Nicky Spence - ''The Scottish Tenor''

Nicky Spence is a 22 year old tenor from Dumfriesshire. On leaving school, he immediately won a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, becoming their youngest singer. Since then Nicky has won numerous competitions among them being the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Young Singers Award, and was recently a special guest in Dame Shirley Bassey's tour, while also managing to fit in a 'wee Scottish tour' of his own. With all that in mind I had high hopes for his debut EP, even if it is unimaginatively titled 'Nicky Spence, the Scottish Tenor'.

The opening track is 'My Love is like a Red Rose'. Robert Burns would hardly have complained if he'd heard his carefully written verse sung by a fellow Scot. After all with Nicky's strong accent he's has a good advantage in authenticity! Ok, it doesn't show off his great voice to it's full potential but is a promising start.

'The Skye Boat' song follows and shows much more of Nicky's range and vocal depth. He has a wonderfully full and rich tone.

After these two well-known, classic Scottish melodies, it has to be said, I was more than ready to buy a kilt and organize a Ceilidh! I'm glad I stayed in my seat though, because the next song was Reynaldo Hahns 'A Chloris'. It sounded beautiful, even if Nicky's lovely accent was still evident as he sang in French!

Last but not least came 'Silent Worship' the song produced by Arthur Somervell when he adapted 'Non lo diro col labbro', the aria from Handels long forgotten opera 'Tolomeo'. Although it's now more popularly known as one of the songs performed in the 1996 film release of Jane Austens 'Emma' and considered by some to be 'old hat,' I really enjoyed this version.

This EP proves Nicky can sing in a wide variety of styles, even if he chooses to stamp his own Scottish twist on each track. His voice is powerful, emotive and completely the opposite of what you'd expect from someone in his early twenties. (He sounds a little old fashioned, in a good way!) Having Chris Hazell to work with this early in his career must be a blessing too, after all it did no harm to Bryn Terfel, Rene Fleming and Aled Jones among others.

This is an artist I'd love to see live, especially if he wears what he describes as his ' trademark sexy kilt' and cheeky grin! Nicky is completely and purely what it says on the label.... ' The Scottish Tenor'.

Added: August 1st 2006
Reviewer: xcept
Score: