The duo’s Christmas album brings together songs that suit both of their vocals perfectly.
Back in time for the festive season, Alfie Boe and Michael Ball offer a charming and easy listening collection of Christmas songs that really captures the strengths of this partnership.
While most of the songs on the album have covered countless times, the way in which they have been arranged make the most of not only their voices – but also the gorgeous orchestra that deliver smooth and rich sounds on every track.
From a easy-going and charming rendition of ‘It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas’ to a elegant and sincere ‘Mistletoe & Wine’, the album is able to switch tone and mood with great ease and style.
Elsewhere on the album, you can really tell that the duo are having fun with songs such as ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ and original song ‘My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours’ – showing a cheeky and playful side. In particular, ‘My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours’ brings to mind the classic Irving Berlin song ‘Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)’ from Annie Get Your Gun.
Other album highlights include a thoughtful and sensitive rendition of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ that sounds almost melancholy, gorgeously accompanied on the piano and ‘White Christmas’ that capture both Ball and Boe’s vocal talents well.
The album comes to a glorious and dreamy finale with a soaring rendition of ‘Once Upon a December’ that completes Together at Christmas perfectly.
Overall, Together at Christmas is a lovely addition to the festive album collection with some truly refreshing arrangements of classic songs that suit the orchestra and and Alfie Boe and Michael Ball really well. A Christmas album that is well worth adding to your collection.
By Emma Clarendon
Together at Christmas is available to buy and download now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