Russell Watson

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

Here is a review of Russell's new album from the Manchester Evening News.

Russell Watson - Outside In (UCJ)
Glenn Meads

[/b]
26/11/2007

4/5 stars

SALFORD singing star, Russell Watson, like Kylie Minogue, has survived a life threatening illness. This brave and talented million-seller has released this follow up to the lacklustre 'That’s Life'.

The problem with that album was that everyone had done swing music; from Westlife to Ray Quinn and it really did not highlight the sheer strength in his voice.

This time though, he attempts to please all comers with a mixture of the traditional opera that made his name, like his tribute to Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma and pop, like Richard Marx’s One More Time.

It works, as his voice is being stretched here to his amazing potential, whereas singing Rat Pack tracks was never going to have the emotional resonance that the fans expect. One nice touch is his duet with his old colleague from the singing celebs show, The Two Of Us, Jocelyn Brown, on a stunning version of Amazing Grace.

Have I Told You Lately has been done better by both Van (The Man) Morrison and Rod Stewart, although Watson has a good stab. As Christmassy as his Baby It’s Cold Outside (a duet with Denise Van Outen) sounds, it does not show off ‘The Voice’ in his full glory.

Raspy

Love On The Rocks also misses the raspy vocals of Neil Diamond. Russ is technically perfect but when you tackle a song like this synonymous with an artist of Diamond’s stature, you have to be prepared for comparisons and it’s just inferior, compared with Neil’s rough and ready version.

Ultimately, it’s the Russell Watson of old that sets this CD alight. Time To Say Goodbye (with the chanteuse Hayley Westenra) ups the ante on Russell’s section, even though Westenra’s part is not as emotional as Sarah Brightman’s original. Watson, though could break a wine glass with the power displayed here.

Like many operatic artists, you can see why Watson attempts pop, but the classical numbers are the ones that will have you reaching for the repeat button.

Released on November 26[/size][/quote]
Richard

[Dave]

Thanks Richard!

I suspect the reviewer wouldn't have been so complimentary about the Time to Say Goodbye duet if Hayley's contributiion wasn't up to scratch... I bet he didn't play the Bocelli/Brightman version again before saying that (though it is of course the "definitive" version) .

In fact, Hayley sings beautifully in it but how do i know that, having not yet bought the album? Well there is now another sample available (at least to UK members, maybe everyone) and it's a whole 30 seconds of Hayley singing in Italian!

Classics and Jazz samples

There is currently a system fault so i cannot download the track but:

Graeme, did you know this? The best quality way to make copy protected downloads playable on an iPod is to burn them to a CD-RW or CD-R first. Then, you can convert them from the CD into an mp3 which plays on an iPod. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

But Classics and Jazz downloads are now available directly in unprotected mp3 format (possibly only for UK members).

Cheers, Dave

[graemek]

Thanks for the suggestion Dave.
I think my knowledge is still quite foggy.

As I understand it the .cda files are as recorded & with no losses. Very like raw .wav files I'd imagine.

The Wma files are compressed but I don't know how much.
I assume you can set the Kbps as you make them.

Mp3 files straight off CD's are made by itunes at 160 kps by default but its easy enough to change them to 192 Kbps.

Question is, when I download a track & receive a Wma, what is its quality? I don't know myself. I'd guess 192 Kbps.

Any comments about that Dave?
Thanks for your advice,
graeme

[toronado]

This sounds like a wonderful album, and I've love to have it, but not at the $43 Amazon are currently asking for it. I guess I'll be importing another CD on my own!

[Dave]

Great news for Russell and his fans, Hayley and us too! Inside Out is no. 12 in Monday's official sales and is likely to climb as the week progresses so... fingers crossed for a Russell (and Hayley!) top ten album at the weekend!

[dutchjoyce]

Now listening to his NEW album, Outside In
i bought in Dublin!!
I love the duet Time to say goodbye, with Hayley!!!!
Greetz JOYCE.

[Paddy]

dave said:

Great news for Russell and his fans, Hayley and us too! Inside Out is no. 12 in Monday's official sales and is likely to climb as the week progresses so... fingers crossed for a Russell (and Hayley!) top ten album at the weekend!

Some more good news:

Russell Reaches Gold

As we mentioned in the last newsletter, Russell needed some help in promoting his latest album 'Outside In' as he was unable to get out and promote it himself. You've done a brilliant job helping out by contacting radio stations and requesting they play one of the tracks. So thank you for all your hard work. Outside In has exceeded Russell's expectations and we can proudly announce that the record has reached gold status, selling over 100,000 copies in the UK alone.

