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In case you weren’t aware, it’s Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond jubilee, only the second British monarch to celebrate as long. So it would appear that the UK is going jubilee mad, and that includes the music world. One of the latest to throw their hat into the ring is Take That’s Gary Barlow and what is being deemed The Commonwealth Band with the album, Sing.
The title track itself was written by Barlow and musical maestro, Andrew Lloyd Webber. The first track (in some places denoted as the Commonwealth Version), features beside the Military Wives, a host of others from around the Commonwealth including the African Children’s Choir, The Jolly Boys from Jamaica, Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums to name but a few…..oh and HRH Prince Harry on the tambourine! The second version on here is just Gary Barlow singing, but to be fair, once you’ve heard the Commonwealth one, you won’t want to listen to Barlow’s solo effort. There’s just no competition. The third track is once again Barlow with his rendition of the classic Here Comes The Sun, that you might be familiar with from the recent Marks & Spencers adverts.
Next we have New Zealander Hayley Westenra with her wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace before former All Angels member Laura Wright performs her jubilee song, Stronger As One. In some sense, we’re reminded of Westenra’s song World In Union from the rugby world cup last year. Land of Hope and Glory comes up next sang by Alfie Boe along once again with the Military Wives. The song suits his vocals and along side the Military Wives, it works. The final track is the national anthem, God Save The Queen performed by Laura Wright. The music reminds us a little of the Grassland Chant from the musical version of The Lion King. Unfortunately, a great performance is overshadowed by what seems an imbalance between vocals and music going into the second verse.
Looking at the release as a whole, it serves it purpose. As it says on the back, the release is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee. It would be understandable to release a CD with just the two versions of Sing and possibly the video, but the question is would it sell alone? Hard to tell, so maybe that why there are a few more songs that probably be seen as British featured here, to try and sell it. Either way, a nice little collection that serves it purpose. Short and sweet
Rating: 4/5
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