Westlife // Lighthouse

 
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With their second Greatest Hits album just around the corner, the first offering comes to us in the form of Lighthouse, written by none other than Take That’s Gary Barlow.

It’s another ballad, which seems to be more and more common for the group. With lines such as “You’re the light in the dark/The seat in the park/You’re the lighthouse that I need” , you can’t help thinking that they could have been lines pulled straight from a Valentine’s card. This is possibly the last single that the lads may release seeing as they have recently announced that they are going to be splitting after 14 years together. So maybe the lyrics are a bit more poignant as in a sense could be seen a thank you type song to the fans as well.

If you like your soppy ballad, this is for you. Probably a perfect bow out tune.

Rating: 3/5

Charice // New World

Download @ iTunes (Japan)

The name may not be familiar to you. But if we had to give the name Charice Pempengco and then mentioned Sunshine Corazon from Glee? You’re with us now? Good! Yes, whilst she has released material in America (and we’re not talking about the Glee releases!), she’s soon going to be known to fans of Final Fantasy as she’s been chosen to sing Final Fantasy XIII-2 theme for the International release of the game early next year.

It is a much better fitting song for the game that it’s predecessor (sorry Leona!) and whilst it showcases the vocals well, we’re not convinced that it showcases her true potential. Maybe it’s the song itself that’s the problem, but still, let’s not dwell on it. Beautiful ballad that serves it purpose. Let’s hope that the associations with Glee and Final Fantasy will bring her to attention of new fans!

Rating: 4/5

Destinee & Paris // True Love

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Not know the name? Well, apparently the sisters have been backing singer’s on American Idol and now they’re setting out on their own with their debut single, True Love.

The song itself isn’t actually bad for a debut. It sounds a little like the early Saturdays, a little Pixie Lott & a little Nicole Scherzinger. With easy to learn lyrics, you’ll soon find yourself singing along with this catchy tune. Hopefully it’s not a one off track. The sisters will be in the UK supporting Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale tour so hopefully they’ll get the exposure through that.

Rating:4/5

Steve McKenna // Scottish Soldier

 

For those that have been following this blog for a while now might remember us reviewing Steve McKenna last year with his rendition of You Raise Me Up released to raise money for Help For Heroes (if not, see the review here for the details). Anyway, lets come to 2011 and once again, Steve has recorded a song, once again in time for Help For Heroes.

Scottish Soldier is a variation on the Andy Stewart classic Green Hills Of Tyrrol. He may think that he’s ‘Scotland’s Worst DJ’ (though we reckon we can think of a few that might give him a run for his money!) but he delivers the song brilliantly. It’s a rousing track and worth while download to help support the work that Help For Heroes provides. Now…we wonder when the album’s coming out….

Rating: 5/5

Charlene Soraia // Wherever You Will Go

Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

You may not know this young lady but you will probably recognise the song. It is a cover of The Calling’s track of the same name and you’re liking to be hearing this version a bit more seeing as it is currently being used on the Twining’s ‘Getting You Back To You’ advert. A beautiful rendition based purely on vocals and piano. She does the song justice, making it her own whilst being true to the original. Second track available on this single is Lightyears which is her own track and shows a more rocky sound to her, making the single sound a little like a game of two halfs.

A lovely little release from the artist and hopefully with the exposure from the advert, more people will get to know her.

Rating: 4/5

Clyde 1 Live @ SECC Glasgow 30th September 2011

On the 30th September 2011, Glasgow based radio station Clyde 1 took over Hall 4 of the SECC in Glasgow to bring a myriad of the UK’s hottest stars to stage together for one night only. So who was on the bill?

Olly Murs
First to take to the stage was Olly Murs, who despite coming second in the X-factor a few years ago, has been quite successful. He performed a few songs including Thinking Of You, Busy and current single Heart Skips A Beat inbetween talking X-Factor (seeing as he host The Xtra Factor), his new album and of course, his forthcoming tour. Overall he was good but not an act that I would rush off and see.

Sugababes
As many will probably know by now, none of the original line up remains. But Heidi, Amelle and Jade came out and performed a few past songs (About You Know, About A Girl, Push The Button) as well as new single Freedom. Sadly though, it sounded as if they were out of tune with the older songs, only being able to properly sing material since they’ve been together.

Cover Drive
This is a new group hailing from Barbados who only performed two tracks for their slot, forthcoming single Twilight and their debut Lick Ya Down. Not sure what to make of them but expect to hear more from them in the future!

Giving the stage crew time to set the stage up, presenter and DJ George Bowie took up the decks and brought the George Bowie Experience to hall 4 and got the crowd jumping and singing along.

Matt Cardle
Following George it was last years X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. Apparently he’s only been playing his new material up North. He played a solid set including his new single Run For Your Life and also constantly on guitar, which he looked more than comfortable playing.Of course there was the obligatory mention about his debut album coming out. It was good to see and hear him live and not just on the TV and it has shown he is able to play in the flesh but not someone I’d rush to see.

Nina Nesbitt
Jim Gellatlyintroduced this singer who hails from Edinburgh but has major labels chasing her. Discovered on YouTube (where she posted covers of artists including Ed Sheeran, Example and Mumford & Sons). She performed a cover of Little Lion Man before performing her own song Glue. The crowd seemed to get behind her too. Look forward to seeing/hearing more from her in the near future.

Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise Lott aka Pixie Lott came to the stage performing hit track Boys & Girls, following it closely with ballad Cry Me Out. Forthcoming single What Do You Take Me For came next (with her admitting before starting that tonight would be the first time that she had performed the track live). Debut Mama Do followed with much participation from the crowd. She ended the set with current single All About Tonight that once again got the crowd involved. Another solid set from a great young artist.

Dappy
It didn’t take much to get the crowd excited when it became obvious who the next act was going to be. Dappy (probably better known as being part of N-Dubz) came on stage. Performing only two tracks including number 1 track No Regrets, the crowd was wild including a surge forward at one point when he came down to the barrier. Not much to write home about.

Jessie J
After another short set from George Bowie, the main event of the night began with the one and only Jessie J. Starting off with a slow version of Do It Like A Dude, she suddenly burst into a full familiar version of the song, sending the crowd wild. She explain that tonight was the first time that she had performed with two shoes on after she broke her ankle a few months ago, using the excuse that Nobody’s Perfect. Dedicating the ballad Who You Are as a thank you to everyone who had voted for her for the various awards throughout the year, showed another string to her bow. Finishing the set with Domino, she invited anyone who was backstage to come join her on stage (though no one did!). But the track seemed appropriate to finish with. Even in that short space of time showed why her shows have sold out!

Looking at the event as a whole, it was interesting to see these artist together even though in general I wouldn’t go see these artist normally. Some acts could have done better and might have been better if some of the newer acts had a little more performance time. It probably didn’t help with the heat in the hall and that as as a space appeared there was a push forward as people tried to get closer to the stage. Maybe I’ve been to too many civilised standing concerts…

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Olly Murs: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Sugababes: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Cover Drive: Official Site | iTunes
Matt Cardle: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Nina Nesbitt: Official Facebook
Pixie Lott: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes
Dappy: Official Site | iTunes
Jessie J: Official Site | Amazon.co.uk | iTunes