Peter Andre’s tribute to the Frank Sinatra and the big band era starts off tentatively but soon warms up to become an album that won’t fail to charm and put a smile on your face.
As well as wowing audiences with his dancing skills on Strictly Come Dancing, Peter Andre has found time to record and release his latest album, joining a long list of singers to add a big band style album to their belt.
It is an album that produces mixed feelings, with some of the songs suiting his vocals better than others. For example his version of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ although perhaps lacking in confidence in places really showcases the warmth to his voice that is lacking in his version of ‘Come Fly to Me’.
But it has to be said there is a really interesting mix of songs on the album that really show off the variety of songs that Frank Sinatra released during his career and it certainly feels like a true celebration of Sinatra’s classic songs. From the well known such as ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘Mack the Knife’ to ones that perhaps are less remembered such as ‘You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You’.
Andre’s strongest moments on the album are on songs such as ‘Little Miss Notting Hill’ and a new swing version of Mysterious Girl titled ‘Mysterious Swing’ – which works surprisingly well as a big band track and is certainly a highlight on what is overall a very mixed album in quality.
When Andre relaxes into the songs and adds his own personality, the songs really work well, yet it is difficult not to feel that in comparison to some other singers who have made swing music their own there is something that is lacking.
However, there is no doubting his enthusiasm and admiration for swing music that makes the album joyful to listen to and will certainly delight his fans – even if it doesn’t win over those who relish Sinatra’s charismatic original versions and those who are a little more purist about their swing music. But if you want swing music with a bit of a modern twist then this album will certainly provide that.