Music CD

Michael Ball, Britain's leading musical star and multi-platinum recording artist, releases his new twelve track album, which takes its title from John Miles' seminal mega hit of 1976. Features some of Michael's favorite pop songs from the last thirty years. David Bowie's `Life On Mars', for instance, is a key number in Michael's solo shows. `Fields Of Gold' is a double homage: in part to Sting, one of Michael's favorite artists and to Eva Cassidy whom Michael feels recorded the definitive version of this beautiful song. Simon & Garfunkel are represented by the classic `Bridge Over Troubled Water' which benefits from a simple, contemporary arrangement and vocal treatment; and the powerhouse `The Show Must Go On', one of Michael's all-time favorite songs and a smash hit with his live concert audience is also a poignant nod to the memory of the great Freddie Mercury. Ever keen to expand his musical repertoire and to challenge his voice, Michael has diversified on this album with the bossa nova-tinged `And I Love You So' which features a stripped down arrangement and some cool piano. Michael co-wrote a new song, `I Am Loved' which appears as the penultimate track on the album before he gives full rein to his superb voice on a magnificent rendering of the title track.