BLAKE - the All British IL DIVO - your views?

bigdiva · Joined: Dec 09, 2007 Posts: 19

Hi Guys,

I was listening to a radio program last night on classic FM and one of the presenters said that after the last year, BLAKE had proven themselves to be almost like an All British IL DIVO. I personally think that this misses the point about BLAKE, as they are much younger, have more pop like voices and sing very different style of songs, but the All British thing made me proud Smile

I think its an interesting discussion though, as up till now, everyone has been overly polite about comparing the two. I think it would be fun for us to have an open forum about what we like in both groups, perhaps allowing some BLAKE fans to try out IL DIVO, and IL DIVO fans to try BLAKE. Perhaps up till now we've all been a little blinkered about the two groups.

Here is the link to last nights performance by BLAKE on the BBC's "Last Choir Standing" - have a look at see what you think. The simple fact is that we can all love more than one band, which is a good thing! Smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GtlWJWdZ_E

I thought that although their voices are obviously very different to IL DIVO (much younger and less operatic) this actually suited this type of song very well. They all look beautiful I'm sure you'll agree and they perform with boat loads of confidence. I'm really proud they're British Smile

Let's all chat about it and see, after all, BLAKE did an amazing thing by bringing crossover male quartets the ability to win a Brit Award - now IL DIVO must also have an even bigger opportunity to win this too Smile

BIG HUGS TO EVERYONE,

BIGDIVA. XXXXXXXXXX

LittleMissMole · Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 4

Hi there BigDiva
I'm not sure you can really compare the two, although they sing the same type of music and are all gorgeous to look at, I find the 2 groups quite different. I like Blake and bought their first album, and as you say it is really great that more groups like Blake (artists that can actually sing!) are doing well in the UK. They have a soft and relaxing sound, although I found some of the tracks on the first album a little 'choral'. I like the sound of 'Up where you Belong'. For me though, nothing can beat Il Divo for the superb quality and power of their voices, the years of training and singing live really show - and I guess I like the european feel with the songs in different languages, especially too the original music they sing, not just covers.

But that's just my humble opinion! Both groups are great and deserve to do well.

BlondeBombshell · Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 25 Location: United Kingdom.

In my opinion there is simply no comparing the two. For me Il Divo are and always will be the best. They were the first popera group around and have been fantastic ever since. Not only that they are four of the nicest men around, always thankful for the support of their fans and still down to earth and normal. I love them!

xantha · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

All of your comments have been really interesting, thanks for your input so far. Smile

I personally tend to agree though that you can't really compare Blake with either G4 or Il Divo, other than the fact that they are all male 4 piece groups.

Il Divo's sound is very distinct and unique, as was G4's and whilst they may sing the same songs on occasion, I think that each group has demonstrated that they bring a new and different quality to it.They each have their strengths, whether it lies in their harmonies or sheer power of their voices and it would be wrong to suppose that just because you like group A, you would also naturally like group B (and vice versa).Everyone has individual tastes and that's why it's great to have so many artists in this "crossover genre" Smile

Without a doubt though, each group has helped raised awareness of classical / crossover music and brought many new fans to this genre, whether they were introduced recently or back when groups like Amici Forever released their album in October 2004.(solo artists like Russell Watson and Aled Jones have been on the music scene even longer!)I hope that they and other groups continue to make this sort of music more accesible to others. I'm sure that every artist featured on here is grateful for the support of their fans, as without them they wouldn't have the success that they do. Smile

It would be great to hear what others think about this. Smile

niemno · Joined: Nov 18, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi there. I do not have the habit of entering on blogs, rather like to "read only", but I felt I had to... I am a huge Divo fan, and an open minded person. But...comparing Il Divo with Blake, come on please! Blake is far away from the Divo level in voices, life singing, looks, experience and Blake singing songs in an other language than their mothertongue is obviously not their cup of tea! Blake are good, like a lot of other groups, but they don't jump out. They do not bring over the message, feelings, romance, thrills..., in the same way. When the Divo's sing, they lift you to an other level, they touch you deep insight ... As for me, Blake are not even near that.
(sorry for language errors, I'm not English)