I started to watch ITV lunch time show Loose Women just over a year ago. At the time, I was unaware of who any of the panellists were. Though now I know quite a bit about these fantastic women, one of which is the lovely Jane McDonald. Jane is a singer, and has had various albums released. ... Read review
Advantages: gentle, relaxing, cheap, some amazing songs Disadvantages: It's jammed in my laptop just now :(
I started to watch ITV lunch time show Loose Women just over a year ago. At the time, I was unaware of who any of the panellists were. Though now I know quite a bit about these fantastic women, one of which is the lovely Jane McDonald. Jane is a singer, and has had various albums released. The one I own is called 'The Collection'.
The CD cover itself has a picture of Jane her self, dressed in a trendy denim jacket, her smile stretched ... ...a shining shade of deep purple with a hint from silver stars. It's very attractive, definitely one to draw the attention in.
The Collection has nineteen tracks on it, each listed on the back of the CD case. I scanned over them briefly before listening, finding that I had heard of some of the tracks before. Though I was curious to discover the new ones too. Unable to wait any more, I popped the CD on, ready to listen, the flame of the ... more
I started to watch ITV lunch time show Loose Women just over a year ago. At the time, I was unaware of who any of the panellists were. Though now I know quite a bit about these fantastic women, one of which is the lovely Jane McDonald. Jane is a singer, and has had various albums released. The one I own is called 'The Collection'.
The CD cover itself has a picture of Jane her self, dressed in a trendy denim jacket, her smile stretched broadly across her face. The colours behind her are beautiful; a shining shade of deep purple with a hint from silver stars. It's very attractive, definitely one to draw the attention in.
The Collection has nineteen tracks on it, each listed on the back of the CD case. I scanned over them briefly before listening, finding that I had heard of some of the tracks before. Though I was curious to discover the new ones too. Unable to wait any more, I popped the CD on, ready to listen, the flame of the candle gently flickering away by my side.
The first track on the CD is I Only Want To Be With You. This song was originally sung by Dusty Springfield back in 1963. Since then it has been sung by many other artists too, though none topping the charts. Something I found nice was that it was played on BBC soap Eastenders when Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) dug up Den's body. This was quite amusing, as Kim sang this song alongside actress Debra Stephenson on Comic Relief Does Fame Academy a few years back!
When the song starts to play, it's instantly lively with a good tempo, making you want to dance about instantly. This is held throughout the entire song, which is quite unique for a song, as they usually have a point when the pace slows down. The lyrics are clear, and suit Jane's voice perfectly. Every note, every word, it's fantastic! "It's crazy but its true...I only wanna be with you!" Length: 2:31
Moving onto the second track; it's I Believe I Can Fly. Again, another reasonably well-known song. It is first sung by R.Kelly back in 1996. I remember seeing the video for it when I was in the cinema; an trailer for the film Space Jam came on, for which it was written. I liked it a bit then, but not a great deal!
Though with Jane's version, my opinion changed round completely! You put the song on, listen to the gentle notes slowly float around you. Jane starts to sing and you find yourself listening intently, focusing on every word she sings. You can relate to them, it gives you a state of truth. Yes, believe her. You can do it. If you believe you can fly, then you can fly! "I believe I can fly...I believe I can touch the sky!" Length: 4:40
Say A Little Prayer is the third track on this wonderful album. I recognised the title, but couldn't quite hear it in my head. This song, I found out, was sung by Dionne Warwick in 1967, reaching number four in the charts. This certainly led me to believe it was going to be good.
When I first hear the song my initial impressions are quite positive. It has quite an upbeat rhythm though nothing you cannot follow. It sounds slightly oriental, but when Jane starts to sing, it all changes. Her voice matches the key perfectly, the lyrics sounding around me. It's mellow, yet fast-paced at the same time. An amazing song for sure, and one that let the lyrics come flooding back to me! "Forever, forever, you stay in my heart!" Length: 3:43
So far so good, I only hoped it would continue this way with track four! This was Show Me Heaven, a song then I thought I was not familiar with. After a little research though I soon got clued up! It was sung by Maria McKee for the soundtrack of film Days of Thunder in 1990, and was a massive hit in the UK. But would it be as successful with me?
The song opens on quite a soft and gentle note, echoing around. Though not long after, just a few bars in, it soon sped up and the first verse kicked in; the beginning of a steady paced, powerful song. Hang on? It is...yes it is! I knew this song! I had only not recognised it's title! I always sing this sang, for some reason, and even more now that I have it on this CD! "Show me heaven, please!" Length: 4:58
Okay, so song five is called To Sir With Love. What was this all about? Well To Sir With Love is actually a film, from 1967, with its title song by the same name. This was sung by Lulu, and was written by Don Black and Mark London. I wondered if it would make me want to watch the film...