A Special Christmas message from Russell

Russell is so over-whelmed by the support from you, his fans, he sends this very personal Christmas Message:

"Christmas is very special to me. At one point I didn't think I would get to see this Christmas. This year is going to be such a big celebration with my daughters who are my strength and inspiration in everything I do."

Russell

Paddy

[Stephany]

Hi all,

I eventually bought Russell's latest album 'Outside In' and it's overally very good. I particularly like his duet with Hayley on 'Time to say goodbye' of course. In fact, I think it is almost better than the one she did with Andrea Boccelli (which was excellent)

Stephany

[Dave]

Hi Stephany,


This album is on my Christmas present list with a "star" by it, so I hope one of my daughters takes the hint! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers, Dave

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

It looks like Russell Watson's appearance with Hayley at the World Games this year was his "swan song" for Decca. See the following story from Billboard this week: www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3icc2aee71977fdb17df64f28193182ad7

U.K. Tenor Russell Watson Signs With Epic
December 01, 2009

By Richard Smirke, London

U.K. tenor Russell Watson has signed a long-term world wide record deal with Epic Records and Sony Music Entertainment U.K.

Under the terms of the deal, the classical crossover artist will start to record his first album for Epic early in 2010 for release later in the year.

Prior to signing with Epic, Watson was signed to Universal Music Group-owned Decca Records. According to a spokesperson for Sony Music Entertainment U.K., he has sold over three million albums in the United Kingdom and close to seven million worldwide during his career.

Dave

[Libby]

Wow, is there seriously no thread for Russell Watson? Interesting. I searched and searched the Off topic music board, and did a search, and while I found his name mentioned many times in other threads, not a single one was a thread devoted to him.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that it appears that he will be performing at this year's Capitol 4th show on PBS, according to this website, which shows alll the stars participating in the show this year. dc.about.com/od/specialeventphotos1/ss/CapitolFourth_5.htm

He was originally supposed to perform at the Memorial Day concert this year, but due to bad weather, they had to stop the concert early, before Russell had a chance to perform. I was disappointed, because I was interested in seeing him. I wonder if he will sing the same things he was going to at the MD concert? I hope so. I really liked his version of Bridge Over Troubled Water on youtube. Very emotional.

When I looked him up a while back, I was surprised to learn that he was the singer of the theme song to Star Trek: Enterprise. My mom used to watch that show, and although I found it extremely boring, I liked the song. I never looked it up, though. I was surprised about it because when I remember him singing The Prayer with Hayley, his voice didn't sound anything like how he sounded in the Faith of the Heart song, or whatever it's called.

[Libby]

Here's the song, Faith of the Heart/Where My Heart Will Take Me; this looks like the setting for the Capitol 4th! So he's performed there before? If so, that gives me hope that Hayley could be invited back again sometime.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oalyw2sHXQk

So I first heard of his voice many years ago, but I had no idea who it was, and I wasn't into crossover music yet, anyway. I can't even remember whether I looked up the song back then. I don't think I did.

[Richard]

Hello Libby!

I found this existing thread for Russell Watson, so I've moved your posts here from the new thread.

Richard

[John H]

The first time I saw Russell perform live was actually at the same event where I first encountered Hayley, at a Songs of Praise 'Big Sing' recording in September 2004.
I think he sang just one solo - "I'll Walk with God".

I have seen Russell a few times since (most recently earlier this month, on the same stage at the RAH) and quite like him.

Of the two guest artists that day though, I have to say that Hayley has had by far the greater impact on my life.

[nicola]

Faith of the Heart has made Russell "acceptable" for my other half - even gone to a concert of his and enjoyed it - he loves Star Trek. Early on Russell's career, he hadn't had much training and he very much had two voices. He had this husky pop/rock voice that always turned me to jelly, but since his vocal cords needed operating on and the brain tumors he has trained more exclusively with classical. I love his early albums (from his debut, The Voice, to his fourth album, Amore Musica). They were truly mixing both voices. Once his vocals went haywire, he mainly recorded swing (which I hate). Since he signed with Sony he has stayed strictly classical.

I really miss his old pop voice. I haven't really called myself a fan since 2006.

Don't know if you have any of his albums, Libby, but I recommend his debut (The Voice) and Amore Musica. 'Miserere' is on my list of best classical crossover songs of all time. His two voices in it sound so different that it sounds like a duet - true CC. <3 It makes me swoon so bad...

Bad quality, but jump to 5:32 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u1W8YM1L_4