Michael Ball - The Movies (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

MATCHING THE VOICE WITH THE SONGS NOT EASY.

RALPH PETERS | CLOVIS, CA USA | 02/24/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The problem fans of Michael Ball seem to have is reconciling his talent with his choice of material. Anyone honestly listening must admit that his voice is an instrument of extreme beauty, probably the only male singer who even approaches Barbra Streisand in this area. The power of his voice and sincerity of delivery cannot be faulted either. But some of the songs on this album especially, well, I was disappointed just reading the titles. Does anyone really want WIND BENEATH MY WINGS or MY HEART WILL GO ON regurgitated by anyone, even a voice like Mr Ball's? It's the reverse nightmare of, say, Melanie Griffith doing Shakespeare. Some artists just don't match the material, often through no fault of their own.What works for me with regard to Michael Ball is just to enjoy what he produces for what it is--a growing process. How many songs out there are really worthy of a voice like this, anyway? We could spend his entire career being 'disappointed'. I prefer to enjoy his albums and performances for what they are, not what they aren't: a voice of beauty and expression which gives much enjoyment and far exceeds 95% of the other choices we have in modern pop."

The Multi-Dimensional Michael Ball

RALPH PETERS | 11/29/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Please don't pay any attention to reviewers who go to extremes, awarding this CD either one star or five stars. The value of this CD belongs at neither extreme. Nevertheless, it's a very good piece of work, and worth the money and the wait. There can be no doubt, Michael has an amazing voice. Referring to the voice he was born with, not the one he has exercised and gained control of through countless hours of lessons and experience on stage - his voice is a phenomenon. It's different from a good singing voice, even a great singing voice. There's an unusual quality to it that commands attention. This quality is something that must be heard to be understood so I won't bother to explain further. Not only was he born with an awesome voice, he has developed his instrument and uses it artistically to convey the spectrum of internal human experience (non-physical!). And boy does he complete the emotional spectrum on this CD, going from wild yearning in Hot Stuff to despair in Love On The Rocks, from lazy bliss in We Have All The Time In The World to aspiring self-confidence in I Believe I Can Fly. Michael sings it, the listener feels it.My favorites on this CD are We Have All The Time In The World, and How Deep Is Your Love. My three-year-old is *always* asking me to play Love On The Rocks ("Mommy, I need Lub Onda Wocks"). Michael's version of My Heart Will Go On sends Celine Dion's version home, bruised and defeated with its tail tucked between its legs. If I was in charge I'd have him work a little more on Wind Beneath My Wings, Have I Told You Lately, and People Are Strange. I think they're not quite ready, but definitely salvageable.Michael is a multi-dimensional performer. He sings successfully all genres of music; he's more than "Marius from Les Mis" and he proves that with this CD. I would love to hear Michael sing at the grand opera! Anyway it's unfair to pigeon-hole an artist as doing so limits creativity in the artist as well as expectation from the audience. By all means buy the CD, and be open to unexpected but welcome MB flavoring."

There is a reason this album has gone platinum!

RALPH PETERS | 01/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was wonderful! I don't know what some people meant about his choice of music being bad, it's perfect! He just keeps getting better and better! His versions of "My Heart Will Go On" and "Because You Loved Me" make Celine Dion's sound pathetic. And I never would of dreamed that ANYONE could come close to making "Wind Beneath My Wings" sound anywhere near as good as the original artist, Roger Whittaker. But his is almost as good. The rest of the tracks are wonderful. The "Blue's Brother's Medley" is so much fun, although people who have not at least seen him preform this on a concert video cannot fully appreciate it. "Hot Stuff" is adorable, and "Against All Odds" is heart-rending. Buy it, there indeed is a reason this album has gone platinum!"

"Michael makes every song his own"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 10/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trying to keep up with this talented entertainer is a full time job, his selections are top notch - "The Movies". The program ranges from ballads to spirited songs, from some memorable films.Michael has a way of making songs his own, for instance - "LOVE ON THE ROCKS" (The Jazz Singer) sings this straight from the heart, "HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY" (One Fine Day) sings the lyrics warm and tender, "I BELIEVE I CAN FLY" (Space Jam) you really believe he can, he's that convincing.When Michael sings, his style and charm comes shining through as Hip-O Records must know, releasing this fun-filled and entertaining album - "THE MOVIES", is Michael at his BEST!Total Time: 55:08 on 14 Tracks...Hip-O Records 314 559 241...(1998)"

BUY IT!!!!!!!

J. Lovins | 10/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third Michael Ball cd that I got, and it grows on you. "I Believe I Can Fly" is absolutely beautiful. His versions of "My Heart Will Go On" and "Because You Loved Me" are amazing. The power in his voice fits these songs perfectly. I could easily do without some of the song selections, but like I said, it will grow on you!!! Also, "Blues Brothers Medley" is VERY FUN!! The good tracks on this album outweigh the not so hot ones. BUY IT!!!!"

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