Now Jane was going to attempt this song, but would she succeed? Definitely! The song sounds, again, quite upbeat with a consistent tempo. Though Jane makes it seem a little softer with the vocals, which she aces! I don't think I'll watch the film but I do love the song! "The time has come...for closing books, and long last looks must end!" Length: 3:12
Song six...not even halfway but I'm so very excited! Each track has been wonderful, and I hoped Aint No Mountain High Enough would break this chain. I was familiar with the song, but didn't know much about it. Though I found out that it was first sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967. It was quite a success, and it was too the second time round when it was sung by Diana Ross in 1970.
Thakfully, Jane had portrayed this success amazingly! Again, it was yet another upbeat track with clear, fantastically sung lyrics. It's one I'd say you'd find played towards the end of Discos, to end the night on a high. It's always been a song I have found catchy, but Jane takes it to the next level! "Aint no mountain high enough...aint no body low enough!" Length: 4:01
Anyone At All follows that. This song was was sung by Carole King, a version I haven't heard. I actually couldn't find any information about this track on the internet, so it was going to be interesting to see how it turned out!
This song was a turning point from the fast-paced songs - this one was certainly more soft and slow. Though do not get me wrong, it is in no way slow to progress! It's very soothing, perhaps one perfect for meditating too (I've taken to candle meditation recently!). A new love of mine, a perfectly perfect track! "Words can hurt you...if they let them!" Length: 3:38
We're still not even half way through the so-far superb album, when we come to track eight - Alfie. I thought I knew this song, but I wasn't too sure. Originally sung by Cher in 1996, it was written as the theme for the film that goes by the same name. Again, another film I hadn't seen but a good song all the same.
Would Jane's version be as nice as the original? If I do say so, I found it to be better! The mellow vocals fit beautifully with the gentle song, the words filling the room with a calm glow. I found it to be quite emotional, as it always reminds me of Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie) in Eastenders, and then I always am reminded of the scene when Nana Moon (Hilda Braid) sadly died. It was beautiful, but terribly heart-breaking. "What's it all about, Alfie?" Length: 3:07
My mood a little down, though not with the music, I didn't know how I'd react to the next track, which was The Way We Were. What was this track? New to me! This eighth track was written for another movie by the same name. The song was sung in 1973 Barbra Streisand, an amazing singer! Could Jane par?
The song again starts off gentle, sounding almost as if from a fairytale film. When Jane sings, it sounds quite emotional, singing about memories. Memories mean so much to me, and I have both bad and good, so I allowed them allto come flooding back uncontrollably with this song. It was totally beatugil. "Memories...like the corners of my mind!" Length: 4:39
Somewhere follows that sorrowful yet beautiful piece. This is a song that comes from Broadway musical WestSide Story, so has been sung many a time now! Other artists to cover it include Barbra Streisand, Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue.
I'd never seen West Side Story before so didn't know what to expect. It was a lot slower than I had imagined, more gentle and soft too. There are a lot of powerful notes which Jane gets spot on, making the song a great joy to listen to! "Time together, with time to spend...time to learn, time to care!" Length: 3:24
After that beautiful song, I wasn't sure if track eleven could match it! The Girl That Used To Be Me was a new song to me, sung originally by Patti Austin. I couldn't find anything else on the internet, which didn't look to positive for the song!
The song started quite quick, though slowed down when the vocals kicked in, before speeding up for the chorus again. I didn't think too much of the verses, but I did love the chorus! It was so touching and powerful, Jane has surely made it her own! "The girl who used to be me, she could fly, she was free!" Length: 4:07
Well over half way now at track twelve, and I was so far thrilled! Track thirteen was The Hand That Leads Me, another one that was new to me. I was unable to find out anything about it on the good old internet, not even the artist! So this was going to be a huge surprise!
This song is very strong indeed, a powerful and embracing piece of music. It calms down a tad when the vocals kick in but there is still strength in it, with the perfect match from Jane. The notes are so precise and heavenly, reaching deep within you! "You're my best friend...and let me say, I love you more and more each day!" Length: 3:50
Track thirteen is Help Me Make It Through The Night, originally by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1970. Sammi Smith also had a very successful hit with it in 1971, but would I enjoy it as much as people did back then?
