Will Martin ''A New World'' review

Will Martin is the latest young tenor to join the growing band of crossover artists. "A New World",  his debut CD is released here in the UK on 22 September. 

The 23 year old has a contagious enthusiasm about singing that you can't miss and the album really does reflect that.

"Going home" (Largo from Dvorak’s “New World Symphony) - You might recognise this one from the Hovis adverts in the 1970's, Ouch showing my age a bit there! In Will's opinion, "Its a beautiful piece of classical music, but it has been produced as though it was written this year. It has contemporary textures and rhythms, and includes Maori chants with my voice floating on top.”

Which sums it up pretty well! I'm more impressed with the fact that a certain little seven year old I know who has been listening to Dvorak's New World Symphony since she was born, was still able to recognise and enjoy it. It hasn't been revamped to the point of destruction and sounds great.

So Far Away by Ronan Hardiman and Frank Musker, is the track Will puts his heart and soul into. And eden ahbez's "Nature Boy" which was a hit in the 1940's for Nat King Cole, comes across as a track he enjoys singing and that made me listen and enjoy anyway, despite not being keen on the song itself.

Over The Hills and Far Away was a track that I didn't warm to though. 

"Anytime Anywhere (Albinoni’s Adagio)" features the girl group 'All Angels'. The combination of Will and the girls youthful voices work well to provide layers to the short song.

Ennio Morricone's "Cinema Paridiso" is the track I decided to listen to last. After seeing it listed, it received a weary and resigned 'Oh great.... Cinema Paradiso...again' reaction,  but I have to be honest, although it has been covered to death, this is one version I enjoyed. It does no harm to be proved entirely wrong from time to time. Listen out for David Garrett on this one.

Down to the good and the bad

“Into the West” the theme song from “Lord of the Rings",  is one track that didn't quite manage to gel completely. Its one that I don't think anyone can better, Annie Lennox is quite an act to follow and although it is still a good track, lacks the dreamy emotional quality Annie gave it.

The Maori folk song “Hine e Hine.” provided the surprise highlight of the album for me. It shows off a great voice and pure sound.

"Song Of Peace" (Finlandia) and "I am My Country" (Highland Cathedral) were beautifully emotive as intended and just about sum up the feel of the album. Will's 'New World' is a collection of songs he feels are a testament to his belief "...in the emotion that Classical music evokes in people, and the passion it inspires"

Basically this is a gentle album, don't expect to be thrown off your feet with a blast of sound or high notes to make your spine tingle, its a lot more subtle than that. The song selection reflects Will's thought that “...people today seem to be craving a more sophisticated sound.”

OK, So the tracks are not a competely traditional repertoire, but are all orchestral and made classical in spirit.

It is no wonder that ‘A New World’ has already achieved triple platinum status in his homeland New Zealand and you can pick up your copy on 22 September.

Added: September 21st 2008
Reviewer: xcept
Score: