[squash54]

Jonathan Ansell has just released his first solo album entitled 'Tenor at the Movies' where he covers some of the really memorable movie songs (and a very notable instrumental that has grown some lyrics in his arrangement from Chariots of Fire). Other movies include Gladiator, The Godfather, Romeo and Juliet, Gone With The Wind, Barry Lyndon and others.

Jonathan was a member of the British Opera/Pop crossover boy band called G4 that produced 3 or 4 truly awful albums. I was, therefore, more than a little wary of previewing this work. However. I have to confess that I really liked it. He has a light tenor voice but one that is obviously classically trained. The production is excellent and the arrangements are sympathetic to the originals but different enough to make them interesting.

Worth a listen even if you are not into "classical" music and opera.

[solaris]

Originally Posted by squash54

Jonathan Ansell has just released his first solo album entitled 'Tenor at the Movies' where he covers some of the really memorable movie songs (and a very notable instrumental that has grown some lyrics in his arrangement from Chariots of Fire). Other movies include Gladiator, The Godfather, Romeo and Juliet, Gone With The Wind, Barry Lyndon and others.

Jonathan was a member of the British Opera/Pop crossover boy band called G4 that produced 3 or 4 truly awful albums. I was, therefore, more than a little wary of previewing this work. However. I have to confess that I really liked it. He has a light tenor voice but one that is obviously classically trained. The production is excellent and the arrangements are sympathetic to the originals but different enough to make them interesting.

Worth a listen even if you are not into "classical" music and opera.

Hi squash54.

By writing the above review you have gained a few new friends in the following Jonathan Ansell fan/tribute forum: http://jonathanansell.forums.umusic.co.uk/t/518.aspx

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by squash54

Jonathan Ansell has just released his first solo album entitled 'Tenor at the Movies' where he covers some of the really memorable movie songs (and a very notable instrumental that has grown some lyrics in his arrangement from Chariots of Fire). Other movies include Gladiator, The Godfather, Romeo and Juliet, Gone With The Wind, Barry Lyndon and others.

Jonathan was a member of the British Opera/Pop crossover boy band called G4 that produced 3 or 4 truly awful albums. I was, therefore, more than a little wary of previewing this work. However. I have to confess that I really liked it. He has a light tenor voice but one that is obviously classically trained. The production is excellent and the arrangements are sympathetic to the originals but different enough to make them interesting.

Worth a listen even if you are not into "classical" music and opera.

It seems Squash you gained a few fans yourself......

I'll check it out even though it doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

[squash54]

Originally Posted by solaris

Hi squash54.

By writing the above review you have gained a few new friends in the following Jonathan Ansell fan/tribute forum: aom3.org - Jonathan Ansell Official Forum

Gee, and I thought nobody cared
Solaris, how do you pick these things up? Does a google of "aom3.org" do it, or something else?

Squash

[squash54]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

It seems Squash you gained a few fans yourself......

I'll check it out even though it doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

Probably not, although a few of the tracks are unembellished renditions of famous arias. He also does an excellent cover of "Down to the River" from O Brother Where Art Thou, you might enjoy.

My review was mainly for the benefit of people that have a developing interest in classical music and are looking for pieces that are not too challenging to start with.

Also, opera has suffered in popularity because a lot of people (the young, in particular) see it as "high-brow", stuffy and elitist and sung (for many) in a foreign language. However, a lot of this prejudice has been eroded by some of the great arias and melodies from opera being used in movie soundtracks and as world cup anthems etc. The duet "Perhap Love" with Glen Campbell and Placido Domingo is another cross-over example that I supported at the time but had opera traditionalists mounting the barricades when it was released. I could go on - "The Three Tenors" phenonemon, Il Divo etc.. If it is well produced and gets people interested in classical music in general, and opera in particular, then I'm for it

Squash

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by squash54

Probably not, although a few of the tracks are unembellished renditions of famous arias. He also does an excellent cover of "Down to the River" from O Brother Where Art Thou, you might enjoy.

My review was mainly for the benefit of people that have a developing interest in classical music and are looking for pieces that are not too challenging to start with.

Also, opera has suffered in popularity because a lot of people (the young, in particular) see it as "high-brow", stuffy and elitist and sung (for many) in a foreign language. However, a lot of this prejudice has been eroded by some of the great arias and melodies from opera being used in movie soundtracks and as world cup anthems etc. The duet "Perhap Love" with Glen Campbell and Placido Domingo is another cross-over example that I supported at the time but had opera traditionalists mounting the barricades when it was released. I could go on - "The Three Tenors" phenonemon, Il Divo etc.. If it is well produced and gets people interested in classical music in general, and opera in particular, then I'm for it

Squash

I'll stand behind all that.... but you lost me at El Divo. I think they are horrendous. Noone should be subjected to those guys.

[solaris]

Originally Posted by squash54

Gee, and I thought nobody cared
Solaris, how do you pick these things up? Does a google of "aom3.org" do it, or something else?

Squash

LinkBacks

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by solaris

LinkBacks

Is that a moderator's privilege?

[squash54]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I'll stand behind all that.... but you lost me at El Divo. I think they are horrendous. Noone should be subjected to those guys.

I'm not a fan either but millions are, and a lot of them will explore beyond the opera boy/girl bands and discover the banquet you and I are feasting upon. And those that don't.....
Well, there is always MiKa

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by squash54

I'm not a fan either but millions are, and a lot of them will explore beyond the opera boy/girl bands and discover the banquet you and I are feasting upon. And those that don't.....
Well, there is always MiKa

I like Mika!