Various Artists – Downton Abbey (Decca) ****
This album is released as the new series of the period drama Downton Abbey returns to our screens. It features the original orchestral soundtrack from the series, plus a vocal reworking of the Downton theme with lyrics by Don Black. Also included is an attempt to conjure up what gracious musical evenings of the period were like with exclusive new recordings of two of the most popular songs of the time – Roses Of Picardy and If You Were The Only Girl In The World, sung by Alfie Boe. For those two atmospheric tracks alone, this album is a winner.


Daphne Rowbotham, 61, retired, Shipley

Joe McElderry – Classic (UCJ) ***
After winning X Factor in 2009, and the recent TV show Popstar To Operastar, Joe McElderry has recorded his second studio album. The album features such well-known songs such as Over The Rainbow, Solitaire, I Dreamed A Dream and She Was Beautiful, as well as more traditional tracks like Nessun Dorma and Canto Della Terra. Joe’s voice is, in my opinion, a bit lightweight for classical arias, but nonetheless pleasing to listen to.


Daphne Rowbotham, 61, retired, Shipley

Dave Stewart – Blackbird Diaries (Proper Records)****
This is the new offering from the former Eurythmic, so you can pretty much guarantee that this album will already have a label of quality attached to it from the start. Pure rock at its heart, Dave’s album also has touches of pop and country mixed in. Guests who feature on the album are no lightweights either, with performances from the likes of Stevie Nicks. Dave Stewart makes his blend of classic rock sound effortless and easy, and although hardly groundbreaking, this is a competent and masterful listen from a true British legend.


David Ayres, 33, engineer, Idle, Bradford