Love London Love Culture’s top 10 favourite albums of 2017 are as follows…
10. Dreamgirls – Original London Cast Recording: for anyone wishing to relive this glitzy show filled with fantastic songs and vocals, this high quality soundtrack for the London production relives the joy of watching the show live. While of course Amber Riley’s rendition of ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ is a definite highlight, there are so many other brilliant songs including Adam J Bernard’s ‘Fake Your Way to the Top’ and ‘Family’ that capture the spirit of the show.
9. Together Again by Alfie Boe and Michael Ball: collaborating once again, this latest album from the pair has a great mix of songs that work well with both of their differing styles of voice.
8. Nat King Cole & Me, Gregory Porter: Gregory Porter’s latest album is full of style and grace as well as brilliant arrangements of songs including ‘L-O-V-E’ and ‘Miss Otis Regrets’. Well worth a listen.
7. Saturday Night at the Movies by Joe McElderry: as well as touring the UK in the musical Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Joe McElderry has released this album filled with some classic film songs including ‘Everything I do, I do it For You’ and ‘Love is All Around’. Plenty of fun and entertaining to listen to.
6. Winter’s Heart by Andrew James Johnson: this latest album from the composer and pianist is delicate and a joy to listen to from beginning to end. Tracks such as ‘Echoes of Love’ and ‘Moonlight Shadows’ are two tracks that are in particular worth listening to.
5. Wonderland by Take That: Take That’s latest album has plenty of danceable tunes including ‘Giants’ and the lovely ‘ It’s All For You’ adds a hint of poignancy. This album has given the band a new lease of life.
4. Home by Collabro: while it would be lovely to hear Collabro making more of their own music, this latest album from the group has wonderful renditions of ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ and ‘Journey to the Past’ that make it well worth a listen.
3. Beauty and the Beast: Deluxe Edition, original 2017 cast recording: while much has been made of Emma Watson’s singing voice for the film (personally didn’t find it offensive), this album features a really wonderful updated score from Alan Menken that makes the music feel up-to-date and contemporary.
2. Songs from the Stage by Leading Ladies: this new venture from Amber Riley, Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson has plenty to offer the listener in the shape of gorgeous harmonies on songs such as ‘Seasons of Love’ and ‘Falling Slowly’ for example. It is a great and strong addition to any musical theatre lover’s collection.
1. 42nd Street 2017 London Cast Recording: this is the soundtrack that everybody who has been to see the West End production has been waiting for. It fully captures the spirit of the show as well as the spectacular score that is a joy to listen to. Certainly worth adding to the collection.