KATHERINE JENKINS – Rejoice – UCJ Music
Welsh-born mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins has had many honours bestowed on her and the release of her fifth studio album, Rejoice, only further confirms that she is blessed with a golden voice. Her incredible range, breath control and phrasing are all spot on the mark. Quirky material choices add to the enjoyment – Mascagni’s aria, ‘Sancta Maria’, is followed by the Doris Day hit, ‘Secret Love’. Katherine supposedly shattered a chandelier in her early school singing days, so when you crank up the volume on this one, make sure the Stuart crystal is nowhere in sight!
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN – Live at the Sydney Opera House – Warner Music
I admit I’m a fan! So, sitting in the comfort of a leather lounge and tucking into a pepper steak and a white wine, I was ready to join Olivia as she celebrated her stellar career with a concert at the Sydney Opera House. Spliced in between the 27 hit songs on this concert DVD is footage of Olivia and her daughter exploring typical tourist sights – the Sydney Bridge, Manly Wharf, the Rocks, etc. It works well and adds another dimension, but ultimately, it’s the concert that delivers. Reworking of old material like ‘Please, Mr Please’ and ‘Physical’ were a joy, but the numbers with her three-piece backing singers were exceptional, especially the hit, ‘Suddenly’. An overhead image of the late Peter Allen with Olivia singing ‘Tenterfield Saddler’ perfectly in harmony was an emotional highpoint. All in all, a big kween tick from me!
GEOFF SEWELL – Believe – Sony BMG
Produced by the legendary Nick Patrick, the first solo album from Geoff Sewell (one of the founding members of the Amici Forever) is nothing short of pure brilliance. Blessed with an amazing tenor voice, Sewell has amassed on this 13-track album, some of the best-loved songs in a tenor’s repertoire, including a risky, but successful undertaking that added lyrics to the music from Pietro Mascagni’s ‘Intermezzo’ from the opera, Cavalleri Rusticana (1890). Written by Geoff’s wife, Simone, ‘Sienna’s Song’ (track 2) was written for their daughter, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. A beautiful rendition of ‘Unchained Melody’ sung in Italian, and the song from the movie Love Story, ‘Where Do I Begin’, round out the album highlights. This classical crossover album is laced with a musical accompaniment that lets Geoff’s wondrous voice soar.
