Martine McCutcheon's Musicality CD
Who is Martine McCutcheon?
Born 14th May 1976 - Hackney London - Martine trained at Italia Conti Stage School and at 15 was picked to be in girl band Milan, the toured with East 17 in 1994.
It was in January 1995 they she got her big break when she was cast as Tiffany Raymond in East Enders a long running soap on BBC1. She stayed with the soap and before long 'Tiff' was a household name. Her dramatic relationship with Grant Mitchell kept viewers avidly watching, but despite her success she decided to leave the soap for good and was killed off.
Martine then went on to pursue her acting career and was a hit with her first single 'Perfect Moment'.
In 2001 Martine took to the stage as Eliza Doolittle in My fair Lady.
Most recently Martine most recently starred, as Hough grants love interest in romantic comedy 'Love actually' in 2003.
About the CD:
Martine has always made it known that she has a love for music and in particular the musicals and in the insert she says ' I hope I can bring these legendry songs to a new generation of music lovers with class' she then goes on to say ' This album is dedicated to all the wonderful starts that sang these songs the first time around and who inspired so many of us to perform today - 'Music is the food of love. So play on!'
The front over is a simple picture of Martine hair scraped into a bun donning a red glittery top hap - very theatrical.
Nigel Wright for Sap has produced this CD and is under the label Liberty EMI Records UK all copy right goes to Virgin records Ltd 2002.
The Song List
1. 'Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart'
from the musical 'Listen Darling'. 'Listen darling' was made by MGM in 1938. It is the story of a high school girl and her boyfriend who 'Kidnap' her mother to prevent her from marrying a man she doesn't love, knowing she is only thinking about the families' security. In the film the magnificent Judy Garland sings the song. Judy was born 10th June 1922 and died 22nd June 1969, her original name was Frances Gumm and she started her show biz career at the age of just two. Judy made 43 movies and is most well know for her role as Dorothy Gale MGM's 1939 production 'The Wizard of Oz'.
2. 'The Lady is a Tramp' from the musical 'Babes in Arms'. Another Judy film starring along side Mickey Rooney all in all Mickey and Judy did 10 films together with MGM. 'Babes in Arms' was filmed in 1939 and was a story about a vaudeville team trying to be sent being sent with other vaudevillians children being sent to and work on a farm.
3. 'Out Here On My Own' from the hit musical 'Fame'. The high school of performing arts hit our screens in 1980 and has since become a fabulous stage show. Irene Cara played Coco in the film and sang the powerful song 'out here on my own'. Her career took off and she won an academy award, two Grammy's and a Golden Globe.
4. 'Nobody Does It Like Me' from the musical 'See-Saw'. This 1973 musical was about an American lawyer who falls in love with a kooky dancer until they both discover they are completely different. The star of this show was originally Michele lee born on 24th June 1942, she went on to be the 1st woman in 1996 to produce, write, direct and star in an original motion picture for TV called 'Colour me Perfect'
5. 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend' from the musical 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' the 1953 musical about 2 women gold diggers who board a ship to France with nothing on their minds but pursuing men for money. Marilyn Monroe made this song a hit and it has since been recorded and performed by money artists. Marilyn Monroe born 1st June 1926 died 5th August 1962. Marilyn was famous for her curvaceous size 16 body and good looks and in recent years the speculation and theory's over her death.
6. 'I Dreamed a Dream' from the show stopping musical Les Miserables. Les Miserables opened at The Barbican theatre in 1985 and has since won 8 Tony Awards.
7. 'Wouldn't It Be lovely' from 'My Fair Lady' 1964 the story of a poor flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) who is turned into a lady, how through the use of speech and the skills of dialect coach Professor Higgins (Rex Harrison). Audrey Hepburn born 4th May 1929 died 30th January 1993 a brilliant actress best known for her appearance in this film and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' in 1961. 'My Fair lady' is now a stage musical and Martine played the role of Eliza Doolittle so it is only fitting that this song should have a place on her CD.
8. 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from the 1968 musical 'Funny Girl' A life story about Fannie Brice and her early days in the Jewish slums on the lower east side to the height of her career with The Ziegfield Follies. The wonderful Barbara Streisand played the role of Fannie; Barbara was born on the 24th April 1942 and has become a wonderful singer/actress still going strong today.
9. 'Maybe This Time' from the Bob Fosse musical 'Cabaret' 1972. The story of an American singer Sally Bowles set in 1930's Berlin. We follow her life at the 'Kit-Kat' Club and meet and array of wonderful characters, this is a deep musical at a time when political issues rock the country and the economy has been destroyed. Liza Minnelli born 12th march 1946 daughter to Judy Garland and director Vincent Minnelli played Sally. Liza is a fabulous singer/actress who was destined to follow in her mother's footsteps.
10. 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' from the Disney musical 'The Lion King 1994. The story of young lion cub Simba and his quest for the circle of life. The song was written and performed by Sir Elton John and the lyrics by Tim Rice. In 1999 a stage version of 'The Lion King' was created and is now on at The Lyceum theatre in London.
11. 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' from Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Sarah Brightman created the role of Christine when it opened at Her Majesty's Theatre. The musical is still running today in the west end and in 2004 a new version of the story was released on film.
12. 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' from the 1978 hit musical Grease. The story of a teenage romance between Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta). Danny is a T-Bird and to win his heart Sandy will have to become on of the Pink Ladies. The chosen song is sung by the character of Rizzo (Stockard Channing) the leader of the pink ladies, she has just found out that she could be pregnant and is very upset.
13. 'The Winner Takes It All' is from the musical 'Mama Mia'. This song was made famous by the 70's Swedish pop sensation ABBA; the group was made up of Agnetha Faltskog, Banny Anderson, Bijorn Ulvaeus and Anni-Fria Lyngstad the initials of their first names creating the title of the group. In 1999 a musical was created using all ABBA songs, the story is about a mother, daughter and possible 3 fathers and a trip down the aisle you will never forget.
14. 'The Man That Got away' from the musical 'The Star is Born' - the story of Esther Blodgett a singer who has that 'little something extra'. Esther is signed to a studio as a contract player everything is on top the world until she marries a man whose heavy drinking causes problems at the studio. In 1954 Judy Garland starred as the role of Esther and in 1976 a remake was made and Barbara Streisand played the role.
15. 'What I Did For Love' from the 1986 musical 'A Chorus Line' the story of young hopefuls auditioning for Zac (Michael Douglas) the director hoping and praying that will get a place in the line up. The character of Cassie performs this song, she is Zac's ex love and she turns up at the auditions begging for a job.
16. 'White Christmas' is originally from the 1942 film 'Holiday Inn' not from the 1954 film 'White Christmas' as so many people think. The Holiday Inn is the setting for a story filled with romance and music is the main thing on their minds, it stars two great performers Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
Summary:
This is a delightful CD bringing the magic of some classic musicals to life; the talents of Martine McCutcheon bring songs performed by some legends to you once more. This is an easy listening CD for lovers of the musicals.
Where can i get it?
Martine's CD is available from www.amazon.co.uk for £11.99 New. Also available are some other CD's including You Me and Us £6.99, Wishing for £6.99, My Fair Lady £11.99.
by (16%):
by (2%):
13.02.2006 14:11
Not something I'd listen to but a great review. BTW you spelt Hugh wrong!
08.02.2006 16:15
Sounds like a great cd!! Brill review. Em xox
06.02.2006 18:23
Sorry for the H, but it feels to me as if there's more about the background to the songs than about the songs and music itself here.