Covers album is over too soon

Published: 
Karly Cox
Listen to this article
Karly Cox |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

DSE 2024: To do well on English Paper 2, ensure your style is consistent

Hong Kong schools to hold National Security Education Day next month

Hong Kong to showcase about 100 masterpieces from the Palace of Versailles

Hong Kong English teachers to undergo IELTS instead of local assessment

As the first few lyrics of opener You Have to Be There sounded, I had to check I had not, in fact, put on a CD of that doyenne of musical theatre, Elaine Paige. But no, the subtly powerful pipes belong to Ms Paige's biggest fan, the unlikely reality star Susan Boyle.

The 50-year-old Scot's third album Someone to Watch Over Me is a mixed bag. Songs range from an almost eerie cover of 80s electronica band Depeche Mode's Enjoy The Silence and Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now to schmaltzy love song Unchained Melody and Paolo Nutini's Autumn Leaves.

Instrumentation is light on all tracks, allowing the purity of Boyle's voice to shine through. Sadly, though, the songs are all of a similar style - slow, pensive, emotionally charged - and those that weren't originally have been arranged to match the rest.

There are three problems with this album. First, there's not enough emotional range - we know Boyle can pluck the heartstrings, but it would be nice to hear her do something lighter. Second, the whole album only lasts half an hour. It's over before you know it. And finally, she sings only the first verse of the gorgeous Gershwin title song.

You're a breath of fresh air, SuBo, but have a little more respect for Messrs Gershwin.

YP Rating: 3/5

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment