Essential John Barrowman, The - John Barrowman

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	magical, varied, cheap !
Disadvantages:	perhaps the duetting

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

He's the heart throb of Tv, the charmer of the Century. He can act, he can sing, he can present...yes, I'm speaking about the one and only John Barrowman! If, for some reason, you have not heard of Barrowman before, he's a man of many talents in his early fortys. As he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but moved to America as a child, he has the most melting voice, with the combined accents. Since moving back to Britain, he has been involved in many shows, such as musical audition programmes like I'd Do Anything (Oliver), and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria (Sound of Music). However, I personally know him best from his role as the gorgeous Captain Jack Harkness in both Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Now, Barrowman can not only act, but he can sing superbly too! He's had many albums, one of which is The Essential. This album was actually released in 2008 and holds sixteen of some of Barrowman's finest. Each track comes from a musical. All you need to do is slot the CD into a system and let the magic of John's voice carry you away...

1. All I Ask Of You - The Phantom Of The Opera
I'd not seen the Phantom of the Opera before, so this track was new to me. Though, I had guessed it would be quite a slow-paced and sorrowful song. Just three bars in, and it was clear I was correct. It's a song about two people (yes, a man and a woman!) wanting each other's love and protection. They need each other in their lives. As this is actually a duet, Barrowman's gentle voice is accompanied by that of Claire Moore. Yes, she has a good voice, though I feel it sort of creates a break in the song. Other than that, an exceptional piece.

2. Can You Feel The Love Tonight? - The Lion King
My all-time favourite Disney film is, without a doubt, The Lion King. Hence there is no surprise that I know this song like the back of my hand. I get quite angered when people butcher this song, so I hoped that Barrowman would send it across to me in such a loving and perfect way that I would not have to hate him! Thankfully, I was mesmerised by his heavenly voice. As he sang, I played the scenes from the movie in my head. Let Simba and Nala reunite, for Barrowman has spread the love! This has to be one of the greater versions of this magical song I have heard to date! It will take a lot to beat it!

3. Any Dream Will Do - Joseph and His Technicolour Dream Coat
As Barrowman presented Any Dream Will Do, I feel having this song on here is actually most appropriate! Though, I had not heard this version before, and was most looking forward to it! The song itself has such a steady beat which you cannot help but click along to. The second the vocals kick in, your mind is blown away. It's so gentle yet incredibly powerful - only Barrowman can make it his! He holds the notes superbly, and the harmony pieces are carried across amazingly. Definitely one of the best tracks!

4. Grease - Grease
This is one song I know quite well, having loved Grease as a child. Though, I was not sure how John was going to sound singing this. I feel this song is what I like to call one of the more 'rough' songs, whereas I find Barrowman has a very sexy voice. When he started to sing, it did not sound like himself at all! It was a good piece, however I feel it is not best suited to Barrowman. Thankfully, this is the shortest track on the album!

5. Love Changes Everything- Aspects of Love
I'd not heard of neither this song or the show before, so I really did have no idea what it would be about! When I first listened, it sounded quite demanding and powerful, though when Barrowman began to sing, it turned into a more mellow, loving piece of music. It's simply a song of love and how it can affect you in your life. If Barrowman were to turn and sing this to me, my heart would melt away!

6. High Flying Adored - Evita
This is another of those songs where I really did not have the faintest idea what it was about. I discovered it to be quite a sweet little song, easy to listen to too. Even this is quite gentle, Barrowman's voice is so strong and powerful, carrying the notes with passion. This is another duet piece, with Maria Freedman. It is actually quite a while into the song, just near the end when she first makes an entry! I really do feel this spoils it - you've listened to this magnificent song filled with the most superb voice, and then this other voice just pushes in. Although she does have a good voice, I didn't feel she should have ended the track!

7. Sunset Boulevard - Sunset Boulevard
I'd thought not seen or heard Sunset Boulevard before either, so it was going to be a treat to hear another new piece! It sounded much like a contemporary dance piece at first, but as soon as Barrowman began to sing his heart out, I could instantly picture him performing away in the theatre. Too, I recognised parts of the song - I must have heard it somewhere before.

8. Summer Nights- Grease
This is another song from Grease I am quite familiar with. Actually, it is probably my favourite from the show, so I had hoped it would be a good track on this album. Straight away, I wondered who would be duetting with Barrowman. As it was not me, I was most upset! Though it turned out to be Shona Lindsay. I personally do not feel either of their voices were best suited to this particular song; I prefer John singing those with more 'oomph' and power, as opposed to these pop-like songs. Though, it was still a good listen.

9. Think of Me - The Phantom of the Opera
This is another from the Phantom of the Opera I thought I had yet to hear. I'd expected it to be quite low like the other, and I was right; it's quite a slow and upsetting track, but in no way dire. What surprised me is the fact that is was not Barrowman who was first to sing, but Claire Moore. As soon as the vocals drifted in, I instantly recognised this song from some place. Though, where I could not remember. Moore suits this song more than she did the last. And Barrowman? Well, he sang a mere twenty five seconds of this - was it truly worth it?

10. Seeing Is Believing - Aspects of Love
I recognised the title to this one, but I could not hear it, so I couldn't wait to listen. Though I didn't click at any point whether I had actually heard it or not, so I treated it as a new song. Barrowman did in no way shout at the powering notes nor did he whisper on the softer. His voice carried this one across superbly. However, I cannot say the same about duetting Jane Kelly. She was not appalling, though I did feel her voice broke the song apart.

11. Easy To Love - Anything Goes
As this track started, it reminded me of something out of the cartoon Tom and Jerry. It's quite an unique little song, very gentle and warming. Although it's hard to picture Barrowman physically performing this piece, the colours of love flash around in your head; the pinks, the golds, the reds! Of course, this is until the line "So nice to sit down to eggs and bacon with..." breaks the romance! A fantastic track, one by the book!

12. You're The One That I Want - Grease
Having being quite disappointed by the other two Grease tracks on the album, I worried about this one much. Barrowman did ace the lyrics here, his voice lashing away at the song. Though I cannot say the same for Shona Lindsay who sang the words of Sandy. When singing alone, Barrowman made this song most entertaining, though when duetting, I wanted to reach for the ear muffs!

13. Too Much In Love To Care - Sunset Boulevard
First into the song, it is Catherine Porter who starts the duet off. She has such a soft voice which is quite fitted with this song. If I am perfectly honest, her voice is more suited to this than Barrowman's is. Though nonetheless he still melts you with this love song. This one actually makes me want to go out and buy Sunset Boulevard!

14. Why God Why - Miss Saigon
I'd heard great things about Miss Saigon, yet I had never been granted the opportunity to see it, so I was looking forward to this one! It's quite a slow-progressing song, it makes you think too. The lyrics ask you questions, which you ponder over. After Barrowman has sung to me for a little while, I began to remember parts of this song. It was all coming back to me, especially when Barrowman powered the notes. It is such a magical piece, definitely worth blasting through the speakers!

15. Anyone Can Whistle - Anyone Can Whistle
With the title of this one, I imagined it to be something found in a Disney film! At first, it did sound like this too! It's quite a gentle track, an easy listener too. It's one of those you could have playing in the background whilst you meditate! There's not much there to think about, good for clearing your mind in a mellow atmosphere.

16. We Beseech Thee - Gospell
I didn't know what this track was about, though I imagined it to be sung completely in old English, which would make it quite challenging to follow. Its quite an upbeat and jivey tune right from the beginning. It's very lively but not too loud or overpowering. Thankfully its not full of confusing language either, so its a good listen too. I can truly picture Barrowman performing this centre stage, with singers either side of him. This, I feel, is a good way to end the CD on a high!

Now, I think I can safely say this is a superb CD! The songs collectively provide hours of musical fun and enjoyment. It creates such a magical atmosphere suitable for all, but targeted more specifically at those fans of musicals! If you like the sound of this CD, you can purchase it in most music stores and online too. I paid a bargain price of just £3 for my copy in Asda this week, so it's not going to break the bank! Barrowman is such a charmer, and this CD helps him capture and melt your heart in a way unknown!

© Amy 2008