Anthems

Kerry Ellis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B003FST942
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,445 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

WEST END AND BROADWAY SENSATION KERRY ELLIS RELEASES MUSICAL THEATER/ROCK FUSION DEBUT ALBUM ANTHEMS SEPTEMBER 21ST ON DECCA

**FEATURING AND PRODUCED BY BRIAN MAY - FOUNDING MEMBER OF QUEEN**

(New York, NY - August 11, 2010) Broadway is about to get a little bit grittier with the release of Kerry Ellis' debut album, Anthems in stores September 21st on Decca. The album is a collaboration between Ellis and Queen's original guitarist, Brian May, who "talent-spotted" her in the 2000 West End revival of My Fair Lady. He immediately recruited her to originate the role of Meat in Queen's own musical We Will Rock You, where they began discussing further how they might continue to work together. This connection led to the creation of a unique collaboration that is tailored to showcase Kerry's powerful vocals with the help of Brian May's unmatched musical talent.

After her debut in My Fair Lady and subsequent leading role in We Will Rock You, Ellis went on to further establish herself as key talent in the global theatrical community. Her credits include the roles of Ellen in the UK tour of Miss Saigon, Fantine in Les Misérables and finally Elphaba in the West End and Broadway productions of Wicked - the first British actress to ever take on the role. In addition to being featured in many concerts and workshops, she can currently be seen in the London revival of Oliver as Nancy through January 2011.

May comments; "From the moment I first heard Kerry sing, I was entranced, and felt the conviction that I would one day make her album. The conviction never left me. The hard thing was to find the right medium to harness that amazing voice - the material and arrangements had to be worthy, and a musical style evolved to capture her unique magic."

Infused with the distinctive sound of May's legendary guitar-playing and a full orchestra, Anthems is a large-scale production that showcases Ellis' impressive range and vocal abilities. Brian May elaborates further, calling the project "a kind of Anthemic-Orchestral-Rock-Musical Theater Fusion." With a track listing that boasts new arrangements of songs from Wicked (Defying Gravity, I'm Not That Girl) and classic music by Queen (Save Me, No One But You), Anthems is sure to transcend genres and establish Kerry Ellis as not only an unforgettable stage actress, but also as a recording artist who is redefining musical boundaries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kerry Ellis Is A British vocal phenom joined by Brian May, September 28, 2010

By 

Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)

Queen's guitar virtuoso, Brian May, is a master in reference to selecting vocalists. It started with the iconic Freddie Mercury, then he joined forces with the wondrously bluesy Paul Rogers and now he has produced and played guitar for the soon to be a major starlet, Kerry Ellis. If you can fuse Kate Bush' voice with Carrie Underwood's voice that's how great Kerry Ellis sings. "Anthems" is immediately impressive and infectious. The opening track "Dangerland" is exotic and enchanting. The song "Anthems" has a major Queeen influence and Kerry Ellis' vocal performance is amazing. This song and several others are bolstered and enhanced by some majestic Brian May guitar riffs featuring his inimitable tones.

Other major highlights are May's poignant "Save Me", "the spectacular and rousing "Defying Gravity" and "the sterling and heartrending "I'm Not That Girl". Other appealing gems are "I Can't Be Your Friend", the tender "No One But You" and the gorgeous and emotive closing track "I Loved A Butterfly"(Written By Brian May.

I was pleasantly surprised and even awed by the grandeur of this CD. Kerry Ellis is a vocal phenomenon and once again Brian May displays his resplendent instrumental talents while unveiling the enormous talent of an exemplary vocalist.

This is a bona fide 5 Star Cd.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much ado . . ., February 28, 2011

By 

John W. Dunner "Jay Dunner" (Atco, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)

The runaway "Defying Gravity" is a take-no-prisoners rallying cry for empowerment, and Ellis and producer Brian May (Queen) give it an all-out delivery. The problem is that the rest of Anthems takes the same cookie-cutter approach: Broadway-bluster vocals, Brian May's layered guitar leads, and very little nuance anywhere. From the spiritual "You Have to Be There" to the darker "Diamonds Are Forever" cover, they're all anthems, but in the heat of the battle, an occasional moment of silence can be much more profound.

1.0 out of 5 stars Anthems, December 10, 2011

By 

jkp371 (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anthems (Audio CD)

Kerry have a great voice and the sound quality was very good, however this album really did nothing for me. It was lifeless and at the end of the first and second listen I just sat back and said, it did nothing for me.