Russell Watson – The Platinum Collection (Decca Records) ***
Russell Watson undoubtedly has an amazing voice and this CD is packed full of crowd pleasers. Even people like me who are not fans of opera will find themselves humming along to the likes of Nessun Dorma!, Barcelona and O Sole Mio. This is the perfect Christmas present for any fan of “The Voice” and will no doubt sell like hot cakes. Not my taste but I just can’t knock it!
Mary Cuthbert, 42, fitness instructor, Bingley
Ali Campbell – Great British Songs (Absolute Records) *
Ali Campbell was the voice of the acclaimed UB40 who were considered cool in the Eighties for their blue-eyed brand of reggae. Three decades on, Campbell is intent on now converting assorted rock standards like All Right Now, Honky Tonk Woman and Paint It Black to reggae, failing lamentably as his wispy bluebeat voice does scant justice to classics he can only dream about. It all smacks of a desperate artist who has been passé for more years than he cares to remember.
Reg Nelson, 59, Heaton, Bradford
The Outcast Band – The Longest Mile (Thirsty Dog Records) **
This band look a whole lot better on paper than they do in reality. I was expecting the next big folk/rock phenomenon and instead I got at best a third-rate version of The Levellers. The vocals on here are nowhere near as strong as they should be. I also find it hard not to confuse this band with the band Outkast who, in my mind, are a totally different but much better-sounding bunch of musicians. This album has been 15 years in the making. Personally I wouldn’t have bothered.
Russ Petcher, 35, bassist, Low Moor, Bradford
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