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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Ex-boybander moves on – significantly. Give credit where it’s due, Mark Read has proved himself way beyond his days with boy band A1. A1 disbanded some seven years ago now, and since then he’s concentrated on his songwriting skills which have been taken up by Bee Gee Robin Gibb, Charlotte Church, Andy Abraham to mention but a few. In fairness to Read, who’s now 30, he’s matured as a singer and writer of excellent anthemic pop / show tunes which might feature on a Take That or Boyzone album. He’s supporting the latter on a couple of gigs this summer, so he already fits the bill. Read and various collaborators have managed to conjure up some hefty pop hooks here, without bordering (too much) on the saccharine. His opening song, the title track, is anthemic in quality, a punchy ditty that would fit perfectly on the Radio 2 playlist format. Keeping the MOR mindset, Cat Out Of The Bag has shades of Freddie Mercury’s bombastic best, whereas Lie To You is a monster power-ballad backed by some impressive production.
He finds better form on yet another anthem – Cold. Its whopping chorus is the hook here. Things move a pace again on Your World Moves Faster another stirring ballad that would an excellent single. Showing he can mix it, the next two are quality ballads of differing stylistic leanings, though it’s a more conventional slowie which brings the best out of him – Wide Open Spaces – also, it includes his best vocal performance showing he’s got plenty of range. Of all the tracks dedicated to love’s trials and tribulations, Here And Now stands head and shoulders above the rest. This is a stirring song which many a pop star would love to get their hands on. The jewel in the crown is beautiful ballad The Greatest Lady In My Life, dedicated to his mother, and special mothers around the world. Read might not become a star himself. I’m sure he’ll get plenty of work as a composer though, with plenty of singers who’ll jump at his work. The verdict – You’ll be surprised, very surprised.
Weblinks: markreadmusic.com / myspace.com/markreadmusic
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
