The CD was released today - Yippee
How happy was I at lunchtime today to pop to my very local HMV shop (which is literally opposite my building) and have the excitement of seeing "Craig and Friends" the album (and several copies at that) in their own little section on the shelves. Felt so proud of the guys that their dream had come true and that the CD had hit the shops at last.
Icing on the cake would have been a poster on the wall of the shop with a gorgeous picture of the boys plus the CD playing in the background but a girl can't have everything!!!!
Anyway, here is my critique of the most fantastic album of the year (and I am not just saying that, I think it is absolutely wonderful and I love it to bits, can't wait to see the boys singing the songs live).
1. Any Dream Will Do/Close every Door - Craig's vocals have matured even more since ADWD and I love his versions of both of these songs. What an opener to the album. Any Dream will do suits Craig's voice and he sings it so well but Close every door is in another league. What a fantastic rendition, one of the best, if not the best I have heard. Soft, emotional and the song just soars. Fantastic. The other Joseph's harmonies are great too.
2. No Matter What - I know this song is cheesy, was sung originally by Boyzone and then it was covered and arranged as a rock ballard by Meatloaf (which is a great version by the way) but I adore this arrangement sung by Craig and the boys. A superb vocal with wonderful harmonies. This song has special memories for me anyway and I just love it.
3. Sorrow - 60's style track, sung brilliantly by Craig and Seamus. A great sing-along, Can imagine dancing round the lounge to this and at the concert too!!
4. Run to me - Wow, a Bee Gee's classic that starts gently with Craig's gorgeous dulcet tones and then made even more sublime with the beautiful harmonies of the other boys. A definite tear jerker this one.
5. Longer - A beautiful ballard that suits Craig's voice perfectly. Lovely to hear him singing in a slightly lower register than usual too. His vocal range is marvellous. It's a gentle song that makes you think of Spring and sunny days. Jondeep's soft vocals add to the sensitivity of the track and blends superbly with Craig's vocals, but it is very much Craig's song and he gives it everything it needs without it ever going over the top - Fabulous.
6. All I have to do is Dream - Love this version of a classic song and of course it's sung by two of my favourites, Craig and Lewis. Craig's slightly more gentle voice works wonderfully with Lewis's deeper tones. One to sway along to definitely.
7. I made it through the rain - The song that knocked Craig out of the semi final of ADWD so its always going to be a sad song for me, however having said that, this is a great song and all the boys have their part to play on this Barry Manilow classic. Its gentle yet strong in places and the words are very meaningful. Love Chris B and Chris C's vocals especially on this one.
8. My girl - Craig and Chris C must have had great fun recording this number because it really shows in their delivery of the song, it's vibrant, confident and as both of them have such terrific voices, incredibly bubbly and lively. Love it.
9. Can't help falling in love - This song has been covered so many times and not all versions have been good but Craig sings this track from the heart and it's as smooth as silk and as luscious as melting chocolate. A beautiful song that brings tears to the eyes.
10. There goes my first love - This has to be another one of my favourites on the album. It is such a glorious song anyway, so catchy and all the guys give it so much energy and punch. Can't wait to see it live. (Hope there's a dance routine!!!)
11. This is the moment - What can I say, its what most of us Craigettes have been waiting for. A recording of Craig singing "that song". Nothing can quite compare to watching Craig singing this on ADWD but this studio version comes very, very close and its adorable. A true musical song that starts off slowly, soft and gently and gradually builds to a glorious end. A wonderful, rendition and dare I say it, yet another tearjerker. This song shows how far Craig has come with his vocals and performance and really shows what a great musical theatre artist he has become.
12. Dream On - The title track. Again all the boys have their individual lyrics to sing and although at first I wasn't quite sure of this track, having listened to it several times now, I love it. The lyrics sum up Craig and the other Joseph's musical journeys perfectly and its a classic, lovely song, which is well sung as well as being extremely memorable, you do find yourself singing it long after the CD has finished and it is sure to do fantastically well if released as a single.
I just want to wish the boys every success with the album and just want to finish this post by saying that its definitely a CD you can keep playing without ever getting tired or bored with it.
Take care,
Love Siouxsie xxx