Susan Boyle // Standing Ovation

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It’s been a while since Susan Boyle has released anything but now she is back with her forth studio album, Standing Ovation.

Opening with the timeless classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It is a track that can only be done two ways: either brilliantly or murder it. And fortunately Susan delivers it brilliantly. Next we heard into The Winner Takes It All which has a beautiful arrangement to it but at the same time, there does as times feel as if there is something missing. Send In The Clowns suits Susan’s voice and gives an opportunity to showcase her range from soft to loud and back again.

The Music Of The Night  opens with what sounds like a music box playing the melody, and is maybe a hark back to the musical from which it comes. This track also features the Phantom himself, Michael Crawford and both voices work well. Bring Him Home is another great track before heading into another classic from the stage in the form of Memory from Cats and once again she does justice to the track.

Staying on the streets it’s into Oliver! with As Long As He Needs Me which Susan delivers heading into a crescendo, before her voice back for the softer moments straight after. Heading into the Opera we’re presented with All I Ask Of You Donny Osmond. There are moments where Osmond’s pop voice does creep in which does distract slightly, however, for the most part, the song does work.

As if she doesn’t have enough, it over to FAME for the next track in Out Here On My Own again delivered brilliantly before jumping aboard the Carousel for You’ll Never Walk Alone which builds gradually until it’s crowning moment at the end. For the encore it’s another duet with Donny Osmond in the form of This Is The Moment. Sadly unlike it’s predecessor, this track doesn’t work possibly down to the fact that the parts appear to be in to different keys for Boyle and Osmond and doesn’t make for a good mix when both sing together.

Overall, it isn’t a bad album. The songs are well arranged and produced well so that there are no overpowering moments where something feels out of balance. And in the most, suited to her voice. It’s is sadly the last track that ruins the moment, and if we could remove it, the album would be great. Lovely selection of stage classics and an album surely to be on any Susan Boyle list.

Rating: 4/5