Military Wives // Stronger Together

 
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Can you believe that eight months ago, the Military Wives released their debut album and at the time there were only 5 choirs involved in it’s recording? Well, now they’re back with their second offering and this time, they brought a few more choirs along (now a total of 25 choirs involved!) The album is described as tracks that are songs of courage, hope and friendship, representing the very best of the British Spirit.

Opening with Take That’s Rule The World you can already hear that there is something different to this album compared to the last. Following on is Richard marx’s Right Here Waiting before we are graced with the first of two songs especially written for this album by Gareth Malone. It is of course the title track Stronger Together and features voices from all the choirs taking part in the recording.

When Will I See You Again comes next and is a beautiful rendition without the need for too many elements. Given the time of year that this is being released, it seems alright to allow them at least one Christmasy tune and that comes in the form of In The Bleak Mid-Winter which works well for a choral group. John Denver’s song Annie’s Song comes up next followed by Get Here, another track that works well having soloists and group sections.

Barry Manilow track One Voice opens with an acapella soloist before more voices join in and it is the vocal performance that carries the most weight for the majority of the song and seems an appropriate track for the Military Wives. The Long And Winding Road arrives on the speakers before heading into a medley of Songs That Won The War each track seamlessly blending into the next. This is followed up by Meet Me At The Moon.

Next we have the second track to feature the vocals of all the choirs in the form of Counting Time (again, written by Gareth Malone). Then we reach two familiar tracks. One is the Military Wives version of the song written for the Queen’s Jubilee’s which they featured on it. It is of course Sing and makes an interesting listen. The second track (and last on the album) is a new version of the title track from the last album, In My Dreams additionally titled Remembrance Version.

Comparing this to their first outing, it doesn’t feel just as strict so to say. This time there feels a much more natural tone that seemed to be missing the last time round. Maybe it’s because there are most choirs involved and shows how popular these military choirs are becoming amongst the armed forces. Lovely collection of tracks that are delivered brilliantly.

Rating: 5/5

Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band // Sing

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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

Military Wives // In My Dreams

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If you haven’t heard of the Military Wives, where have you been? Not only did they get the 2011 Christmas number 1 with their track Wherever You Are, but now they present their 11 track debut album, In My Dreams.

First off, let us explain that these songs are NOT all sang by the same choirs. The album features the choirs from Chivenor, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Lympstone and Catterick Garrison. Opening the album is the choir from Chivenor with a rendition of  Adele’s Make You Feel My Love with Nicky Scott taking on soloist duties for parts. Next we have the album’s title track, In My Dreams, with soloist duties falling to  Jonjo Kerr. Name seem familiar? Maybe it’s because he’s the serving soldier who was eliminated on the first of the live X-Factor shows last year! Plymouth appears next with cover of U2’s With Or Without You.

Portsmouth show what they’ve got with a version of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes duet Up Where We Belong (Love Lifts Us Up) before handing over to Lympstone CTC for their song, True Loves Ways. Plymouth returns with You’ve Got A Friend before making way for Chivenor and Eternal Father (Sometimes known as The Navy Hymn  or For Those In Peril On The Sea). Next we have the Catterick Garrison’s Military WAGs with a haunting rendition Coldplay’s Fix You. The Silver Tassie from Chivenor is up next with Sam Stevenson taking solo duties before Plymouth with soloist Emily Shipman perform the track  On My Own from Les Miserable.

Finally we have the Christmas number one, Wherever You Are, which features our last two choirs  (Chivenor & Plymouth) performing together with once again Sam Stevenson taking on soloist.

It’s maybe a little difficult to see how the songs would work for choirs, however they are all beautifully arranged and performed. With proceeds (according to the album, a minimum of £1) going to the Military Wives Choirs Foundation which helps to set up choirs in all military communities, you can’t help not buy this album and feel good about it. Quite possibly going to popular this Mother’s Day….

Rating: 5/5

New Music Friday: Military Wives & Marcus Collins

We couldn’t pass up an opportunity to bring you snippets from the 2011 Christmas No.1 group, Military Wives! The album, In My Dreams is released on the 5th March and features the no.1 single Wherever You Are as well as songs by Adele, U2 & Coldplay! Check out the samples below! We’ve wishing them the best with the album

Military Wives - In My Dreams by DeccaRecords

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2nd track for today comes from X-Factor runner-up, Marcus Collins! As you probably know, his debut single will be a cover of the White Stripes Seven Nation Army. But to be fair, we’re looking forward to the ‘b-side’ (at least on the digital version) to it, Break These Chains.  Check out a snippet below!

'Break These Chains' by MarcusCollins

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