Advantages: Upbeat, joyous and infectious Disadvantages: Very hard to come by
Overview
Formed in 1986, The London Boys consisted of Edem Ephraim and Dennis Fuller fronting for their producer and songwriter Ralf-René Maué (but not in the Milli-Vanilli way because Edem and Dennis sing their own tunes). As accomplished dancers, Ephraim and Fuller quickly made a name for themselves across Europe thanks to their high energy performances and eurodisco beats.
The 1989 album "The Twelve Commandments of Dance" reached number 2 in the UK charts and is probably their best known work. This review however covers the lesser-known 1995 album "Hallelujah Hits" released shortly before the untimely demise of Ephraim and Fuller in a car accident. "Hallelujah Hits" is an unusual crossover album fusing traditional gospel compositions with eurodance beats.
Tracklisting
1. Gospel Train to London ...
Advantages: Lyrically and Musically enchanting Disadvantages: Only one album from one so talented
.
"Lilac wine is sweet and heady,
Where's my love?
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady,
Where's my love? "
'So Real' is in complete contrast to the very sombre 'Lilac Wine' pacewise and it needs outstanding vocals to carry off it's demanding chorus and climactic finale. Jeff delivers and in the process let's
a rockier more animalistic side to his talent off the leash a little!
' Hallelujah' was written by the Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. A little surprising that this song with a religious feel to it should appear on the album but it's certainly worth a mention because it could have been an achilles heel and it certainly is not. The vocals are distinct and powerful here because they are accompanied by only an acoustic guitar. I would imagine that the original would have to be pretty damn good to match this version.
"I've seen ...
George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759); Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750); (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791); (Jakob Ludwig) Felix Mendelssohn (-Bartholdy) (1809 - 1847); Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827); Antonio (Lucio) Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)
Main Performer
Aldo Baldin (Tenor); Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baritone); Edith Mathis (Soprano); Arleen Augér (Soprano); Barbara Hendricks (Soprano)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s)
London Symphony Chorus (pro) Choir; London Symphony Orchestra; Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Date of Release
09/1994
Label / Distributor
Belart / Universal Manufacturing and Logistics
Pieces in Set
1
Running Time
1 hour 2 minutes
Genre(s)
Vocal and choral, Stage works
SPAR Code
ADD
EAN
28946100226
Catalogue Number
461
Work 1
Work Title
Messiah, HWV56
Excerpt(s)
1. Hallelujah
Composer
George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1742
Conductor
Colin Davis
Orchestra / Ensemble
London Symphony Chorus (pro) Choir
Orchestra / Ensemble
London Symphony Orchestra
Work 2
Work Title
Mass in B minor, BWV232
Excerpt(s)
1. GLORIA - Gloria in excelsis 2. Hosanna
Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
assembled c1747-9
Conductor
Neville Marriner
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Work 3
Work Title
(Die) Schöpfung, HobXXI/2
Excerpt(s)
1. Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen!.
Composer
(Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1796-8
Conductor
Neville Marriner
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Main Performer
Aldo Baldin (Tenor), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Baritone), Edith Mathis (Soprano)
Opera Part(s)
Aldo Baldin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Edith Mathis
Work 4
Work Title
Requiem in D minor, K626
Excerpt(s)
1. Lacrimosa 2. Offertorium:
Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1791
Conductor
Colin Davis
Orchestra / Ensemble
(John) Alldis Choir
Orchestra / Ensemble
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Work 5
Work Title
Judas Maccabaeus, HWV63
Excerpt(s)
1. See, the conqu'ring hero comes! (Chorus)
Composer
George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1747
Conductor
Neville Marriner
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Orchestra
Orchestra / Ensemble
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Work 6
Work Title
Christmas Oratorio, BWV248
Excerpt(s)
1. CANTATA 1 - Jauchzet, frohlocket!
Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1734
Conductor
Eugen Jochum
Orchestra / Ensemble
Bavarian Radio Chorus
Orchestra / Ensemble
Netherlands Radio Chorus
Work 7
Work Title
(A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Opp. 21 and 61
Excerpt(s)
1. Melodram: 'Over hill, over dale' and March of the Elves (Act 2)
Composer
(Jakob Ludwig) Felix Mendelssohn (-Bartholdy) (1809 - 1847)
Genre
Stage works
Date Written
1826-1842
Conductor
Neville Marriner
Orchestra / Ensemble
Ambrosian Singers Choir
Orchestra / Ensemble
Philharmonia Orchestra
Work 8
Work Title
(6) Lieder, Op. 34
Excerpt(s)
1. No. 2, Auf Flügeln des Gesanges (wds. Heine)
Composer
(Jakob Ludwig) Felix Mendelssohn (-Bartholdy) (1809 - 1847)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1836
Conductor
Herbert Kegel
Orchestra / Ensemble
Leipzig Radio Chorus Orchestra
Main Performer
Arleen Augér (Soprano)
Opera Part(s)
Arleen Augér
Work 9
Work Title
Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80
Excerpt(s)
1. Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Date Written
1807
Conductor
Bernard Haitink
Orchestra / Ensemble
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra / Ensemble
London Philharmonic Choir
Work 10
Work Title
In exitu Israel in C, RV064
Excerpt(s)
1. In exitu Israel in C, RV064
Composer
Antonio (Lucio) Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)
Genre
Vocal & Choral
Conductor
Vittorio Negri
Orchestra / Ensemble
(John) Alldis Choir
Orchestra / Ensemble
English Chamber Orchestra
Work 11
Work Title
Mass No. 11, 'Missa in angustiis', 'Nelsonmesse' in D minor, HobXXII/11