Relaxing and soothing to start, this song creates a very peaceful atmosphere. The lyrics are nice to listen to too. It's almost country-western to an extend, one of my favourite styles of music so I was best pleased! This has the potential to to my own little music chart! "Shake it loose and let it fall, laying soft against your skin!" Length: 2:25
Following this was The Windmills Of Your Mind. Reading the title, I had an image of windmills of my mind. Yet again I failed to find any information about this song (though I am led to believe it was sung by Dusty Springfield) which is quite disappointing! I hoped the song itself would bring me more joy!
This song, I must say, is not the best. The instrumental is quite usual, nothing unique about it! Though I do like the chorus, when the words are separated in the one sentece, giving a sence of breeze and relaxation. Not the best, but easy to listen to! "Windmills...of your mind!" Length: 3:50
How Can I Be Sure followed this, another song I hadn't heard of! It was originally recorded by the Young Rascals in 1967, and Wikipedia describes it as a popular song - should I be embarrassed that I hadn't heard of it?
What did I think of it then? Well the song wasn't anything special, the lyrics not too fantastic, but sometimes the simplistic approach can be most appreciated! It provided a nice change in the album, but if all the songs were like this, I may not have been so keen to listen to this entire song! "Touch me, but don't take me down!" Length: 2:50
Track 16 is called You Don't Know Me, and in all honesty I Didn't Know this song! Eddy Arnold first recorded this song in 1955, though the first success with the song was achieved by Jerry Vale in 1956, when it reached number 14 in the Billboard Charts. I was sure Jane's version would top my charts!
The song has a very catchy beat, quite jumpy. I couldn't help clicking along to it and tapping my feet! The vocals are clear, not easy to sing along with in my opinion though very 'clickable'! One that will stick in my mind for a while! "You don't know me, you don't know me at all!" Length: 3:10
With three tracks to go, I hoped they were all going to be filled with wonder! The next one was What Becomes of The Broken Hearted. I had definitely heard of this track, one of my favourites! I couldn;t source who sang the original but it was released by Cascada early last year.
I had guessed Jane's version would be much slower than what I was used to, and I was right! Though it was not boring, but soothing and calming. The lyrics are so soft and gentle, slowly turning around your mind, though with a slight beat to their rhythmic movements. Her voice suits it perfectly! The tune cannot get out of my head! "I have visions of many things..but happiness is just an illusion, filled with happiness and confusion!" Length: 3:20
Second last we have The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, a song I had heard once or twice but was not too familiar with it. Again quite disappointingly I couldn;t find who was the original artist for the song, so I had to rely on Jane alone to create my opinion of it!
It is such a beautiful song, so slow. It wraps its self around your heart, gently hugging it. It tugs on the tear strings in your eyes, causing you to well up slightly. Jane sings it so clearly with such strength and passion in her voice, it's beautiful. So moving! "The moon and the stars, were the gifts you gave!" Length: 4:10
The final track is My Heart Will Go On. I do not think there are many people who do not know of this song! The song appeared in the film The Titanic, tugging at the heart strings of thousands all over from then in 1997 all through to present day! It was sung then by Celine Dion, but I was sure Jane's version would be just as magical!
In my opinion, I felt Jane's version was better! It's so powerful, and Jane's voice locks in with the rhythm splendidly. This mellow heart-string tugger fills you with tears. Even the strongest of people would break down with this. Listening to the lyrics, your life, your mind, yourself, you can melt in an instance. "Near, Far, Wherever you! I believe that the hear does...go on!" Length: 4:06
I will not deny the fact that I am welling up right now, after listening to such a beautiful CD. Each song was amazing, but that last track topped it off. The power in Jane's voice is incredible, and when she sings live on Loose Women, it is mind blowing! I would love to meet her, which my Grandma has actually had the pleasure of doing! So envious of her, but perhaps one day when I'm on Loose Women (!) she may still be there and I'll be granted my wish!
So was this CD worth the money? I paid £5 for this in HMV, which is fantastically cheap for what you get! Its £6 in Asda too, so the deal seems to be as good pretty much anywhere you go! This particular album was released way back in 2003 though I did not know about it at the time. She has many other albums too, including Jane and You Belong To Me. I do intend to buy these at some point soon after loving this one!
This album is perfect for relaxing in the comfort of your home, of if you are taking a nice gentle stroll along a beach-front it is perfect to pop onto an mp3 player, the gentle songs perfect for the lapping of the waves. It makes a great present for any fan of Jane's but is perfect for treating yourself too!
