Music Reviews

Connie Talbot joins The High Kings…

Celebrating 15 phenomenal years of YOUNG VOICES

The world’s largest Children’s choir organisation providing unrivalled musical experiences across the country is now in its 15th year. Over the years special guests  such as Alexandra Burke, Katherine Jenkins, Beverley Knight, Dionne Bromfield, All Angels and many more have sung alongside an average of 70,000 children in a year! This year Young Voices will take over no less than 4 UK major arena’s across 13 dates

“The most amazing time of my life” – X-factor winner Alexandra Burke on her time at Young Voices.

Designed to unify children from across the region, boost their confidence and provide life –long memories for the children and their families! This is an opportunity for school choirs to sing in huge arenas alongside some of the most talented artists from the world of music.

Collaborating with none other than the Irish folk band of the year to celebrate the unique cultural heritage between Manchester and Ireland. The first YV concert in 1996 featured Ronnie Drew from The Dubliners and was the start of the success which has seen over 1 million children take part in Young Voices events. Musicians with Irish heritage have long been associated with Manchester, from the Gallagher brothers of Oasis to Johnny Marr of The Smiths. Platinum selling The High Kings back from a 30 date tour of USA where they played to critical acclaim. The ensemble’s energetic and unique sound of 'folk n roll', serves up laughter, good times and even the occasional sing-a-long.

If that’s not all, this year, Connie Talbot joins the Young Voices to celebrate the 15 musical years. Connie age 10, represents the very essence of Young Voices, she simply loves singing and this shows every time she takes to the stage. Connie became an overnight star after she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2007 when she was just 6 years old singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow and melting the nation’s heart. Since then she has appeared in the US on Oprah, The Ellen Degeneres Show and countless other TV appearances both here in the UK and across the globe. Her YouTube clips have been viewed over 350 million times and she already been named in the Guinness Book of Records for her singing. Connie says this about joining Young Voices:

“I’m very happy and feel honoured to be invited to these concerts and I’m really looking forward to singing with the other children” – Connie Talbot

www.youngvoices.co.uk

Young Voices 2011/12 – Bringing the experience to YOUR arena!

MANCHESTER – 23rd/24th/25th January 2012

LONDON O2 – 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th March 2012

Watch the video and listen to the song here

Rastamouse & Da Easy Crew – Best Friends

Featuring Andy Kingslow & Sara Dowling

Digital Download Single

Release Date - 11th December 2011

Following an incredible first year in the public spotlight, Rastamouse returns with the wicked and wonderfully warming Christmas single ‘Best Friends’.

Rastamouse & Da Easy Crew have enjoyed a phenomenally successful year: the debut album landed in July to critical acclaim a week after three show-stopping performances at Glastonbury – this was backed up by two singles supported by mainstream radio DJs such as Lauren Laverne, Alan Carr and Zoe Ball, a performance on ITV’s ‘Daybreak’ and a headline performance at the LolliBop children’s festival in Regents Park.

As with the music and songs from the album, ‘Best Friends’ is a brand new recording which features live vocals by Sara Dowling as well as live instruments - all written by Andy Kingslow, who has worked with Lily Allen, Dizzee Rascal and Corrine Bailey Rae among others.

With the daily episodes scoring high ratings on the BBC and performing phenomenally on the iPlayer, as well as DVDs and toys hitting the shops now, ‘Best Friends’ is perfectly timed to celebrate the end of an eventful year for this particular crime-fighting mouse and his crew of friends.

The single is featured heavily in the extra special Christmas episode ‘Rastamouse and Tinie Tinsel’: this is to be shown on CBeebies 4 times in the week before Christmas, as well as on BBC2 on Boxing Day. The accompanying video is sure to be ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the pre-school BBC offering, available on the BBCi red button throughout the festive period: from December 19th until January 2nd.

The official Rastamouse website: www.rastamouse.com

The official Rastamouse Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rastamouse.irie

The official Rastamouse YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/rastamousecompany

Follow Rastamouse on Twitter: @rastamouse_irie

PATRICIA HAMMOND ‘OUR LOVELY DAY’

Popular music is back!  Mezzo-soprano Patricia Hammond’s debut album is a gloriously unique renaissance of popular songs from days gone by.

Recorded on authentic instrumentation from as far as the early 1900’s, each song sounds as fresh and true as when they were first heard. Whether they’re from 1930s musicals, Victorian parlours or war-time films, each brings back memories of era’s past.

“The CD is a music box of vintage treasures, beautifully performed by a remarkable woman” – Sir Michael Parkinson       

www.patricahammond.com

Buy it from:

iTunes

Amazon

If you would like an album included email the details to webmgr@primarytimes.net