Musicians & Bands > Easy Listening

Advantages: Wonderful, beautiful voice of power. Operatic in quality.
Disadvantages: None that I can think of.

I couldn’t believe it when searching through the Ciao archives that nothing had been written on this wonderful singer Sarah Brightman. Does this mean that nobody remembers her? I highly doubt it since today she is one of the world’s most successful superstars. Sarah Brightman’s success has gone on in leaps and bounds since her musical days on London’s West End. This year Sarah Brightman celebrates 25 year since her first professional recording. ...
...stepped into the world of performing arts at the early age of thirteen. She made her theatrical debut by starring in I and Albert at London's Piccadilly Theatre, in 1973 and from then on has moved far and wide across the Country. At 16, she became the youngest member of the dance group Pan's People, which was featured on Britain's Top of the Pops television program in the 1960's and '70's. It wasn’t until 1986 that Sarah Brightman got the part of ... Read review

Advantages: An angel that died.
Disadvantages: died too young.

...on Songbird, a record by Eva Cassidy, though feel it is not enough to write about her record. Her life mattered to a lot of us, and without her songs, my life would not be as it is today. This is my tribute to a short life that left its mark on me. Eva Cassidy was born on the 2nd February 1963 and died on the 2nd November 1996. She grew up just outside Washington, and came from a musical background, her father teaching children with learning disabilities ...
...artistic talent. In 1992, Eva and Chuck Brown got together and made an album, finding that their voices blended together well, called "The Other Side". Early in 1994, Eva began to feel unwell. She had problems with her hip and at the time was working on murals at a school and thought that it was down to al the work that she was doing on ladders. Tests proved otherwise. She had cancer. Luckily for the world, she had recorded all the songs that ... Read review

Advantages: Good actress
Disadvantages: Not good

You would think that Barbara Windsor had herself covered when she had done Eastenders and the Carry On films back in the early days but music was an area she also wanted to cover. In 1994 she released a 14 track album featuring duets with Joe Longthorne, Mike Reid and Steve McFadden called You've Got A Friend. She was born Barbara Ann Deeks on 6th August 1937. In drama school, Barbara excelled and won her 1st acting role at 12 where she played one ...
...followed took Barbara to the stage but in 1962, she won two major roles in films which really brought her recognition, 'Death Trap' and 'Sparrow Can't Sing'. She would sing and dance as a child. Her voice is very high, a sort of countryish tone to it but I don't think she does justice to most of the songs on her album. The title track is better sung by the Brand New Heavies. I think it would be best that she sticks to acting as Carry On has made ... Read review

Advantages: Smooth, beautiful lyrics from a great singer
Disadvantages: Shame he didn't last longer

...Cooke to follow. Nat was, in his mind especially, first and foremost a jazz pianist. that was his aim in life, and he only became a singer after being asked to sing in a bar in Chicago. This was a time of deep prejudice against the blacks of America. Nat appeared on television and film at this time, but had to have his skin lightened in make-up, which is something that, in my eyes, is abhorrent to someone with 21st century opinions. Nat married Nadine ...
...unthinkable. In 1954 Nat was performing concerts to segregated audiences in Birmingham, Alabama when he was attacked on stage by a white man. He was also the first black personality to have his own television show, which ran for 68 weeks from 1956 until 1957. However it was difficult to attract sponsors. A spokesman for Max Factor was quoted as saying that it was difficult for a negro to sell lipstick. Someone else commented that it was really a ... Read review

Advantages: Witty, funny, and brilliantly performed
Disadvantages: Too short and maybe a touch TOO funny

...dilemma as a fan of Dudley Moore. Unfortunately, I have now lost one of my lifelong musical ambitions which would have been to see him play live in London performing some of his extensive classical repertoire. Dudley Moore is well known as a comedian (Beyond the Fringe, Pete and Dud, Derek and Clive and so on), and as an actor (Bedazzled, Arthur etc). He is less well known as a first class musician. Dudley was, in fact, a highly respected jazz musician, ...
...of several amusing photos of Dudley perched on the wings of an aircraft. As with his television recording, An Audience with Dudley Moore, brilliant music is almost apologised for by Dudley as his comic interjections are littered all over the place delivered usually in a hurry - always looking for laughter to justify himself somehow. The recording itself is well balanced and well mixed. The piano, as you would expect - it's the main man's instrument! ... Read review