesy out of date dance feel, "Everlasting Love" is definitely out of place on this ballad-hued CD. Other than these couple of missteps, "Music" lives up to its title: here we have one of UK's greatest balladeer demonstratively showing us how a dozen tunes, most of which are over decades old, can still bespeak emotions and life today. These are not just 12 songs, but they are music personified."

One of the best albums of the year!!

Burton D. Shapiro | Ft Lauderdale, F l. USA | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Ball has done it again! This time he has taken some of the best comtemporary songs of the last thirty years, and gives it a theatrical approach. Not only does Michael pull it off, but they sound fresh. The best track is the very underated John Miles' "Music". The song is a performance for the ages, and Michael makes it sound like it came out of musical. All in all a powerful performance on all tracks. Highly recommended for anyone who apprecitates, and likes GOOD music, performed the RIGHT way. Michael you're a musical treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Still the best, but not from Amazon

Missy Mo | Sacramento, CA | 05/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I keep buying all the Michael Ball music I can find but I've quit looking on Amazon because of the incredible mark-up they put on their imports. This CD sells for ?6.96 on amazon.co.uk, which converts to $12.94. You would think they were mailing each individual CD to the States all by itself."