What would you like to hear Blake perform?

xantha

Now that you've all had chance to hear their album and christmas single, you will be familiar with Blake's unique style and harmonies, but what other songs would you like to hear them perform in the future? Share your ideas with us and who knows, your wish may be granted. Very Happy

One song I heard just before Christmas, was John Rutter's 'What Sweeter Music'. After their successful performance with The Choirboys, I could just picture Blake performing this song with them - it is so beautiful and, I think it would compliment their voices and vocal style very well indeed.

Titilala · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 2

I would love to hjear them singing "In the arms of the angels"
I think they could harmonise beautifully

Titi
XX

xantha · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:42 am Post subject:

After hearing yesterday that Blake could be working on the new album as early as May this year, I thought I'd bring back this topic to hear more of your ideas.

What songs would you like to hear Blake record for their next album?
If they were to collaborate with other artists, who would you like that to be? Some of you may have heard them perform with Hayley Westenra or The Choirboys and at their next concert (28th Feb) they will be performing with Natasha Marsh - but who do you think would make an ideal partner with them?

xaria · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

I know it's been done a million times before, but I think they would do a lovely arrangement of You Raise Me Up. x
_________________
'A life in music is a life beautifully spent.' (Pavarotti)

hilaryh · Joined: Dec 03, 2007 Posts: 2

One of my favourite tracks from their first album is the lovely arrangement of Harold Darke's In the Bleak Midwinter. I'd like to hear them sing some more music from the classical liturgical repertoire eg Stanford Motets, or Tallis If Ye Love Me - though maybe Blake have had enough of this type of singing in their choirboy days !!

At the other end of the spectrum, they might also try some lighter, barber-shop arrangements - that kind of thing always goes down well at live appearances.

It was noticeable that at their concert this week, the audience particularly appreciated them singing Steal Away, just with piano, and an a capella version of Moon River - both of which really showed off their vocal skills - sometimes the orchestration hides the beautiful harmonies four good male singers can produce - so more a capella arrangements, please !!

xantha · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

Welcome to Classicalx Hilaryh and especially to the Blake forum. You have made some wonderful suggestions there for future projects and I agree, the a cappella songs they perform are wonderful.

xaria · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject:

Barbershop is great fun! Smile

I think that some barbershop songs would be a great addition to their 2nd album.
This may be going along the lines of Teatro, but what about a nice ALW classic? Perhaps Memory or Love Changes Everything?

Other than that, some proper British traditional songs such as Scarborough Fair and All Through The Night would sound lovely. x
_________________
'A life in music is a life beautifully spent.' (Pavarotti)

xantha · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

Blake are about to start work on their next album and Stephen has been asking for people to make suggestions for them for songs to include on it.

So let's have some more of your ideas - who knows, you may well hear your favourite song being sung by Blake in the near future.

Here's a few ideas from me to get you started.

The Last Farewell - previously sung by the likes of Roger Whittaker and Elvis Presley. This song has some beautiful lyrics and I'm sure Blake could work in some wonderful new harmonies. It also seems quite a fitting song seeing as they have been made Ambassadors for the War Widows Association.

Chance of a Lifetime - I have heard Katherine Jenkins perform this song (to the theme tune from Chariots of Fire). I don't know how well it would lend itself to male voices, but I think Blake would do it justice.

Lux Aeterna - previously performed by Amici Forever (Elgar's Enigma Variations)and I think All Angels may also have sung it to different lyrics. A wonderful piece of Elgar and keeps the "British" theme going too.

Amazing Grace - Blake sang this at their concert in St. James' in February and it was a very moving performance. It would be wonderful to have it included in their next album.

I Vow to Thee my Country - very English and patriotic, and I'm sure would sound wonderful with all male voices.

xantha · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:59 am Post subject:

Or....in a different direction...how about.....
They Can't Take That away From Me
Moonlight Serenade
The Rose
Let's Face The Music & Dance
The Way You Look Tonight
He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother

Or what about using their own musical talents a bit more and have them providing the musical accompaniment. Ollie plays a few instruments and in fact provided additional keyboards on one of the songs on their first album. How about getting them to provide more of the instrumental backing on the next one? A song which was written, arranged and performed by Blake would be incredible.

hilaryh · Joined: Dec 03, 2007 Posts: 2

A few more ideas from me on a more populist theme.

How about Neil Young's After the Goldrush (heard a great arrangement of this by the King's Singers in the 1970s - yes, I know, I was at University then, you can do the maths!)

Also:
She's always a woman to me (Billy Joel)

What a wonderful world this would be (not the Louis Armstrong one, the one which Simon and Garfunkel sang with James Taylor!)

Still on the S&G theme, how about Bridge over Troubled Water or, if that's too hackneyed, then Feelin Groovy would make a fantastic closing number in a live show.

The Rhythm of Life would be another crowd pleaser for a live audience.

Hilary

xantha · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

...Without You previously performed by Nilsson and Mariah Carey.

It would also be interesting to see if Blake could record their own versions of some of their favourite pop music.
Another classicalx featured artist, Nick Garrett, arranged and performed his own version of Radiohead's Exit Music on his mini album as he is a huge fan of Radiohead and Thom Yorke.
I wonder what we could expect from Blake if they were to try this with some of their favourite artists.

xantha · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:17 am Post subject: